countrey report, that no man could euer ascend the said mountaine, because (say they) it pleaseth not the highest God. [Sidenote:  Tauris a citie of Persia.] And I trauailed on further vnto Tauris that great and royal city, which was in old time called Susis.  This city is accompted for traffique of marchandize the chiefe city of the world:  for there is no kinde of victuals, nor anything else belonging vnto marchandize, which is not to be had there in great abundance.  This city stands very commodiously:  for vnto it all the nations of the whole worlde in a maner may resort for traffique.  Concerning the saide citie, the Christians in those parts are of opinion, that the Persian Emperour receiues more tribute out of it, then the King of France out of all his dominions.  Neare vnto the said city there is a salt-hill yeelding salt vnto the city:  and of that salt ech man may take what pleaseth him, not paying ought to any man therefore.  In this city many Christians of all nations do inhabite, ouer whom the Saracens beare rule in alle things.  Then I traueiled on further vnto a city called Soldania, [Marginal note:  Or, Sultania.] wherein the Persian Emperour lieth all Sommer time:  but in winter hee takes his progresse vnto another city standing upon the sea called Baku. [Marginal note:  The Caspian sea.] Also the foresaid city is very great and colde, hauing good and holesome waters therein, vnto the which also store of marchandize is brought.  Moreouer I trauelled with a certaine company of Carauans toward vpper India:  and in the way, after many days iourney, I came vnto the citie of the three wise men called Cassan [Marginal Note:  Or Cassibin.], which is a noble and renowmed city, sauing that the Tartars haue destroyed a great part thereof, and it aboundeth with bread, wine, and many other commodities.  From this city vnto Ierusalem (whither the three foresaid wise-men were miraculously led) it is fiftie days iourney.  There be many wonders in this citie also, which, for breuities sake, I omit [Sidenote:  Geste.] From thence I departed vnto a certaine city called Geste, whence the Sea of Sand is distant, one dayes iourney, which is a most wonderful and dangerous thing.  In this city there is abundance of all kinds of victuals, and especially of figs, reisins, and grapes; more (as I suppose) then in any part of the whole world besides.  This is one of the three principall cities in all the Persian Empire.  Of this city the Saracens report, that no Christian can by any meanes liue therein aboue a yeere. [Sidenote:  Como.] Then passing many dayes ioumey on forward, I came vnto a certaine citie called Comum, which was an huge and mightie Citie in olde time, conteyning well nigh fiftie miles in circuite, and hath done in times past great damage vnto the Romanes.  In it there are stately palaces altogether destitute of inhabitants, notwithstanding it aboundeth with great store of victuals.  From hence traueiling through many countreys, at length I came vnto the