igned King
Melchior, in the time that Christ was born. Therein also is the land of
Araby, in which is the hill Sinai: and a man may lightly sail by the Red
Sea out of Egypt and Syria into Ind. In this land is found gold
wonderfully red, like thin and small roots, and that gold is the best
that is in the world. Herein is also a hill called Bena, where is found
a precious stone, called smaragd.

In the second Ind was the kingdom of Godolia, of which Balthazar was
king when Christ was born; and this Balthazar offered incense to the
Babe; for in this land many more good spices grow than in all the
countries of the East, and especially incense, more than in all places
of the world; and it droppeth down out of certain trees in the manner of
gum.

In the third Ind was the kingdom of Thaars. Of that kingdom was Jaspar
king at the birth of Christ. And Jaspar offered myrrh to the young
Child, and in this land is the isle of Egrisoulla, where groweth myrrh
more plentifully than in any place of the world, and it waxeth like ears
of corn that are burnt with the weather, and right thick; and when it is
ripe it is so soft that it cleaveth to men's clothes as they go by the
way.

Now when these three worshipful Kings were passed forth out of their
kingdoms, the Star evenly went before each King and his people, and when
they stood still and rested the Star stood still, and when they went
forward again the Star always went before them in virtue and strength,
and gave light all the way. And, as it is written before, in the time
that Christ was born there was peace in all the world, wherefore in all
the cities and towns which they went through there was no gate shut
neither by night nor by day; and all men of the cities and towns that
these worthy Kings went through in the night were wonderfully aghast and
passingly marvelled thereof, for they saw kings and vast multitudes go
by in great haste; but they knew not what they were, nor whence they
came, nor whither they should go. On the morrow the way was greatly
befouled with horses' hoofs, whereof they were in much doubt what it
might mean, and great altercation was among them for a long time.

Furthermore, these Kings rode forth over hills, waters, valleys, plains,
and other divers and perilous places without hindrance or disease, for
all the way seemed to them plain and even, and they never took shelter
by night nor by day; nor ever rested; nor did their horses or other
beasts ever e