ere was
no difference in shining betwixt them.

But when the day of the Nativity was passed, the Star ascended up into
the firmament, and it was nothing like to stars that be painted in
divers places, for it had right many long streaks and beams, more
burning and lighter than a brand of fire; and, as an eagle flying and
beating the air with his wings, right so the streaks and beams of the
Star stirred it about. And it had in itself the form and likeness of a
young child, and above him a sign of the holy cross, and a voice was
heard in the Star, saying: "This day is born to us the King of Jews that
folk have awaited, and Lord is of them. Go and seek Him and do Him
worship!"

Then all the people, both man and woman, of all the country about, when
they saw this wonderful and marvellous Star and also heard the voice out
of the Star, were greatly aghast and had wonder thereof; but yet they
knew well that it was the Star that was prophesied by Balaam, and long
time was desired of all the people in that country.

Now when the three worshipful Kings who in that time reigned in Ind,
Chaldee, and Persia were informed, by the astronomers, of this Star,
they were right glad that they had grace to see the Star in their days.
Wherefore these three worshipful Kings, though each of them was far from
the other, and none knew of the other's purpose, yet in the same hour
the Star appeared to all three, and then they ordained and purposed
them, with great and rich gifts and many rich and diverse ornaments that
belong to a king's array, and also with mules and camels and horses
charged with treasure, and with a great multitude of people, to go seek
and worship the Lord and King of the Jews that was new born, as the
voice of the Star had commanded. And furthermore they arrayed themselves
the much more honestly and worshipfully, because they knew well that he
was a worthier King than any of them was.

And you shall understand that there be three Indias, of which these
three lords were kings; and all the lands for the most part are islands,
and there are also there great waters and wildernesses full of wild and
perilous beasts and horrible serpents, and there grow also reeds so high
and so great that men make thereof houses and ships. And these isles are
divided every one by itself far from the others, so that only with great
travail shall a man pass from one kingdom to another.

Now, in the first Ind was the land of Nubia, and therein re