For, look you, there is another way into Ynde, and thereby the men
of Muscovy are fain to come, if the Englishmen let them not. That
way cometh by Desert and Wildernesse, from the sea that is clept
Caspian, even to Khiva, and so to Merv; and then come ye to Zulfikar
and Penjdeh, and anon to Herat, that is called the Key of the Gates
of Ynde. Then ye win the lond of the Emir of the Afghauns, a great
prince and a rich, and he hath in his Thresoure more crosses, and
stars, and coats that captains wearen, than any other man on earth.

For all they of Muscovy, and all Englishmen maken him gifts, and he
keepeth the gifts, and he keepeth his own counsel. For his lond
lieth between Ynde and the folk of Muscovy, wherefore both
Englishmen and men of Muscovy would fain have him friendly, yea, and
independent. Wherefore they of both parties give him clocks, and
watches, and stars, and crosses, and culverins, and now and again
they let cut the throats of his men some deal, and pill his country.
Thereby they both set up their rest that the Emir will be
independent, yea, and friendly. But his men love him not, neither
love they the English, nor the Muscovy folk, for they are
worshippers of Mahound, and endure not Christian men. And they love
not them that cut their throats, and burn their country.

Now they of Muscovy ben Devyls, and they ben subtle for to make a
thing seme otherwise than it is, for to deceive mankind. Wherefore
Englishmen putten no trust in them of Muscovy, save only the
Englishmen clept Radicals, for they make as if they loved these
Develes, out of the fear and dread of war wherein they go, and would
be slaves sooner than fight. But the folk of Ynde know not what
shall befall, nor whether they of Muscovy will take the Lond, or
Englishmen shall keep it, so that their hearts may not enduren for