And across the water, you would swear you could sniff it…
““And across the water, you would swear you could sniff it all; the cinnamon and the cloves, the frankincense and the honey and the licorice, the nutmeg and citrons, the myrrh and the rosewater from Persia in keg upon keg. You would think you could glimpse, heaped and glimmering, the sapphires and the emeralds and the gauzes woven with gold, the ostrich feathers and the elephant tusks, the gums and the ginger and the coral buttons mynheer Goswin the clerk of the Hanse might be wearing on his jacket next week. . . . The Flanders galleys put into harbor every night in their highly paid voyage from Venice, fanned down the Adriatic by the thick summer airs, drifting into Corfu and Otranto, nosing into and out of Sicily and round the heel of Italy as far as Naples; blowing handsomely across the western gulf to Majorca, and then to the north African coast, and up and round Spain and Portugal, dropping off the small, lucrative loads which were not needed for Bruges; taking on board a little olive oil, some candied orange peel, some scented leather, a trifle of plate and a parrot, some sugar loaves.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage evokes the sensory overload of Mediterranean trade, describing exotic goods and aromas that symbolize wealth, cultural exchange, and the allure of distant lands.
In simple terms: Trade routes bring rich sights, smells, and treasures from many cultures.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the diversity of global commerce.
Themes
trade
culture
luxury
exploration
history
Mood
curious
nostalgic
reflective
Type
literary
historical
descriptive
When to use this quote
- maritime commerce
- historical fiction
- cultural study
- travel writing
- economic history
Key Concepts
exoticism
sensory detail
globalization
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern supply chains compare to these historic routes?
- What costs are hidden behind the allure of exotic goods?
A Different Perspective
The romantic view overlooks the exploitation and inequality inherent in such trade.