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Three Voyages of Vasco da Gama, and his Viceroyalty Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 August 2011
During the reign of Dom Joan, the second of that name in the kingdom of Portugal, in the year one thousand four hundred and eighty-four, there came to Portugal the King of Benin, a Caffre by nation, and he became Christian, with many of his people, as must be related in his chronicle. From this king, and from his people, the said King Dom Joan collected much information about India and its affairs, for he was very desirous to learn with much certainty that the king of it was Prester John, who was a Christian, and the lord of great riches. Which information produced so great an impression upon the king's heart, that he became possessed with an earnest resolve to send and learn about, and discover India. On which account, carrying out his desire, he at once, in the said year (1484) secretly sent two young men of his equerries to learn of many lands, and wander in many parts, because they knew many languages. To these he gave many injunctions that each one should go wherever God gave him the inclination to go; and that they should labour earnestly to know about India, and in what direction it was, and that they should go there, and learn
He sent explorers forth, who past athwart
Spain, France, and ever famous Italy.
There they embark'd at the renowned port
Where buried lay the false Parthenope;
Fair Naples which so long was Fortune's sport,
So oft some new assailant's slippery fee,
Until the lordly Spaniard fix'd her fate
And made her glorious in her last estate.
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