_How they salute one another in this countrie, and of some part of
their ceremonies._
There is no nation in all the worlde, be it neuer so barbarous, that
hath been found out vntill this day, without a manner of courtesie, or
some ceremony of salutation in their meetinges and visitinges, or when
they do assemble in any particular businesse: whereof wee haue large
notice by auncient histories, and sufficient experience in that wee haue
seene and vnderstoode in these kingdomes and prouinces which in our
dayes hath beene discouered: although herein (as I am fully perswaded)
those of this kingdome do exceede all nations of the world (as is
affirmed by them that haue had the experience), for they haue so many
ceremonies and vsages of courtesie and ciuilitie amongest them, that
they haue bookes to teach them only how they should behaue themselues in
making difference of persons. Of all the which, such as shall seeme
expedient to giue notice of, I will declare in this chapter, using
therein the breuitie that this historie requireth.
They esteeme it a great discourtesie, not to salute one an other when
they see or meete one an other, although the acquaintance betwixt them
be but small.
The salutation that the common people do vse is, when they do meete the
one with the other, to shut the left hande, and to couer it with the
right, ioyning therewith their breastes together, with much bowing their
heades downewardes, signifying that loue and amitie is as firme betweene
them as their handes are fast, and that their friendshippe is not
alonely in the ceremonie, but also in the heart: the which they giue to
vnderstande by woordes at the same time. But amongest courtyers and
gentlemen they vse an other manner of courtesie, which seemeth vnto them
of much more curiositie, that is: at such time as they doo meete, they
make a little staye, then they caste abroad their armes, and claspe
their fingers together, remayning in compasse, humbling themselues manie
times, and contending one with an other about their parting for to
prosecute his waye; and the higher estate they are of, the more is their
contention. When that anie meane person doth meete with a principall
man, who for dignitie or for any other occasion dooth acknowledge
superioritie, straight wayes hee dooth stay with great silence,
declining his head, till such time as he is past by, although the most
part of them dooth it more for feare than for courtesie: for that
experience hath taught them, that he that dooth it not, is straight
wayes punished and whipped cruelly.
[Sidenote: A strange kind of courtesie.]
When that any of these commeth to speake with any Loytia, at the
entering in at the hall whereas he is, hee kneeleth downe, declyning his
head and looking vpon the ground: and on this sort he goeth vpon his
knees till hee come into the middest of the hall, and there he stayeth
and declareth his petition by worde of mouth, with an humble and meeke
voyce, or else presenteth it by writing: and hauing receiued answere,
hee dooth returne on his knees backwardes, without turning his backe to
the Loytia, vntill hee bee quite out of the hall. And if they which doo
meete or visite one an other be equall in dignity, they shew great
courtesie on both sides, contending who shall surpasse in courtesie and
wordes: wherein they are verie ceremonious. When one doth goe to visite
an other, he that is visited, after the visitation done, doth bring the
other vnto the streete doore. This custome is vsed most amongest the
common people, being equal in degree, or differing little. Likewise they
vse one thing verie strange, and neuer heard of amongest other nations,
that is: if that one doo come out of the countrie, to visite an other
that is in the citie or towne (although he be a nigh kinsman, and long
time acquainted), if that knocking at the doore or in the streete hee
doo meete with him whome he dooth come to visite (hee being not well
apparelled), although he speake vnto him, yet will hee not make any
aunswere, nor any resemblance that euer he sawe or knewe him before: but
straightwayes returneth home to his house in all haste possible, and
doth apparell him selfe with the best apparell that he hath, and then he
goeth foorth and receiueth his guest and friend, dissembling as though
he had not before meete nor seene him.
This ceremonie amongest them is infalliblie kept, for that it is
amongest them an auncient tradition, and founded vppon their religion.
They giue great intertainement vnto their guestes, and make them
straightwayes a beuer[130] or collation with manie sortes of conserues
and fruites, and good wine, and an other kinde of drinke, that is
generally vsed thorough out the whole kingdome, and is made of diuerse
physicall hearbes, good to comfort the heart, the which they warme when
they drinke thereof.
These ceremonies they vse when that one neighbour dooth visite an other.
But when that one of the towne dooth meete with a stranger that hee
dooth knowe, and hath beene in the towne certaine dayes, and he not
seene him, then hee of the towne dooth aske of the other if that hee
hath eaten any thing: if he aunswere no, he dooth by and by, without any
delay, carrie him to the next victualling house, whereas hee dooth
banket him deliciously: for in euerie towne there is good opportunitie
for the same, by reason that in the market places and streetes, and in
the suburbes, there is great store of victualling houses, that doo keepe
tabling verie orderly, and for little cost: for there (as we haue sayde)
all kinde of victualles are verie good cheape. But if the stranger dooth
aunswere that he hath eaten, then dooth the citizen or townesman carrie
him to an other kinde of victualing houses, where are to be had al
sortes of conserues and iunkettes, fruites and marchpanes, and there
dooth hee make him a banket with great love and good will. Of the women
as well strangers as towneborne, or of what degree soeuer, they haue
great respect, but especially of the married women: vnto whome if any
man giue an ill or dishonest woorde, he is accounted infamous: and
likewise if he doo not offer to them courtesie, and giue them place or
way when they passe the streetes, which is seeldome seene. But when they
doo passe they behaue themselues so discreetly that they giue no
occasion that anye shoulde misuse them: towardes strangers they vse
verye great courtesie: but especially the principallest: as you shall
perceiue in the relation of the seconde part of this historie, where it
shall be declared by experience.