Having spoken of the island of Goa, I now come to the city, of which I shall in the first place say that it is not overstrong; and whosoever should make himself master of the island would be master of the town also, which has no staunch fortress, but is strong in men alone: for though it is enclosed with walls, yet are these walls low, like those wherewith we enclose our gardens here. It is strong on the riverside only. The old walls of the town were higher and stronger, and had good gates, which no longer exist; for the town having increased more than two-thirds in size, all those ancient buildings are now useless. The Portuguese take no thought to protect it on the land side of the island, because of the good passages, to which they trust entirely.

The north side of the city is built on the river, and is half a league in length, having many gates, each guarded by a warder. These are crippled fellows, who get the place by way of compensation, and for life. Between the town and the river are three large esplanades along the water-side, separated and enclosed with good walls, which are connected with those of the town, and run out into the river, in such wise that none may enter or depart but by the gates (whereat these gatekeepers search everyone), or else by water in boats.