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.

CHAP. III. Relations touching the Tartars, taken out of the Historie of R. WEN∣DOVER, * 1.1 and MAT. PARIS: with certayne [ 20] Epistles of the same subiect.

ANno 1239. the Tartars, inhumane Nations, which had made great slaughters, and had with hostile forces inuaded the borders of Christendome, in the greater Hun∣garie were vanquished and most of them slaine, beeing encountred by fiue Kings, Christians and Saracens, herein confederate. After which the King of Dacia and the King of Hungarie caused the Confines (before by the Tartars brought in man∣ner to a Wildernesse) to bee inhabited by Christians, which they sent thither. Of which out of Dacia, alone went more then fortie ships. [ 30]

Anno 1240. the detestable people of Satan, to wit, an infinite number of Tartars brake forth from their Mountayne-compassed, and Rocke-defended Region, like Deuils loosed out of Hell (that they may well be called Tartarians, as Tartareans) and like Grashoppers couering the face of the Earth, spoyling the Easterne Confines with fire and Sword, ruining Cities, cutting vp Woods, rooting vp Vineyards, killing the people both of Citie and Countrey. And if they spared any, they vsed them in the fore-front of their battels to fight against their Allies, that if they were therein faint or fayned, themselues at their backes might kill them: if otherwise it was without reward. They are rather Monsters then men, thirsting and drinking bloud, tea∣ring and deuouring the flesh of Dogges and Men; clothed with Oxe-hides, armed with Iron Plates;* 1.2 in stature thicke and short, well set, strong in bodie; in Warre inuincible, in labour in∣fatigable, [ 40] behind vnarmed; drinking the bloud of their beasts for Dainties, &c. These Tartars of detestable memory, are thought to be descended of the ten Tribes which went away (forsaking the Law of Moses) after the golden Calues; whom Alexander the Macedon sought to inclose in the Caspian hils; to which labour, exceeding humane power, hee inuoked the assistance of the God of Israel, and the tops of the hils ioyned together, and the place became inaccessible and impassible. And though it be doubtfull, because they vse not the Hebrew Tongue, nor Law of Moses, nor are gouerned by any Lawes; yet is it credible, that as their hearts then in Moses go∣uernment were rebellious, Reprobately-sensuall and Idolatrous, so now more prodigiously their heart and Language is confounded, and their life immane and beastly inhumane. They are cal∣led Tartars of a certayne Riuer called Tartar, running alongst their hils. [ 50]

Anno 1241. that inhumame and brutish, lawlesse, barbarous and sauage Nation of Tartars, horribly spoyling the North and North-east parts of the Christians, caused great feare and hor∣rour ouer all Christendome. For they had now brought in manner to a Wildernesse, Frisia, Gothia, Polonia, Bohemia, and both Hungarias, the most part of the Princes, Prelates and people beeing fled or slaine: as by this Letter appeareth.

TO the Beloued and alway worthy to be beloued Lord, our Father in Law, the Illustrious Prince the Duke of Brabant, H. by the grace of God Earle of Loraine, Palatine of the Saxons, his hum∣blest seruice. The perills foretold in holy Scripture, now breake forth because of our sinnes. For a certaine cruell and innumerable people, sauage and lawlesse, inuadeth and possesseth the Confines next bordering to vs, and are now come to Poland, many other Lands being passed and peoples destroyed. Whereof aswell by [ 60] our owne Messengers, as by our beloued Cousin the King of Bohemia, we are fully certified and are in∣uited speedily to succour and defend the faithfull. For we know for certayne that about the Octaues of Easter, the Tartarian Nation will inuade cruelly and forcibly the Lands of the Bohemians, and if not

preuented, will there perpetrate vnheard-of slaughter. And because our next neighbours house is now on fire, and the next Countrey ••ieth open to waste, and some are alreadie wasted, we earnestly and pitifully entreat the ayde and counsell of God and of our neighbour-brethren for the vniuersall Church. And be∣cause delay is full of danger, with all our hearts we beseech you, that you make all possible speed to arme as well for your as our deliuerance, making strong preparations of store of Souldiers; diligently exciting the noble, mightie and couragious, with the people subiect to them, that yee may haue them in readinesse, when we shall next direct our Messengers to you. And we, by the ministerie of our Prelates, Preachers, and Minors,* 2.1 cause the Crosse (because the businesse belongs to him which was crucified) to be generally prea∣ched, fast•• and prayers to be appointed, and our Lands in common to be called to the warre of Iesus Christ. [ 10] Hereto wee adde that a great part of that detestable Nation, with an other Armie adioyned to them, wa∣steth Hungaria with vnheard-of tyrannie, insomuch that the King is said to haue retayned but a small part to himselfe. And to speake much in few words, the Church and People of the North is so oppressed and brought to such Straits, as it neuer was so scourged since the World began. Dated the yeere of grace 1241. on the day on which is sung Laetare Ierusalem:

And this was the Letters sent to the Bishop of Paris by the Duke of Brabant. The like was written by the Arch-bishop of Cullen to the King of England. Therefore for this grieuous tribu∣lation, and for the discord betwixt the Pope and the Emperour, so hurtfull to the Church, there are appointed fasts and prayers, with larger Almes in diuers Regions, that our Lord being pa∣cified with his people, who as a magnificent triumpher is as strong in a few as in many, may destroy the pride of the Tartars. The French Kings mother, Queene Blanch,* 2.2 with deepe sighs and [ 20] plentifull teares spake hereof to her sonne. What shall we doe my dearest sonne about this la∣mentable euent, the terrible rumour whereof is comne to our Confines? generall destruction of vs all and of holy Church hangs ouer our times by the impetuous inuasion of the Tartars. The King with mournfull voice, not without the Spirit of God, answered: The heauenly comfort,* 2.3 Mother, exalt vs; and if they come on vs, either we shall send againe those Tartarians to their Tartarean places whence they came; or they shall exalt vs to Heauen.

THe Emperour certified hereof, wrote to the Princes,* 3.1 and especially to the King of England in this forme. Frederike Emperour &c. to the King of England greeting. Wee cannot conceale, though it somwhat lately came to our eares, but giue you notice of a thing which concerneth the Roman [ 30] Empire (as prepared to the preaching of the Gospell) & all zealous Christian Kingdom•• in the World, threatning generall destruction to all Christendom. A barbarous Nation hath lately come from the Sou∣therne * 3.2 Region, which had long layne hid vnder the torrid Zone, and after towards the North by force possessing Regions long remayning is multiplied as the Canker worme, called Tartars wee know not of what place or originall; not without the fore-seene iudgement of God is reserued to these last times, to the correction and chastisement of his people, God grant not losse of all Christendom. A publike destruction hath therefore followed, the common desolation of Kingdomes, and spoile of the fertile Land, which that wicked people hath passed thorow, not sparing sexe, age, or dignitie, & hoping to extinguish the rest of mankind, whiles it alone goeth about to domineere and reigne euery where by their immense and incom∣parable [ 40] power and number. Now all things which they haue beene able to set eye on being put to death and spoyle, leauing vniuersall desolation behind them, these Tartarians (yea Tartareans) when they had come to the well peopled Colonie of the Cumani (prodigall of their liues, hauing Bowes their most familiar Armes, with Darts and Arrowes which they continually vse and are stronger in the armes then other men) they vtterly ouerthrew them, and with bloudy sword killed all which escaped not by flight. Whose neighbourhood scarcely warned the Rutheni not farre distant to take heed to themselues. For they suddenly flie thither, to prey and spoile as the wrath of God and lightning hurles it selfe, and by their sudden assault and barbarous inuasion take Cleua the chiefe Citie of the Kingdome; and all that noble Kingdome was wasted to desolation, the Inhabitants being slayne. Which yet the neighbouring Kingdome of the Hungarians who should haue taken warning, neglected: whose sluggish King too secure, being required by the Tartars messengers and letters, that if he desired that he and his should liue, he should ha∣sten [ 50] their fauour by yeelding himselfe and his Kingdom; yet was not hereby terrified and taught to fortify against their irruptions: but they ignorant or insolent contemners of their enemies, secure in their enemies approach, trusting in the natiue fortification of the place, vnexpectedly compassed and oppressed at vn∣awares by them entring like a whirlewind, opposed their Tents against them. And when the Tartars Tents were fiue miles from the Hungarian, the Tartarian fore-runners in the dawning of the morning, rushed suddenly and compassed the Hungarians, and first slaying the Prelates and chiefe men, killed an infinite number, with such vnheard-of slaughter as scarcely is recorded euer to haue hapned in one battell. The King hardly escaped by flight on a swift Horse, which fled with a small companie to the brotherly portion of the Hyllirian Kingdome, there to be protected; the Enemie possessing the Tents and spoyles. And now wasting the nobler and greater part of Hungarie beyond Danubius, consuming all with fire and [ 60] sword, they threaten to conf••und the rest, as by the venerable Bishop V••tien••is the Anbassadour of the said Hungarian King, not••ce is giuen to our Court first as he passed, being destined to the Roman Court. Wee are also hereof fully certified by the Letters of our deare sonne Conrade, elect King of Romans al∣way Augustus, and heire of the Kingdome of Ierusalem; and of the King of Bohemia, the Dukes of

Austria and Bauaria; by the Messengers words also instructed experimentally of the Enemies neere∣nesse. Nor could wee learne these things without great griefe. Truly, as the report goeth, their vnde∣termined damnable Armie, by our Lords sufferance, hath proceeded diuided purposely in three parts. For one being sent by the Pructeni, and entring Poland, the Prince and Duke of that Land were slayne by them, and after that all the Region spoyled. The second hath entred the bounds of Bohemia, and be∣ing entred hath made stay, the King manly opposing himselfe. The third hath runne thorow Hungaria, bounded by Austria. Whence the feare and trembling hauing beginning from furie, d••e excite and inuite all; necessitie vrgeth to withstand them, the danger being neere; the generall destruction of the world, and specially of Christendome, calls for speedie helpe and succour. For this People is brutish, and without law, ignorant of humanitie: yet followers, and hath a Lord whom it obediently obserueth and worships, and calls, The God of the earth. The men are of short stature, but square and w••ll set, rough and couragious, [ 10] at the becke of their Leader rushing on any difficulties▪ haue broad faces, frowning lookes, horrible cries agreeing to their hearts. They weare raw Hides of Oxes, Asses, or Horses, with Iron pla••es sewed on for defensiue Armes hitherto: but now, with griefe we speake it, out of the spoiles of conquered Christians, they are more decently armed, that in Gods anger wee may be the more dishonourably slayne by our owne wea∣pons. They are also furnished with better Horses, fed with daintier fare, adorned with fairer rayment. The Tartars are incomparable Archers; carrie sewed skins artificially made, by which they passe Riuers and waters without losse. When food fayles, their Horses are sayd to be content with barkes and leaues of Trees, and roots of Herbs: whom yet they finde swift and hardy. And we fore-seeing all those things, often by Letters and Messengers are mindfull to request your excellence, as also other Christian Princes, [ 20] earnestly solliciting and warning, that peace and loue may flourish amongst Rulers, and discord being appeased (which often endamage Christendome) agreeing together to set stay to them which haue lately shewed themselues; forasmuch as fore-warned are fore-armed, and that the common enemies may not reioyce,* 3.3 that to prepare their wayes, so great dissentions breake forth amongst Christian Princes. Oh God, how much and how often would wee haue humbled our selues, doing the vtmost that the Roman Bishop might haue surceased from the scandall of dissention against vs which is gone thorow the World; and would more temperately haue reuoked his passions from impetuous rashnesse, that wee might be•• able to quiet our subiects by right, and rule them more peaceably; nor that he would protect those Rebels, the greatest part of which is by him fostered: that things being setled, and the Rebels awed against whom wee haue wasted much treasure and labour, our power might bee aduanced against the common Ene∣mies. [ 30] But Will being to him for a Law, not ruling the slipperie running of his tongue, and disdayning to abstayne from manifold dissention which he hath attempted; by his Legats and Messengers hee hath commanded the Crosse to be published against mee the Arme and Aduocate of the Church, which hee ought to haue exercised against the tyrannie of the Tartars or Saracens, inuading and possessing the Holy Land, whiles our Rebels insult and consult grieuously against our honour and fame. And now that our greatest care is to free our selues from domestike and familiar Enemies, how shall wee also repell Barba∣rians? seeing that they by their spies which euery where they haue sent before, they (howsoeuer directed without Diuine Law, yet well trayned in Martiall stratagems) know the publike discord, and the vnfor∣tified and weaker parts of the Lands: and hearing of the heart-burning of Kings, and the strife of King∣domes, are more encouraged and animated, O how much doth triumphing courage adde to strength? Wee [ 40] will therefore by Gods prouidence conuerted, apply our strength and industrie to both, that wee may driue away the scandall domesticall and barbarous on this side and on that, from the Church. And we haue ex∣pressely sent our deare sonne Conrade, and other Princes of our Empire, that they may powerfully with∣stand the assaults of our barbarous Enemies, and represse their entrie. And heartily wee adiure your Ma∣iestie in behalfe of the Common necessitie, by our Lord Iesus Christ, that taking heed to your selfe, and to your Kingdome (which God keepe in prosperitie) with instant care and prouident deliberation, you dili∣gently prepare speedy ayds of strong Knights, and other armed men and Armes: this we require in the sprinkling of the bloud of Christ, and the league of * 3.4 affinitie in which wee are ioyned And so let them be ready with vs manfully and prouidently to fight for the deliuerance of Christendome, that against the Ene∣mies now proposing to enter the confines of Germanie, as the Gate of Christendome, by vnited forces vi∣ctorie [ 50] to the praise of the Lord of Hosts may be obtayned. Neither let it like you to passe ouer these things with dissimulation, or to suspend them by deferring. For if (which God forbid) they inuade the Ger••ane confines without obstacle, let others looke for the lightnings of a sudden tempest at the doores; which we beleeue to haue hapned by Diuine Iudgement, the world being diuersly infected, the loue of many waxing cold (by whom faith ought to be preached and conserued) and their pernicious example stayning the world with Vsuries, and diuers other kinds of Simoine and Ambition. Let your Excellency therefore prouide; and whiles the common enemies are outragious in the neighbour Regions, wisely consult to resist them: because they haue comne out of their Lands with this intent, not regarding the perils of life, that they might subdue to them (which God auert) all the West, and may peruert and subuert the Faith and Name of Christ. And in respect of vnexpected victorie, which hitherto by Gods permission hath fol∣lowed [ 60] them, they are growne to that exceeding madnesse, that now they thinke they haue gotten the King∣doms of the World, and to tame and subiect Kings and Princes to their vile seruices. But wee hope in our Lord Iesus Christ, vnder whose Standard wee haue hitherto triumphed, being deliuered from our Ene∣mies, that these also which haue broke forth of their Tartarean seats, their pride being abated by oppo∣sed

forces of the West, these Tartars shall be thrust downe to their Tartara (or Hell) Nor shall they boast to haue passed so many Lands, ouercome so many peoples, perpetrated so many mischiefes vnaven∣ged, when their vnwarie Destinie, yea Sathan, shall haue drawne them to the conquering Eagles of puis∣sant Imperiall Europe to their deaths. Where Germanie voluntarily raging and prone to Armes, France the mother and nurse of Soulderie, warlike and daring Spaine, fertile England potent in men and a furnished Nauie, Almaine full of impetuous Warriours, Strip-strong Denmarke,* 3.5 vntamed Ita∣lie, Burgundie ignorant of Peace, vnquiet Apulia; with the Pyraticall and inuincible Iles of the Greeke, Adriaticke and Tyrrhene Seas, Creet, Cyprus, Sicil, with the Sea neighbouring Ilands and Regions, bloudie Ireland, with nimble Wales, marishie Scotland, Icie Norway, and euery Noble and [ 10] famous Region in the West, will cheerfully send their choise Soulderie vnder the Colours of the quickning Crosse, which and not onely rebellious men but aduerse Deuils dread. Dated in our returne after the yeelding and depopulation of Fauentia, the third of Iuly.

Some (Papalines) suspected that the Emperour had hatched this Tartar-pestilence like Lu∣cifer or Antichrist, to get the Monarchie of the world and to subuert Christiany,* 3.6 and that the secret Counsels and waylesse wayes of the Tartars were fraught with Imperiall Counsels. For they conceale their Language, varie their Armes, and if one be taken, knowledge of them or their purpose can by no tortures be extorted from him. And where (say they) should they lurke, in which of the Climats till this time? whence their so secret and fraudulent Conspiracie? They are Hircans and Scythians, sauage bloud-suckers, who with the confederate Cumani, through the Emperours deuise, haue ouerthrowne the King of Hungarie, to make him seeke shelter vnder the [ 20] Imperi••ll wings, and doe him homage, &c.

Needs must they goe whom the Deuill driues: or how else but by mad malice, and furious faction, or an Antichristian mist, could such impossibilities haue beene conceiued?* 3.7 Of their dri∣uing the Turkes and the Choerosmines out of Persia is else-where spoken. Of the Popes enter∣tainment of the Tartarian Messengers, Anno 1248. close Conferences with them and gifts to them, with diuers other discourses in the said author or Authors, I omit. Onely this Epistle following, as containing both the strange aduentures of an Englishman, and his relations of the Tartars from better experience, I could not but adde heere, making so much to the Readers pur∣pose and ours. It was written by one Yuo of Narbone a Clergie man, which being accused of [ 30] Heresie to Robert de Curzun the Popes Legat, fled, and liued one while with the Patarines, ano∣ther with the Beguines, and at last writ this Letter containing a discourse of his trauels, amongst them in Italie and G••rmanie. He begins Giraldo Dei gratia Burdegalensi Archiepiscopo, Yuo dictus Narbonensis suorum olim••ouissimus Clericorum, salutem, &c. and after some premisses of the Pata∣rines, and Beguines (too long for this place) hee proceeds; Hoc igitur & multis alijs peccatis inter nos Christianos emergentib••s iratus Dominus, &c. In English, Our Lord therefore being angry with this and other sinnes falling out amongst vs Christians, is become as it were a destroying enemie.

Part of an Epistle written by one YVO of Narbona vnto the Archbishop of Bur∣deaux, [ 40] containing the confession of an Englishman, as touching the barbarous demeanour of the Tartars, which had liued long among them, and was drawne along perforce with them in their expedition against Hungarie: Recorded by Matthew Paris in the yeare our Lord 1243.

THe Lord therefore being prouoked to indignation, by reason of this and other sinnes committed a∣mong vs Christians, is become, as it were, a destroying enemy, and a dreadfull auenger. This I may iustly affirme to bee true, because an huge Nation, and a barbarous and inhumane people, whose Law is lawlesse, whose wrath is furious, euen the rod of Gods anger, ouerrunneth, and vtterly wasteth infinit•• [ 50] Countries, cruelly abolishing all things where they come, with fire and sword. And this present Summer, the foresaid Nation, being called Tartars, departing out of Hungarie,* 3.8 which they had surprised by trea∣son, layd siege vnto the very same Towne, wherein I my selfe abode, with many thousands of Souldiers: neither were there in the said Towne on our part aboue Fifty men of warre, whom, together with twenty Corsse-bowes, the Captaine had left in Garrison. All these, out of certaine high places, beholding the ene∣mies vaste Armie, and abhorring the beastly cruelty of Antichrist his complices, signified forthwith vnto their Gouernour▪ the hideous lamentations of his Christian subiects, who suddenly being surprised in all the Prouince adioyning, without any difference or respect of condition, Fortune, sexe, or age, were by ma∣nifold cruelties, all of them destroyed: with whose carkesses, the Tartarian chieftaines, and their brutish and sauage followers, glutting themselues, as With delicious cates, left nothing for vultures but the bare [ 60] bones. And a strange thing it is to consider, that the greedy and rauenous vultures disdained to pray vpon any of the reliques, which remained. Old and deformed Women they gaue, as it were for daylie su∣stenance, vnto their Canibals: the beautifull deuoured they not, but smothered them, lamenting and scritching, with forced and vnnaturall rauishments. Like barbarous miscreants, they quelled Virgins

vnto death, and cutting off their tender paps to present for dainties vnto their Magistrates, they engor∣ged themselues with their Bodies.

Howbeit, their spials in the meane time discrying from the top of an high mountaine the Duke of Au∣stria, the King of Bohemia, the Patriarch of Aquileia, the Duke of Carinthia, and (as some report) the Earle of Baden, with a mighty power, and in battell aray, approching towards them, that accursed crew im∣mediatly vanished, and all those Tartarian Vagabonds retired themselues into the distressed and vanquish∣ed land of Hungarie; who as they came suddenly, so they departed also on the sudden: which their celeri∣tie caused all men to stand in horrour and astonishment of them. But of the said fugitiues, the Prince of Dalmatia tooke eight: one of which number the Duke of Austria knew to bee an Englishman, who was perpetually banished out of the Realme of England, in regard of certaine notorious crimes by him comm••t∣ted. [ 10] This fellow on the behalfe of the most tyrannicall King of the Tartars, had beene twise, as a messen∣ger and Interpreter, with the King of Hungarie, menacing and plainely foretelling those michiefes which afterward happened, vnlesse he would submit himselfe and his Kingdome vnto the Tartars yoke. Well, being allured by our Princes to confesse the truth, he made such oathes, and protestations, as (I thinke) the De∣uill himselfe would haue beene trusted for. First therefore hee reported of himselfe, that presently af∣ter the time of his banishment, namely, about the thirtieth yeare of his age, hauing lost all that he had in the Citie of Acon at Dice, euen in the midst of Winter, being compelled by ignominious hunger, wearing nothing about him but a shirt of sacke, a paire of shooes, and a haire cap onely, being shauen like a foole, and vttering an vncoth noyse as if hee had beene dumbe, he tooke his iourney, and so trauelling many Countries, and finding in diuers places friendly entertain∣ment, [ 20] he prolonged his life in this manner for a season, albeit euery day by rashnes of speech, and inconstancy of heart, hee endangered himselfe to the Deuill. At length, by reason of extreame trauaile, and continuall change of ayre and of meates in Caldea, hee fell into a grieuous sicknesse, insomuch that he was weary of his life. Not being able therefore to goe forward or backward, and staying there a while to refresh himselfe, hee began (being somewhat learned) to commend to writing those wordes which he heard spoken, and within a short space, so aptly to pronounce and to vtter them himselfe, that he was reputed for a natiue member of that Countrie: and by the same dexteritie he attained to manie Languages. The man, the Tartars hauing intelligence of by their spies, drew him perforce into their societie: and being admonished by an oracle or vision, to challenge dominion ouer the whole earth, they allured him by many rewards to their faithfull seruice, by reason that they wanted Interpreters. But concerning their manners and [ 30] superstitions, of the disposition and stature of their bodies, of their Countrie and manner of figh∣ting, &c. he protested the particulars following to be true: namely, that they were aboue all men, couetous, hastie, deceitfull, and mercilesse: notwithstanding, by reason of the rigour and extremi∣tie of punishments to be inflicted vpon them by their superiours, they are restrained from braw∣lings, and from mutuall strife and contention. The ancient founders and fathers of their tribes, they call by the name of Gods, and at certaine set times they doe celebrate solemne Feasts vnto them, many of them being particular, and but foure onely generall. They thinke that all things are created for themselues alone. They esteeme it none offence to exercise cruelty against rebels. They be hardy and strong in the breast, leane and pale-faced, rough and huffe-shouldred, hauing [ 40] flat and short noses, long and sharpe chinnes, their vpper jawes are low and declining, their teeth long and thin, their eye-browes extending from their fore-heads downe to their noses, their eyes inconstant and blacke, their countenances writhen and terrible, their extreame ioynts strong with bones and sinewes, hauing thicke and great thighes, and short legs, and yet being equall vnto vs in stature: for that length which is wanting in their legs, is supplyed in the vp∣per partes of their bodies. Their Countrey in old time was a land vtterly desert and waste, si∣tuated farre beyond Chaldea, from whence they haue expelled Lyons, Beares, and such like vnta∣med beasts, with their bowes, and other engines. Of the hides of beastes being tanned, they vse to shape for themselues light, but yet impenetrable armour. They ride fast bound vnto their Horses, which are not very great in stature, but exceedingly strong, and maintained with little [ 50] prouender. They vse to fight constantly and valiantly with Iauelins, maces, battle-axes, and swords. But especially they are excellent Archers, and cunning warriers with their bowes. Their backs are sleightly armed, that they may not flee. They withdraw not themselues from the combate, till they see the chiefe Standerd of their Generall giue backe. Vanquished, they aske no fauour, and vanquishing, they shew no compassion. They all persist in their purpose of subduing the whole world vnder their owne subiection, as if they were but one man, and yet they are moe then millions in number. They haue 60000. Courriers, who being sent before vp∣on light Horses to prepare a place for the Armie to incampe in, will in the space of one night gallop three dayes iourney. And suddenly diffusing themselues ouer an whole Prouince, and sur∣prising all the people thereof vnarmed, vnprouided, dispersed, they make such horrible slaugh∣ters, [ 60] that the King or Prince of the land inuaded, cannot finde people sufficient to wage battell against them, and to withstand them. They delude all people and Princes of regions in time of peace, pretending that for a cause, which indeed is no cause. Sometimes they say that they will make a voyage to Collen, to fetch home the three wise Kings into their owne Countrey; some∣times

to punish the auarice and pride of the Romans, who oppressed them in times past; some∣times to conquer barbarous and Northern nations; sometimes to moderate the furie of the Ger∣mans with their owne meeke mildnesse; sometimes to learne warlike feates and stratagems of the French; sometimes for the finding out of fertile ground to suffice their huge multitudes; sometimes againe in deri••••on they say, that they intend to goe on Pilgrimage to Saint Iames of Galicia. In regard of which sleights and collusions certaine vndiscreet Gouernours concluding a league with them, haue granted them free passage thorow their Territories, which leagues not∣withstanding being violated, were an occasion of ruyne and destruction vnto the foresaid Go∣uernours, &c.

[ 10]

To the Reader.

I Found this Booke translated by Master Hakluyt out of the Latine. But where the blind leade the blind both fall: as here the corrupt Latine could not but yeeld a corruption of truth in English. Ra∣musio, Secretarie to the Decemviri in Venice, found a better Copie and published the same, whence you haue the worke in manner new: so renewed, that I haue found the Prouerbe true, that it is better to pull downe an old house and to build it anew, then to repaire it; as I also should haue done, had I knowne that which in the euent I found. The Latine is Latten, compared to Ramusios Gold. And hee which [ 20] hath the Latine hath but Marco Polos Carkasse, or not so much, but a few bones, yea, sometime stones rather then bones; things diuers, auerse, aduerse, peruerted in manner, disioynted in manner, beyond beliefe. I haue seene some Authors maymed, but neuer any so mangled and so mingled, so present and so absent, as this vulgar Latine of Marco Polo; not so like himselfe, as the three Polos were at their returne to Venice, where none knew them, as in the Discourse yee shall find. Much are wee beholden to Ramusio, for restoring this Pole and Load-starre of Asia, out of that mirie poole or puddle in which he lay drowned. And, O that it were possible to doe as much for our Countriman Mandeuill, who next this (if next) was the greatest Asian Traueller that euer the World had, & hauing falne amongst theeues, neither Priest, nor Leuite can know him, neither haue we hope of a Samaritan to releeue him. In this I haue indeuoured to giue (in what I giue) the truth; but haue abridged some things to preuent prolixitie [ 30] and tautologie in this so voluminous a Worke, leauing out nothing of substance, but what elsewhere is to be found, in this Worke: and seeking rather the sense then a stricter verball following our Authours words and sentence. As for the Chapters I find them diuersly by diuers expressed, and therefore haue followed our owne method.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hee was Au∣thor of a great part of that hi∣story, which is wholly ascri∣bed to Paris by the most. Dacia is here, as often by la∣ter Authours corruptly ta∣ken for Den∣marke.

  The Dacia of the ancients comprehen∣ded Transilua∣nia, Walachia, and Moldauia.
• * 1.2

  A Caluish con∣ceit.

  See Brierwood and my Pilgr. l. 4. c. ••. & l. 5. c. 14.
• * 2.1

  Crusados a∣gainst the Ta••••tars.
• * 2.2

  A deuou•• Queene and Saint King.
• * 2.3

  Diuine apop••••hegme.
• * 3.1

  Emperour Fr. 2. this Le••••ter to King Henr. 3.
• * 3.2

  An errour vsually such shadowes at••tend fame 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like the form of inclosed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iewes. And i••••deed the Ta••••tartars were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 base and so mote, that they like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ouerflowed the Earth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 w••re vn∣knowne, yea•• th••n also; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sudden storm and vnknow•• originall ad••ding to that te••••our, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which they then amaz•••• and withall aff••ighted th•• Wor••d as the Letters 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 3.3

  The Pope to haue his will a∣gainst the Em∣perour, expo∣seth Christian Princes to mu∣tuall quarrels, which he shold haue opposed to the Tartars, neuer ceasing till he had rui∣ned that Fa∣milie and the Empire.

  Tartar Spies.
• * 3.4

  This Emperor Fred. ••. marri∣ed Isabel Sister to K. Henr. 3.
• * 3.5

  Dacia naualis
• * 3.6

  Malice ma••,
• * 3.7

  Selib. 8. c. 6 & 4.
• * 3.8

  Neus••••t.