It has abundance of excellent water, which seems to originate from the great river Euphrates[2], which is only at the distance of a days journey.  Azaron stands in the direct road between Trebizond and Tauris.  In journeying farther on, I came to a mountain named Sobissacalo; and we passed by the very mountain of Ararat, on which the ark of Noah is said to have rested.  I was very desirous to have gone to the top of that mountain, but the company with which I travelled would not wait for me; and the people of the country allege that no one was ever able to ascend to its top, because, say they, it is contrary to the will of God.  Continuing our journey, we came to Tauris[3], a great and royal city anciently called Susa, which is reckoned the chief city in the world for trade and merchandize; for every article whatever, both of merchandize and provision, is to be had there, in the greatest abundance, Tauris is most conveniently situated, and to it may all the nations of the earth, almost, resort for trade.  The Christians in those parts report, that the emperor of Persia derives more tribute from this city alone than the king of France receives from the whole of his dominions.  Near this city there is a hill of salt, from whence every one may take as much as he pleases, without paying any thing whatever to any person.  Many Christians from all parts of the world are to be found in this place, over whom the Saracens have the supreme authority.

From Tauris I travelled to the city called Soldania[4], where the Persian emperor resides during the summer; but in winter he changes his residence to another city upon the sea of Baku[5].  Soldania is a large city, but very cold, from its situation in the mountains, and has considerable trade, and abundance of good water.  From thence I set out with a caravan of merchants, for the Upper India, and in our way, after many days journey, we came to Cassan or Casbin[6], the noble and renowned city of the three wise men, which abounds in bread and wine, and many other good things, but the Tartars have nearly destroyed it.  From this city to Jerusalem, to which the three wise men we’re led by miracle, the distance is fifty days journey.  For the sake of brevity I omit many wonderful things which I saw in this city.  Going from thence, we came to the city of Geste[7], whence the sea of sand, a most wonderful and dangerous track, is distant only one days journey.  In the city of Yezd there is abundance of all kinds of victuals, especially of figs, grapes, and raisins, which are there more plentiful, in my opinion, than in any other part of the world.  It is one of the principal cities in all Persia, and its Saracen inhabitants allege that no Christian can live there above a year.  Continuing our journey forwards for many days, I came to a city named Comum[8], which was a great city in old times, near fifty miles in circumference, and often did much damage to the Romans.  In this place there are stately palaces, now destitute of inhabitants,