Volume 33 — PRIMO VIAGGIO INTORNO AL MONDO (continued 2)

JL polo antartico no ne cosi ſtellato como Lo artico ſe vede molto ſtelle picolle congregate inſieme q̃ fanno in guiza de due nebulle poco ſeparate luna de lalt^a et vno poco ofuſche in mezo de leq^alle ſtanno due ſtelle molto grandi ne molto relucenti et poco ſe moueno. Queſte due ſtelle ſonno iL polo antarticho La Calamita noſtra Zauariando vno sempre tiraua aL suo polo artico niente de meno non haueua tanta forza como de la banda Sua. Et pero Quando eramo in Queſto golfo iL Cap^o generalle domando a tucti li piloti andando ſempre a la vela ꝓ q^aL Camino nauigando pontasemo nele carte riſpoſero tucti ꝓ la Sua via puntaLmẽte datta li riſpoſi q̃ pontauano falso cosi como era et che conueniua agiutare la guchia deL nauegare ꝓ che nõ receueua tanta forza da la parte ſua. Quando eramo in mezo di queſto golpho Vedessemo vna croce de cinque ſtelle lucidiſſime drito aL ponente, et Suono iuſtiſſime luna cõ lalt^a. The Antarctic Pole is not so starry as the Arctic. Many small stars clustered together are seen, which have the appearance of two clouds of mist. There is but little distance between them, and they are somewhat dim. In the midst of them are two large and not very luminous stars, which move only slightly. Those two stars are the Antarctic Pole. Our loadstone, although it moved hither and thither, always pointed toward its own Arctic Pole, although it did not have so much strength as on its own side. And on that account when we were in that open expanse, the captain-general, asking all the pilots whether they were always sailing forward in the course which we had laid down on the maps, all replied: “By your course exactly as laid down.” He answered them that they were pointing wrongly—which was a fact—and that it would be fitting to adjust the needle of navigation, for it was not receiving so much force from its side. When we were in the midst of that open expanse, we saw a cross with five extremely bright stars straight toward the west, those stars being exactly placed with regard to one another.¹⁷⁴

Jn queſti giorni mauigaſſemo fra iL ponente et iL maeſtralle et a La quarta deL maeſtralle in verſo ponente et aL maeſtralle fin p̃ ajungeſſemo a la linea equinoti alle longi da la linea de la ripartitiõe Cento et vinti dui gradi la linea de la ripartitiõe e trenta gradi longi daL meridionale el meridionale e tre gradi al leuante longi de capo verde Jn queſto Camino paſaſſemo poco longi da due Jzolle richisie vna in vinti gradi de latitudine al polo antarticho q̃ Se chiama Cipangu Lalt^a in quindici gradi chiamata Sũbdit pradit paſſata la linea equinotialle nauigaſſemo tra ponente et maiſtralle et a la carta deL ponente verſo eL maeſtralle poi duzente legue aL ponente mudando eL viag^o. a La Quarta in verſo garbin fin in tredici gradi aL polo articho ꝓ apropinquarſe piu a La tera deL capo de gaticara iL q^aL capo cõ perdon de li Coſmo grafi ꝓ q̃ nõ Lo viſteno nõ ſi troua doue loro iL penſauão ma aL ſetentrione in dodeci gradj poco piu o mancho. During those days¹⁷⁵ we sailed west northwest, northwest by west, and northwest, until we reached the equinoctial line at the distance of one hundred and twenty-two degrees from the line of demarcation. The line of demarcation is thirty degrees from the meridian, and the meridian is three degrees eastward from Capo Verde.¹⁷⁶ We passed while on that course, a short distance from two exceedingly rich islands, one in twenty degrees of the latitude of the Antarctic Pole, by name Cipangu, and the other in fifteen degrees, by name Sumbdit Pradit.¹⁷⁷ After we had passed the equinoctial line we sailed west northwest, and west by north, and then for two hundred leguas toward the west, changing our course to west by south until we reached thirteen degrees toward the Arctic Pole in order that we might approach nearer to the land of cape Gaticara. That cape (with the pardon of cosmographers, for they have not seen it), is not found where it is imagined to be, but to the north in twelve degrees or thereabouts.¹⁷⁸

Circa de setanta legue a la detta via in dodeci gradi di latitudine et 146 de longitudine Mercore a 6 de marſo diſcopreſſemo vna yſola aL maiſtralle picola et due alt^e aL garbino vna era piu alta et piu granda de Laltre due iL cap^o generale voleua firmarſe nella grande ꝓ pigliare q^alque refrigerio ma nõ puote perche la gente de queſta Jzolla entrauano nele naui et robauano qⁱ vna coſa qⁱ lalt^a talmente q̃ non poteuamo gardarſi. Voleuano calare le vele acio andaſemo in tera ne roborono lo ſquifo q̃ eſtaua ligato a La popa de la naue cap^a cõ grandiss^a preſteza ꝓ il que corozato eL cap^o generalle ando in tera con Quaranta huomini armati et bruzarono da quaranta o cinquanta caze cõ­­ molti barquiti et amazorono ſette huomini et rehebe lo ſquifo Subito ne parti ſemo ſequendo Lo medeſimo camino. Jnanzi q̃ diſmontaſemo in tera alguni noſtⁱ infermi ne pregorono ſe amazauamo huomo o donna li portaſemo Ly interiori ꝓ che Subito ſarebenno ſani. About seventy¹⁷⁹ leguas on the above course, and lying in twelve degrees of latitude and 146 in longitude, we discovered on Wednesday, March 6, a small island to the northwest, and two others toward the southwest, one of which was higher and larger than the other two. The captain-general wished to stop at the large island and get some fresh food, but he was unable to do so because the inhabitants of that island entered the ships and stole whatever they could lay their hands on, so that we could not protect ourselves. The men were about to strike the sails so that we could go ashore, but the natives very deftly stole from us the small boat¹⁸⁰ that was fastened to the poop of the flagship. Thereupon, the captain-general in wrath went ashore with forty armed men, who burned some forty or fifty houses together with many boats, and killed seven men.¹⁸¹ He recovered the small boat, and we departed immediately pursuing the same course. Before we landed, some of our sick men begged us if we should kill any man or woman to bring the entrails to them, as they would recover immediately.¹⁸²

Quando feriuamo alguni de queſti cõ li veretuni q̃ li paſſauano li fianqⁱ da luna banda alaltra tirauano il veretone mo diqua mo diLa gardandoLo poi Lo tirauano fuora marauigliandoſe molto et cuſſi moriuano et altⁱ q̃ erano feriti neL peto faceuano eL Simille ne moſſeno agrã compaſione Coſtoro vedendõe partire ne ſeguitorono cõ piu de Cento barchiti piu de vna legua Se acoſtauano ale naui moſſtrandone peſce cõ ſimulatiõe de darnello ma traheuano ſaxi et poi fugiuano andando le naue cõ velle piene paſa vano fra loro et li batelli con q^elli ſui barcheti molto deſtriſſimi vedeſemo algune femine in li barqueti gridare et ſcapigliarſe credo ꝓ amore de li Suoi morti. When we wounded any of those people with our crossbow-shafts, which passed completely through their loins from one side to the other, they, looking at it, pulled on the shaft now on this and now on that side,¹⁸³ and then drew it out, with great astonishment, and so died. Others who were wounded in the breast did the same, which moved us to great compassion. Those people seeing us departing followed us with more than one hundred¹⁸⁴ boats for more than one legua. They approached the ships showing us fish, feigning that they would give them to us; but then threw stones at us and fled. And although the ships were under full sail, they passed between them and the small boats [fastened astern], very adroitly in those small boats of theirs. We saw some women in their boats who were crying out and tearing their hair, for love, I believe, of those whom we had killed.¹⁸⁵

Ognuno de queſti vive ſecondo la Sua volonta non anno ſignori vano nudi et alguni barbati con li capeli negri fino a lo cinta ingropati portano capeleti de palma como li albanezi ſonno grandi como nui et ben diſpoſti nõ adorão niente ſonno aliuaſtri ma naſcono bianqⁱ anno li denti roſſi et negri ꝓ che la reputano beliſſima coſa le femine vano nude ſenon q̃ dinanzi a la ſua natura portano vna ſcorſa ſtreta ſotille come la carta q̃ naſce fra larbore et la ſcorza de la palma ſonno belle delicate et bianque piu que li huomini cõ li capilli ſparſi et longui negriſſimi fino in tera Queſte nõ lauorano ma ſtanno in caſa teſſendo ſtore casse de palma et altre coſe neceſſarie acaſa ſua mangiano cochi batate vcceli figui longui vno palmo canne dolci et peſci volatori cõ altre coſe ſe ongieno eL corpo et li capili cõ oleo de cocho et de giongioli le ſue caſe tute ſonno facte di legnio coperte de taule cõ foglie defigaro de ſop^a longue due braza con ſolari et cõ feneſtre li camare et li lecti tucti forniti di ſtore beliſſime de palma dormeno ſoura paglia di palma molto mole et menuta nõ anno arme Senon certe aſte cõ vno oſſo pontino de peſce ne La cima Queſta gente e pouera ma ingenioſa et molto ladra ꝓ queſto chiamaſſemo queſte tre Jſole le yſole de li ladroni eL ſuo ſpaſo e andare cõ Le donne ꝓ mare cõ q^elle ſue barquete Sono como le fucelere ma piu ſtrecti alguni negri bianqⁱ et altⁱ roſſi anno da lalt^a parte dela vella vno legno groſſo pontino nele cime cõ pali atrauerſadi q^eL ſuſtentano neL acqua ꝓ andare piu ſeguri aLa vela la vela e di foglie de palma cosite inſieme et facta amodo de latina ꝓ timone anno certe pale como da for no cõ vno legnio in cima fanno de la popa proua et de la proua popa et ſonno Como delfini ſaltar a lacqua de onda in onda Queſti ladroni penſauano ali ſegni q̃ faceuão nõ fuſero altⁱ homini aL mondo ſenon loro. Each one of those people lives according to his own will, for they have no seignior.¹⁸⁶ They go naked, and some are bearded and have black hair that reaches to the waist. They wear small palmleaf hats, as do the Albanians. They are as tall as we, and well built. They have no worship. They are tawny, but are born white. Their teeth are red and black, for they think that is most beautiful. The women go naked except that they wear a narrow strip of bark as thin as paper, which grows between the tree and the bark of the palm, before their privies. They are goodlooking and delicately formed, and lighter complexioned than the men; and wear their hair which is exceedingly black, loose and hanging quite down to the ground. The women do not work in the fields but stay in the house, weaving mats,¹⁸⁷ baskets [casse: literally boxes], and other things needed in their houses, from palm leaves. They eat cocoanuts, camotes [batate],¹⁸⁸ birds, figs one palmo in length [i.e., bananas], sugarcane, and flying fish, besides other things. They¹⁸⁹ anoint the body and the hair with cocoanut and beneseed oil. Their houses are all built of wood covered with planks and thatched with leaves of the fig-tree [i.e., banana-tree] two brazas long; and they have floors and windows. The rooms and the beds are all furnished with the most beautiful palmleaf mats.¹⁹⁰ They sleep on palm straw which is very soft and fine. They use no weapons, except a kind of a spear pointed with a fishbone at the end. Those people are poor, but ingenious and very thievish, on account of which we called those three islands the islands of Ladroni [i.e., of thieves].¹⁹¹ Their amusement, men and women, is to plough the seas with those small boats of theirs.¹⁹² Those boats resemble fucelere,¹⁹³ but are narrower, and some are black, [some] white, and others red. At the side opposite the sail, they have a large piece of wood pointed at the top, with poles laid across it and resting on the water, in order that the boats may sail more safely. The sail is made from palmleaves sewn together and is shaped like a lateen sail. For rudders they use a certain blade resembling a hearth shovel which have a piece of wood at the end. They can change stern and bow at will [literally: they make the stern, bow, and the bow, stern],¹⁹⁴ and those boats resemble the dolphins which leap in the water from wave to wave. Those Ladroni [i.e., robbers] thought, according to the signs which they made, that there were no other people in the world but themselves.¹⁹⁵

Sabato a ſedize de marſo 1521 deſſemo neLa aurora soura vna tera alta lõgi trecento legue delle yſolle de li latroni laq^aL e yſola et ſe chiama Zamal eL cap^o gñale nel giorno ſeguente volſe diſmontare in vnalt^a yſola deſhabitata ꝓ eſſere piu seguro q̃ era di dietro de queſta ꝓ pigliare hacqua et q^alque diporto fece fare due tende in terra ꝓ li infermi et feceli amazare vna porcha Luni a 18. de marſo vedeſſemo dapoi diſnare venire ꝟſo de nui vna barca cõ noue homini ꝓ ilque lo cap^o generale comando q̃ niuno Si moueſſe ne diceſſe parolla alguna ſenza ſua liſentia Quando ariuorono queſti in terra ſubito Lo ſuo principalle ando aL cap^o gñale moſtrandoſe alegro ꝓ la nr̃a venuta reſtarono cinqʒ de queſti piu ornati cõ nuy li altⁱ andorono a leuare alguni altⁱ q̃ peſcauano et cuſſi venirono tucti vedendo Lo cap^o gñale que queſti erano homini cõ ragionne li fece dare da mangiare et li donno bonneti roſſi spequi petini ſonagli Auorio bocaſſini et alt^e coſe Quando viſtenno la corteſia deL cap^o li preſentorono peſci vno vaſo de vino de palma q̃ Lo chiamano Vraca figui piu longui dun palmo et altri piu picoli piu ſaporiti et dui cochi alhora nõ haueuano alt^o ne fecoro ſegni cõ La mano q̃ in fino aquatro giorni portarebenno vmay q̃ e riſo cochi et molta altra victuuaglia. At dawn on Saturday, March sixteen,¹⁹⁶ 1521, we came upon a high land at a distance of three hundred leguas from the islands of Latroni—an island named Zamal [i.e., Samar]. The following day, the captain-general desired to land on another island which was uninhabited and lay to the right of the abovementioned island, in order to be more secure, and to get water and have some rest. He had two tents set up on the shore for the sick and had a sow killed for them. On Monday afternoon, March 18, we saw a boat coming toward us with nine men in it. Therefore, the captain-general ordered that no one should move or say a word without his permission. When those men reached the shore, their chief went immediately to the captain-general, giving signs of joy because of our arrival. Five of the most ornately adorned of them remained with us, while the rest went to get some others who were fishing, and so they all came. The captain-general seeing that they were reasonable men, ordered food to be set before them, and gave them red caps, mirrors, combs, bells, ivory, bocasine,¹⁹⁷ and other things. When they saw the captain’s courtesy, they presented fish, a jar of palm wine, which they call uraca [i.e., arrack], figs more than one palmo long [i.e., bananas],¹⁹⁸ and others which were smaller and more delicate, and two cocoanuts. They had nothing else then, but made us signs with their hands that they would bring umay or rice,¹⁹⁹ and cocoanuts and many other articles of food within four days.

Li coqⁱ ſonno fructi deLa palma coſi como nui hauemo iL panne iL vino lo oleo et lacetto coſi anno queſti populi ogni coſa da queſti arbori anno eL vino in queſto modo forano La dicta palma in cima neL coreſino de to palmito dalq^alle ſtilla vna lichore como e moſto biancho dolce ma vn pocho bruſqueto in canne groſſe come La gamba et piu latacano alarbor̃ la ſera ꝓ la matina et la matina ꝓ la ſera Queſta palma fa vno fructo iL q^alle he lo cocho Queſto cocho e grande como iL capo et piu et meno La ſua pⁱma ſcorſa e ꝟde et groſſa piu de dui diti nelaq^alle trouano Certi filittj q̃ fanno le corde q̃ liganno le ſue barque ſoto di queſta ne he vna dura et molto piu groſſa di quella de la noce queſta la bruſano et fano poluere bonna ꝓ loro ſoto di queſto e vna medola biancha groſſa come vn dito Laq^aL mangiano freſca cõ La carne et peſſi como nui lo panne et de q^eL ſapore q̃ he la mandola qui la ſecaſſe ſe farebe panne in mezo di queſta medola e vna hacqua quiara dolce et molto cordialle et quando queſta hacqua ſta vn pocho acolta ſe congella et diuenta como vno pomo Quando voleno fare oglio piglianno queſto cocho et laſſano putrefare q^ella medola cõ lacqua et poi la fanno buglire et vene oleo como butiro Quando voleno far aceto laſanno putrefare lacqua ſolamente poi lameteno aL ſolle et e aceto como de vino biancho ſi po fare ancho latte como nui faceuamo gratauamo qʒſta medola poi la miſquiauamo cō lacqua ſua medeſima ſtrucandola in vno panno et coſi era late como di capra. Queſte palme ſonno como palme deli datali ma non coſi nodoſe ſe non liſce. Vna famiglia de x perſonne cō dui de queſte ſe manteneno fruando octo giorni luna et octo giorni La alt^a ꝓ Lo vino ꝓ che ſe altramenti faceſſeno Se ſecharebenno et durano cento anny. Cocoanuts are the fruit of the palmtree.²⁰⁰ Just as we have bread, wine, oil, and milk, so those people get everything from that tree. They get wine in the following manner. They bore a hole into the heart of the said palm at the top called palmito [i.e., stalk], from which distils a liquor²⁰¹ which resembles white must. That liquor is sweet but somewhat tart, and [is gathered] in canes [of bamboo] as thick as the leg and thicker. They fasten the bamboo to the tree at evening for the morning, and in the morning for the evening. That palm bears a fruit, namely, the cocoanut, which is as large as the head or thereabouts. Its outside husk is green and thicker than two fingers. Certain filaments are found in that husk, whence is made cord for binding together their boats. Under that husk there is a hard shell, much thicker than the shell of the walnut, which they burn and make therefrom a powder that is useful to them.²⁰² Under that shell there is a white marrowy substance one finger in thickness, which they eat fresh with meat and fish as we do bread; and it has a taste resembling the almond. It could be dried and made into bread. There is a clear, sweet water in the middle of that marrowy substance which is very refreshing. When that water stands for a while after having been collected, it congeals and becomes like an apple. When the natives wish to make oil, they take that cocoanut, and allow the marrowy substance and the water to putrefy. Then they boil it and it becomes oil like butter. When they wish to make vinegar, they allow only the water to putrefy, and then place it in the sun, and a vinegar results like [that made from] white wine. Milk can also be made from it for we made some. We scraped that marrowy substance and then mixed the scrapings with its own water which we strained through a cloth, and so obtained milk like goat’s milk. Those palms resemble date-palms, but although not smooth they are less knotty than the latter. A family of x persons can be supported on two trees, by utilizing them week about for the wine; for if they did otherwise, the trees would dry up. They last a century.²⁰³

Grande familliaritade pigliarono cō nui Queſti populi ne diſcero molte coſe como le chiamauano et li nomi de algune yſole q̃ ſe vedeuano de qⁱ La ſua ſe chiama Zuluan laq^alle non etropo grande pigliaſcemo grā piacere cā queſti perche eranno aſay piaceuoli et conuerſabili iL cap^o gñale ꝓ farli piu honnore li meno ala ſua naue et li moſtro tuta la ſua mercadanſia garofoli cannella peuere gengero noſce moſcade Matia oro et tute le coſe q̃ eranno nella naue fece deſcaricare algune bombarde hebero grā paura et volſero ſaltar fuora de la naue ne fecero ſegni que li doue nuj andauamo naſceſſeuano coſe Ja dete Quando ſi volſero partire pigliarono liſentia con molta gratia et gentileza dicendo q̃ tornarebeno ſegondo la ſua ꝓmeſſa La yſola doue eramo ſe chiama humunu ma noy ꝓ trouarli due fondana de hacqua chiariſſima la chiameſſemo lacquada dali buoni ſe gnialli ꝓ che fu iL pⁱmo ſegnio de oro q̃ trouaſſemo in queſta parte. Qiui ſi troua grā cantitade de coralli biancho et arbori grandi q̃ fanno fructi pocho menori de La mandola et ſonno Como li pignioli et ancho molte palme algune bonne et algune altre catiue in Queſto Locho ſonno molte yſole. ꝓ ilque Lo chiamaſſemo larcipelago de s. lazaro deſcourendo lo nella ſua dominicha iL quale ſta in x gradi de latitudine aL polo articho et Cento e ſesanta vno di longitudine della linea deLa repartitiõe. Those people became very familiar with us. They told us many things, their names and those of some of the islands that could be seen from that place. Their own island was called Zuluan and it is not very large.²⁰⁴ We took great pleasure with them, for they were very pleasant and conversable. In order to show them greater honor, the captain-general²⁰⁵ took them to his ship and showed them all his merchandise—cloves, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mace, gold, and all the things in the ship. He had some mortars fired for them, whereat they exhibited great fear, and tried to jump out of the ship.²⁰⁶ They made signs to us that the abovesaid articles grew in that place where we were going. When they were about to retire they took their leave very gracefully and neatly, saying that they would return according to their promise. The island where we were is called Humunu; but inasmuch as we found two springs there of the clearest water, we called it Acquada da li buoni Segnialli [i.e., “the Watering-place of good Signs”], for there were the first signs of gold which we found in those districts.²⁰⁷ We found a great quantity of white coral there, and large trees with fruit a trifle smaller than the almond and resembling pine seeds. There are also many palms, some of them good and others bad. There are many islands in that district, and therefore we called them the archipelago of San Lazaro, as they were discovered on the Sabbath of St. Lazurus.²⁰⁸ They lie in x degrees of latitude toward the Arctic Pole, and in a longitude of one hundred and sixty-one degrees from the line of demarcation.

Vennere a 22 de marzo venirono in mezo di q^elli homini Secondo ne haueuano ꝓmeſſo in due barcque cõ cochi naranſi dolci vno vaſo de vino de palma et vno galo ꝓ dimoſtrare que in queſte parte eranno galine se moſtrarono molto alegri verſo de noi compraſſemo tute q^elle ſue coſe iL ſuo s^or era vechio et de pinto portaua due Schione de oro a le oreqⁱe li altri molte maniglie de oro ali brazi cõ fazoli in torno Lo capo Steſemo quiui octo [giorni] neliq^alli eL nr̃o cap^o andaua ogni di in terra auiſitare ly infirmi et ogni matina li daua cõ le ſue mani acqua deL cocho q̃ molto li confortaua di dietro de queſta yſola ſtanno homini q̃ anno tanto grandi li picheti de Lorechie q̃ portanno le braci ficati in loro Queſti popoli ſonno caphri çioe gentili vanno nudi cõ tella de ſcorſa darbore intorno le ſue vergonie se nõ alguni principali cõ telle de banbazo lauorate neli capi cõ ſeda aguchia sonno oliuaſtⁱ graſſi de pinti et ſe ongeno cõ olio de cocho et de giongioli ꝓ lo ſolle et ꝓ iL vento anno li capili negriſſimi fina a La cinta et anno dague cortelli lanſe fornite de oro targoni facine arponi et rete da peſcare come Rizali le ſue barche ſonno corno le noſt^e At noon on Friday, March 22, those men came as they had promised us in two boats with cocoanuts, sweet oranges, a jar of palm-wine, and a cock,²⁰⁹ in order to show us that there were fowls in that district. They exhibited great signs of pleasure at seeing us.²¹⁰ We purchased all those articles from them. Their seignior was an old man who was painted [i.e., tattooed]. He wore two gold earrings [schione] in his ears,²¹¹ and the others many gold armlets on their arms and kerchiefs about their heads. We stayed there one week, and during that time our captain went ashore daily to visit the sick, and²¹² every morning gave them cocoanut water from his own hand, which comforted them greatly. There are people living near that island²¹³ who have holes in their ears so large that they can pass their arms through them. Those people are caphri,²¹⁴ that is to say, heathen. They go naked, with a cloth woven from the bark of a tree about their privies, except some of the chiefs who wear cotton cloth embroidered with silk at the ends by means of a needle. They are dark, fat, and painted. They anoint themselves with cocoanut and with beneseed oil, as a protection against sun and wind. They have very black hair that falls to the waist, and use daggers, knives, and spears²¹⁵ ornamented with gold, large shields, fascines,²¹⁶ javelins, and fishing nets that resemble rizali;²¹⁷ and their boats are like ours.

NeL luni ſancto a vinticinqʒ de marſo giorno de La nr̃a donna paſſato mezo di eſſendo de hora in ora ꝓ leuarſi anday abordo de la naue ꝓ peſcare et metendo li piedi ſopra vna antena ꝓ deſcedere nela mesa degarni tiõe me slizegarono ꝓ che era pioueſto et coſi caſtai neL mare q̃ ninguno me viſte et eſſendo quaſi ſumerſo me venne ne La mano Siniſtra La ſcota de La vella magiore q̃ era aſcoſa ne lacqua me teni forte et Comenſai agridare tanto q̃ fui ajutato cõ Lo batelo nõ credo Ja per mey meriti ma ꝓ la miſericordia di q^ella fonte de pieta foſſe ajutato. neL medeſimo Jorno pigliaſſemo tra iL ponente et garbĩ infra quat^o yſolle çioe Cenalo hiunanghan Jbusson et abarien On the afternoon of holy Monday, the day of our Lady, March twenty-five, while we were on the point of weighing anchor, I went to the side of the ship to fish, and putting my feet upon a yard leading down into the storeroom, they slipped, for it was rainy, and consequently I fell into the sea, so that no one saw me. When I was all but under, my left hand happened to catch hold of the clew-garnet of the mainsail, which was dangling [ascosa] in the water. I held on tightly, and began to cry out so lustily that I was rescued by the small boat. I was aided, not, I believe, indeed, through my merits, but through the mercy of that font of charity [i.e., of the Virgin]. That same day we shaped our course toward the west southwest between four small islands, namely, Cenalo, Hiunanghan,²¹⁸ Ibusson, and Abarien.

Joue a vinti octo de marzo ꝓ hauere viſto la nocte paſſata fuocho in vna yſola ne la matina ſurgiſſemo apreſſo de queſta vedeſemo vna barcha picola q̃ la chiamano boloto cõ octo nomini de dent^o aꝓpincarſe nela naue Ca pitanea Vno ſchiauo deL cap^o gñale q̃ era de zamatra gia chiamata traprobana li parlo ilq^alle ſubito inteſeno venero neL bordo de la naue nõ volendo intrare dent^o, ma ſtauano vno pocho diſcoſti vedendo eL cap^o q̃ nõ voleuano fidarſi de nui li buto vn bonnet roſſo et altre coſe ligate ſup^a vn pezo de taula La piglioronno molto alegri et Subito Se partirono ꝓ auiſare el ſuo re deli circa due hore vedeſſemo vegnire due balanghai ſonno barche grande et cuſſe le chiamano pienni de huomini neL magior̃ era Lo suo re Sedendo ſoto vno coperto de ſtore Quando eL giunſe ap̃ſſo La capitania iL Schiauo li parlo iL re lo inteſe ꝓ che in queſte parte li re ſanno piu linguagij q̃ li altⁱ comando q̃ alguni ſoi intraſſeno nele naue luy ſempre ſtete neL ſuo balanghai poco longi de La naue fin che li ſuoi tornoronno et ſubito tornati ſe parti. iL Cap^o gñalle fece grande honnore aq^elli q̃ venirono nela naue et donnoli algune coſe per ilche il re inanzi la ſua partita volſe donnare aL cap^o vna bava de oro grande et vna ſporta piena de gengero ma luj rengratiandoL molto nõ volce acceptarle neL tardi andaſemo cõ le naue apreſſo la habitatiõe deL re. On Thursday morning, March twenty-eight, as we had seen a fire on an island the night before, we anchored near it.²¹⁹ We saw a small boat which the natives call boloto with eight men in it, approaching the flagship. A slave belonging to the captain-general, who was a native of Zamatra [i.e., Sumatra], which was formerly called Traprobana, spoke to them. They immediately understood him, came alongside the ship, unwilling to enter but taking a position at some little distance.²²⁰ The captain seeing that they would not trust us, threw them out a red cap and other things tied to a bit of wood. They received them very gladly, and went away quickly to advise their king. About two hours later we saw two balanghai coming. They are large boats and are so called [by those people]. They were full of men, and their king was in the larger of them, being seated under an awning of mats. When the king came near the flagship, the slave spoke to him. The king understood him, for in those districts the kings know more languages than the other people. He ordered some of his men to enter the ships, but he always remained in his balanghai, at some little distance from the ship until his own men returned; and as soon as they returned he departed. The captain-general showed great honor to the men who entered the ship, and gave them some presents, for which the king wished before his departure to give the captain a large bar²²¹ of gold and a basketful of ginger. The latter, however, thanked the king heartily but would not accept it. In the afternoon we went in the ships [and anchored] near the dwellings of the king.

JL giorno ſeguente q̃ era eL venerdi ſancto eL cap^o gñale mando lo ſquia ua q̃ era lo interprete nr̃o in tera in vno batello adire aL re ſe haueua alguna coſa da mangiare la faceſſe portar̃ in naue q̃ reſtariano bene ſatiſfati da noi et como amici et nõ Como nimici era venuti a laſua yſola eL re venne cõ ſey vero octo homini neL medeſimo batello et entro nela naue abrazandoſi col cap^o gñale et donoli tre vazi di porcelanna coperti de foglie pienne de rizo crudo et due orade molto grande cõ altre coſe eL cap^o dete al re vna veſte de panno roſſo et giallo fato a La torcheſca et vno bonnet roſſo fino ali altⁱ Sui aqⁱ cortelli et aqⁱ ſpecqⁱ poy le fece dare la Colatiõe et ꝓ il chiauo li fece dire q̃ voleua eſſere cun lui caſi caſi cioe fratello riſpoſe q̃ coſſi voleua eſſere ꝟſo de lui dapoy lo cap^o ge moſtro panno de diverſi colori tela corali et molta alt^a mercantia et tuta lartigliaria facendola deſcargare alguni molto ſi ſpauentorno poi fece armare vno homo cõ vno homo darme et li meſſe atorno tre cõ ſpade et pugniale q̃ li dauano ꝓ tuto iL corpo ꝓ laq^aL coſa eL re reſto caſi fora diſe li diſſe ꝓ il Schiauo q̃ vno de queſti armati valeua ꝓ cento de li suoi reſpoſe q̃ era cuſſi et q̃ in ogni naue ne menaua duzento q̃ ſe armauano de q^ella ſorte li moſtro Corazine ſpade et rodelle et fece fare a vno vna leuata poi Lo conduſſe ſup^a la tolda dela naue q̃ he in cima de la popa et fece portare la ſua carta de nauigare et La buſſola et li diſſe ꝓ linterprete como trouo Lo ſtreto ꝓ vegnire alui et Quante lune ſonno ſtati ſenza vedere terra Se marauiglio in vltimo li diſce q̃ voleua ſe li piaceſſe mandare ſeco dui homini acio li moſtraſſe algune de le ſue coſe reſpoſe q̃ era contento yo ge anday cõ vno alt^o Next day, holy Friday, the captain-general sent his slave, who acted as our interpreter, ashore in a small boat to ask the king if he had any food to have it carried to the ships;²²² and to say that they would be well satisfied with us, for he [and his men] had come to the island as friends and not as enemies. The king came with six or eight men²²³ in the same boat and entered the ship. He embraced the captain-general to whom he gave three porcelain jars covered with leaves and full of raw rice, two very large orade,²²⁴ and other things. The captain-general gave the king a garment of red and yellow cloth made in the Turkish fashion, and a fine red cap; and to the others (the king’s men), to some knives and to others mirrors. Then the captain-general had a collation spread for them, and had the king told through the slave that he desired to be casi casi²²⁵ with him, that is to say, brother. The king replied that he also wished to enter the same relations with the captain-general. Then the captain showed him cloth of various colors, linen, coral [ornaments], and many other articles of merchandise, and all the artillery, some of which he had discharged for him, whereat the natives were greatly frightened. Then the captain-general had a man armed as a soldier,²²⁶ and placed him in the midst of three men armed with swords and daggers, who struck him on all parts of the body. Thereby was the king rendered almost speechless. The captain-general told him through the slave that one of those armed men was worth one hundred of his own men. The king answered that that was a fact. The captain-general said that he had two hundred men in each ship who were armed in that manner.²²⁷ He showed the king cuirasses, swords, and bucklers, and had a review made for him.²²⁸ Then he led the king to the deck of the ship, that is located above at the stern; and had his sea-chart and compass brought.²²⁹ He told the king through the interpreter how he had found the strait in order to voyage thither, and how many moons he had been without seeing land, whereat the king was astonished. Lastly, he told the king that he would like, if it were pleasing to him, to send two of his men with him so that he might show them some of his things. The king replied that he was agreeable, and I went in company with one of the other men.²³⁰

Quando fui in tera il re leuo le mani aL ciello et poi ſe volta cont^a nuy dui faceſſemo lo ſimille verſo de lui coſi tuti li altⁱ fecero il re me piglio ꝓ La mano vno ſuo principale piglio lalt^o compag^o et cuſſi ne menorõ ſoto vno coperto de cane doue era vno balanghai longo octanta palmi deli mey Simille a vna fuſta ne sedeſſemo ſop^a la popa de queſto ſempre parlando con ſegni li suoi ne ſtauano in piedi atorno atorno cõ ſpade dague Lanze et targoni fece portare vno piato de carne de porco cõ vño vazo grande pienno de vino beueuamo adogni boconne vna taſſa de vino lo vino q̃ li auanſaua q^alque volta ben q̃ foſceno poche ſe meteua in vno vazo da ꝓ ſi la ſua taſa ſempre ſtaua coperta ninguno alt^o li beueua Se nõ il re et yo Jnanzi q̃ lo re pigliaſſe la taſſa ꝓ bere alzaua li mani giunte al çielo et ꝟſo de nui et Quando voleua bere extendeua lo pugnio dela mano sini ſtra verſo dime prima penſaua me voleſſe dare vn pognio et poi beueua faceua coſi yo verſo il re Queſti ſegni fanno tuti luno verſo de Laltro quando beueno cõ queſte cerimonie et altⁱ ſegni de amiſitia merenda ſemo mangiay neL vennere ſancto carne ꝓ nõ potere fare alt^o Jnanzi q̃ veniſſe lora de cenare donay molte coſe al re q̃ haueua portati ſcriſſe aſai coſſe como le chiamanão Quanto Lo re et li altⁱ me viſtenno fcriuere et li diceua q^elle ſue parolle tutti reſtorono atoniti in queſto mezo venne lora de cenare portoronno duy plati grandi de porcelanna vno pienno de rizo et lalt^o de carne de porcho cõ ſuo brodo cenaſſemo cõ li medeſimj ſegni et cerimonie poi andaſſemo aL palatio deL re eLq^alle era facto como vna teza da fienno coperto de foglie de figaro et de palma era edificato ſoura legni groſſi alti de terra q^eL ſe conuiene andare cõ ſcalle ne fece ſedere ſop^a vna ſtora de canne tenendo le gambe atracte como li Sarti deli ameza ora fo portato vno piato de peſce bruſtolato in pezi et gengero ꝓ alora colto et vino eL figliolo magiore deL re chera iL principe vene doue eramo il re li diſſe q̃ ſedeſſe apreſſo noi et coſſi ſedete fu portato dui piati vno de peſce cõ lo ſue brodo et lalt^o de rizo acio q̃ mangiaſſemo col principe il nr̃o compag^o p̃ tanto bere et mangiare diuento briaco Vzano ꝓ lume goma de arbore q̃ la quiamão anime voltata in foglie de palma o de figaro el re ne fece ſegno q^eL voleua andare adormire laſſo cõ nui lo principe cõ q^alle dormiſemo ſop^a vna ſtora de canne cõ coſſini de foglie venuto lo giorno eL re venne et me piglio ꝓ La mano coſſi andaſſemo doue aveuamo cenato ꝓ fare colatiõe ma iL batelle ne venne aleuare Jnanzi la partita eL re molto alegro ne baſo le mani et noi le ſue venne cõ nui vno ſuo fratello re dunalt^a yſola cõ tre homini Lo cap^o gñale lo retenete adiſnare cõ nui et donoli molte coſe. When I reached shore, the king raised his hands toward the sky and then turned toward us two. We did the same toward him²³¹ as did all the others. The king took me by the hand; one of his chiefs took my companion; and thus they led us under a bamboo covering, where there was a balanghai,²³² as long as eighty of my palm lengths, and resembling a fusta. We sat down upon the stern of that balanghai, constantly conversing with signs. The king’s men stood about us in a circle with swords, daggers, spears, and bucklers.²³³ The king had a plate of pork brought in and a large jar filled with wine. At every mouthful, we drank a cup of wine. The wine that was left [in the cup] at any time, although that happened but rarely, was put into a jar by itself. The king’s cup was always kept covered and no one else drank from it but he and I. Before the king took the cup to drink, he raised his clasped hands toward the sky, and then toward me; and when he was about to drink, he extended the fist of his left hand toward me (at first I thought that he was about to strike me) and then drank. I did the same toward the king. They all make those signs one toward another when they drink. We ate with such ceremonies and with other signs of friendship. I ate meat on holy Friday, for I could not help myself. Before the supper hour I gave the king many things which I had brought. I wrote down the names of many things in their language. When the king and the others saw me writing, and when I told them their words, they were all astonished.²³⁴ While engaged in that the supper hour was announced. Two large porcelain dishes were brought in, one full of rice and the other of pork with its gravy. We ate with the same signs and ceremonies, after which we went to the palace of the king which was built like a hayloft and was thatched with fig [i.e., banana] and palm leaves. It was built up high from the ground on huge posts of wood and it was necessary to ascend to it by means of ladders.²³⁵ The king made us sit down there on a bamboo mat with our feet drawn up like tailors. After a half-hour a platter of roast fish cut in pieces was brought in, and ginger freshly gathered, and wine. The king’s eldest son, who was the prince, came over to us, whereupon the king told him to sit down near us, and he accordingly did so. Then two platters were brought in (one with fish and its sauce, and the other with rice), so that we might eat with the prince. My companion became intoxicated as a consequence of so much drinking and eating. They used the gum of a tree called anime wrapped in palm or fig [i.e., banana] leaves for lights. The king made us a sign that he was going to go to sleep. He left the prince with us, and we slept with the latter on a bamboo mat with pillows made of leaves. When day dawned the king came and took me by the hand, and in that manner we went to where we had had supper, in order to partake of refreshments, but the boat came to get us. Before we left, the king kissed our hands with great joy, and we his. One of his brothers, the king of another island, and three men came with us. The captain-general kept him to dine with us, and gave him many things.²³⁶

Nella yſola de queſto re que conduſſi ale naui ſe troua pezi de oro grandi como noce et oui criuelando la terra tutti li vaſo de queſto re ſonno de oro et anche alguna parte de dela caſa ſua coſi ne referite Lo medeſimo re ſe gondo lo ſue coſtume era molto in ordine et Lo piu bello huomo que vedeſſemo fra queſti populi haueua li capili negriſſimi fin alle ſpalle cõ vno velo de ſeta ſop^a Lo capo et due ſquione grande de horo tacatte ale orechie portaua vno panno de bombazo tuto Lauorato de ſeta q̃ copriua dala cinta fino aL ginoquio aL lato vna daga cõ Lo manicho al canto longo tuto de oro iL fodro era de legnio lauorato in ogni dente haueua tre machie doro q̃ pareuano foſſeno ligati cõ oro oleua de ſtorac et beligioui era oliuaſtro et tuto depinto. Queſta ſua yſola ſe chiama butuan et calagan. Quando queſti re ſe voleuano vedere ve neno tuti due aLa caza in queſta yſola doue eramo eL re pⁱmo ſe qⁱama raia colambu iL ſegundo raia siaui. Pieces of gold, of the size of walnuts and eggs are found by sifting the earth in the island of that king who came to our ships. All the dishes of that king are of gold and also some portion of his house, as we were told by that king himself. According to their customs he was very grandly decked out [molto in ordine],²³⁷ and the finest looking man that we saw among those people. His hair was exceedingly black, and hung to his shoulders. He had a covering of silk oh his head, and wore two large golden earrings fastened in his ears. He wore a cotton cloth all embroidered with silk, which covered him from the waist to the knees. At his side hung a dagger, the haft of which was somewhat long and all of gold, and its scabbard of carved wood. He had three spots of gold on every tooth, and his teeth appeared as if bound with gold.²³⁸ He was perfumed with storax and benzoin. He was tawny and painted [i.e., tattooed] all over. That island of his was called Butuan and Calagan.²³⁹ When those kings wished to see one another, they both went to hunt in that island where we were. The name of the first king is Raia Colambu, and the second Raia Siaui.²⁴⁰

Domenicha vltimo de marſo giorno de paſca nela matina ꝓ tempo eL cap^o gñale mando il prete cõ alcanti aparechiare ꝓ douere dire meſſa cõ lo interprete a dire al re q̃ nõ voleuamo diſcendere in terra ꝓ diſinar ſecho ma ꝓ aldire meſſa ꝓ ilque Lo re ne mando dui porqⁱ morti Quando fu hora de meſſa andaſſemo in terra forſe cinquanta huomini nõ armati la ꝓſo na ma cõ le altre nr̃e arme et meglio veſtite q̃ poteſſemo Jnanzi que aruaſſemo aLa riua cõ li bateli forenno ſcaricati sej pezi de bombarde in ſegnio de pace ſaltaſſemo in terra li dui re abraſſarono lo cap^o gñale et Lo meſſeno in mezo de loro andaſſemo in ordinanza fino aL locho conſacrato non molto longi de la riua Jnanzi ſe comenſaſſe la meſſa iL cap^o bagno tuto eL corpo de li dui re con hacqua moſta da Se oferſe ala meſſa li re andorono abaſſiare la croce como nuy ma nõ oferſeno Quando ſe leuaua lo corpo de nr̃o s^or ſtauano in genoquioni et adorauanlo cõ le mane gionte le naue tirarono tuta La artigliaria in vno tempo quando ſe leuo Lo corpo de x^o dando ge Lo ſegnio de la tera cõ li ſchiopetj finita la meſſa alquanti deli noſtⁱ ſe comunicorono Lo cap^o generale fece fare vno ballo cõ le ſpade deque le re hebenno grã piacere poi fece portare vna croce cõ li quiodi et la coronna alaq^aL ſubito fecero reuerentia li diſſe per Lo interprete como queſto era iL vessilo datoli daLo inperator̃ ſuo ſignore açio in ogni parte doue andaſſe meteſſe queſto ſuo ſegnialle et che voleua meterlo iui ꝓ ſua vtilita ꝓ che ſe veneſſeno algune naue dele nr̃e ſaperianno cõ queſta croce noj eſſere ſtati in queſto locho et nõ farebenno deſpiacere aloro ne ale coſe [coſe: doublet in original MS.] et ſe pigliaſſeno alguno de li ſoi ſubito moſtrandoli queſto ſegnialle le laſſerianno andare et q̃ conueniua meter̃ queſta croce in cima deL piu alto monte que foſſe açio vedendola ogni matina La adoraſſeno et ſeqʒſto faceuano ne troui ne fulmini ni tempeſta li nocerebe in coſa alguna lo ringratiorno molto et q̃ farebenno ogni coſa volentieri ancho li fece dire ſe eranno morj ho gentili o inque credeuão riſpoſero q̃ nõ adorauão alt^o ſinon alſauano le mani giunti et la faza al ciello et q̃ chiamauão Lo ſua dio Abba ꝓ laq^aL coſa lo cap^o hebe grande alegreſſa vedendo queſto eL pⁱmo re leuo le mani aL ciello et diſſe q̃ voria ſe foſſe poſſibille farli veder̃ iL ſuo amore verſo de lui Lo interprete ge diſſe ꝓ q^aL cagiõe haueua quiui coſi pocho da mangiare reſpoſe q̃ nõ habitaua in qʒſto Locho ſe nõ quãdo veniua a La caza et a vedere Lo ſuo fratello ma ſtaua in vna alt^a yſola doue haueua tuta la ſua famiglia li fece dire ſe haueua Jnimici Lo diceſſe ꝓ cio andarebe cõ queſte naue adeſtrugerli et faria lo hobedirianno Lo rengratio et diſſe q̃ haueua benne due yſolle nemiche maque alhora nõ era tempo de andarui Lo Cap^o li diſſe ſe dio faceſſe q̃ vnalt^a fiatta ritornaſce in queſte parte conduria tanta gente q̃ farebe ꝓ forſa eſerli ſugette et que voleua andare adiſnare et dapoy tornarebe ꝓ far pore la croce in cima deL monte riſpoſero eranno Contenti facendoſſe vn bata glione cõ ſcaricare li ſquiopeti et abraſandoſi lo cap^o cõ li due re pigliaſſemo liſentia. Early on the morning of Sunday, the last of March, and Easter-day, the captain-general sent the priest with some men to prepare the place where mass was to be said;²⁴¹ together with the interpreter to tell the king that we were not going to land in order to dine with him, but to say mass. Therefore the king sent us two swine that he had had killed. When the hour for mass arrived, we landed with about fifty men, without our body armor, but carrying our other arms, and dressed in our best clothes.²⁴² Before we reached the shore with our boats, six pieces were discharged as a sign of peace. We landed; the two kings embraced the captain-general, and placed him between them. We went in marching order to the place consecrated, which was not far from the shore. Before the commencement of mass, the captain sprinkled the entire bodies of the two kings with musk water.”²⁴³ The mass was offered up. The kings went forward to kiss the cross as we did, but they did not offer the sacrifice.²⁴⁴ When the body of our Lord was elevated, they remained on their knees and worshiped Him with clasped hands. The ships fired all their artillery at once when the body of Christ was elevated, the signal having been given from the shore with muskets. After the conclusion of mass, some of our men took communion.²⁴⁵ The captain-general arranged a fencing tournament,²⁴⁶ at which the kings were greatly pleased. Then he had a cross carried in and the nails and a crown, to which immediate reverence was made.²⁴⁷ He told the kings through the interpreter that they were the standards given to him by the emperor his sovereign, so that wherever he might go he might set up those his tokens. [He said] that he wished to set it up in that place for their benefit, for whenever any of our ships came,²⁴⁸ they would know that we had been there by that cross, and would do nothing to displease them or harm their property [property: doublet in original MS.]. If any of their men were captured, they would be set free immediately on that sign being shown. It was necessary to set that cross on the summit of the highest mountain, so that on seeing it every morning, they might adore it; and if they did that, neither thunder, lightning, nor storms would harm them in the least. They thanked him heartily and [said] that they would do everything willingly. The captain-general also had them asked whether they were Moros or heathen, or what was their belief. They replied that they worshiped nothing, but that they raised their clasped hands and their face to the sky; and that they called their god “Abba.”²⁴⁹ Thereat the captain was very glad, and seeing that, the first king raised his hands to the sky, and said that he wished that it were possible for him to make the captain see his love for him. The interpreter asked the king why there was so little to eat there. The latter replied that he did not live in that place except when he went hunting and to see his brother, but that he lived in another island where all his family were. The captain-general had him asked to declare whether he had any enemies, so that he might go with his ships to destroy them and to render them obedient to him.²⁵⁰ The king thanked him and said that he did indeed have two islands hostile to him, but that it was not then the season to go there. The captain told him that if God would again allow him to return to those districts, he would bring so many men that he would make the king’s enemies subject to him by force. He said that he was about to go to dinner, and that he would return afterward to have the cross set up on the summit of the mountain. They replied that they were satisfied, and then forming in battalion and firing the muskets, and the captain having embraced the two kings, we took our leave.

Dopo diſnare tornaſſemo tucti in gioponne et andaſsemo inſieme cõ li duy Re neL mezo di in cima deL piu alto monte q̃ foſſe Quando ariuaſſemo in cima Lo cap^o genneralle li diſſe como li era caro hauere ſudato ꝓ loro ꝓ che eſendo iui la croce nõ poteua ſinon grandamẽte Jouarli et domandoli q^aL porto era migliore ꝓ victuuaglie diceſſero q̃ ne erano tre çioe Ceylon Zubu et calaghann ma che Zubu era piu grande et de meglior trafico et ſe proferſenno di darni piloti q̃ ne inſegniarebenno iL viag^o Lo cap^o gñale li rengratio et delibero de andarli ꝓ q̃ cuſſi voleua la sua infelice ſorte. poſta la cruce ognuno dice vno pater noſter et vna aue maria adorandola coſi li re fecenno poy deſcendeſſemo ꝓ li ſui campi Lauorattj et andaſſemo doue era lo balanghai li re feceno portare alquanti cochi açio ſe rinfreſcaſſimo Lo cap^o li domando li piloti ꝓ che la matina ſequente voleua partirſi et q̃ li tratarebe como ſe medeſimo Laſandoli vno de li nr̃j ꝓ oſtagio riſpoſero q̃ ogni ora li voleſſe eranno aL ſuo comãdo ma nela nocte iL pⁱmo re ſe mudo dopigniõe La matina quando eramo ꝓ partirſi eL re mando adire aL cap^o generalle q̃ per amore ſuo aſpectaſſe duj giornj fin q̃ faceſſe coglire el rizo et altⁱ ſui menuti pregandolo mandaſſe alguni homini ꝓ ajutareli açio piu preſto ſe ſpazaſſe q̃ luy medeſimo voleua eſſere lo nr̃o piloto. lo Cap^o mandoli alguni homini ma li Re tanto mangiorono et beueteno q̃ dormiteno tuto il giorno alguni ꝓ eſcuſarli dicero q̃ haueuano vno pocho de malle ꝓ q^eL giorno li noſtⁱ nõ fecero niente ma neli altⁱ dui ſeguenti lauorono. After dinner we all returned clad in our doublets, and that afternoon²⁵¹ went together with the two kings to the summit of the highest mountain there. When we reached the summit, the captain-general told them that he esteemed highly having sweated for them, for since the cross was there, it could not but be of great use to them. On asking them which port was the best to get food, they replied that there were three, namely, Ceylon, Zubu, and Calaghann, but that Zubu was the largest and the one with most trade. They offered of their own accord to give us pilots to show us the way. The captain-general thanked them, and determined to go there, for so did his unhappy fate will. After the cross was erected in position, each of us repeated a Pater Noster and an Ave Maria, and adored the cross; and the kings did the same. Then we descended through their cultivated fields, and went to the place where the balanghai was.²⁵² The kings had some cocoanuts brought in so that we might refresh ourselves. The captain asked the kings for the pilots for he intended to depart the following morning, and [said] that he would treat them as if they were the kings themselves, and would leave one of us as hostage. The kings replied that every hour he wished the pilots were at his command, but that night the first king changed his mind, and in the morning when we were about to depart, sent word to the captain-general, asking him for love of him to wait two days until he should have his rice harvested, and other trifles attended to. He asked the captain-general to send him some men to help him, so that it might be done sooner; and said that he intended to act as our pilot himself. The captain sent him some men, but the kings ate and drank so much that they slept all the day. Some said to excuse them that they were slightly sick. Our men did nothing on that day, but they worked the next two days.²⁵³

Vno de queſti populi ne porte force vna ſcudela de rizo cõ octo o dieze figue ligaty inſieme ꝓ baratarli in vno cortello q̃ valeua iL piu tre catrini eL cap^o vedendo que queſto nõ voleua alt^o Senon vno cortello lo chiamo ꝓ vedere piu coſe miſſe mano a la borſa et li volce dare ꝓ q^elle coſe vno realL lui noL volſi lui moſtro vno ducato mancho lo accepto al fine li volce dare vno dopionne de duy ducati nõ volce mai alt^o q̃ vn corte lo et cuſſi li lo fece dare Andando vno de li nr̃i in terra ꝓ tore acqua vno de queſti li volce dare vno coronna pontina de oro maſiçio grãde como vna colona ꝓ ſey filce de criſtalino ma iL cap^o non volce q̃ la bara taſſe açio que in queſto principio ſapeſſero q̃ pritiauamo piu la nr̃a mercantia q̃ Lo ſuo oro. One of those people brought us about a porringer full of rice and also eight or ten figs [i.e., bananas] fastened together to barter them for a knife which at the most was worth three catrini.²⁵⁴ The captain seeing that that native cared for nothing but a knife, called him to look at other things. He put his hand in his purse and wished to give him one real for those things, but the native refused it. The captain showed him a ducado but he would not accept that either. Finally the captain tried to give him a doppione²⁵⁵ worth two ducados, but he would take nothing but a knife; and accordingly the captain had one given to him. When one of our men went ashore for water, one of those people wanted to give him a pointed crown of massy gold, of the size of a colona²⁵⁶ for six strings of glass beads, but the captain refused to let him barter, so that the natives should learn at the very beginning that we prized our merchandise more than their gold.²⁵⁷

Queſti populi ſonno gentili vanno nudi et de pinti portano vno pezo de tella de arbore intorno le ſue vergonie Sonno grandiſſimi beuitori le ſue femi ne vanno veſtite de tella de arbore de la cinta in giu cõ li capili negri fina in terra anno forate le orechie et pienne de oro. Queſta gente ſempre maſticanno vno fruto q̃ Lo quiamano Areca e como vno pero lo taglianno in quat^o parti et poi lo volueno nele foglie deL ſuo arburo q̃ le nominano betre ſonno como foglie di moraro cõ vno poco de calcina et quando le anno bē maſticate le ſputano fora fanno diuentare la boca rociſſima Tucti li populi de queſta parte deL mondo le vzanno ꝓ che rinfreſcali molto eL core Se reſtaſſeno de vzarle morirebenno in queſta izolla ſonno cany gati porci galine capre rizo gengero cochi figui naranzi limoni miglio panizo ſorgo cera et molto oro ſta de Latitudine in noue gradi et dui terſi aL artico et cento et ſeſanta dui de longitudine della linea de La ripartitiõe et vinti cinque legue longi de la acquada et ſe chiama Mazaua Those people are heathens,²⁵⁸ and go naked and painted. They wear a piece of cloth woven from a tree about their privies.²⁵⁹ They are very heavy drinkers.²⁶⁰ Their women are clad in tree cloth from their waist down, and their hair is black and reaches to the ground. They have holes pierced in their ears which are filled with gold. Those people are constantly chewing a fruit which they call areca, and which resembles a pear. They cut that fruit into four parts, and then wrap it in the leaves of their tree which they call betre [i.e., betel]. Those leaves resemble the leaves of the mulberry. They mix it with a little lime, and when they have chewed it thoroughly, they spit it out.²⁶¹ It makes the mouth exceedingly red. All the people in those parts of the world use it, for it is very cooling to the heart, and if they ceased to use it they would die. There are dogs, cats, swine, fowls, goats, rice, ginger, cocoanuts, figs [i.e., bananas], oranges, lemons, millet, panicum, sorgo,²⁶² wax, and a quantity of gold in that island. It lies in a latitude of nine and two-thirds degrees toward the Arctic Pole, and in a longitude of one hundred and sixty-two degrees from the line of demarcation. It is twenty-five from the Acquada, and is called Mazaua.²⁶³

Steſsemo sette giorni quiui poi pigliaſſemo la via deL maiſtrale paſſando f^a cinqʒ yſolle cioe Ceylon bohol canighan baybai et gatighan in queſta yſola de gatigan ſonno barbaſtili grandi como aquille ꝓ q̃ era tardi ne amaçaſſemo vno era como vna galina aL mangiare ge ſonno colombi tortore papagali et certi vcelli negri grandi como galine cõ la coda lõga fanno oui grandi como de ocqua li meteno ſoto la ſabia ꝓ lo grã caldo li crea Quando ſonno naſciuti alzano la arena et vieneno fora queſti oui ſonno bony de mangiare. De mazaua agatighan ſonno vinti leghe partendone da gatighan aL ponente iL re de mazaua non ne puote ſeguir̃ ꝓ che lo eſpectaſſemo circa tre yſolle cioe polo ticobon et pozon quando eL gionſe molte ſe marauiglio deL nr̃o nauigare Lo cap^o gñale lo fece mõ tare nela ſua naue cõ alguni ſoi principali dilque hebero piacere et coſſi andaſſemo in zubu da gatighan azubu ſonno quindice legue. We remained there seven days, after which we laid our course toward the northwest, passing among²⁶⁴ five islands, namely, Ceylon, Bohol, Canighan, Baybai, and Gatighan.²⁶⁵ In the last-named island of Gatigan, there are bats as large as eagles. As it was late we killed one of them,²⁶⁶ which resembled chicken in taste. There are doves, turtledoves,²⁶⁷ parrots, and certain black birds as large as domestic chickens, which have a long tail. The last mentioned birds lay eggs as large as the goose, and bury them under the sand, through the great heat of which they hatch out. When the chicks are born, they push up the sand, and come out. Those eggs are good to eat. There is a distance of twenty leguas from Mazaua to Gatighan. We set out westward from Gatighan, but the king of Mazaua could not follow us [closely], and consequently, we awaited him near three islands, namely, Polo, Ticobon, and Pozon.²⁶⁸ When he caught up with us he was greatly astonished at the rapidity with which we sailed. The captain-general had him come into his ship with several of his chiefs at which they were pleased. Thus did we go to Zubu from Gatighan, the distance to Zubu being fifteen leguas.²⁶⁹

Domeniga a sete de apⁱlle amezo di intraſſemo neL porto de Zubu paſſando per molti vilagij vedeuamo molte caze facte ſopra li arbori Apropinquãdone ala cita Lo cap^o gñale comando le naui sinbanderaſſeno furono Calate le velle et poſte amodo de bataglia et ſcarico tuta lartigliaria ꝓ ilque queſti populi hebero grandiſſima paura Lo cap^o mando vno ſuo alieuo cõ lo interprete inbaſſiatore aL re de Zubo. Quando ariuorono nela cita trouorono Jnfiniti huomini inſieme cõ Lo re tuti pauroſi ꝓ le bombarde linterprete li diſſe queſto eſere nr̃o coſtume intrando in ſimili luogui in ſegnio de pace et amiſitia et ꝓ honnorare lo re deL luogo ſcaricauamo tuctele bombarde eL re et tucti li ſuoi ſe aſegurorono et fece dire ali noſtⁱ ꝓ lo ſuo gouuernatore q̃ voleuamo linterprete riſpoſe como eL ſuo ſigniore era cap^o deL magiore re et principe foſſe neL mondo et q̃ andaua adiſcourir̃ malucho ma ꝓ la ſua bonna fama Como haueua Jntezo daL re de mazaua era venuto ſolamente ꝓ vizitarlo et pigliare victuuaglia cõ la ſua merchadantia li diſſe q̃ in bonna hora foſſe venuto ma q̃ haueua queſta vzanſa tutte le naui q̃ intrauano neL porto ſuo pagauão tributu et q̃ nõ eranno quat^o gⁱ che vno Juncho de Ciama cargato doro et de ſchiaui li haueua dato tributo et ꝓ ſegnio di queſto li moſtro vno mer chadante de çiama que era reſtato ꝓ merchadantare oro et ſquiaui Lo interprete li diſſe como eL ſuo ſigniore ꝓ eſſere cap^o de tanto grã re non pagaua tributo ad alguno ſigniore deL mondo et ſe voleua pace pace ha uerebe et ſe non guerra guera Alhoro eL moro merchadante diſſe aL re Cata raia chita çioe garba ben ſigniore queſti ſonno de q^elli q̃ anno conquiſtato Calicut malaca et tuta lindia magiore Si bene ſi li fa ben ſe a ſe male male et pegio como anno facto a calicut et amalaca linterprete Jnteſo lo tuto et diſſegli q^eL re de ſuo ſigniore era piu potente de gente et de nauj q̃ Lo re de portogalo et era re de ſpagnia et Jmperator̃ de tuttj li xp̃iani et ſe nõ voleua eſſerli amicho li mandaria vnalt^a fiata tanta gente q^eL deſtruerião iL moro naro ogni coſa aL re alhora li diſſe ſe conſigliarebe cõ li ſui et nel di ſeguente li riſponderebe poy fece portare vna colatiõe de molte viuãde tute de carne poſte in piati de porcelane cõ molti vazi di vino data La Colatiõe li noſtⁱ retornoronno et ne diſſero lo tuto iL re de mazaua q̃ era lo pⁱmo dopo queſto re et ſigniore de alcante yſolle ando in tera ꝓ dire al re la grande cortezia deL nr̃o cap^o genneralle. At noon on Sunday, April seven, we entered the port of Zubu, passing by many villages, where we saw many houses built upon logs. On approaching the city, the captain-general ordered the ships to fling their banners. The sails were lowered and arranged as if for battle, and all the artillery was fired, an action which caused great fear to those people. The captain sent a foster-son of his as ambassador to the king of Zubo with the interpreter. When they reached the city, they found a vast crowd of people together with the king, all of whom had been frightened by the mortars. The interpreter told them²⁷⁰ that that was our custom when entering into such places, as a sign of peace and friendship, and that we had discharged all our mortars to honor the king of the village. The king and all of his men were reassured, and the king had us asked by his governor what we wanted. The interpreter replied that his master was a captain of the greatest king and prince in the world, and that he was going to discover Malucho;²⁷¹ but that he had come solely to visit the king because of the good report which he had heard of him from the king of Mazaua, and to buy food with his merchandise. The king told him that he was welcome [literally: he had come at a good time], but that it was their custom for all ships that entered their ports to pay tribute, and that it was but four days since a junk from Ciama [i.e., Siam] laden with gold and slaves had paid him tribute. As proof of his statement the king pointed out to the interpreter a merchant from Ciama, who had remained to trade the gold and slaves. The interpreter told the king that, since his master was the captain of so great a king, he did not pay tribute to any seignior in the world, and that if the king wished peace he would have peace, but if war instead, war. Thereupon, the Moro merchant said to the king Cata raia chita that is to say,²⁷² “Look well, sire.” “These men are the same who have conquered Calicut, Malaca, and all India Magiore [i.e., India Major].²⁷³ If they are treated well, they will give good treatment, but if they are treated evil, evil and worse treatment, as they have done to Calicut and Malaca.” The interpreter understood it all and told the king that his master’s king was more powerful in men and ships than the king of Portogalo, that he was the king of Spagnia and emperor of all the Christians, and that if the king did not care to be his friend²⁷⁴ he would next time send so many men that they would destroy him. The Moro related everything to the king,²⁷⁵ who said thereupon that he would deliberate with his men, and would answer the captain on the following day. Then he had refreshments of many dishes, all made from meat and contained in porcelain platters, besides many jars of wine brought in. After our men had refreshed themselves, they returned and told us everything. The king of Mazaua,²⁷⁶ who was the most influential after that king and the seignior of a number of islands, went ashore to speak to the king of the great courtesy of our captain-general.

Luni matina iL nr̃o ſcriuão inſieme cõ linterprete andorono in zubu vene iL re con li ſui principali in piaza et fece ſedere li noſtⁱ apreſſo lui li diſe ſe piu duno cap^o era in qʒſta compania et ſeL voleua lui pagaſſe tributo aL imperatore ſuo S^or. riſpoſe de nõ ma voleua ſolamente merchadantaſe cõ lui et non con altⁱ diſſe q̃ era contento et ſe Lo cap^o nr̃o voleua eſſere ſuo amicho li mandaſſe von pocho de ſangue deL ſuo bracio drito et coſſi farebe luy ꝓ ſegnio de piu vera amiſitia reſpoſe q̃ Lo faria poy Lo re li diſſe como tucti li capⁱ q̃ veniuão quiui se dauano pñti luno cõ lalt^o et ſe Lo nr̃o cap^o olui doueua comenſare linterprete li diſſe poy q̃ lui voleua mantegnire queſto coſtume cominciaſſe et cuſſi comenſo. Monday morning, our notary, together with the interpreter, went to Zubu. The king, accompanied by his chiefs, came to the open square where he had our men sit down near him. He asked the notary whether there were more than one captain in that company, and whether that captain wished him to pay tribute to the emperor his master. The notary replied in the negative, but that the captain wished only to trade with him and with no others. The king said that he was satisfied, and that if the captain wished to become his friend, he should send him a drop of blood from his right arm, and he himself would do the same [to him] as a sign of the most sincere friendship.²⁷⁷ The notary answered that the captain would do it. Thereupon, the king told him that all the captains who came to that place, were wont to give presents one to the other [i.e., mutual presents between the king and the captain], and asked whether our captain or he ought to commence.²⁷⁸ The interpreter told the king that since he desired to maintain the custom, he should commence, and so he did.²⁷⁹

Marti matina iL re de mazaua con lo moro venne ale naui ſaluto lo capitano gñale da parte diL re et diſcelli como iLre de Zubu faceua adunare piu victuuaglia poteua ꝓ darnela et como mandarebe dopo diſnare vno ſuo nepote con dui otre de ſui principali ꝓ fare la pace. lo cap^o gñale fece armare vno de le ſue ꝓprie arme et feceli dire como tuti nuy combateuamo de q^ella ſorta; iL moro molto ſi ſpauento iL cap^o li diſſe nõ ſi ſpauentaſſe perche le nr̃e ar me eranno piaceuoli ali amici et aſpere ali nemici et coſi como li fazoli aſciugano yl ſudore coſi le nr̃e arme ateranno et deſtrugeno tuti li aduerſarj et maleuoli de La nr̃a fede fece queſto acio el moro q̃ pareua eſſere piu aſtuto de li altⁱ lo diceſſe aL re. Tuesday morning the king of Mazaua came to the ships with the Moro. He saluted the captain-general in behalf of the king [of Zubu], and said that the king of Zubu was collecting as much food as possible to give to him, and that after dinner he would send one of his nephews and two others of his chief men to make peace. The captain-general had one of his men armed with his own arms, and had the Moro told that we all fought in that manner. The Moro was greatly frightened, but the captain told him not to be frightened for our arms were soft toward our friends and harsh toward our enemies; and as handkerchiefs wipe off the sweat so did our arms overthrow and destroy all our adversaries, and those who hate our faith.²⁸⁰ The captain did that so that the Moro who seemed more intelligent than the others, might tell it to the king.

Dopo diſnare vene ale naui Lo nipote deL re q̃ era principe coL re de mazaua iL moro iL gouuernatore et iL barizello magiore cõ octo principali ꝓ fare La pace con noi Lo cap^o gñale ſedendo in vna cadedra de veluta roſſa li prin cipali in ſedie de corame et li altⁱ in tera ſoura ſtore li diſſe ꝓ Lo interprete ſe Lo ſuo coſtume era de parlare in ſecreto houero in publico et Se queſto principe col re de mazaua haueuão potere de fare la pace riſpoſero q̃ parla vano in publico et q̃ coſtoro haueuão iL potere de far la pace Lo cap^o diſſe molte coſe ſoura la pace et q^eL pregaua ydio la confirmaſſe in cielo diſcero que may nõ haueuão aldite cotalle parolle et que pigliauão grã piacere a vdir le Vedendo Lo cap^o q̃ queſto volenti eri aſcoltauão et reſpondeuão li comincio dire coſe per indurli ala fede: Domando q^aL dopo la morte deL re ſuccedeſſe aLa s^a. riſpoſe q̃ Lo re nõ haueua figlioli ma figliole et q̃ queſto ſuo nipote haueua ꝓ moglie la magiore percio era Lo principe et quando li padri et madri eranno vequi non ſi honorauão piu mali figlioli li comandauão lo cap^o li diſſe como ydio fece Lo ciello La terra Lo mare et tucte le alt^e coſe et como inpoſſe ſe doueſſeno honnorare li padri et madri et qⁱ altramẽte faceua era condempnato neL fuoco eterno et como tuti deſcendeuão de adam et eua noſtⁱ primi parenti et como haueuamo Lanima in mortalle et molte altre coſe pertinenti ala fede tuti alegri li ſuplicorono voleſſe laſarli dui homini ho aL meno vno acio li amayſtraſſe ne La fede et che li farebẽo grande honnore gli reſpoſe q̃ alhora nõ poteua laſciarli alguno ma ſe vole uão eſſere xp̃iano Lo prete nr̃o li baptezarebe et q̃ vnalt^a fiata menaria preti et frati queli inſegniarebẽo la fede nr̃a riſpoſero que pⁱma voleuão parlare al re et poy diuentarebenno xp̃iani lagrimaſſemo tuti ꝓ la grande alegreza Lo cap^o li diſce q̃ non ce facero xp̃iani ꝓ paura ne ꝓ compiacerne ma vo lontariamẽte et acoloro q̃ voleuão viuere ſecondo la ſua lege nõ li farebe facto diſpiacer alguno mali xp̃iani ſerianno meglio viſti et caregiati q̃ li altⁱ Tuti gridaronno aduna voce q̃ nõ ſe faceuão xp̃iani ꝓ paura ne ꝓ compiacerne ma ꝓ ſua ſpontanea volontate Alhora li diſſe q̃ ſi deuentauão xp̃iani gli Laſſarebe vna armatura ꝓ che cuſſi li era ſtato inpoſto deL ſuo re et como nõ poteuão vzare cõ le ſue donne eſendo gentilli ſenza grandiſſimo pecato et como li aſeguraua q̃ eſſendo xⁱani non li aparerebe piu eL domonio ſinon neL ponto extremo de la ſua morte diceno q̃ no ſapeuano reſponderli ꝓ le ſue belle parolle ma ſe rimeteuano nele ſue manj et faceſſe de loro como de ſoy fideliſſimi ſeruitori Lo cap^o piangendo li abrazo et agiungendo vna mano del principe et vna deL re fra le ſue li diſſe ꝓ la fede portaua a dio et alimperator̃ ſuo ſigniore et ꝓ Lo habito q̃ haueua li prometeua q̃ li daua la pace ꝓpe tua col re deſpagnia reſpoſero que lo ſimille prometeuão Coneluſa la pace Lo cap^o fece dare vna colatiõe poy lo principe et re preſentarono aL cap^o da parte deL ſuo re alquanti ceſtoni de rizo porci capre et galine et li diſcero li perdonaſce ꝓ cio taL coſe erano pocque avno ſimille alui Lo cap^o dono aL principe vno panno biancho di tella ſotiliſſima vno bonnet rozo aL quante felce de chriſtalino et vno biquier dorato de vetro. li vetri ſonno molto apreciati in queſte parte. AL re di mazaua nõ li deto alguno pñte ꝓ che gia li aueua dato vna veſte de cambaya con altre coſe et ali altri aqⁱ vna coſa aqⁱ vnalt^o. Mando poy aL re de zubu ꝓ mi et vnalt^o vna veſte de ſeta gialla et morella aguisa Turcheſca vno bonnet roſo fino alquante filce de criſtalino poſto ogni coſa in vno piato dargento et dui biqui eri dorati in mano Quando focemo nela cita trouaſſemo Lo re in ſuo palatio cõ molti homini q̃ ſe deua in tera ſoura vna ſtora di palma haueua ſola mente vno panno de tella de bombazo dinanzi ale ſue ꝟgonie vno velo intorno lo capo Lauorato aguchia vna Colana aL colo de grã precio due ſquione grande de oro tachate ale orecquie cõ petre precioſe atorno era graſſo et picolo et depinto cõ lo fuocho a diuerſe maniere mangiaua in tera ſoura vnalt^a ſtora oui de bissascutelaza poſti in dui vazi de porcelañ et haueua dinanzi quat^o vazi piennj de vino de palma ſerati con erbe odiri fere et ficati catro cannuti con ogni vno cõ queſti beueua. Facta la debita reuerentia linterprete li diſſe como lo ſuo ſigniore lo rengratiaua molto deL ſuo pñte et que li mandaua queſto nõ ꝓ il ſuo ma ꝓ lo trinſicho amore li portaua li veſteſſemo la veſte gli poneſſemo iL bonnet in capo et li deſſemo le altre coſe et poy baſandoli vetri et ponendoli ſoura lo capo le li preſentai et facendo lui eL ſimilli li accepto poi iL re ne fece mãgiare de q^elli oui et bere con q^elli canuti li altⁱ ſui in queſto mezo gli diſſero lo parlam^to deL cap^o ſop^a la pace et lo exortamento ꝓ farli xp̃iani iL Re ne volce te ner ſecho acene li diceſſemo non poteuamo aloro reſtare pigliata la liſentia iL principe ne meno ſeco a caſa ſua doue ſonauano catro fanciulle vna de tamburo amodo nr̃o ma era poſta in tera Vnalt^a daua vno legnio facto alcanto groſſo neL capo con tella de palma in due borquia pichate mo in la vna mo in lalt^a Lalt^a in vna borquia grande col medeſimo modo. La vltima cõ due brochiete in mão dando luna ne lalt^a faceua vno ſuaue ſonno tanto atempo ſonauão que pareua haueſſeno grã ragion deL canto Queſte eranno aſay belle et bian que caſi como le noſtre et coſi grande eranno nude ſinon q̃ haueuão tella de arbore de la cinta fina aL ginoquio et algune tute nude col pichieto dele orechie grande con vno cerquieto de legnio dentro quelo tene tondo et largo cõ li capeli grandi et negri et cõ vno velo picolo atorno iL capo et ſempre diſcalce iL principe ne fece balare cõ tre tutte nude merendaſſemo et dapoy veniſſemo ale naui Queſte borchie ſonno de metalo et ſe fanno ne La regiõe deL ſignio magno q̃ e detta La China Quiui le vzanno Como nuy le campane et le chiamano aghon. After dinner the king’s nephew, who was the prince, came to the ships with the king of Mazaua, the Moro, the governor, the chief constable, and eight chiefs, to make peace with us. The captain-general was seated in a red velvet chair, the principal men²⁸¹ on leather chairs, and the others on mats upon the floor. The captain-general asked them through the interpreter whether it were their custom to speak in secret or in public, and whether that prince and the king of Mazaua had authority to make peace.²⁸² They answered that they spoke in public, and that they were empowered to make peace. The captain-general said many things concerning peace, and that he prayed God to confirm it in heaven. They said that they had never heard any one speak such words, but that they took great pleasure in hearing them. The captain seeing that they listened and answered willingly, began to advance arguments to induce them to accept the faith. Asking them who would succeed to the seigniory after the death of the king, he was answered that the king had no sons but only daughters, the eldest of whom was the wife of that nephew of his, who therefore was the prince. [They said that] when the fathers and mothers grew old, they received no further honor, but their children commanded them. The captain told them that God made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything else, and that He had commanded us to honor our fathers and mothers, and that whoever did otherwise was condemned to eternal fire; that we are all descended from Adam and Eva, our first parents; that we have an immortal spirit;²⁸³ and many other things pertaining to the faith. All joyfully entreated the captain to leave them two men, or at least one,²⁸⁴ to instruct them in the faith, and [said] that they would show them great honor. The captain replied to them that he could not leave them any men then, but that if they wished to become Christians, our priest would baptize them, and that he would next time bring priests and friars who would instruct them in our faith. They answered that they would first speak to their king, and that then they would become Christians, [whereat] we all wept with great joy. The captain-general told them that they should not become Christians for fear or to please us, but of their own free wills;²⁸⁵ and that he would not cause any displeasure to those who wished to live according to their own law, but that the Christians would be better regarded and treated than the others. All cried out with one voice that they were not becoming Christians through fear or to please us, but of their own free will. Then the captain told them that if they became Christians, he would leave a suit of armor,²⁸⁶ for so had his king commanded him; that we could not have intercourse with their women without committing a very great, sin, since they were pagans; and that he assured them that if they became Christians, the devil would no longer appear to them except in the last moment at their death.²⁸⁷ They said that they could not answer the beautiful words of the captain, but that they placed themselves in his hands, and that he should treat them as his most faithful servants. The captain embraced them weeping, and clasping one of the prince’s hands and one of the king’s between his own, said to them that, by his faith in God and to his sovereign, the emperor, and by the habit which he wore,²⁸⁸ he promised them that he would give them perpetual peace with the king of Spagnia. They answered that they promised the same. After the conclusion of the peace, the captain had refreshments served to them. Then the prince and the king [of Mazaua] presented some baskets of rice, swine, goats, and fowls to the captain-general on behalf of their king, and asked him to pardon them, for such things were but little [to give] to one such as he. The captain gave the prince a white cloth of the finest linen, a red cap, some strings of glass beads, and a gilded glass drinking cup. Those glasses are greatly appreciated in those districts. He did not give any present to the king of Mazaua, for he had already given him a robe of Cambaya, besides other articles.²⁸⁹ To the others he gave now one thing and now another. Then he sent to the king of Zubu through me and one other a yellow and violet silk robe, made in Turkish style, a fine red cap, some strings of glass beads, all in a silver dish, and two gilt drinking cups in our hands.²⁹⁰ When we reached the city we found the king in his palace surrounded by many people. He was seated on a palm mat on the ground, with only a cotton cloth before his privies, and a scarf embroidered with the needle about his head, a necklace of great value hanging from his neck, and two large gold earrings fastened in his ears set round with precious gems. He was fat and short, and tattooed with fire²⁹¹ in various designs. From another mat on the ground he was eating turtle eggs which were in two porcelain dishes, and he had four jars full of palm wine in front of him covered with sweet-smelling herbs and arranged with four small reeds in each jar by means of which he drank.²⁹² Having duly made reverence to him, the interpreter told the king that his master thanked him very warmly for his present, and that he sent this present not in return for his present but for the intrinsic love which he bore him.²⁹³ We dressed him in the robe, placed the cap on his head, and gave him the other things; then kissing the beads and putting them upon his head, I presented them to him. He doing the same [i.e., kissing them] accepted them. Then the king had us eat some of those eggs and drink through those slender reeds. The others, his men, told him in that place, the words of the captain concerning peace and his exhortation to them to become Christians. The king wished to have us stay to supper with him, but we told him that we could not stay then. Having taken our leave of him, the prince took us with him to his house, where four young girls were playing [instruments]—one, on a drum like ours, but resting on the ground; the second was striking two suspended gongs alternately with a stick wrapped somewhat thickly at the end with palm cloth; the third, one large gong in the same manner; and the last, two small gongs held in her hand, by striking one against the other, which gave forth a sweet sound. They played so harmoniously that one would believe they possessed good musical sense. Those girls were very beautiful and almost as white as our girls and as large. They were naked except for tree cloth hanging from the waist and reaching to the knees. Some were quite naked and had large holes in their ears with a small round piece of wood in the hole, which keeps the hole round and large. They have long black hair, and wear a short cloth about the head, and are always barefoot. The prince had three quite naked girls dance for us. We took refreshments and then went to the ships. Those gongs are made of brass [metalo] and are manufactured in the regions about the Signio Magno²⁹⁴ which is called China. They are used in those regions as we use bells and are called aghon.²⁹⁵

Mercore matina ꝓ eſſere morto vno deli noſtⁱ nella nocte paſſata linterprete et yo andaſſemo adomander aL re doue lo poteriamo ſe pelire trouaſſemo Lo re aCompagniato de molti homini acui facta la debita reuerenſia li lo diſſe riſpoſe ſe io et li mey vaſalli ſemo tucti deL tuo ſigniore Quãto magiorm^te debe eſſere la terra et li dice como voleuamo conſacrare il luoco et meterlj vna croce riſpoſe que era molto contento et q̃ la voleua adorare como nuy altⁱ fu ſepolto lo morto nela piaza aL meglio poteſſemo ꝓ darli bõ exempio et poy la conſacraſſemo ſultardi ne sepeliſſemo vno alt^o portaſſemo molta merchantia in terra et la meteſſemo in vna caſa q^aL el re Latolſe ſoura ſua fede et Quatro homini q̃ eranno reſtati per merchadantare in groſſo. Queſti populi viueno cõ Juſtitia peſo et mezura amano la pace lotio et laquiete anno bilancie de legnio lo legnio a vna corda neL mezo cõ Laq^aL ſetiene duno capo e piombo et delalt^o ſegni como carti terci et librr̃ Quando voleno pezare pigliano la belanſia ch̃ e cõ tre filli como le nr̃e et la meteno ſoura li ſegni et cuſi peſano Juſto anno mezure grandiſſime ſenza fondo le Jouane Jogano de Zampognia fate Como le nr̃e et le chiamano Subin le caſe ſonno de legni de taule et de cane edificate ſop^a pali groſſi alti de terra q̃ biſognia andarui dent^o cõ ſcalle et anno camare como le nr̃e ſoto le caſe teneno li porci capre et galine ſe trouono quiui corniolli grandi belli aL vedere q̃ amazano le balene leq^alle le Jnguiotano viui Quando loro ſonno neL corpo veneno fuora deL ſuo coperto et li magiano eL core Queſta gente le trouano poi viui apreſſo deL core dele ballenne morte Quenti anno denti la pelle negra iL coperto biancho et La carne Sonno boni da mangiare et le chiamano laghan. On Wednesday morning, as one of our men had died during the previous night, the interpreter and I²⁹⁶ went to ask the king where we could bury him. We found the king surrounded by many men, of whom, after the due reverence was made, I asked it.²⁹⁷ He replied, “If I and my vassals all belong to your sovereign, how much more ought the land.” I told the king that we would like to consecrate the place,²⁹⁸ and to set up a cross there. He replied that he was quite satisfied, and that he wished to adore the cross as did we. The deceased was buried in the square with as much pomp as possible, in order to furnish a good example. Then we consecrated the place, and in the evening buried another man. We carried a quantity of merchandise ashore which we stored in a house. The king took it under his care as well as four men who were left to trade the goods by wholesale.²⁹⁹ Those people live in accordance with justice, and have weights and measures. They love peace, ease, and quiet. They have wooden balances, the bar of which has a cord in the middle by which it is held. At one end is a bit of lead, and at the other marks like quarter-libras, third-libras, and libras. When they wish to weigh they take the scales which has three wires like ours, and place it above the marks, and so weigh accurately.³⁰⁰ They have very large measures without any bottom.³⁰¹ The youth play on pipes made like ours which they call subin. Their houses are constructed of wood, and are built of planks and bamboo, raised high from the ground on large logs, and one must enter them by means of ladders. They have rooms like ours; and under the house they keep their swine, goats, and fowls. Large sea snails [corniolli], beautiful to the sight, are found there which kill whales. For the whale swallows them alive, and when they are in the whale’s body, they come out of their shells and eat the whale’s heart. Those people afterward find them alive near the dead whale’s heart. Those creatures have black teeth and skin and a white shell, and the flesh is good to eat. They are called laghan.³⁰²

Vennere li moſtraſſemo vna botega pienna de le nr̃e merchantie ꝓ ilque reſtoronno molto admirati ꝓ metalle fero et lalt^a merchantia groſſa ne dauano horo ꝓ le altre menute ne dauão riſo porci et capre cõ altre vi tuualgie Queſti populi ne dauano x peci de oro ꝓ xiiij libre de ferro vno pezo e circo duno ducato emezo Lo cap^o gñale non volſe ſe pigliaſſe tropo oro perque ſarebe ſtato alguno marinaro q̃ hauerebe dato tuto Lo ſuo ꝓ vno poco de oro et haueria diſconciato Lo trafigo ꝓ semper Sabato ꝓ hauer̃ ꝓmeſſo Lo re aL cap^o de farſi xp̃iano ne la dominicha ſe fece ne la piaza q̃ era ſacrata vno tribunalle adornato de tapiſſeria et rami de palma ꝓ baptizarlo et mandoli adire q̃ nella matina nõ haueſe paure dele bombarde per cio era noſt^o coſtume ne le feſte magiore deſcaricar̃ ſenza pietre. On Friday we showed those people a shop full of our merchandise,³⁰³ at which they were very much surprised. For metals, iron, and other large merchandise they gave us gold. For the other smaller articles they gave us rice, swine, goats, and other food. Those people gave us x pieces of gold for xiiii libras of iron³⁰⁴ (one piece being worth about one and one-half ducados). The captain-general did not wish to take too much gold, for there would have been some sailors who would have given all that they owned for a small amount of gold, and would have spoiled the trade for ever.³⁰⁵ On Saturday, as the captain had promised the king to make him a Christian on Sunday, a platform was built in the consecrated square, which was adorned with hangings and palm branches for his baptism. The captain-general sent men to tell the king not to be afraid of the pieces that would be discharged in the morning, for it was our custom to discharge them at our greatest feasts without loading with stones.³⁰⁶

Domeniga matina a Quatordize de apⁱlle andaſſemo in terra Quaranta hõj cõ duy homini tucti armati denanzi aLa bandiera realle Quante diſmõ taſſemo ſe tira tucta lartigliaria Queſti populi ſiguião diqua et de la Lo cap^o et lo re ſe abraciorono li diſſe q̃ la bandera realle nõ ſi portaua in terra ſinon cõ cinquanta homini Como erano li dui armati et cõ cinquanta ſchiopeteri ma ꝓ lo ſuo grande amore coſi la haueua portata poi tuti alegri andaſſemo preſſo aL tribunalle Lo cap^o et Lo re ſedeuão in cathedre de veluto roſſo et morello li principalli in cuſſini li altⁱ ſoura ſtore lo Cap^o diſſe aL re ꝓ lo interprete ringratiaſſe ydio ꝓ cio lo haueua inſpirato a farſe xp̃ano et que vincerebe piu facilmente li ſui nemiſi q̃ prima riſpoſe q̃ voleua eſſere xp̃iano ma alguni ſui principali nõ voleuano ho bedire ꝓ che diceuano eſſere cuſſi homini como lui alhora lo nr̃o cap^o fece chiamare tucti li principali deL re et diſſeli ſenon hobediuão aL re como ſuo re li farebe amazare et daria la ſua roba aL re Riſpoſeno lo hebedirebẽo diſſe aL re ſe andaua in ſpagnia retornarebe vnalt^a volta cõ tanto potere q̃ lo faria Lo magior re de q^elle parte per che era ſtato pⁱmo a voler farſe xp̃iano leuando li many aL ciello Lo rengratio et pregolo alguni de Ly ſoy rimaneſſe açio meglio lui et li ſui populi focero inſtructi nelafede Lo cap^o reſpoſe que ꝓ Contentarlo li Laſſarebe duy ma voleua menar ſeco dui fanciulli deli principalli acio in paraſſeno la linga nr̃a et poi aLa ritornato ſapeſſero dire aqueſti altri le coſe deſpagnia ſe miſſe vna croce grande neL mezo de la piaza Lo cap^o li diſſe ſeſi voleuão far xp̃iani Como haueuão deto nelli giornj paſſati li biſogniaua bru ſare tucti li ſui ydoli et neL luoco loro metere vna croce et ogni di cõ le mane Joncte adorarla et ogni matina neL vzo farſi lo ſegnio de La croce moſtrandoli como li faceua et ogni hora al meno de matina doueſſeno veni re a queſta croce et adorarla in genoquioni et q^eL q̃ haueuão Ja deto voleſer̃ cõ le bonne opere confirmarlo el re cõ tucti li altⁱ voleuão confirmare lo tucto lo cap^o gñale li diſſe como ſera veſtito tuto de biancho ꝓ moſtrarli Lo ſuo ſincero amore verſo de loro riſpoſero ꝓ li ſui dolci paroli nõ ſaperli reſpondere. Con queſte bonne parolle lo cap^o conduſſe lo re ꝓ la mão ſuL tribunalle ꝓ baptizarlo et diſſeli ſe chiameria don carlo como alinperator̃ ſuo ſigniore aL principe don fernando como aL fratello delinperator̃ al Re de mazaua Johanni a vno principalle fernando como iL principalle noſt^o çioe Lo cap^o. Al moro x^oforo poy ali altⁱ aqⁱ vno nome et aqⁱ vno alt^o forenno baptizati inanzi meſſa cinque cento hominj Vdita la meſſa lo cap^o conuito adiſnar ſeco lo re cõ altri principali nõ volſero ne acompagniarono fina ala riua le naui ſcaricorono tutte le bombarde et abrazandoſe preſſero Combiatto. On Sunday morning, April fourteen, forty men of us went ashore, two of whom were completely armed and preceded the royal banner.³⁰⁷ When we reached land all the artillery was fired.³⁰⁸ Those people followed us hither and thither. The captain and the king embraced. The captain told the king that the royal banner was not taken ashore except with fifty men armed as were those two, and with fifty musketeers; but so great was his love for him that he had thus brought the banner.³⁰⁹ Then we all approached the platform joyfully. The captain and the king sat down in chairs of red and violet velvet,³¹⁰ the chiefs on cushions, and the others on mats.³¹¹ The captain told the king through the interpreter that he thanked God for inspiring him to became a Christian; and that [now] he would more easily conquer his enemies than before. The king replied that he wished to become a Christian, but that some of his chiefs did not wish to obey, because they said that they were as good men as he. Then our captain had all the chiefs of the king called, and told them that, unless they obeyed the king as their king, he would have them killed, and would give their possessions to the king. They replied that they would obey him. The captain told the king that he was going to Spagnia, but that he would return again with so many forces that he would make him the greatest king of those regions, as he had been the first to express a determination to become a Christian. The king, lifting his hands to the sky, thanked the captain, and requested him to let some of his men remain [with him], so that he and his people might be better instructed in the faith. The captain replied that he would leave two men to satisfy him, but that he would like to take two of the children of the chiefs with him, so that they might learn our language, who afterward on their return would be able to tell the others the wonders [cose] of Spagnia. A large cross was set up in the middle of the square. The captain told them that if they wished to become Christians as they had declared on the previous days, that they must burn all their idols and set up a cross in their place. They were to adore that cross daily with clasped hands, and every morning after their [i.e., the Spaniards’] custom, they were to make the sign of the cross (which the captain showed them how to make); and they ought to come hourly, at least in the morning, to that cross, and adore it kneeling. The intention that they had already declared, they were to confirm with good works. The king and all the others wished to confirm it thoroughly. The captain-general told the king that he was clad all in white to demonstrate his sincere love toward them. They replied that they could not respond to his sweet words. The captain led the king by the hand to the platform while speaking these good words in order to baptize him. He told the king that he would call him Don Carlo, after his sovereign the emperor; the prince, Don Fernando, after the emperor’s brother; the king of Mazaua, Johanni; a chief, Fernando, after our chief, that is to say, the captain; the Moro, Christoforo; and then the others, now one name, and now another. Five hundred men were baptized before mass. After the conclusion of mass, the captain invited the king and some of the other chiefs to dinner, but they refused, accompanying us, however, to the shore. The ships discharged all the mortars; and embracing, the king and chiefs and the captain took leave of one another.³¹²