_ 188 _ we prize. Moreover we expect to be lords of those who have these ladies and treasures in their power, which we expect soon to acquire for ever from God our true lord, through whom we hope for the desired glory. When he had given this reply he ordered fine presents to be given them and gave them licence to go, and sent them safe and well-escorted to their prince. When they had delivered their message to the Turk, the ambassadors said that the Persians had shown great spirit against them. When the Turks heard this message from the Persians they became triumphant and ready to avenge themselves, longing to join battle and blaming their defeats on bad guides and roads in Persia, not yet knowing that there could be another cause or even another outcome. I must tell Your Holiness the religion of this king of Persia is his life and governs the ways that he follows in war. He is lord of a large part of Media and Armenia and of other very noble provinces, with copious wealth and soldiers, but not as much as the Turk. However, they give him soldiers who are valiant, good fighters, and obedient to their king. They fight [...], and most of them on foot with bows and thick arrows, and also with [macafestes =? catapults], with which they throw lead balls in such quantity and with such force that they are not less effective than muskets. They
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