(being in great fear as men half dead) prostrated themselves before
him, offering to kiss his feet; but he (according to his great and
singular courtesy) looked pleasantly upon them, comforting them by
signs and gestures, refusing those duties and reverences of theirs,
and taking them up in all loving sort from the ground. And it is
strange to consider how much they were afterwards in that place this
humanity of his did purchase to himself. For they being dismissed,
spread by-and-by a report abroad of the arrival of a strange nation
of a singular gentleness and courtesy, whereupon the common people
came together offering to those new-come guests victuals freely, and
not refusing to traffic with them, except they had been bound by a
certain religious use and custom not to buy any foreign commodities
without the knowledge and consent of the king.

By this time our men had learned that this country was called Russia
or Muscovy, and that Ivan Vasilivich (which was at that time their
king's name) ruled and governed far and wide in those places. And
the barbarous Russians asked likewise of our men whence they were
and what they came for. Whereunto answer was made that they were
Englishmen sent into those coasts from the most excellent King
Edward VI., having from him in commandment certain things to deliver
to their king, and seeking nothing else but his amity and friendship
and traffic with his people, whereby they doubted not but that great
commodity and profit would grow to the subjects of both kingdoms.
The barbarians heard these things very gladly, and promised their
aid and furtherance to acquaint their king out of hand with so
honest and reasonable a request.

In the meantime Master Chanceler entreated victuals for his money of
the governor of that place, who, together with others, came aboard