excellency of his charge, you are to favour and love the man thus
departing from us, and if it falls so happily out that he return
again, it is your part and duty also liberally to reward him."

After that this noble young gentleman had delivered this or some
such like speech, much more eloquently than I can possibly report
it, the company then present began one to look upon another, one to
question and confer with one another; and some (to whom the virtue
and sufficiency of the man was known) began secretly to rejoice with
themselves and to conceive a special hope, that the man would prove
in time very rare and excellent, and that his virtues already
appearing and shining to the world would grow to the great honour
and advancement of this kingdom.

After all this, the company growing to some silence, it seemed good
to them that were of greatest gravity amongst them to inquire,
search, and seek what might be learned and known concerning the
easterly part or tract of the world. For which cause two Tartars
(Tartarians) which were then of the king's stable were sent for, and
an interpreter was gotten to be present, by whom they were demanded
touching their country, and the manners of their nation. But they
were able to answer nothing to the purpose: being indeed more
acquainted (as one there merrily and openly said) to toss pots than
to learn the states and dispositions of people. But after much ado
and many things passed about this matter, they grew at last to this
issue, to set down and appoint a time for the departure of the
ships: because divers were of opinion that a great part of the best
time of the year was already spent, and if the delay grew longer the
way would be stopped and hard by the frost of the ice, and the cold
climate; and therefore it was thought best by the opinion of them