[Sidenote: This is an errour.] This way no doubt the Spaniardes would
commodiously take, for that it lyeth neere vnto their dominions there,
could the Easterne current and leuant windes as easily suffer them to
returne, as speedily therwith they may be carried thither: for the which
difficultie, or rather impossibility of striuing against the force both of
winde and streame, this passage is litle or nothing vsed, although it be
very well knowen.

[Sidenote: 3 By the Northeast.] The third way by the Northeast, beyond all
Europe and Asia, that worthy and renowmed knight sir Hugh Willoughbie
sought to his perill, enforced there to ende his life for colde, congealed
and frozen to death. And truely this way consisteth rather in the
imagination of Geographers, then allowable either in reason, or approued by
[Sidenote: Ortel. tab. Asiæ 3.] experience, as well it may appeare by the
dangerous trending of the Scythish Cape set by Ortelius vnder the 80 degree
North, by the vnlikely sailing in that Northerne sea alwayes clad with yce
and snow, or at the least continually pestred therewith, if happily it be
at any time dissolued: besides bayes and shelfes, the water waxing more
shallow toward the East, that we say nothing of the foule mists and darke
fogs in the cold clime, of the litle power of the Sunne to cleare the aire,
of the vncomfortable nights, so neere the Pole, fiue moneths long.

[Sidenote: 4 By the Northwest.] A fourth way to go vnto these aforesaid
happy Islands Moluccæ sir Humphrey Gilbert a learned and valiant knight
discourseth of at large in his new passage to Cathayo. The enterprise of
itselfe being vertuous, the fact must doubtlesse deserue high praise, and
whensoeuer it shal be finished, the fruits thereof cannot be smal: where
vertue is guide, there is fame a follower, and fortune a companion. But the
way is dangerous, the passage doubtfull, the voiage not throughly knowen,
and therefore gainesaid by many, after this maner.