_ 228 _ This news must be true because it came from our enemies and caused them so much inconvenience and frustration. On the other hand, it could not have come from our fleet because Afonso de Albuquerque is so hard-pressed that it could not be brought by our people, because the weather in those parts is such that most ships cannot sail to any destination except at certain times, so the Moors must have sent this message by land. The port of Ormuz is at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, and it is where almost all the seed pearls of India are located. Thus, it is the main Persian port for India and the entire region. A great wealth of silk cloth and cloth of gold is to be found there and the greatest refinement in the world in perfumes and everything else. This is considered the most important element and one that brings more fame and renown than anything else in these parts. They say, and it is certainly true, that before it submitted to our sway, it paid tribute to the Sophy. We know this from everyday reports from all the Moors in that area. It is clear that we should give great praise to Our Lord that we find ourselves at this moment in those lands that are so famous throughout the world, namely those of the Sophy who reigns over such a great part of Asia and is so close that it seems he is on the point of entering Europe and it almost
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