_Of a great yland and kingedome called Taprobane._[1]
TOWARDE the East side of Prester John's lande is an yle that men call
Taprobane, & is right good and fructuous,[2] and there is a great Kyng
and a rych, and he is obedient unto Prester John & the King is alway
made by eleccion. In this yle is ii wynters and two somers, and they
shere[3] corne twise in the yere, all times in the yeare gardeins
florysheth. There dwelleth good people and reasonable and many
Christen men among them that are full rich, and the water betwene the
syde of Prester John and this yle is not full depe for men may see the
grounde in many places.
[Footnote 1: There seems a difference of opinion whether this
island is Ceylon or Sumatra.]
[Footnote 2: Fruitful.]
[Footnote 3: Reap.]