ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1557- 



The first day of December, I departed from Vologhda 



in poste in a sled, as the maner is in Winter. And the 



way to Moscua is as followeth. From Vologhda to 



Commelski, 27 verstes, so to Olmor 25 verstes, so to 



Teloytske 20 verstes, so to Ure 30 verstes, so to Voshan- 



sko 30 verstes, then to Yeraslave 30 verstes, which 



standeth upon the great river Volga, so to Rostove, 50 



verstes, then to Rogarin 30 verstes, so to Peraslave 10 



verstes, which is a great towne, standing hard by a faire 



lake. From thence to Dowbnay 30 verstes, so to Godo- 



roke 30 verstes, so to Owchay 30 verstes, and last to the 



Mosco 25 verstes, where I arrived the sixt day of 



December. December. 



There are 14 postes called Yannes betweene Vologhda 

 and Mosco, which are accompted 500 verstes asunder. 



The 10 day of December I was sent for to the 

 Emperors Castle by the sayd Emperour, and delivered 

 my letters unto the Secretary, who talked with me of 

 divers matters, by the commandement of the Emperour. 

 And after that my letters were translated, I was answered 

 that I was welcome, and that the Emperour would give 

 me that I desired. 



The 25 day, being the day of the nativitie, I came into 

 the Emperors presence, and kissed his hand, who sate 

 aloft in a goodly chaire of estate, having on his heade a 

 crowne most richly decked, and a staffe of gold in his 

 hand, all apparelled with golde, and garnished with 

 precious stones. 



There sate distant from him about two yardes his 

 brother, and next unto him a boy of twelve yeares of age, 

 who was inheritor to ye Emperor of Casan, conquered by 

 [I. 313.] this Emperor 8 yeares past. Then sate his nobilitie 

 round about him, richly apparelled with gold and stone. 

 And after I had done obeisance to the Emperour, he with 

 his own mouth calling me by my name, bade me to 

 dinner, and so I departed to my lodging till dinner time, 

 which was at sixe of the clocke, by candle light. 



The Emperour dined in a fayre great hall, in the midst 



420 



