Volume 3 / Book 1 — BOOK I.

SECTION 1.

The Isle of Island, being severed from other countries, an infinite distance standeth farre into the ocean, etc.

SECTION 2.

In this Island at the Summer Solstitum there is no night, etc.

SECTION 3.

It is named of the ice, which continually cleaveth unto the north part thereof.

SECTION 4.

The Island is so great that it containeth many people, etc.

SECTION 5.

The Island, the most part thereof, is mountainous and untilled.

SECTION 6.

There be in this Island mountaines lift up to the skies, whose tops being white with perpetual snowe, their roots boile with everlasting fire, etc.

SECTION 7.

The flame of Mount Hecla will not burne towe, neither is it quenched with water…. This place is thought by some to be the prison of uncleane soules, etc.

SECTION 8.

Neare unto the mountaines there be three vast holes, the depth thereof cannot be discerned by any man; but there appeare to the beholders thereof certaine men at that instant plunged in, who answere their friends, exhorting them, with deepe sighs, to returne home, and, with that, they suddenly vanish away

SECTION 9.

But round about the Island there floateth ice. The inhabitants are of opinion that in Mount Hecla and in the ice there are places wherein the soules of their countrymen are tormented,

SECTION 10.

If any man shall take a great quantity of this ice, and shall keepe it never so warily in a coffer or vessel, it wil, at the time when the ice thaweth about the Island, utterly vanish away, etc.

SECTION 11.

Not far from the Mountains there be four fountaines of a most contrary nature betweene themselves. The first converteth into a stoen any body cast into it. The second is extremely cold. The third is sweeter than honey. The fourth is altogether deadly, etc.

SECTION 12.

There are so great store of Fishes in this Island that they are laid forth on piles to be sold in the open air, as high as the tops of houses

SECTION 13.

They have most swift horses, which will run without ceasing a continual course, for the space of thirty leagues

SECTION 14.

There be seen neare unto Island huge whales…. It sometimes falleth out that Mariners thinking these whales to be Islands, and casting out upon their backs, are often in danger of drowning, etc.