Page:Most excellent and delightful history of Fortunatus.pdf/13

 who, of all those countries, was the only Christian prince; that country being converted to the Christian faith by St Thomas the apostle. He he has under him sixty-two kings, and is lord of thirty islands, besides a vast country on the continent. And though most strangers are forbid to enter the Emperor’s palace without his leave. Fortunatus, by making large presents, soon gained admittance, and beheld such riches as the like he had never seen; for the walls were plated with fine silver, whereon were engraved the stories of knights, and battles of former emperors. Some rooms were hung with panthers skins, casting a fragrant smell: the pillars that supported the roof were cedar, overlaid with gold, and embossed with precious stones. Fortunatus having seen all he could, obtained leave of the emperor to depart with thirty camels laden with the richest goods of the country, and having appointed his ship-master to meet him at Alexandria, he set out for thence. The Soldian having notice of his arrival in Egypt, sent divers of his officers to meet and welcome him in his name; whom Fortunatus presented with jewels, odours, and spices, and the Soldian with many rarities. So unloading his camels, he shipped all his goods, and remembering his promise to his beloved Cassandra, he ordered them to weigh anchor, resolving to sail;