ABSTRACT
From that country I passed to Tauris, a great city and a royal, which anciently was called Susis 3 , and was the city of the King Ahasuerus 4 . In it they say the Arbor Secco 103existeth in a mosque 1 , that is to say, in a church of the Saracens 2 . And this is a nobler city and a better for merchandise than any other which at this day existeth in the 104world. For there is not on the face of the earth any kind of provision, or any species of goods, but you will find great store thereof at Tauris. It is admirable for situation, and so opulent a city that you would scarcely believe the things to be found there ; for the whole world, almost, hath dealings with that city for merchandise. And the Christians will tell you that the emperor 1 there hath more revenue from that one city than the king of France hath from his whole realm. Near that city is a mountain of salt, which furnisheth great store of salt for the whole place. And of this salt taketh every man as much as he listeth, and payeth nothing to any man 2 . In that city, also, there dwell many Christians of every description, but the Saracens have the rule over them in all things. And there are many things else to be said of that city, but it would take too long to relate them.
