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away Iii« favourite and not let him approach the court for a year. The king swore to this, and it was straightway earned out and the people retired. The next day the king sent for me, and before the Cardinal and some nobles told me and begged me to accept from him what I pleased for the expenses of my journey, aud I replied that I thanked him much, that I had enough for my return, and that I prayed him to order that leave be given ine to go, and a fitsta to take me as far as Rhodes : and I strove as much as I could to leave and he to keep me. And he bid me stay there at least eight days, and I because I saw that it pleased him had to do so, and certainly in these days I was so greatly refreshed that I could not have been better, and the vessel which was to take me was made ready, and I took my leave of the king, and with real unwillingness he gave me the permission to go, and there he gave ine his Order, which I have still : he gave mo also ten pieces of camlet and delicate linen, and a leopard, and so much victuals to take me to Rhodes as would suffice for a year. And at the time I was there there came two embassies to the king of Cyprus, one from the Duke of Savoy, and another from a Duke of Germany, each of them to arrange a marriage between his daughter and the king: and he made no bargain with either, because (it was said) the Grand Master of Rhodes was proposing to him a much desired alliance with a daughter of the Conut of Urgel of Arragon, sister to the wife of the Infante Don Pedro, Regent of Portugal. It appeared however to me that that to which the king's councillors most inclined was with the daughter of the Duke of Savoy, and that I believe was adopted. The king was a youth of sixteen or seventeen, and tall, although his legs were certainly as thick or bnt little less thick abont the knees as at the thighs. He is a graceful person, and for his age of plenty of intelligence, lively and active, especially in riding. Certainly were the country not so unhealthy I would willingly enough have determined to enter his service for a while. But it was almost impossible for a stronger to live in so unwholesome a country, and for that reason and for the longing I had to return to Castile, on account of the war with the Moors, 1 had to continue my journey with all speed. I left the city of Nicosia and went to Aberines, where the vessel awaited me which was to take me to Rhodes. It is an ancient city built by Achilles, from whom it takes its name : small bnt strong, and well walled, with a good harbour, which though small is closed with a chain and well defended. Hither took refuge the present king, with his uncle the Cardinal and Madame Ines and many others of the kingdom when king Janus was taken prisoner. It is the most healthy district of the whole kingdom of Cyprus, because it lies open to the west wind (pp. 119—123). 34 EXCERPTA CYPRIA.

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