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 shere³ 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.

1: There seems a difference of opinion whether this island is Ceylon or Sumatra.

2: Fruitful.

3: Reap.