so deadly, that almost am I resolved to fling the Secret
from me, and so go to my Grave a Beggar. For that I not only
believe, but am well assured, that not with out much Spilling
of Blood and Loss of Human Life shall they be enjoyed, I myself
having looked in the Face of Death thrice before ever I might
set Hand upon them, escaping each time by a Miracle and by
forfeit of my Soul's Peace. Yet, considering that the Anger of
Heaven is quick and not revengeful unduly, I have determined not
to do so wholly, but in part, abandoning myself the Treasure
unrighteously won, if perchance the Curse may so be appeased,
but committing it to the enterprise of another, who may escape,
and so raise a falling House.

"You then, my Son who may read this Message, I entreat to
consider well the Perils of your Course, though to you unknown.
But to me they are known well, who have lived a Sinful Life for
the sake of this gain, and now find it but as the fruit of
Gomorrah to my lips. For the rest, my Secret is with God, from
whom I humbly hope to obtain Pardon, but not yet. And even as
the Building of the Temple was withheld from David, as being a
Shedder of Blood, but not from Solomon his son, so may you lay
your Hand to much Treasure in Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones,
but chiefly the GREAT RUBY OF CEYLON, whose beauty excels all
the jewels of the Earth, I myself having looked upon it, and
knowing it to be, as an Ancient Writer saith, 'a Spectacle
Glorious and without Compare.'

"Of this Ruby the Traveller Marco Polo speaks, saying, 'The King
of Seilan hath a Ruby the Greatest and most Beautiful that ever
was or can be in the World. In length it is a palm, and in
thickness the thickness of a man's arm. In Splendour it
exceedeth the things of Earth, and gloweth like unto Fire.
Money cannot purchase it.' Likewise Maundevile tells of it, and
how the Great Khan would have it, but was refused; and so
Odoric, the two giving various Sizes, and both placing it
falsely in the Island of Nacumera or Nicoveran. But this I
know, that in the Island of Ceylon it was found, being lost for
many Centuries, and though less in size than these Writers
would have it, yet far exceeding all imagination for Beauty and
colour.

"Now this Ruby, together with much Trea