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pigafetta’s voyage round the world.
VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD,
BY THE
* CAVALLERO ANTONIO PIGAFETTA, a Gentleman of Vicenza ,
Publiflied originally in Italian from a Manufcript in the Ambrosian Library at Milan , with Notes by
CHARLES AMORETTI,
One of the Librarians and Doflors of the Aoibrofian College; formerly Secretary of the Patriotic Society of Agriculture awlthe A*ts; one of the XL. of the Italian Society ; Member of the Jnftitute of Bologna , &c.
VOYAGE AND DISCOVERY OF UPPER INDIA,
EFFECTED by me
A Gentleman of Vicenza, and Knight of Rhodes.
DEDICATED TO
THE VERY EXCELLENT AND ILLUSTRIOUS LORD PHILIPPE DE VILLERS LISLE ADAM,
GRAND MASTER OF RHODES.
A S there are men whole curiofity would not be fatisfied with merely hearing relatedthe marvellous things I have feen, and the difficulties I experienced in the courfeof the perilous expedition I am about to defcribe, and who are anxious to know bywhat means I was enabled to furmount them ; and as due credit by fuch would not begiven to the fuccefs of a fimilar undertaking if they were left ignorant of its mollminute details, I have deemed it expedient briefly to relate what gave origin tomy voyage, and the means by which I was fo fortunate as to bring it to a fuccefsfultermination.
In the year 1519, I was in Spain at the court of Charles V, , King of the Romans*,in company with Signor Chiericato, then apoftolical prothonotary and orator of PopeLeo X. of holy memory, who by his merits was railed to the dignity of Bilhop andPrince of Terarao. Now, as from the books I had read, and from the convention ofthe learned men who frequented the houfe of this prelate, I knew that by navigatingthe ocean wonderful things were to be feen; I determined to be convinced of them bymy own eyes, that I might be enabled to give to others the narrative of my voyage, aswell for their amufement, as advantage, and at the fame time acquire a name whichfhould be handed down to pofterity.
An opportunity foon prefented itfelf. I learnt that a fquadron of five veflels wasunder equipment at Sevilla, deftined for the difcovery of the Molucca iflands, whence
* Charles V, was ele&ed Emperor the 28th of June 1519; he confequently was but King of theRomans when Pigafetta repaired to Barcelona.
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