As Their Great
Numbers Were Considerably Formidable, The Portuguese Ships Went To A
Certain Island In Which The Body Of St Thomas Is Interred, The Lord Of
Which Received Them Kindly, And Gave Them Some Relics Of That Holy Person
In Token Of Friendship:
He even offered them greater quantities of spices
than they had ever seen before, without money, trusting that they would
pay for them on their return from Europe:
But, being already laden, the
Portuguese declined this friendly offer.
The Portuguese fleet employed fourteen months in this voyage, and
returned to Lisbon in spring; but they say that it may be made much
sooner, now that the course is well known, and may even be accomplished
in ten months. All the ships that reached Calicut returned, except one
which was lost on certain rocks, but the crew saved, which ship was of
six hundred tons burden. As yet only one caravel has come into port, but
the rest are said to be not far off. This lately arrived ship came into
port on St Johns day, 6th May, at which time I happened to be with the
king, who addressed me in these words. "_Hah!_ congratulate me, good sir,
as my fleet is already in the river, loaded with all kinds of spices." I
received the news joyfully, as became me, and made my compliments of
congratulation to the king. The tidings were welcomed with exceeding joy
and all kind of festivity, with the sound of trumpets, cymbals, and
flutes, and the continual firing of cannon.
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