Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. I. The Voyages of Master M. NICOLO and M. MAFFIO from Constantinople to the Great CAN, and their comming home to VENICE: their second Voyage with the Authour and [ 50] returne.

IN the time of Baldwin Emperour of Constantinople, * 1.1 where vsually remayned a Magistrate of Venice, called Messer lo Dose, in the yeare of our Lord 1250. Master Nicolo Polo, Father of Master Marco, and M. Maffio his Brother, No∣ble, Honourable and Wisemen of Venice, beeing at Constantinople with store of Merchandize, kept many Accounts together. At last they determined to goe into the Great (or Euxine) Sea, to see if they could increase their stocke, and buying many faire and rich Iewels. They departed from Constantinople and sayled by the said Sea to a Port called Soldadia: * 1.2 from whence they trauelled after by Land to the Court of a [ 60] great Lord of the Tartars, called Barcha, who resided in the Cities of Bolgara and Assara, and was reputed one of the most liberal and courteous Princes that euer had beene amongst the Tar∣tars. He was very well pleased with their comming, and did them great honour. They hauing made shew of their Iewels, and seeing they pleased him, freely bestowed them on him. He, loth

to be exceeded in liberalitie, caused twice the value to bee giuen them, and besides great and rich gifts. Hauing stayed one yeare in the Countrey of the said Prince, whiles they thought to returne to Venice, there suddenly arose Warre betwixt the said Barcha and another named Alau, Lord of the Easterne Tartars. These Armies fighting together, Alau had the Victorie, and the Armie of Barcha receiued a great ouerthrow. By reason whereof, the wayes beeing not secure, they were not able to returne that way which they came. And hauing consulted how to re∣turne to Constantinople, they were aduised to goe so farre to the East, that they might compasse the Realme of Barcha, by vnknowne wayes: and so they came to a Citie called Ouchacha, which is in the Confines of the Kingdome of this Lord of the Tartars on the West, and passing further, they went ouer Tigris (one of the foure Riuers of Paradise) and after that a Desart of seuen∣teene [ 10] dayes Iourney,* 1.3 without Citie, Castle, or Fort, finding only Tartars, which liue in the fields in certayne Tents, with their beasts. Beeing past the Desart they came to a good Citie called Bocara, (the name also of the Prouince) in the Region of Persia, which was subiect to a King called Barach: in which place they stayed three yeares before they could goe forward or backward, by reason of great warres betwixt the Tartars.

At that time a certayne Wiseman was sent Ambassador from the said Prince Alau to the Great Can, who is the greatest King of all the Tartars, residing in the Confines of the Earth, betwixt the North-east and the East, called Cublai Can: who being comne to Bocara, and fin∣ding there the said two brethren which had now well learned the Tartarian Language, he reioy∣ced aboue measure, and perswadeth these Westerne men or Latines to goe with him, to the pre∣sence of the Great Emperour of the Tartars; knowing that hee should gratifie him in this, and [ 20] the men notwithstanding should be entertayned with great honour, and rewarded with large gifts especially, seeing through the manifold conference had with them, he now perceiued their pleasing behauiour. Those men therefore considering, that they could not easily returne home without danger, consulting together, ioyne with the said Ambassadour, and iourney with him to the Emperour of the Tartars, hauing certayne other Christians in their Company, whom they brought with them from Venice, and departing towards the North-east and the North, were a whole yeare in going to the Court of the said chiefe King of the Tartars. The cause of their long time in this Iourney, was the Snowes and Riuer Waters much increased, so that they were forced in their trauell to stay the wasting of the Snow, and decreasing of the flouds.

* 1.4Being therefore brought before the presence of the Great Can, they were most courteously [ 30] receiued of him. He questioned them concerning many things, as of the Countries of the West, the Romane Emperour, and other Kings and Princes, how they carried themselues in Gouern∣ment, and in Warlike affaires, how Peace, Iustice, and Concord continued among them; also what manner of life, and customes were obserued with the Latines; and especially of the Pope of the Christians, of the things of the Church and the Religion of the Christian Faith. And M. Nico∣lo and M. Maffeo, as Wisemen told him the truth, alway speaking well to him, and orderly in the Tartarian Tongue. Insomuch that hee often commanded they should bee brought to his pre∣sence, and they were very acceptable in his sight.

Hauing well vnderstood the Affaires of the Latines, and resting satisfied with their answers, [ 40] the Great Can intending to send them his Ambassadours to the Pope, first, consulted with his Barons, and then calling to him the two Brethren, desired them for his loue to goe to the Pope of the Romans, with one of his Barons called Chogatall, to pray him to send an hundred Wise∣men,* 1.5 and learned in the Christian Religion vnto him, who might shew his Wisemen, that the Faith of the Christians, was to bee preferred before all other Sects, and was the only way of saluation; and that the Gods of the Tartars were Deuils, and that they and others the people of the East were deceiued in the worship of their Gods. Hee gaue them also in charge to bring in their returne from Ierusalem, of the Oyle of the Lampe which burneth before the Sepulchre of our Lord Iesus Christ, to whom hee had great deuotion, and held him to bee true God. They therefore yeelding due reuerence to the Great Can, promise that they will faithfully execute [ 50] the charge commited vnto them, and present the Letters which they receiued from him, writ∣ten in the Tartarian, to be deliuered to the Bishop of Rome.

He (according to the custome of his Kingdome) commanded a Golden Tablet to bee giuen them ingrauen and signed with the Kings marke;* 1.6 carrying the which with them throughout his whole Empire, in stead of a Passe-port, they might bee euery-where safely conueyed through dangerous places, by the Gouernours of Prouinces and Cities, and receiue expenses from them; and lastly, how long soeuer they would stay in any place, whatsoeuer they needed to them or theirs, should be ministred vnto them. Taking their leaue therefore of the Emperour, they take their Iourney, carrying the Letters and Golden Tablet with them. And when they had rid twentie dayes Iourney, the Baron aforesaid associated vnto them began to fall grieuously sicke. [ 60] Whereupon consulting and leauing him there, they prosecute their intended Iourney, beeing euery-where courteously receiued by reason of the Emperours Tablet. Yet in very many places they were compelled to stay, by occasion of the ouer-flowing of Riuers, so that they spent three yeares, before they came vnto the Port of the Citie of the Armenians, named Giazza. From

Giazza they goe to Acre, to wit, in the yeere of our Lord 1269. in the moneth of Aprill.

But hauing entred into the Citie of Acre, they heard,* 1.7 that Pope Clement the fourth was late∣ly dead, and that no other was substituted in his place: for the which they were not a little grie∣ued. At that time, there was a certaine Legate of the Apostolicall Sea at Acre, to wit, Master Tibaldo de Vesconti di Piacenza, to whom they declared all they had in commission, from the Great Can: and he aduised them, to expect the Creation of a new Pope. In the meane space therefore departing to Venice to visit their Friends, (purposing to remayne there vntill ano∣ther Pope were created) Master Nicolo found that his wife was dead, whom (at his departure) hee had left great with child, but had left a sonne, named Marco, who was now * 1.8 nineteene yeeres of age. This is that Marco which ordayned x 1.9 this Booke, who will manifest therein [ 10] all those things which he hath seene. Moreouer, the Election of the Pope of Rome was defer∣red two yeeres.

They (fearing the discontentment, and disquieting of the Emperour of the Tartars, who (they knew) expected their returne) goe backe againe to Acre to the Legate, carrying with them Marco aforesaid, and (hauing gone to Ierusalem, and fetched of the Oyle) with the Le∣gats Letters, testifying their fidelitie to the Great Chan, and that a Pope was not yet chosen, they went againe towards Giazza. In the meane time whiles they were going, Messengers came from the Cardinals to the Legate, declaring vnto him, that he was chosen Pope▪ and he called himselfe d 1.10 Gregorie. Hearing this, presently sending Messengers, hee calleth backe the Venetians, and admonisheth them not to depart, preparing other Letters for them, which they [ 20] should present vnto the Great Chan of the Tartars; with whom he also ioyned two Preaching Friars, men famous for their honest conuersation and learning, whereof the one was called Friar Nicolo Dauicenza; the other, Friar Guielmo da Tripoli. To these hee gaue Letters, and Priui∣ledges, and authoritie to order Priests and Bishops, and of all absolution as if himselfe were pre∣sent, with Presents also of great value, and Crystall vessels to present the great Chan, together with his Benediction. They came to Giazza, a Port of the Sea in Armenia. And because Ben∣tiochdare the Sultan of Babylon leuying a great Armie had then inuaded the Armenians, the two Friars mentioned, began to bee afraid of themselues, and deliuering the Letters and Presents to Master Nicolo, and Maffio, and Marco, desiring to auoide the danger of the wayes, and perill of warres, remayned with the Master of the Temple, and returned with him.

[ 30] But the three Venetians exposing themselues to all danger, with many labours, and much dif∣ficultie trauelled many dayes, alwaies towards the North-east and North, till they after three yeeres and a halfe came vnto the Emperour of the Tartars, vnto the Citie called Clemenfu:* 1.11 for in the Winter time their iourney had often and long hinderantes, by reason of the snow and extreme cold, and inundations of waters. Moreouer, King Cublai hearing that they were com∣ming, who were yet very farre off, sent Messengers fortie dayes iourney to meet them, who should conduct them, and minister all necessaries for the iourney.

Going therefore to the Kings Court, and being brought to his presence,* 1.12 they fell downe be∣fore him on their faces, yeelding the accustomed reuerence. Of whom being curteously recei∣ued, they are willed to arise, and he commandeth them to declare, how they passed the diuers [ 40] dangers of the wayes, and what they had treated with the Bishop of Rome. Then they orderly declare all things, and giue the Emperour the Popes Letters and Presents which they brought. Whereat the Chan wonderfull reioycing, commended their faithfull cares.* 1.13 The Oyle also brought from the Lampe of the Lords Sepulcher, and offered vnto him, hee reuerently receiued of them, and commanded it should bee honourably preserued. And asking of Marco, who hee was, Master Nicolo answered, that he was his Maiesties seruant and his sonne. Hee entertayned him with a friendly countenance, and caused him to write amongst other his honourable Cour∣tiers: Whereupon he was much esteemed of all the Court, and in a little space learned the cu∣stomes of the Tartars, and foure diuers Languages, being able to write and reade them all.

[ 50] The great Chan to make his wisedome more apparent, committed an Embassage vnto him to be performed in a Citie called Carahan, vnto the which he could scarcely attayne in sixe mo∣neths space. But he, carrying himselfe wisely in all things, discharged what hee had in comis∣sion, not without the commendation and fauour of the Prince. And knowing the Emperour was delighted with nouelties in the Countries which he passed thorow, he diligently searched the customes and manners of men, and the conditions of the Countries; making a memoriall of all which he knew and saw, to pleasure the Great Chan. And in sixe and twentie * 1.14 yeeres which he continued one of his Court, he was so acceptable to him, that he was continually sent thorow all his Realmes and Signiories, for the affaires of the Great Chan, and sometimes for his owne, but by the Chans order. And this is the true reason that the said Master Marco lear∣ned [ 60] and saw so many nouelties of the East, which follow in order diligently written.

But these Venetians hauing stayd in that Court many yeeres, and growne very rich in Iewels of great value, were inflamed with desire to visit their Countrey, fearing that if the Chan (now old) should die, they should not bee able to returne. One day Master Nicolo seeing the Chan merrie, craued licence to depart in the name of all three. Whereat hee was moued, and asked

why they would put themselues on so dangerous a iourney: and if they wanted riches, he would giue them twice as much as they had: and in great loue would not permit their departure. Yet in the meane space it happened,* 1.15 that a King of the Indians, named Argon, sent three wise men vnto the Court of Great Cublai, whose names were Vlatai, Apusca, Coza, to treat with him, that he wold deliuer him a wife; for his wife named Bolgana, being lately dead, begged this grace of the King at the point of death, and left in her Wil, that he should not marrie a wife of another Familie then her owne, which was of Catay. King Cublai therefore yeelding to his request, caused to be fought out for them a faire young Mayden of seuenteene yeeres of age, named Co∣gatin, descended of the said Queenes stocke, and to be the wife of Argon.

These Embassadors departing, rode eight moneths the same way they came, but found so hot [ 10] warres betwixt the Tartars, that they were constrayned to returne: and acquainted the Chan with their proceedings. Meane-whiles, Master Marco had returned from the parts of India, where he had beene employed with certaine ships, and declared to the Chan the nouelties of the places, and the securitie of those Seas: which words hauing passed him, the Embassadours conferred with the Venetians, and agreed that they with the Queene should goe to the Great Chan, and desire leaue to returne by Sea, and to haue the three Latines, men skilfull in Sea af∣faires, with them to the Countrey of King Argon. The Great Chan was much displeased with their request, yet vpon their petition granted it: and caused Nicolo, Maffio and Marco to come to his presence, and after much demonstration of his loue, would haue them promise to returne to him, after they had spent some time in Christendome, and at their owne house. And he cau∣sed [ 20] to giue them a Tablet of Gold, in which was written his commandement, for their libertie and securitie thorow all his Dominions, and that expenses should bee giuen them and theirs, and a Guide or conuoy for safe passage; ordayning also that they should be his Embassadours to the Pope, the Kings of France, of Spayne, and to other Christian Kings. Hee caused fourteene ships to be prepared, each hauing foure Masts and able to beare nine Sayles in sayling, the forme of which is too long here to relate. Foure of them, or fiue, had from two hundred and fiftie to two hundred and sixtie Mariners each of them. In these ships the Embassadours, the Queene, and Nicolo, Maffio, and Marco, set sayle, hauing first taken leaue of the Great Chan, who gaue them many Rubies and other precious gems, and expenses for two yeeres.

After three moneths they came vnto a certaine Iland, named Iaua, and from thence sayling [ 30] through the Indian Sea; after eighteene moneths, they come vnto the Countrey of King Argon, sixe hundred men of the Mariners and others, and but one of the Women and Damsels died in the iourney, and onely Coza of the three Embassadours was liuing. When they came to the Countrey of King Argon, they found that hee was dead, and that one Chiacato gouerned the Kingdome, for his sonne being young. They sent to acquaint him with their businesse; who an∣swered, that they should giue her to Casan the Kings sonne, then in the parts of Arbor secco, in the Confines of Persia with sixtie thousand persons for the guard of certaine passages against the enemie. Hauing done so, Nicolo, Maffio, and Marco returned to Chiacato, and stayed there nine moneths. After this, taking leaue, Chiacato gaue them foure Tables of Gold, each a cupit long, fiue fingers broad, of the weight of three or foure Markes: in which was written, that in [ 40] the power of the eternall God, the name of the Great Chan should bee honoured and praised many yeeres; and euery one which should not obey, should be put to death, and his goods con∣fiscate. It was further contayned, that these three Embassadours should be honoured, and seruice done them in all Lands and Countries, as to his owne person: and that Horses, Conuoyes, ex∣penses and necessaries should be giuen them. All which was duly put in execution, that some∣times they had two hundred Horses for their safeguard. In this their trauell they heard that the Great Chan was dead, which tooke from them all hope of returning thither. They rode till they came to Trabesonde, and from thence to Constantinople, and after to Negroponte, and at last came with great riches safe to Venice, Anno 1295. And thus much may serue for a Preface to the fol∣lowing worke, whereby might appeare, how Marco Polo could come to the knowledge of the [ 50] things therein contayned.

To supply a little more, deliuered by Tradition and recorded by Ramusio: he sayth that these three being comne to Venice, like Vlysses in Ithaca, none knew them; all esteeming them long since dead. Be∣sides, their voyage had so altered them, that they seemed rather Tartarians then Venetians, hauing in manner forgotten their natiue Language; their habite also was of thicke Cloth, like Tartars. They went to their house in Saint Iohn Chrysostomes Street, and is there still to be seene, then a faire Pa∣lace, and now called, The Court of millions: which name it had by reason of Marcos relations of so many millions in this worke, and in his d••scourses of the Great Chans incredible wealth. They found there inhabiting some of their kindred▪ nor knew how to make themselues knowne. Therefore, as I haue often heard of Magnifico Messer Gasparo Malipiero, a very old Gentleman of singular integritie, from [ 60] the report of his Father and Grandfather, &c. they agreed to inuite many of their kindred to a feast, prepared in honourable manner with much Magnificence: in which at first all three came forth in Crim∣son Sattin sutes, and after the Guests were set, stripped themselues, and gaue them to the Seruitors, comming forth in Crimson Damaske; and at the next seruice in Crimson Veluet, and after in the com∣mon

habit, giuing still the former to the seruitors. Dinner ended and the Seruitors put foorth, Marco brought forth their three habits of thicke Cloath in which they had comne home, and thence tooke and set on the Table an incredible quantitie of Iewels artificially sewed therein, which was no lesse maruell to the beholders, then euidence of their being of the Polo family as they pretended. Maffio was made a Magi∣strate in Venice, Marco was daily frequented with the youth; and all wanne great reputation. In few moneths after, Lampa Doria Generall of a fleet of Genois being come to the Ile Curzola with seauentie Galleyes, Andrea Dandolo was sent against them, and in that Fleet Marco was made Captaine of a Galley, which by disaduenture of Warre was taken, and he carryed prisoner to Genoa. Where his strange trauels being made knowne, a certaine Gentleman daily resorting to him (as did the whole Citie in ad∣miration) caused and helped him to write this storie, hauing sent to Venice for his Notes. The booke was [ 10] first written in Latine, and thence translated into Italian. One of which Latine Copies very ancient and haply copied out of Marcos originall, I haue seene and compared with this which I heere Publish, lent me by a Gentleman of this Citie of the house of the Ghisi my speciall friend, which holds it in speciall e∣steeme. No price might ransome him, insomuch that his Father wanting an heyre to his wealth marryed againe, and had by his wife three Children. Marcos worthinesse obtained that which no moneys worth could doe, and being at libertie hee returned and marryed, and had two Daughters (but no sonne) Mo∣retta and Fautina, &c.

That Gentleman of Genoa made a Preface to the Booke, and Francisco Pipino a Frier Preacher which translated the same, Anno 1320. out of the Vulgar (the Latine being rare, as well it might before Printing and perhaps neuer seene of him) into Latine. Both those Prefaces are in Ramusio: the latter [ 20] commends M. Polo for a deuout and honest man, and saith his Father confirmed the truth of this Booke, and his vncle Maffio on his Death-bed to his Confessor. Pipino abbreuiated the Booke and perhaps gaue occasion to that corruption which was after increased by others.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of Baldw•••• conqu••ring Constantinopl•• and the Em∣pire of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath g••••uen a long 〈◊〉〈◊〉 course: see so Knolles Tu••••kish Historie sup. tom. 1 l. 8.
• * 1.2

  Called by bilfada Isma•••• Sogdat, and placed in Chirmia (not Armenia) on the North-side of the Euxine Sea. Frier Bacon before cals it Soldaia in Cassaria.
• * 1.3

  B••cara, or Bog∣har in Bactria, of which see M. Ienkinson.
• * 1.4

  They come to the Great Can.
• * 1.5

  They are sent Ambassadours from the Can to the Pope.
• * 1.6

  Golden tablet vsed as a Com∣mission vnder the broad Seale.
• * 1.7

  Acre or Aco••, then in posses∣sion of the Christians, see before l. 8. c. 4. Pope Clement the fourth.
• * 1.8

  Another co∣pie hath 15.
• x 1.9

  For the Booke was written by a Gentleman o•• Genoa from his mouth▪ and therefore still in Ramusio Marco is men∣tioned in the third person, and not in th•• first: at least much of it wa•• so written an•• the whole pub••lished by 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• d 1.10

  The tenth that name. Letters, and Preaching Fr••••ars sent vnto the Tartar.
• * 1.11

  The Citie Cl••••menfu.
• * 1.12

  The adorati•••• of the Tarta••
• * 1.13

  Marcus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made one o•• the Chans Clerkes, an•• a Courtier. Marcos Leg••••ti••n.

  His wisedom•• in trauelling to a farre Countrey.
• * 1.14

  This 26. ye¦are to be re••••koned to th•• time in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this booke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 written, fro•• 1272. to 12•• as in the Re¦lation appea¦reth. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is that it was 26. ye••rs s•• he began to a Cour••ier. They 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.15

  Argon, a King of the Indians. Argon is a Na∣tion of India. And this King gouerned the same.

  The will of Queene Bol∣gana. Cogatin.