Their religion is all one with the Turkes, sauing that they differ who was
the right successor of Mahumet. The Turkes say that it was one Homer and
his sonne Vsman. But the Persians say that it was one Mortus Ali, which
they would prooue in this maner. They say there was a counsell called to
decide the matter who should be the successor: and after they had called
vpon Mahumet to reueale vnto them his will and pleasure therein, there came
among them a little Lizard, who declared that it was Mahumets pleasure that
Mortus Ali should be his successor. [Sidenote: A goodly and well grounded
religion.] This Mortus Ali was a valiant man and slew Homer the Turkes
prophet. He had a sword that hee fought withall, with the which hee
conquered all his enemies, and killed as many as he stroke. When Mortus Ali
died, there came a holy prophet, who gaue them warning that shortly there
would come a white Camell, vpon the which he charged them to lay the body
and sword of Mortus Ali, and to suffer the Camel to cary it whither he
would. The which being performed, the said white camell caried the sword
and body of Mortus Ali taken vp into heauen, for whose return they haue
long looked in Persia. And for this cause the king alwayes keepeth a horse
ready sadled for him, and also of late kept for him one of his owne
daughters to be his wife, but she died in the yere of our Lord, 1573. And
they say furthermore, that if he come not shortly, they shalbe of our
beliefe: much like the Iewes, looking for their Messias to come and reigne
among them like a worldly king for euer, and deliuer them from the
captiuitie which they are now in among the Christians, Turkes, and
Gentiles.

The Shaugh or king of Persia is nothing in strength and power comparable
vnto the Turke: for although he hath a great Dominion, yet is it nothing to
be compared with the Turks: neither hath he any great Ordinance or gunnes,
or harquebusses. Notwithstanding his eldest sonne Ismael about 25. yeeres