nemies for the trade in the East.] It doth spite the Italians to
see vs abroad: and many maruell at our deliuery. The painter is in the
cloister of S. Paul, and is of their order, and liketh there very well.
While we were in prison, both at Ormuz and here, there was a great deale of
our goods pilfered and lost, and we haue beene at great charges in gifts
and otherwise, so that a great deale of our goods is consumed. There is
much of our things which wil sell very well and some we shall get nothing
for. I hope in God that at the returne of the Viceroy, which is gone to
Chaul and to Diu, they say, to winne a castle of the Moores, whose returne,
is thought will be about Easter, then we shall get our libertie, and our
sureties discharged. Then I thinke it will be our best way, either one or
both to returne, because our troubles haue bene so great, and so much of
our goods spoyled and lost. But if it please God that I come into England,
by Gods helpe, I will returne hither againe. It is a braue and pleasant
countrey, and very fruitfull. The summer is almost all the yeere long, but
the chiefest at Christmas.

The day and the night are all of one length, very litle difference, and
marueilous great store of fruits. For all our great troubles, yet are we
fat and well liking, for victuals are here plentie and good cheape. And
here I will passe ouer to certifie you of strange things, vntill our
meeting, for it would be too long to write thereof. And thus I commit you
to God, who euer preserue you and vs all. From Goa in the East Indies the
25 of Ianuarie 1584.

Yours to command, Ralph Fitch.

* * * * *

The voyage of M. Ralph Fitch marchant of London by the way of Tripolls in
Syria, to Ormus, and so to Goa in the East India, to Cambaia, and all the
kingdome of Zelabdim Echebar the great Mogor, to the mighty riuer Ganges,
and downe to Bengala, to Bacola, and Chonderi, to Pegu, to Imahay in the
kingdome of Siam, and backe to Pegu, and from thence to Malacca, Zeilan,
Cochin, and all the coast of the East India: begunne in the yeere of our
Lord 1583, and ended 1591, wherin the strange rites, maners, and customes
of those people, and the exceeding rich trade and commodities of those
countries are faithfully set downe and diligently described, by the
aforesaid M. Ralph Fitch.

In the yeere of our Lord 1583, I Ralph Fitch of London merchant being
desirous to see the countreys of the Ea