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.

§. V. Of CVBLAI CAN, his Raigne and Acts, Magnificent feasts and Huntings, Court and Counsell. His Citie Cambalu and glorious Palace.

[ 40]

IN this Booke I purpose to write of all the great and maruellous Acts,* 1.1 of the present Can called Cublai Can, which is in our Tongue Lord of Lords, the greatest Prince in peoples, Cities and Treasures, that euer was in the world. Hee being discended from the Progenie of Chingis, the first Prince of the Tartars, is the sixth Emperour of that Countrey, beginning to raigne in the yeare of our Lord 1256. being twentie seauen yeares old, and ruling the people with great wisedome and grauitie. He is a valiant man, exer∣cised in Armes, strong of bodie, and of a prompt minde for the performance of matters, before he attained to the dignitie of the Empire (which by his wisdome he did against the will of his Brethren) he often shewed himselfe a valiant Souldier in the warres, and carryed himselfe like a wiser and bolder Captaine, then euer the Tartars had. But since he swayed the Kingdome, he went but once into the Field, but sends his Sonnes, and other Captaines in expeditions.

[ 50] In the yeare of our Lord 1286. his Vncle named Naiam, being thirtie yeares of age, and ha∣uing the command of many people, and Countries, so that hee was able easily to bring together foure hundred thousand Horse. Being puffed vp through youthfull vanitie, would now no lon∣ger be subiect, but would needs take away the Kingdome from his Lord Cubai, and sent to ano∣ther great Lord named Caydu, Lord of the parts towards great Turkie, who was nephew of the Emperour Cublai, yet hated him, who yeelding consent to Rebellion, promised to come in pro∣per person with an hundred thousand Horse.

Both of them began to gather Forces, which could not bee done so secretly but Cublai heard of it, and presently tooke order to set guard to the wayes that no intelligence might passe that way: and then assembled all the Forces within ten dayes iourney of Cambalu with great speed, [ 60] so that in twentie dayes, were gathered together three hundred & sixtie thousand Horse, and one hundred thousand Foot, a great part of them Falconiers and men of his Houshold. With these hee made all haste day and night towards Naiams Countrey, where at the end of twentie fiue d••yes he arriued, altogether vnlooked for: and rested his men two dayes. Then hee called his

Astrologers, and caused them before all the Armie to diuine who should haue victorie (a thing they alway vse to incourage their men) and they promised it to Cublai. One morning whiles Naiam was sleeping negligently in his Tent, hauing not so much as sent out any scouts to espie, Cublai made shew of his Armie vpon a hill to Naiams. Hee himselfe sate in a certaine Castle of wood, full of Archers and Crosse-bow men, borne by foure Elephants; on the top whereof was the Royall Standard with the Images of the Sunne and Moone. Hee deuided his Armie into three wings, of which he sent that on the right hand and the other on the left against Naiams Armie: To euery ten thousand Horse were assigned fiue hundred Foot with Lances, taught to leape vp behind the horse-men if any occasion of flight happened, and suddenly on aduantage to light and slay the enemies horses with their lances. Caidu was not yet come. The battels ioy∣ned [ 10] and made a cruell fight, which continued from morning till noone: and then was Naiam ta∣ken and brought before Cublai, who commanded that he should be sewed betwixt two Carpets, which should be tossed vp and downe till the breath were out of his bodie, that so the Imperiall blood might not be exposed to the Sunne and the ayre. The remainder of his people sware O∣bedience to Cublai, which were foure Nations, Ciorza, Carli, Barscol, and Sitingui.

Naiam was secretly baptised, and by profession a Christian, but no follower of the workes of Faith, and signed his principall Ensigne with the signe of the Crosse, hauing with him infinite store of Christians which were all slaine.

The Iewes and Saracens, that were in the Armie of Cublai, began to vpbraid the Christians with this disaster of the Crosse, who thereupon complained to Cublai. Hee then sharply repro∣uing [ 20] the Iewes and Saracens, turning to the Christians saith; Surely, your God and his Crosse, would not giue any ayde to Naiam, but be not you therefore ashamed, because God beeing good and iust, ought not at all to defend Iniustice and Iniquitie. Naiam was a Traytour to his Lord, and contrary to all equitie raised rebellion, and sought the helpe of your God in his mischieuous purpose. But he as a good and vpright God, would not fauour his Designes. He returned after this with great triumph to Cambalu, and stayed there till Easter. On that day he called the Christians before him, and kissed their Gospels, and made his Barons doe the same. The like hee doth in the great Feasts of Saracens, Iewes, and Ethnikes, that Sogomamber Can the God of the Idols, Mahumet, Moses, or whosoeuer is greatest in heauen might helpe him. Yet he made best shew of liking to the Christian Faith but pretended the ignorance of the Professors, and the mightie acts [ 30] of the Sorcerers, to his not professing it.

Now for rewarding his Souldiers, he hath twelue Barons or wise Counsellours, which giue him notice of each Captaynes merit, who raiseth them command of one hundred to a thousand, and from one thousand to ten thousand, and so forward, giuing them Vessels of Plate and Tablets. The Captayne of one hundred hath a Tablet of siluer, and the Captayne of one thousand of Gold, or siluer gilded; the Captayne of ten thousand hath a Tablet of Gold with a Lions head on it: the weight of the Tablets differ also according to the worth and weight of the dignitie. On the said Tablet is written a command in this manner. By the strength and power of the great God, and by the Grace which he hath giuen to our Empire, the name of Can be blessed, and let them all dye and be destroyed which will not obey him. All they which haue these Tablets haue [ 40] priuiledges in writing, of all things which they are to doe or demand. And the Generals when they ride in publike, they haue a cloth borne ouer their heads; and when they sit, sit on a Chaire of siluer. Their Tablet is of three hundred Saggi (fiftie ounces of Gold) with the Images of the Sunne and Moone. They whose Tablet haue a Gerfalcon, may take with them for their guard the whole Armie of a great Commander.

* 1.2Cublai is a comeley and faire man of a meane stature, of a red and white face, blacke and good∣ly eyes, well fashioned nose, and all the lineaments of his bodie consisting of a due proportion. He hath foure wiues which he accounteth lawfull, and the first-borne of them succeedeth him in the Kingdome.* 1.3 And euery one of these is called Empresse, and holdeth a peculiar Court, and that Princely in a proper Palace, hauing about three hundred chosen Hand-mayds, and Mayd-seruant, [ 50] and many Eunuch seruants, and at least ten thousand persons in their Family. The King hath also many Concubines.

* 1.4There is a certaine Nation of faire people, Tartars, called Vngut, whether euery second yeare he sendeth Ambassadors to puruey the fairest Lasses for him of greatest esteeme for beautie, which bring him foure or fiue hundred more or lesse, as they see cause. There are Praysers or Exami∣ners appointed, which take view of all their beauties, examining Eyes, Nose, Mouth, &c. apart; and set price on them at sixteene, seuenteene, eighteene, nineteene, twentie or more Carrats. And they bring those of that rate which their Commission appoints. These hee causeth to bee reuiewed by other Examiners, and of so many chuseth perhaps thirtie for his Chamber of the chiefe; which he puts to some of his Barons Wiues, to see if they snore not in their sleepe, if in [ 60] smell or behauiour they be not offensiue. Those which are approoued are by fiues diuided, each fifth part wayting three dayes and nights in his Chamber by course, the other in the next Lod∣gings preparing whatsoeuer these command them. The lesse prized are put to Cookerie, and o∣ther noble Officers. And sometimes the Can bestowes them on Gentlemen with great portions.

The men of that Countrey esteeme it a grace and credit to haue Daughters worthy his liking: and thinke themselues borne vnder an ill Planet, if they haue not for his turne.

Cublai hath two and twentie Sonnes by his foure legitimate Wiues,* 1.5 and the first-borne of his first Wife was called Cingis, who should haue succeeded him in the Empire, if hee had not dyed before his Father. He left a Sonne named Temur, a valiant man, wife, and exercised in Armes,* 1.6 who is to succeed his Grand-father in the Empire, in stead of his deceased Father. But by his Hand-mayds and Mayd-seruants, he hath fiue and twentie Sonnes, all which are daily exercised in feats of Armes, and are great Lords. Seuen of his Sonnes by his Wiues are Kings of great Prouinces, and maintayne their states with great reputation.

Three moneths of the yeere, to wit, December, Ianuarie, and Februarie, Cublai remayneth [ 10] ordinarily in Cambalu which is at the North-east border of Cataio, and there on the South part by the new Citie is seated a great Palace. First, there is a square Wall, each square being eight miles, with a deep Ditch enuironing, and a Gate in the middle of each: after which is the space of a mile in circuit where Souldiers stand. After this is another circuit of sixe mile square, with three Gates on the South square, and three on the North: that which is in the midst being in both the greater, and kept shut, except when the Can passeth that way; the other alway open to others. In each corner of this Wall and in the midst is a faire Palace, eight in all, very large, in which are kept the Cans munitions and furnitures of all sorts, for Horses in one, in another Bowes and shooting Artillerie, in a third Costlets, Curasses and leather Armours, and so in the rest. Within this circuit is another wall-circuit, very thicke, and ten paces high, all the battle∣ments [ 20] white; the wall square, each square a mile in length, with sixe gates as the former, and eight Palaces also very great, wherein are the Cans prouision. Betwixt these two last walls are many faire trees and medowes, in which are Deere, Muske beasts, with other game, and store of grasse, the paths being heigthned two cubits to spare it, no durt, nor plashes of water being therein. Within this last wall is the Palace of the great Can, the greatest that hath beene seene, abutting with the wall on the North and South and open spaced where the Barons and Soul∣diers passe. It hath no seeling, but a very high roofe: the foundation of the pauement ten palms high, with a wall of marble round about it, two paces wide, as it were a walke. In the end of the wall without, is a faire Turret with Pillars. In the walls of the Halls and Chambers are carued Dragons, Souldiers, Birds, Beasts, of diuers kinds, histories of Warres, gilded. The [ 30] roofe is so made, that nothing is seene but Gold and Imagery. In euery square of the Palace is a great Hall of marble, capable of great multitudes. The Chambers are disposed the best that may be deuised: the roofe is red, greene, azure, and of all coloures. Behind the Palace are great Roomes, and priuate store-houses for his treasures and Iewels, for his women, and other secret employments▪ Ouer against the said Palace of the Can, is another for Cingis his sonne, whose Court, was in all things like his Fathers. Neere this Palace towards the North is a Mount made by hand, a mile in compasse, one hundred paces high; beset with trees that are alwaies greene. Vnto this mountaine, the king commandeth all the best trees, to be brought from remote parts, lading Elephants with them, for they are taken vp with the roots, and are transplanted in this Mountaine. And because this Mountaine is alwaies greene it is called, The greene Mountaine. [ 40] And where the earth of that Mount was taken away, are two Lakes answering each other,* 1.7 with a pretie Riuer filling them, stored with fish, and so grated that the fish cannot get forth.

The Citie of Cambalu in the Prouince of Cathai, seated on a great Riuer, was famous, and regall, from antiquitie. And this name Cambalu signifieth, The Citie of the Lord, or Prince.* 1.8 This Citie the great Can remoued vnto the other side of the Riuer where the Palaces are: for he vnderstood by the Astrologers, that it should rebell against the Empire * 1.9. This new built Citie is called Taidu: and he made all the Catayans to goe out of the old Citie into the new: which contayneth in compasse foure and twentie miles, euery side of the square contayning sixe miles. It hath walls of earth ten paces thicke at the bottome, and at the top but three, by little and little ascending thinner: the batlements are white. Euery square of the wall hath three [ 50] principall Gates, which are twelue in all, hauing sumptuous Palaces built ouer each of them. There are also excellent Palaces in the angles of the walls,* 1.10 where the Armes of the Garrison (which are one thousand at each Gate) are kept. The buildings are squared out, & the streets laid very straight by line, throughout this Citie,* 1.11 so that from one Gate a free prospect openeth tho∣row the Citie, to the opposite Gate, hauing very goodly houses built on both sides, like Palaces with Gardens and Courts, diuided to the Heads of Families. In the middle of the Citie, a cer∣taine sumptuous house is built, wherein hangeth a very great Bell, after the third knolling whereof in the night no man may goe out of his house, vntill the beginning of the day follow∣ing, except it be for speciall cause, as for a woman in trauell, &c. And they are compelled to [ 60] carrie a light with them.

Without the Citie of Cambalu are twelue great Suburbs, three or foure miles long, ioyning vpon each of the twelue Gates, more inhabiting the Suburbs then the Citie:* 1.12 heere Mar∣chants and Strangers keepe, each Nation hauing a seuerall Store-house or Burse in which they lodge. No dead corps of any man is buryed within this Citie, but the bodies of Idolaters are

burned without the Suburbs, where the dead bodies of other sects are buryed. And because an huge multitude of Sorcerers conuerse alwayes there,* 1.13 they haue about twentie fiue thousand Harlots in the Suburbs and in the Citie, and these haue a Captaine appointed ouer euery hun∣dreth, and thousand; and one Generall; whose office is, that when Embassadours come, or such as haue businesse with the Can whose charges he findeth, this Captaine giueth euery Embassadour and euery man of his family, change of women nightly at free cost: for this is the Queanes tri∣bute.* 1.14 The Guards euery night cast those in prison which they finde walking late: and if they be found guiltie they are beaten with Cudgels: for the Bachsi tell them that it is not good to shed mans blood. But many dye of those beatings.

* 1.15The great Can hath in his Court twelue thousand Horse-men, which they call Casitan, faith∣full Souldiers of their Lord, who guard his person more for state then feare. And foure Captaines [ 10] haue the charge of these, whereof euery one commandeth three thousand. When one Captaine with three thousand Souldiers within the Palace, hath guarded the King for three dayes and nights, another Captaine with his Souldiers againe succeedeth: and so throughout the whole yeeare, this course of watching by course is obserued.

* 1.16When through occasion of any feastiuall day hee keepeth a solemne Court, his Table being higher then the rest of the Tables, is set at the North part of the Hall, and his face is to the South, hauing the greatest Queene on his left hand, to wit, his principall wife, and his Sonnes, and nephews,* 1.17 and they of the blood royall on his right. Yet their table is in a lower place, so that they scarce touch the Kings feet with their heads; the seat of the eldest being higher then the [ 20] rest. The Barons and Princes, sit in a lower place then that. Their wiues also keepe the like order, first the Cans sonnes wiues and his kinsmens, sits lower on the left hand, and after, those of the Lords and of euery Captaine, and Noble-man, each in her degree and order. And the Emperour himselfe, while he sitteth at his table, may cast his eyes vpon all that feast with him in that Hall. There are not Tables for all to sit,* 1.18 but the greatest part of the Souldiers and Barons eate on Car∣pets. At all the doores stand two giantly fellowes with Cudgels, to see that none touch the Threshold, which if hee doe they take his garments away; which he must redeeme with so many blowes as shall be appointed, or else lose them. They which serue the King sitting at the table, all of them couer their mouthes with Silke, least their breathing should by any meanes touch the Kings meat or drinke. And when he hath minde to drinke, the Damosell which giues [ 30] it, goeth back three paces and kneeles downe, and then the Barons and all the people kneele, and the Musicians sound their Instruments. There is no cause why I should write any thing concer∣ning the meats which are brought to the Table, how daintie and delicate they are, and with what magnificence and pompe they are serued in.* 1.19 All the Tartars obserue this custome, to cele∣brate the Birth day of their Lord most honourably. The Festiuall birth day of Cublai, is kept the twentie eight of September,* 1.20 and this day hee accounteth more solemne, then any of the whole yeare, except the first of February, wherein they begin their yeare. The King therefore in his Birth day is cloathed with a most precious garment of Gold, and about two thousand Ba∣rons and Souldiers, are cloathed of the same colour of gold (though of Silke stuffe) and a girdle wrought with gold and siluer, which is giuen them with a payre of shooes: some weare Pearles [ 40] and Gemmes of great price, namely, the Quiecitarie, which are next to the Can: and these gar∣ments are not worne but on their thirteene solemne Feasts according to the thirreene Moones of the yeare; all then cloathed like Kings. This custome is also obserued with the Tartars, that on the birth day of great Cham, all the Kings, Princes, and Nobles, which are subiect to his Do∣minion, should send presents vnto him, as to their Emperour. And they who desire to obtaine any place of Dignitie or office of him, offer their requests vnto twelue Barons appointed for this purpose, and what they decree, is all one, as if the Emperour himselfe had answered them. All people also, of what Faith or sect soeuer, whether Christians, or Iewes, Saracens, or Tartars, and other Pagans are bound, solemnly to call vpon their Gods, for the life, safetie, and prospe∣ritie of Great Can. [ 50]

* 1.21On the day of the Kalends of February, which is the beginning of the Tartars yeare, great Can and all the Tartars, wheresoeuer they are, celebrate a very great and solemne Feast, and all aswell men as women,* 1.22 desire to bee cloathed in white Garments. For they beleeue, that the white garment is a token of good lucke: Therefore that fortune might fauour them all the yeare, they weare white in the beginning of the yeare. Moreouer the Rulers of Cities, and Gouernours of Prouinces, mindfull of their dutie, send vnto their Emperour on this day presents of Gold and Siluer, Pearles and Precious stones, many white Cloathes, and other white things, and many Horses of a white colour: the rest of the Tartars at the beginning of the yeare, send white pre∣sents one to another.* 1.23 It is the custome of those which bring presents, if they can, of each to present nine times nine; as if they send Horses, to present nine nines, that is e••ghtie one, and so of [ 60] Gold, of Cloaths, & other things, that somtimes he hath by this reckoning one hundred thousand Horses. Also at this good lucke, all the Elephants which the Emperour hath (fiue thousand in number) are brought vnto the Court, couered with Tapistrie, wherein the similitudes of diuers Beasts and Fowles are portrayed, carrying vpon their shoulders two Chests full of golden and

Siluer vessell. Many Camels also are brought, couered with faire Silken clothes, which bring other things, necessarie for the Court. And this day in the morning, all the Kings, Cap∣taines, Barons, Souldiers, Physicians, Astrologers, Falconers, and the Gouernours of Prouinces, and Armies, and other Officers of the Emperour, assemble in the great Hall before the King, and they who happen to haue no place there, for the multitude of men, stand in another place where he may see them. All being placed in their order, and degree, one ariseth as it were some Prelate, and crieth out with a loude voyce, Bow downe, and adore. And presently all doe re∣uerence, bending downe their foreheads to the earth. Then he sayth, God preserue our Lord with long life and ioy, and all answere, God grant. Then he sayth, God encrease and aduance his Empire, [ 10] and preserue his Subiects in peace, good-will, and prosperitie: and all answere, God grant. And this they doe foure times. The adoration finished, the said Prelate goeth to an Altar richly adorned, on which is a red Table, wherein is written the name of the Can, and taking a Censer, and put∣ting odoriferous Spices therein, they perfume the Table and the Altar with great reuerence, in honour of great Can, and so returne to their places. After which, are offered the gifts whereof we haue spoken; and then the Tables are prepared, and a most solemne Dinner held,* 1.24 eating and drinking with great ioy with their wiues, in manner before described. And lastly, a domesti∣call Lion is brought vnto the King, which lying at his feet, like a gentle Whelpe,* 1.25 acknow∣ledgeth his Lord.

In those three moneths, in which as we said before, the Emperour remayneth in the Citie of Cambalu, to wit, in December, Ianuarie, and Februarie,* 1.26 all the Hunters which the Emperour [ 20] hath in all Prouinces, round about the Prouince of Cathai, apply themselues to hunting, and offer all the greater wilde-beasts, to wit, Stags, Beares, Roe-buckes, wilde Boares, Deere, and such like, vnto their Gouernours: who (if they be distant from the Emperours Court, lesse then thirtie dayes Iourney) send such beasts taken, by Waynes, and Ships vnto the Emperour, ha∣uing first bowelled them. But such as are fortie dayes iourney distant from his Court, send one∣ly the skinnes, which are necessarie for the making of Armour. Hee hath many Leopards,* 1.27 and Wolues for hunting, and many Lions also, greater then those which are in Babylon, in the haire whereof certaine little beames appeare of diuers colours, to wit, white, blacke and red, and they are accommodated to catch Boares, Beares, Stags, Roe-buck••s, wilde Asses, and wilde Oxen; [ 30] and it is maruellous to see the Lions fiercenesse and dexteritie in the act. Two Lions vse to bee carried in one Wagon, when they goe to hunt, and with them a Dog, with which they are ta∣med; and they carrie them on this fashion, because of their furie and vnrulinesse: and they must carrie them contrary to the wind; for else the beasts would sent them, and flee.* 1.28 Hee hath many tame Eagles, which are so fierce, that they take Hares, Roe-buckes, Deere, and Foxes: among which some of them feare not with great violence ••o seize vpon Wolues, and vexe them so sore, that without labour and danger, they may be taken by men.

The great Can hath in his Court two which are brethren, one called Bayan, the other Mingan,* 1.29 called in the Tartar language, Ciuici, that is, Masters of the Game, whereof either hath the charge of ten thousand men: they which are vnder one of them, are clothed in red; the other in skie-colour, [ 40] alway when they hunt. These keepe diuers sorts of Dogs, to the number of fiue thou∣sand Mastiues and other. In hunting they goe with their people, one on the right, and the other on the left hand of the King: and they take vp so great a length of the Playne, that from one end to the other is a dayes iourney, so that no beast can escape them; and it is great pleasure when the Can goes in the midst, to see the Dogs follow Harts, Beares, and other kinds. And these Brethren are bound by coue••ant, from the beginning of October to the end of March, to bring to the Court, one thousand heads of ••easts and birds, besides Quailes, and fishes the best they can, in great proportion.

The moneth of March comming in▪ great Can departeth from the Citie of Cambalu,* 1.30 and pro∣ceedeth North-eastward towards the Ocean distant thence two dayes iourneyes, bringing with [ 50] him about ten thousand Falconers, who haue Falcons, Hawkes, Gerfalcons, and other kinds of Fowles of prey fit for hawking.* 1.31 These Falconers disperse themselues by an hundred or two hundred in a Companie: and the birds that are taken, for the most part, are brought vnto the King, who by reason of his Gout, sitteth in a woodden house, which two Elephants carrie,* 1.32 co∣uered with the skins of Lions, and within hanged with cloth of Gold, hauing with him for his recreation, twelue choice Hawkes, and twel••e fauoured Courtiers: many Noblemen and Soul∣diers ride by, who guard the Kings person. Who, when they see Phesants, or Cranes, or other birds flying in the aire, declare it to the Falconers which are neere vnto the King: and they, signifying the same vnto the King vncouer the Kings House, and let their Falcons and Hawkes flie, and the King sitting on his Bed, beholdeth the pastime of the birds. Other ten thousand [ 60] men also goe with the King, who in that hawking, ••unne hither and thither, by two and two, and mar••e whither the Falcons and Hawkes flie, that are cast from the fist, that (if need bee) they may helpe them. And these, in the Tartars Language, are called Toscaol, that is to say,* 1.33 Watch-men or Markes-men, being skilfull in a certaine kind of whistle, wherewith they call in the Hawkes that are flowen. Nor is it needfull, that the Falconer who let the Hawkes flie,

should follow her, seeing they, of whom I now speake, are busily imployed in taking vp the Hawkes, and are carefull that by no meanes they bee hurt or lost. And euery flying Hawke car∣rieth a little table of siluer on her foot,* 1.34 signed with the marke of her Master or Falconer, that if shee bee lost, shee may bee restored to her owner. But if the marke cannot be knowne, the Hawke is deliuered to a certaine Baron, who for this cause is called Bulangazi, to whom are brought all lost things (otherwise the Finder would be counted a Thiefe) and to him Losers resort to inquire of things lost. He hath a most eminent place, noted by his Ensigne, that in so great an assembly of people he may be knowne.

Whiles they are thus busied in sporting and hawking, they come vnto a certaine great Plaine, called Caczarmodin, where the Tents of the King and all the Courtiers are prepared, about [ 10] ten thousand in number.* 1.35 The first and chiefe is the Cans Pauilion, vnder which ten thousand Souldiers stand, besides Barons and Noble-men, with the doore to the South: sustayned with three Pillars, wrought with diuers curious and excellent carued workes, and coue∣red with the skinnes of Lions (and strakes of diuers colours) which keepe out rayne. But within,* 1.36 the walls of the Pauilions are couered with most costly skinnes of Armelines and Sables, although in those Countries these skinnes are accounted most precious, that sometimes skinnes worth two thousand Sultanines of gold are scarce sufficient for one paire of Vests. The Tartars call the Sable, the Queene of Furres. The Cordes, wherewith these Pauilions are supported, are of silke. There are also other Pauilions erected, wherein the Wiues, Sonnes, and Hand-maides of the King remaine. Further also, the Falcons, Hawkes, Owles, Garfalcons, and other Birds, [ 20] which serue for Hawking, haue their Tents wherein they are contayned. For, there is so great a multitude of Tents, that to them that come thither, a farre off it seemeth that a famous Citie is built there.* 1.37 The King remayneth all March in that Plaine, and taketh innumerable Beasts and infinite multitudes of Fowle. For no man may else hunt in all the Prouinces of that King∣dome, at the least within fiue dayes iourney one way, ten another, and fifteene a third way of the Cans Court: nor keepe an hunting Dogge, or an Hawke: and specially, from the beginning of March vntill the moneth of October, no man is permitted to vse any deuice or engine what∣soeuer, to take Stagges, Deere, Roe-bucks, Hares, lest he should hinder their breede: and here∣vpon it is that there are such store.

* 1.38It is incredible what multitudes of People, Merchants, and merchandises of all sorts are seene [ 30] in Cambalu. The Money of the Great Can is not made of gold or siluer, or other metall, but they take the middle barke from the Mulberrie Tree, and this they make firme, and cut it into diuers and round pieces, great and little, and imprint the Kings marke thereon. Of this matter therefore,* 1.39 the Emperour causeth an huge masse of money to bee made in the Citie of Cambalu, which sufficeth for the whole Empire: and no man vnder paine of death may lawfully coine any other, or spend any other money, or refuse it in all his Kingdomes and Countries. Nor any com∣ming from another Kingdome, dare spend any other money in the Empire of Great Can. Where∣by it commeth to passe, that Merchants often comming from farre remote Countries and Regi∣ons vnto the Citie of Cambalu, bring with them gold, siluer, pearle, and precious stones, and re∣ceiue the Kings money for them. And because this money is not receiued in their Countries, [ 40] they change it againe in the Empire of Great Can for merchandise, which they carrie away with them. He also payeth stipends to his Officers and Armies of the mentioned money; and lastly, whatsoeuer thing he needeth in his Court he buyeth with this money. Wherefore, there is not a King to be found in the World, who exceedeth him in Treasure, not expended on the Mint as elsewhere.

The Great Can hath twelue Barons, as is said before, which are his Counsell of Warre, and dispose of martiall affaires, and the exalting or disgracing of Captaines and Souldiers. Their of∣fice is called Thai, that is, The high Court, because they haue none aboue them but the Can. Other twelue Barons are appointed Counsellors for the foure and thirtie Prouinces, which haue a faire Palace in Cambalu, in which is for euery Prouince a Iudge & many Notaries. These haue power [ 50] to choose Gouernours of the said Prouinces, and present their names to the Can which confirmes them. These also haue the charge of the Treasure to exact and dispense the same. Their office is called Singh, that is, The second Court, subiect to none but the Can, yet reputed lesse noble then the former, that being a martiall State.

[ 60]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Heère begins the second Booke of Mar∣co Polo, of which I thoght good to aduer∣tise the Rea∣der: as for the Chapters, the Latine and Re∣musio so differ, that I haue le••t both and ob∣serued our owne diuision•• Cingis or Chin∣gis Can.

  Naiam•• rebel∣lion. Caydu.
• * 1.2

  Cublai•• person described.
• * 1.3

  His Wiues and Concubines.
• * 1.4

  Vngut.
• * 1.5

  His children.
• * 1.6

  Temur
• * 1.7

  The greene Mountaine. Two Lakes.
• * 1.8

  Cambalu.
• * 1.9

  The long sto∣rie of this re∣bellion is o∣mitted. Taidu.
• * 1.10

  Palaces.
• * 1.11

  The equalitie of the streets.
• * 1.12

  Suburbs large▪
• * 1.13

  Burial without the Citie.
• * 1.14

  Ha••lots of the Suburbs.
• * 1.15

  The number of the horse-men of the Courti∣ers.

  The Guard.
• * 1.16

  Solemn feasts.
• * 1.17

  The order of them that sit downe.
• * 1.18

  Threshold threshing. The Noble∣men that carry dishes, couer their mouthes, The ceremo∣nies while the King drinketh. Consorts of Musicke.
• * 1.19

  The birth day of Cublai.
• * 1.20

  New Moone feast.

  The presents of the men of Dignitie, sub∣iect vnto him The like Cu∣stome is still v∣sed by the Mo∣gull, as also the New-yeares day.

  The twelue Barons.

  The prayers of diuers Religi∣ons.
• * 1.21

  New-yeres day
• * 1.22

  The white co∣lour accoun∣ted ominous. New-yeares gifts.
• * 1.23

  See Sir T. Roe of the presents to the Mogull. The Kings E∣lephants.
• * 1.24

  The Feast.
• * 1.25

  A tame Lion.
• * 1.26

  The office of the Prouincial Hunters.
• * 1.27

  Tame Leo∣pards, and Lions.
• * 1.28

  Eagles.
• * 1.29

  The Masters of the Game.
• * 1.30

  Hawking.
• * 1.31

  1••000. Falco∣ners.
• * 1.32

  The Kings Horse litter.
• * 1.33

  Toscaol.
• * 1.34

  The markes of the Hawkes.
• * 1.35

  The number and order of the Pauilions.
• * 1.36

  The huge price of Arme∣lines, and Sables.
• * 1.37

  Hunting for∣bidden.
• * 1.38

  Barke or Pa∣per money.
• * 1.39

  Cambalu, the Mint of mo∣ney.