_From _Zeyloon_, he arrived at _Syam_; and what there he saw
and observed._
_Syam_ is a Kingdom contiguous to _Pegu_, a part of the _East-Indies_;
And, as the people are included within the burning Zone, therefore far
from being fair; yet are tall of stature, very strong and valiant, and
generally so strait, that few are found among them crooked. Formerly
they were much given to _Sodomy_: to prevent which, ’twas wisely
ordered, (though strangely) that the males as soon as born, should have
a bell of gold (and in it a dry’d Adders tongue) put through the prepuce
and flesh. When the desire of copulation stimulates any of them, he
presents himself to some expert Midwives, who advise him to drink
_Opium_, or some such somniferous potion; which having done in their
presence, he falls asleep; during which interval, they remove the bell,
and apply to the orifice from whence it was taken, an unguent, which
affords a speedy cure: then is he free to make use of such as his fancy
leads him to. The young Girls are served in a worse manner; for as soon
as born, their _Pudenda_ is sowed up, and only a small _foramen_, or
passage left, as an _aquaduct_: about eight or nine she is unstitcht; &
it is as great a rarity, to finde a pure Virgin here at ten years old,
as to finde a Maid at sixteen, in most places of _France_, or its
neighbouring Countreys. And that these young leacherous Fry maybe
capable of that employment they are destinated unto, they have potions
given them to drink which have the efficacious power as to distend their
_muliebria_ to such a capacity, as that (if their bells were not
withdrawn) their males would finde too easie an entrance. The women here
(still the more to allure the men from that detestable & unnatural act
of _Sodomy_) go naked; (as little a novelty in these parts, as for
_Irish_ and _Scotch_ to wash their cloaths with their feet, their coats,
smock and all tuckt up about their middles, though twenty men stand by
as (deriding) spectators): I say, they go naked to their middles, where
the better sort are covered with a fine transparent Taffata or dainty
Lawn, which by a cunning device is so made to open, that as they pass
along, the least air discovers all, to all mens immodest views. Their
Priest, which they call _Tallapoi_, are seeming very zealously
superstitious: they somewhat incline to Mahometanism; for they pretend
they will not drink wine, being forbidden it by their Law, yet are
abominable hypocrites: for, though they wear a sheep-skin with the wool
thereon, not suffering any hair to be on their bodies, and in shew lead
a chaste life, yet I found the contrary; as you shall understand by what
past between one of them and my self. I being on shore with our Ships
crew, I chanc’d to walk abroad, carrying with me a bottle of
_Spanish_-wine: As I entred into a Wood, intending not to adventure too
far, there came to me one of these _Tallapoi_ or Priests, in the habit
aforesaid, with a horn about his neck, resembling a Sowgelder’s, but
much less; with which, I was told, they, with the sound thereof, used to
convene the people to hear them preach. This holy Infidel espying me,
blest himself, (as I guest by his gesture) & approaching near me, I
imagined that he prayed for me, by the elevation of his eyes and hands:
as a requital, I proffered him some of my wine; and having tasted
thereof, lik’d it so well, that by signs, I understood he desired his
horn full of me: to tell you the truth, I lik’d it so well myself, that
I had no desire to part with one drop more of it; but his importunities
so far prevailed, that I granted his request; which having obtained, he
made no more ado but drank it off, making but one gulp thereof; a thing
contrary to the strictness of his profession. After this, he seemed to
bless me, and so departed. It was but a little while, before he again
presented himself to my view; and beckoning to me, I followed him;
coming close up to him, he pointed with his finger to a place, where
covertly I espy’d three Maidens (as I supposed) to whom he by signs
perswaded me to go. Sitting down amongst them, they entertained me with
as much civility as they were endued withall, and courted me after their
amorous fashion. One of these was the handsomest that I had seen in
those parts; though not to be compared, for form of face, with the
homeliest Kitchin-stuff-wench in _London_. I dallied with her so long,
till that lust conquer’d my fancy; attempting something, and being in a
fair way to it, this _Satyr Goat-Devil_, (I can’t invent a name bad
enough to call him by) presently falls down upon us; and taking me thus
unawares, lying on my belly, I was not able to help my self, that he had
like to have performed his business; and questionless had effected it,
but that the two Maidens standing by (no ways ashamed at this most
shameful sight) assisted me, pulling him off. I presently started up, &
seized him; and tripping up his heels, I laid him on his back: having so
done, I bound him; then taking out my knife, I could not find in my
heart to spare him one inch; and that he might not have any witnesses
left of what was done, I took away his testicles too. The three young
Girles fled, fearing my rage and revenge might have extended to them:
And fearing my self, that they would give information of what I had
done, I fled too to my Ships-Comerades; and giving them account of what
had happened, we all judged it the safest way to go aboard; and so we
did, with all expedition possible.