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[Page iii]
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[English Translation]
pleaded to the admiral to whom I communicated my
design, to allow me to remain in these countries. This
he did with regret,[1] after having proposed all the
inconveniences & misfortune that could befall me,
sojourning among these people & regions so distant with no certainty of return. However,
such reasons did not have the power to divert me from my
first plan. I therefore remained with hope
that after having stayed as long as I had intended,
God would present me with some means to withdraw
from these lands. Now during the stay that I made in
Bandan learning the Moluccan & Javanese language, in order to be able to pass as an Interpreter, it happened
one day that Iwas approached by an Italian merchant named
Francisco Renuchio,[2] a very gallant man, well versed
in languages, a good historian & very knowledgeable, &
practiced in the customs & manners of trade among these
people; who after having frequented me for about a
whole year, with all the assurance of friendship & good
offices, & having also received reciprocal visits from my
side. He asked me one day, while leading me, if I would
take pleasure in visiting the Ambassador of a great
Christian King to the South,[3] who a few days ago
had come to Bandan before his Majesty, that he was
a friendly personage who willingly saw foreigners,
& even those from the coast of Europe who had gone
to kiss the hands in the company of his Indian
friend.[4] If it was that I wanted us to go together,
ã 3
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