VI

COMANT LES II FRERS VINDRENT AU GRANT KAAN

Et quant mesere Nicolau et mesere Mafeu furent venu au grant seignor, il les recevi honorablemente et fait elç grant joie et gran feste: il a mont grant leesse de lor venue. Il les demande de maintes coses: primermant de les emperaors, comant il mantent lor segnorie et lor tere in justice et comant il vont a bataile et tous leur afer; et aprés lor demande des rois et des princes et d'autres baron.

VII

COMANT LE GRANT KAAN DEMANDE AS II FRERS DES AFFER DES CRISTIENÇ

Et aprés lor demande de meser l'apostoille et de tous les fais de le yglise romane et de tous les costumes des latin. Et messere Nicolau e meser Mafeu lui distrent toute la verité de chascun por soi bie˂n˃ et ordreemant et sajemant come sajes homes qu'il estoient ke bien s[a]voient la lengue de Tartarç [ce] est la tartaresce.

VIII

COMANT LE GRANT KAAN ENVOIE LES II FRERS POR SEZ MESSAJES A L’APOSTOILLE DE ROME

Et quant le grant sire que Cublai Kaan avoit a nom, qui estoit seig(n)or de tous le Tartars do monde et de toutes les provinces et regnes et region de celle grandisme partie do secle, ot entendu tous les fais des latin, sicome les deus frers li avoient dit ben et apertamant, il li plet outre mesure. Il dit a soi meisme qu'il envoíera mesajes a l'apostoille. Et adonc prie les deus frers que il ailent en ceste mesajerie cun un de seç baron. Il li respondirent que il firont tot son comandamant com de lor segnor lige. Adunc le gran sire fait venir devant soi un de seç baron qui av(o)ut a nom Cogatal, et li dit qu'il vuelt qu'il aille avec les deus frers a l'apostoil. Celui le dit: «sire, jeo son votre home e sui por fait tot votre comandamant a mun po[o]ir››.

Aprés ce le grant sire fait fair seç chartre en langue torques por envoier a l'apostoil et les baille as deus freres et a son baron et a lor encharge ce ke il vuelt qu'il dient por sa part a l'apostoille. Et sachiés que en le chartre se contenoit, et en l'anbascee qu'el li [envoie, ce que vos] o[r]és: il mandoit desant a l'apostoille que il li deust mander jusque a cent sajes homes de la cristien˂e˃ loy et que encore seusent les VII ars et que bien se[u]sent dcspuer et mostrer apertamant a les ydules et a les autres conversation de jens que lor ˂loy estoit˃ tout autrament et toutes les ydres qu'il tient in lor maison et adorent sunt coses de diables e ke bien seusent monstré clermant por raison que la loi cristiene est meior ke la lor. Encore encharge le grant sire as deus freres qu'il li deussent aporter de l'o1io de la lanpe que ard sor le sepoucre de deo en Jerusalem. En tel mainere com vos avéç oi se contenoit en l'ambaxee ke le grant sire envoie a l'apostoille por les deus frers.

IX

COMANT LE GRANT KAAN DONE AS II FRERS LA TABLE D'OR DES COMANDEMENS

Et quant le grant sire ot enchargés as deus frers et a son baron tot l'anbaxee k'el mande a l'apostoille, il fait lor doner une table d'or, en la quel se contenoit ke les trois messajes, en toutes les pars que il alaissent, lor deust estre donnee toutes les mesion que lor b[i]çognoit et chevalç et homes por lor escordre de une terre ad autre. Et quant me[i]ser Nicolau et meser Mafeu et 1'autre mesajes furent bien apareliés de toutes les chouses ke lor estoient beiso˂n˃ç, il pristrent cojé au tre grant sire, puis montent a chevalç et se mistrent a la voie. Et quant il furent chevauchiés auquant, adonc lo baron tartar, que avec les deus frers aloit, chei amalaides et no puet sevir la voie et remese a une cité. Et quant meser Nicolau et meser Mafeu virent que celui estoit amalaides, il le lairent et se mistrent a la voie. Et voç di que il estoient servi et honorés en totes les pars ou il aloient de toute ce qu'il savoient comander. Et que voç en diroie? il cheuvacherent tant por lor jornee ke il furent venu a Laias et voç di qu'íl hi poinent ˂a˃ aler trois anç, et ce avint por ce k'il ne pooient toutes foies chevaucher por le maus tens et por les nois et por les fluns qui estoient grans.

X

COMANT LES II FRERS VINDRENT A LA CITÉ DE ACRI

Et de Laias se partirent et s'en alent ad Acri. Et hi joingent dou mois d'avri1, a les MCCLX anç de l'ancarnasion Jeçucrit, et trovant que meser l'apostoille estoit mort. Et quant meser Nicolau et meser Mafeu ont trové ke l'apostoile estoit mort, que avoit a nom [Clement], il alerent a un sajes cleres ki estoit legat por le yglise de Rome en tout le regne d'Egipte. Il estoit home de grande autorité et avoit a nom Teald de Plaiençe. Il li distrent Pambasee por coi le grant sire des Tartarç les envoie a l'apostoille. Et quant le legat ot entendu ce ke les deus frers li avoient dit, si n'a grant mervoie et li senble. que ce soit grant bien et grant honor de la crestenté. Il dit as deus frers: «Seignors, feit il, voç veés que l'apostoille est mort; et por ce vos convendra sofrir jusque tant ke apostoille sera. Et quant pape seroit voç porois faire votre enbascee››. Les deus frers que bien voient ke le legaut disoit verité distrent que, endementier ke apostoille sera apelés, il vuelent aler a Venise por veoir lor mesnie. Et adonc s'en partirent d'Acri et s'en alent a Negreponte; et de Negrepont se partirent en une nes et najerent tant k'il furent venus [a Venese]. Mesier Nicolau treuve que sa fame estoit morte et les [estoit] remés un filç de xv anç que avoit a nom Marc: et ce fui celui Marc de cui cestui livre paroile. Meser Nicolau et meser Mafeu demorent a Venese en[t]or deus anç por atendre ke apostoille fust.

XI

COMANT LES II FRERS SE PARTIRENT DE VENESE POR RETORNER AU GRANT KAAN ET MOINENT AVEC ELZ MARC LE FIL MESSIRE NICOLAU

Et quant les deus freres ont tant atandu com vos avés oi et il voient que apostoille ne se fasoit, il distrent que desormés poroient il tropo demorer por retorner au grant kaan. Adonc se partirent de Venese et moinent avec eleç Marc son filz; et s'en alent tout droit ad Acri et hi trovent le legat que desoure voç ai contéç. Il parolent con elz de ceste coses assez et li demandent conjé d'aler en Jeruçalem por avoir de l'olio de la lanpe [dou scpolcro] de Crist de quoi le gran can li avoi prié. Lo legaut done elz conjé qu'il doient aler. Adonc les deus freres se partirent d'Acri et alent en Jeruçalem et ont de 1'oleo de la lanpe dou sepolcro de Crist. Il s'en retornent au legat en Acti et li distrent: «Sire, puis que nos veon que apostoille n'est, nos volun retornere au grant sire, por ce que tropo avun demoré››. Et meser lo legat, que des greignor sire de toute la yglise de Rome estoit, dist elz: « Puis ke vos volés retorner au grant sire, il me plet bien››. Adonc fist sez lectrcs et sa embasee por envoier au grant kan: et tesmonge comant mesiere Nicolao et meser Mafeu estoient venu por faire sez anbasee, mes por ce ke apostoille n'estoit ne l'avoient peu faire.

XII

COMANT LES II FRERS [ET MARC SE PARTIRENT D'ACRI]

Quant les deus freres ont eu les letres dou legat, et il se partirent d'Acri et se mistrent a la voie por retorner au grant sire. Il alent tant qu'il furent venu a Laias; et quant il furent la venu, il ne demore gueries que cestu legat fu esleu apostoille, et s'apeloit pape Gregor de Plajence. Les deus fre[r]s en ont grant leesse. Et aprés ce ne demore gueires ke un messajes vint a Laias, por part do legat qui estoit esleu pape, a meser Nicolau et a mesere Mafeu, et lor mande disant que se il n'estoient alés que il devesent a lui torner. Les du frers ont de ce grant joie et distrent d'Armonie fist armer une galee as deus freres et les que ce firont il volunter. Et que voç en diroi? le roi envoie ao legat honoreemant.

XIII

COMANT LES II FRERS
ALENT A L'APOSTOILE DE ROME

Et quant il furent venu ad Acri il s'en alent a meser l'apostoille et se humillent mout ver lui. Meser l'apostoille les recevi honoreemant et lor done sa benesion et fait lor joie et feste. Adonc l'apostoile done a meser Nicolau et a meser Mafeu deus freres precheors que bien estoient les plus sajes que en tute celle provence fuissent. L'une avoit nome frer Nicolau de Vicense, l`autre avo[i]e nome frere Guilielme de Tripule. Il done elz brevilejes et carte et sa enbasee de ce qu”il voloit mander au grant kaan. Et quant meser Nicolau et meser Mafeu et les deus freres presceor ont recevu les brevilees et les carte et l'anbaxae de mesere l'apostoille, il se font doner sa benedicion; puis se partirent tuit e quatre e con elç Marc, le fil mesere Nicolau.

Il s'en alent tot droit a Laias; et quant il furent la venus, adonc Bondocdaire, que soldan estoit de Babelonie, vent en Arminic con grande oste, et fait grande domajes por la contree. Et ceste mesajes furent en aventure d'estre mors.

Et quant les deus frers prescaor virent ce, il ont grant dotance d'aller plus avant; adonc distrent que il ne iront mie. Il donent a meser Nicolau et a mesere Mafeu tous les brevilés et carte k'il avoient et se partirent d'elz er s'en alent avec le mestre deu tens.

XIV

COMANT LES II FRERS ET MARC [VINDRENT A LA CITE' DE CLEMEINFU LA U LE GRAN KAAN ESTOIT]

Et mesere Nicolau et meser Mafeu et Marc, le filz Nicolau, se mistrent a la voie et chevauchent tant, et de ver et d'esté, k'el furent venus au grant kan, que adonc estoit a une cité k'estoit apelé Clemeinfu, que mout estoit riche et grant. Et ce que il trovent en la voie ne voç firon mencion [or], por ce que noç le voç conteron en notre livre avant, tout per ordre. Et si sachiés que il poinent a aler bien trois anz et dimi; et ce fui por les noies et por le pluie et por les grant fluns et por ce que il ne po[o]ient chevaucher de yver como d'estié.

Et il voç di por verité que quant le grant can soie que mesere Nicolau et meser Mafeu venoient, il envoie seç mesajes contr'aus bien xl jornee et moult furent servi et honorés de tuit.  

XV

COMANT LES II FRERS ET MARC ALENT AVANT LE GRANT KAAN EU PALAIS   

Et que voç en diroie? quant mesere Nicolau et meser Mafeu et Marc furent venus en celle grant cité, il sien alent au mestre palais, la ou il treivent le grant kaan a mout grant conpagnie de bairon. Il s'enjenoilent devant lui et se humilient tant com il plus puent. Le grant kaan les fait drecer en estant et les recevi honorablemant et lor fait grant joie et grant feste; et mout les demande de lor estre et comant il l'avoient puis fait. Les deus frers li distrent ke il l'ont moult bien fait, puis que il Pont treuvé sain et haitiés. Adonc li preçentent les brevilés e les letres que l'apostoille le envoie, des quelz il ot grant leesse. Puis li bailent le saint oleo, de cui il fist grant joie et le tient mout chier. Le grant kaan, quant il voit Marc qui estoit jeune bachaler, il demande ki est. «Sire, fait meser Nicolao, il est mon filz et vestre home». «Bien soit il venu», fait el le gran can. Et por coi voç firoie lonc cont? sachiés tout voiremant que mout fu grant la joie et la feste ke fait le grant Kaan et toute sa cort de la venue de ceste mesajes. Et molt estoient servi et honorés de tuit. Il demorent en la cort et avoient honor sor les autres baronç.  

XVI

COMANT LE GRANT KAAN ENVOIE MARC POUR SEZ MESSAJES

Or avint que Marc, le filz messer Nicolao, enprant si bien le costume de Tartars et lor langajcs et lor leteres [que c'estoit mervoille]; car je voç di tout voiremant que, avant grament de tens puis qu'il vint en la cort dou grant segnor, il soit de [quatre] langaies et de quatre letres et scriture. Il estoit sajes et proveanç outre mesure e molt li voloit gran bien le gran kaan por la bonté k'il veoit en lui e por le gran valor. Et quant le gran kaan voit ke Marc estoit si sajes, il le en- voie mesajes en une tere que bien hi poine [a] aler V1 mois.

Li jeune baçaler fait sa enbasee bien et saje- mant; et por ce qu'el avoit veu et oi plusors fois que le grant kan, quant les mesajes k'il mandoit por les diverses partes dou monde, quant il retornoient a lui et li disoient l'anbasee por coi il estoit alés et no li savoient dir autres noveles de les contrees ou il estoient alés, il disoit elz qu'il estoient foux et non saiçhan[ç] et disoi[t] que miaus ameroit oir les noveles et les costumes et les usajes de celle estra[n]jes contree qu`il ne fasoit oir celç por coi il li avoit mandé, et Marc, ke bien savoie tout ce, quant il ala en cele mesajarie, toutes les nuvités et tutes les stranges chauses qu`i1 avoit, met[t]oit son entent por coi il le seust redire au grant kaan.

XVII

COMANT MARC TORNE DE SA MESAJERIE ET RENONSE SA ENBASEE AU GRANT KAN

Quant Marc fu retorné de sa mesajarie, el s'en vait devant le grant kan et li renunse toute le fait por coi il estoit alés - et l'avoit achevee moult bien - puis li dit toutes le novités et toutes le coses qu'il avoit veu[ç] en cele voie, si bien et sajemant que le grant kan, et celç tuit que l'oient, en unt grant mervoie, et distrent entr'aus: se cest jeune vif por aajes il ne puet falir qu'il ne soit home de grant senç et de grand valor. Et que voç en diroie? de cest messajarie en avant, fu appelé, le jeune, mesere Marc Pol, et ensi le apelara desormés nostre livre. Et ce est bien grant raison, car il estoit sajes et costumés.

Et por coi voç firoie je lonc conte? sachiés tout voiremant ke messer Marc demore avec le grant kan bien xvii anç; et en tut cest terme ne fin[e] d'aler en mesajerie.

Car le grant kaan, puis [k]'il voit que messier Marc li aportoie si noveles de tutes pars et que achevoit si bien toutes les biçonges por coi il l'envioit, il, por cest raison, toutes les bones mesajerie et le longaines toutes donnoit [a] meser Marc. Et il achevoit moult bien la beisogne et li savoit dir mai(n)tes novités et maintes estranges chouses. Et le grant kan li plasoit tant l'afer de meser Marc que il le vo(lo)it grant bien et li fasoit si grant onor et le tenoit si pres de soi que les autres baron en avent grant enoie.

Or ço fui la raison por coi meser Marc seç plus de celes couses de celle contree que nulz autres home, qu'il cher(c)e plus de celes estranges parties ke nulz omes ke unques nasquist, et encore qu'il hi mettoit plus son entent a ce savoir.

XVIII

COMANT MESSERE NICOLAU E

MESSERE MAFEU E MESSERE MARC

DEMANDENT CONJÉ AU KAAN 

Et quant messere Nicolau et meser Mafeu et meser Marc furent demorés avec le gran kan tant com vos avés oi, il distrent entr'aus qn'il voloient retorner en lor contree.

Il domandent plusors parole au grant kaan et l'en prient mont doucemant. Mes les grant kan les amoit tant et li tenait si voluntiers entor lui qu'il ne lor donoit paroile por ren dou monde.

Or avint que la raine Bolgana, quele fame Argon estoit le sire dou levant, se morut: et cele roine laisse por sien testamente que nule dame ne pense seoir en sa chaire ne estre fame d'Argon se ne fust de son legnas. Adonc Argon prist trois sez barons li quelz avaient a non ensint: le primer Oulatai, le segont Apusca, le tierces Gaia. Il les envoie au grant kan con mont bielle conpagnie por coi il devest envoiere une dame que fust don lignas de la roine Bolgana sa fame que mort estoit.

Et quant les trois barons furent venu au grant kan, si li distrent lo porcoi il estoient venu. Le grant kan les recevi honorablemant et list elz joie e fest. Puis mande por une dame que avoit a non Cogacin que estoit dou legnace a celle roine Bolgana, qui estoit jeune dei xvii anz, mout bien et avenant. Il dist as trois barons que ceste dame estoit celle quil vont querant. Celz distrent que ce plet lor bien.

Et atant meser Marc tome de Ynde por mont deverses mer et conte maintes noveles de celle contree.

Et les trois barons, que unt veu meser Nicolau et mesere Mafeu et mesere Mame qui estoient latin et sajes, adonc distrent entr'aus qu'il vuelent qn'il aillent con elz por mer.

ll alent au grant kaan et li demandent en grace que il li denst envoier por mer et qu'il mandest avec elz les trois latin.

Le grant kan que tant amoit cesti trois, come vos ai contés, a grant envie fait elz celle grace et done conj[é] as trois latin qu'il alaisent avuec celz trois barons avec cele dame.

XIX

CI DEVISE COMENT MESIRE NICOLAU E MESERE MAFEU E MESSIER MARC SE PARTIRENT DAU GRANT KAAN

Et quant le grant kan voit que meisere Nicolau et mesere Mafeu et meser Marc se doient partir, il les fait venir tuit et trois devant soi et lor done deus tables con comandaniant qu'il fuissent franc por toute sa tere et laonques il ailarent deusent avoir la despense por elz et por lor mesnee.

El encharge elz enbasee a l'apostoille et au roi de France et au roi de Spegne et aus autres roi de crestenee. Puis fist aparoiller xiiii nes, les quelz avoit chascune quatre arbres et maintes foies aloient a xii voiles. Et vos poroie conter bien comant, mes por ce que tropo seroit longaine matere ne le vos rnentovraí ai cestui pont.

Et quant les nes furent aparoillés, les trois baron et la dame et meser Nieolau et meser Mafeu et meser Marc pristrent conjé au grant kan et se recogent en les nes a mout grant gent et le can fist elz doner la spence por ii ans.

Et que vos en diroi? Il se mistrent en la mer et najerent bien trois mois tant qu'il vindrent a une ysle, qui est ver midi, qui a non Java: en la quel ysle a maintes mervelios couses, les quelz vos conteroi en eeste livre, Puis se partirent de cel isle et vos di qu'il najarent por la mer de Indie bien xvm mois avant que il fuissent venus la ou il volient aler; et trovent el mantes grant merveilles que encore le vos conteron en cel livre.

Et quant el furent la venu, il trovent que Argon estoit mors, dont la dame fu doné a Gasan, le filz Argon. Et vos di san fail que quant il entrarent es nes il furent bien vic persones sanz le mariners: tuit morurent, for solemant xviii.

Il treuvent que la seignorie d'Argon tenoie Chia[ca]to. I[l] les recomandent la dame et firent toute lor enbasee et lor mesajarie. Et quant mesier Nicolao et meser Mafeu et meser Marc ont faites toutes la bisogne de la dame et les mesajerie que le grant kan lor avoit enchargiés, il pristrent conjé et se partirent et se mistrent a la voie. Et si sachiés tout voiramant que [Qui]achatu done a celz trois mesajes dou grant kan – ce furent meser Nicolau et mesere Mafeu et meser Marc – iiii table d’or [con] comandament: les dou de gerfauc et le une de lion et l'autre estoit plaine, que disoient en lor letre que cesti trois mesajes fuíssent honorés et servi por tout sa tere comme son cors meesme et que chevalz et toute despense et toute escorte fuisent lor doné.

Et certes ensi fu fait. Car il ont por tot sa tere chevals et despense et toutes conses bisognables bin et largement. Car je vos di sans faille que maintes foies lor estoit doués homes a chevalz et plus et moin, selon que beisognoit por lor escordre et por aler seur de une tere ad autre. Et ce estoit bien bisous por ce que [Qui]acatu n'estoit lige seignor et por ce les jens ne stroient de fer maus ausi coin il feistent se il assent seignor lige.

Et encore vos di un autre chouse que bien fait a mentovoir por le onore de cest trois mesajes. Car je vos di tout voiramant que meser Mafeu et meser Nicolao et meser Marc on si grant segnorie com ieo vos dirai. Car sachiés que le grant kan se f[i]oit tant d'eles et lor voloit si grant bien qu'il lor fie la roine Cocacin et encor fie la fille au roi dou Mangi: qu'il le deusent mener ad Argon, le sire de tous le levant. Et il ensi le font. Car il le moinent por la mer, ensi com je vos ai contés en arieres, con tantes jens et con si grant despense. Et si voz di que cest ii grant dames estoient en la maniaies de cesti iii mesnjes: car il le fasoient sauver et guarder [com] se ele fuissent lor filles; et les dames que mout estoient jeune et belle tenaient cesti trois por lor pere et ensint les obeient. Et cesti trois les mestrent en les mains de lor baron. Et si vos di con toute verité que la roine Cocacin, que feme a Casan est que orendroit regne, son baron Casan et elle vuelt si grant bien as trois mesajes qu'il n'est chouse que elle ne feisse por elz come sien peres meesme. Car sachiés que quant cesti trois mesajes se partirent de elle por retorner en lor pais, que ele lerme de pitié pur lor departiment.  Or vos ai contés une chouse que bien fait a loer quant a cesti trois mesajes furent afiés tiel ii dames por mener a lor baron de si longaine parte. Or vos laieron de ce et vos conteron avant. Et que vos en diroie? Quant les trois mesajes furent parti de Chiacatu il se mistrent a la voie et cavachent tant por lor jornee que il furent venu a Trepisonde et de Trepesonde s'en vindrent a Gostantinople [et de Gostantinople] sen vindrent a Negrepont et de Negrepont a Venese. Et ce fu as as mccxcv anz de l'a[n]carnasion de Crist.

Or puis que je vos ui contés tot le fat dou prolegue, ensi com vos avés oi, adonc come[n]cerau le livre.

XX

DEVISE DE LA PETITE ARMENIE

II est voir qu’il sunt deus Harmenies: Une grant et une pitete. De la pitete en est sire un rois que mante[n]t bien la tere en justice et est soutpost au Tartar. Il hi a mantes viles et mantes castiaus. Et hi a de tontes chouses en grant abundance. Encore est tere de grant solace detute caces, et de bestes et de osiaus. Mes si vos di qu'ele n'est pas same provence, mes enferme duramant.

Et ansienemant les jentilz homes estoient vaillant et prodomes d’armes, mes orendroit sunt il cheitif et vils et ne out nulle bonté for qu’il sunt buen beveor. Encore hi a sor la mer une ville qui est apellé Laias, la qual est do gran mercaandie.

Car sachiés tout voiremant que tutes le speserie e les dras de fratere se portent a ce[ste] ville et toutes autres chier coses; et les mercans de Venese et de Jene et de touts pars hi vinent et I'acatent,

et tous homes et mercans que vuelent aler en fraterre prenent lor voie de ceste ville. Or vos avon conte de la pitete Ermine et apres vos conteron de 'I'urcomanie.

VI (Prologue, Chapter 5)

HOW THE TWO BROTHERS ARRIVED AT THE COURT OF THE GREAT KAAN.

When the Two Brothers got to the Great Kaan, he received them with great honour and hospitality, and showed much pleasure at their visit, asking them a great number of questions. First, he asked about the emperors, how they maintained their dignity, and administered justice in their dominions; and how they went forth to battle, and so forth. And then he asked the like questions about the kings and princes and other potentates.

​

VII (Prologue, Chapter 6)

HOW THE GREAT KAAN ASKED ALL ABOUT THE MANNERS OF THE CHRISTIANS, AND PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE POPE OF ROME

And then he inquired about the Pope and the Church, and about all that is done at Rome, and all the customs of the Latins. And the Two Brothers told him the truth in all its particulars, with order and good sense, like sensible men as they were; and this they were able to do as they knew the Tartar language well.

​

VIII (Prologue, Chapter 7)

HOW THE GREAT KAAN SENT THE TWO BROTHERS AS HIS ENVOYS TO THE POPE

When that Prince, whose name was Cublay Kaan, Lord of the Tartars all over the earth, and of all the kingdoms and provinces and territories of that vast quarter of the world, had heard all that the Brothers had to tell him about the ways of the Latins, he was greatly pleased, and he took it into his head that he would send them on an Embassy to the Pope. So he urgently desired them to undertake this mission along with one of his Barons; and they replied that they would gladly execute all his commands as those of their Sovereign Lord. Then the Prince sent to summon to his presence one of his Barons whose name was Cogatal, and desired him to get ready, for it was proposed to send him to the Pope along with the Two Brothers. The Baron replied that he would execute the Lord's commands to the best of his ability.

After this the Prince caused letters from himself to the Pope to be indited in the Tartar tongue, and committed them to the Two Brothers and to that Baron of his own, and charged them with what he wished them to say to the Pope. Now the contents of the letter were to this purport: He begged that the Pope would send as many as an hundred persons of our Christian faith; intelligent men, acquainted with the Seven Arts, well qualified to enter into controversy, and able clearly to prove by force of argument to idolaters and other kinds of folk, that the Law of Christ was best, and that all other religions were false and naught; and that if they would prove this, he and all under him would become Christians and the Church's liegemen. Finally he charged his Envoys to bring back to him some Oil of the Lamp which burns on the Sepulchre of our Lord at Jerusalem.

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IX (Prologue, Chapter 8)

HOW THE GREAT KAAN GAVE THEM A TABLET OF GOLD, BEARING HIS ORDERS IN THEIR BEHALF

When the Prince had charged them with all his commission, he caused to be given them a Tablet of Gold, on which was inscribed that the three Ambassadors should be supplied with everything needful in all the countries through which they should pass—with horses, with escorts, and, in short, with whatever they should require. And when they had made all needful preparations, the three Ambassadors took their leave of the Emperor and set out.

When they had travelled I know not how many days, the Tartar Baron fell sick, so that he could not ride, and being very ill, and unable to proceed further, he halted at a certain city. So the Two Brothers judged it best that they should leave him behind and proceed to carry out their commission; and, as he was well content that they should do so, they continued their journey. And I can assure you, that whithersoever they went they were honourably provided with whatever they stood in need of, or chose to command. And this was owing to that Tablet of Authority from the Lord which they carried with them.

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X (Prologue, Chapter 9)

HOW THE TWO BROTHERS CAME TO THE CITY OF ACRE.

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They departed from Layas and came to Acre, arriving there in the month of April, in the year of Christ 1269, and then they learned that the Pope was dead. And when they found that the Pope was dead (his name was Pope [Clement]), they went to a certain wise Churchman who was Legate for the whole kingdom of Egypt, and a man of great authority, by name Theobald of Piacenza, and told him of the mission on which they were come. When the Legate heard their story, he was greatly surprised, and deemed the thing to be of great honour and advantage for the whole of Christendom. So his answer to the two Ambassador Brothers was this: "Gentlemen, ye see that the Pope is dead; wherefore ye must needs have patience until a new Pope be made, and then shall ye be able to execute your charge." Seeing well enough that what the Legate said was just, they observed: "But while the Pope is a-making, we may as well go to Venice and visit our households." So they departed from Acre and went to Negropont, and from Negropont they continued their voyage to Venice. On their arrival there, Messer Nicolas found that his wife was dead, and that she had left behind her a son of fifteen years of age, whose name was Marco; and 'tis of him that this Book tells. The Two Brothers abode at Venice a couple of years, tarrying until a Pope should be made.

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XI (Prologue, Chapter 10)

HOW THE TWO BROTHERS AGAIN DEPARTED FROM VENICE, ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THE GREAT KAAN, AND TOOK WITH THEM MARK, THE SON OF MESSER NICOLAS.

When the Two Brothers had tarried as long as I have told you, and saw that never a Pope was made, they said that their return to the Great Kaan must be put off no longer. So they set out from Venice, taking Mark along with them, and went straight back to Acre, where they found the Legate of whom we have spoken. They had a good deal of discourse with him concerning the matter, and asked his permission to go to Jerusalem to get some Oil from the Lamp on the Sepulchre, to carry with them to the Great Kaan, as he had enjoined. The Legate giving them leave, they went from Acre to Jerusalem and got some of the Oil, and then returned to Acre, and went to the Legate and said to him: "As we see no sign of a Pope's being made, we desire to return to the Great Kaan; for we have already tarried long, and there has been more than enough delay." To which the Legate replied: "Since 'tis your wish to go back, I am well content." Wherefore he caused letters to be written for delivery to the Great Kaan, bearing testimony that the Two Brothers had come in all good faith to accomplish his charge, but that as there was no Pope they had been unable to do so.

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XII (Prologue, Chapter 11)

HOW THE TWO BROTHERS SET OUT FROM ACRE, AND MARK ALONG WITH THEM

When the Two Brothers had received the Legate's letters, they set forth from Acre to return to the Grand Kaan, and got as far as Layas. But shortly after their arrival there they had news that the Legate aforesaid was chosen Pope, taking the name of Pope Gregory of Piacenza; news which the Two Brothers were very glad indeed to hear. And presently there reached them at Layas a message from the Legate, now the Pope, desiring them, on the part of the Apostolic See, not to proceed further on their journey, but to return to him incontinently. And what shall I tell you? The King of Hermenia caused a galley to be got ready for the Two Ambassador Brothers, and despatched them to the Pope at Acre.

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XIII (Prologue, Chapter 13)

HOW THE TWO BROTHERS PRESENTED THEMSELVES BEFORE THE NEW POPE

And when they had been thus honourably conducted to Acre they proceeded to the presence of the Pope, and paid their respects to him with humble reverence. He received them with great honour and satisfaction, and gave them his blessing. He then appointed two Friars of the Order of Preachers to accompany them to the Great Kaan, and to do whatever might be required of them. These were unquestionably as learned Churchmen as were to be found in the Province at that day—one being called Friar Nicolas of Vicenza, and the other Friar William of Tripoli. He delivered to them also proper credentials, and letters in reply to the Great Kaan's messages [and gave them authority to ordain priests and bishops, and to bestow every kind of absolution, as if given by himself in proper person; sending by them also many fine vessels of crystal as presents to the Great Kaan]. So when they had got all that was needful, they took leave of the Pope, receiving his benediction; and the four set out together from Acre, and went to Layas, accompanied always by Messer Nicolas's son Marco.

Now, about the time that they reached Layas, Bendocquedar, the Soldan of Babylon, invaded Hermenia with a great host of Saracens, and ravaged the country, so that our Envoys ran a great peril of being taken or slain. And when the Preaching Friars saw this they were greatly frightened, and said that go they never would. So they made over to Messer Nicolas and Messer Maffeo all their credentials and documents, and took their leave, departing in company with the Master of the Temple.

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XIV (Prologue, Chapter 13)

HOW MESSER NICOLO AND MESSER MAFFEO POLO, ACCOMPANIED BY MARK, TRAVELLED TO THE COURT OF THE GREAT KAAN.

So the Two Brothers, and Mark along with them, proceeded on their way, and journeying on, summer and winter, came at length to the Great Kaan, who was then at a certain rich and great city, called Kemenfu. As to what they met with on the road, whether in going or coming, we shall give no particulars at present, because we are going to tell you all those details in regular order in the after part of this Book. Their journey back to the Kaan occupied a good three years and a half, owing to the bad weather and severe cold that they encountered. And let me tell you in good sooth that when the Great Kaan heard that Messers Nicolo and Maffeo Polo were on their way back, he sent people a journey of full 40 days to meet them; and on this journey, as on their former one, they were honourably entertained upon the road, and supplied with all that they required.

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XV (Prologue, Chapter 14)

HOW MESSER NICOLO AND MESSER MAFFEO POLO AND MARCO PRESENTED THEMSELVES BEFORE THE GREAT KAAN

And what shall I tell you? when the Two Brothers and Mark had arrived at that great city, they went to the Imperial Palace, and there they found the Sovereign attended by a great company of Barons. So they bent the knee before him, and paid their respects to him, with all possible reverence [prostrating themselves on the ground]. Then the Lord bade them stand up, and treated them with great honour, showing great pleasure at their coming, and asked many questions as to their welfare, and how they had sped. They replied that they had in verity sped well, seeing that they found the Kaan well and safe. Then they presented the credentials and letters which they had received from the Pope, which pleased him right well; and after that they produced the Oil from the Sepulchre, and at that also he was very glad, for he set great store thereby. And next, spying Mark, who was then a young gallant, he asked who was that in their company? "Sire," said his father, Messer Nicolo, "'tis my son and your liegeman." "Welcome is he too," quoth the Emperor. And why should I make a long story? There was great rejoicing at the Court because of their arrival; and they met with attention and honour from everybody. So there they abode at the Court with the other Barons.

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XVI (Prologue, Chapter 15)

HOW THE EMPEROR SENT MARK ON AN EMBASSY OF HIS

Now it came to pass that Marco, the son of Messer Nicolo, sped wondrously in learning the customs of the Tartars, as well as their language, their manner of writing, and their practice of war; in fact he came in brief space to know several languages, and four sundry written characters. And he was discreet and prudent in every way, insomuch that the Emperor held him in great esteem. And so when he discerned Mark to have so much sense, and to conduct himself so well and beseemingly, he sent him on an ambassage of his, to a country which was a good six months' journey distant. The young gallant executed his commission well and with discretion. Now he had taken note on several occasions that when the Prince's ambassadors returned from different parts of the world, they were able to tell him about nothing except the business on which they had gone, and that the Prince in consequence held them for no better than fools and dolts, and would say: "I had far liever hearken about the strange things, and the manners of the different countries you have seen, than merely be told of the business you went upon;"—for he took great delight in hearing of the affairs of strange countries. Mark therefore, as he went and returned, took great pains to learn about all kinds of different matters in the countries which he visited, in order to be able to tell about them to the Great Kaan.

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XVII (Prologue, Chapter 16)

HOW MARK RETURNED FROM THE MISSION WHEREON HE HAD BEEN SENT

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When Mark returned from his ambassage he presented himself before the Emperor, and after making his report of the business with which he was charged, and its successful accomplishment, he went on to give an account in a pleasant and intelligent manner of all the novelties and strange things that he had seen and heard; insomuch that the Emperor and all such as heard his story were surprised, and said: "If this young man live, he will assuredly come to be a person of great worth and ability." And so from that time forward he was always entitled Messer Marco Polo and thus we shall style him henceforth in this Book of ours, as is but right.

Thereafter Messer Marco abode in the Kaan's employment some seventeen years, continually going and coming, hither and thither, on the missions that were entrusted to him by the Lord [and sometimes, with the permission and authority of the Great Kaan, on his own private affairs].

And, as he knew all the sovereign's ways, like a sensible man he always took much pains to gather knowledge of anything that would be likely to interest him, and then on his return to Court he would relate everything in regular order, and thus the Emperor came to hold him in great love and favour. And for this reason also he would employ him the oftener on the most weighty and most distant of his missions. These Messer Marco ever carried out with discretion and success, God be thanked. So the Emperor became ever more partial to him, and treated him with the greater distinction, and kept him so close to his person that some of the Barons waxed very envious thereat. And thus it came about that Messer Marco Polo had knowledge of, or had actually visited, a greater number of the different countries of the World than any other man; the more that he was always giving his mind to get knowledge, and to spy out and enquire into everything in order to have matter to relate to the Lord.

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XVIII (Prologue, Chapter 17)

HOW MESSER NICOLO, MESSER MAFFEO, AND MESSER MARCO, ASKED LEAVE OF THE GREAT KAAN TO GO THEIR WAY

When the Two Brothers and Mark had abode with the Lord all that time that you have been told [having meanwhile acquired great wealth in jewels and gold], they began among themselves to have thoughts about returning to their own country; and indeed it was time. [For, to say nothing of the length and infinite perils of the way, when they considered the Kaan's great age, they doubted whether, in the event of his death before their departure, they would ever be able to get home].

They applied to him several times for leave to go, presenting their request with great respect, but he had such a partiality for them, and liked so much to have them about him, that nothing on earth would persuade him to let them go.

Now it came to pass in those days that the Queen Bolgana, wife of Argon, Lord of the Levant, departed this life. And in her Will she had desired that no Lady should take her place, or succeed her as Argon's wife, except one of her own family [which existed in Cathay]. Argon therefore despatched three of his Barons, by name respectively Ouulatay, Apusca, and Coja, as ambassadors to the Great Kaan, attended by a very gallant company, in order to bring back as his bride a lady of the family of Queen Bolgana, his late wife.

When these three Barons had reached the Court of the Great Kaan, they delivered their message, explaining wherefore they were come. The Kaan received them with all honour and hospitality, and then sent for a lady whose name was Cocachin, who was of the family of the deceased Queen Bolgana. She was a maiden of 17, a very beautiful and charming person, and on her arrival at Court she was presented to the three Barons as the Lady chosen in compliance with their demand. They declared that the Lady pleased them well.

Meanwhile Messer Marco chanced to return from India, whither he had gone as the Lord's ambassador, and made his report of all the different things that he had seen in his travels, and of the sundry seas over which he had voyaged. And the three Barons, having seen that Messer Nicolo, Messer Maffeo, and Messer Marco were not only Latins, but men of marvellous good sense withal, took thought among themselves to get the three to travel with them, their intention being to return to their country by sea, on account of the great fatigue of that long land journey for a lady. And the ambassadors were the more desirous to have their company, as being aware that those three had great knowledge and experience of the Indian Sea and the countries by which they would have to pass, and especially Messer Marco.

So they went to the Great Kaan, and begged as a favour that he would send the three Latins with them, as it was their desire to return home by sea.

The Lord, having that great regard that I have mentioned for those three Latins, was very loath to do so [and his countenance showed great dissatisfaction]. But at last he did give them permission to depart, enjoining them to accompany the three Barons and the Lady.

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XIX (Prologue, Chapter 18)

HOW THE TWO BROTHERS AND MESSER MARCO TOOK LEAVE OF THE GREAT KAAN, AND RETURNED TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY

And when the Prince saw that the Two Brothers and Messer Marco were ready to set forth, he called them all three to his presence, and gave them two golden Tablets of Authority, which should secure them liberty of passage through all his dominions, and by means of which, whithersoever they should go, all necessaries would be provided for them, and for all their company, and whatever they might choose to order. He charged them also with messages to the King of France, the King of England, the King of Spain, and the other kings of Christendom. He then caused thirteen ships to be equipt, each of which had four masts, and often spread twelve sails. And I could easily give you all particulars about these, but as it would be so long an affair I will not enter upon this now, but hereafter, when time and place are suitable. [Among the said ships were at least four or five that carried crews of 250 or 260 men.]

And when the ships had been equipt, the Three Barons and the Lady, and the Two Brothers and Messer Marco, took leave of the Great Kaan, and went on board their ships with a great company of people, and with all necessaries provided for two years by the Emperor. They put forth to sea, and after sailing for some three months they arrived at a certain Island towards the South, which is called Java, and in which there are many wonderful things which we shall tell you all about by-and-by. Quitting this Island they continued to navigate the Sea of India for eighteen months more before they arrived whither they were bound, meeting on their way also with many marvels, of which we shall tell hereafter.

And when they got thither they found that Argon was dead, so the Lady was delivered to Casa , his son. But I should have told you that it is a fact that, when they embarked, they were in number some 600 persons, without counting the mariners; but nearly all died by the way, so that only eight survived.

The sovereignty when they arrived was held by Kiacatu, so they commended the Lady to him, and executed all their commission. And when the Two Brothers and Messer Marco had executed their charge in full, and done all that the Great Kaan had enjoined on them in regard to the Lady, they took their leave and set out upon their journey. And before their departure, Kiacatu gave them four golden tablets of authority, two of which bore gerfalcons, one bore lions, whilst the fourth was plain, and having on them inscriptions which directed that the three Ambassadors should receive honour and service all through the land as if rendered to the Prince in person, and that horses and all provisions, and everything necessary, should be supplied to them. And so they found in fact; for throughout the country they received ample and excellent supplies of everything needful; and many a time indeed, as I may tell you, they were furnished with 200 horsemen, more or less, to escort them on their way in safety. And this was all the more needful because Kiacatu was not the legitimate Lord, and therefore the people had less scruple to do mischief than if they had had a lawful prince.

Another thing too must be mentioned, which does credit to those three Ambassadors, and shows for what great personages they were held.

The Great Kaan regarded them with such trust and affection, that he had confided to their charge the Queen Cocachin, as well as the daughter of the King of Manzi, to conduct to Argon the Lord of all the Levant.

And those two great ladies who were thus entrusted to them they watched over and guarded as if they had been daughters of their own, until they had transferred them to the hands of their Lord; whilst the ladies, young and fair as they were, looked on each of those three as a father, and obeyed them accordingly. Indeed, both Casan, who is now the reigning prince, and the Queen Cocachin his wife, have such a regard for the Envoys that there is nothing they would not do for them.

And when the three Ambassadors took leave of that Lady to return to their own country, she wept for sorrow at the parting.

What more shall I say? Having left Kiacatu they travelled day by day till they came to Trebizond, and thence to Constantinople, from Constantinople to Negropont, and from Negropont to Venice. And this was in the year 1295 of Christ's Incarnation.

And now that I have rehearsed all the Prologue as you have heard, we shall begin the Book of the Description of the Divers Things that Messer Marco met with in his Travels.

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XX (Book I, Chapter 1)

HERE THE BOOK BEGINS; AND FIRST IT SPEAKS OF THE LESSER HERMENIA

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There are two Hermenias, the Greater and the Less. The Lesser Hermenia is governed by a certain King, who maintains a just rule in his dominions, but is himself subject to the Tartar  The country contains numerous towns and villages, and has everything in plenty; moreover, it is a great country for sport in the chase of all manner of beasts and birds. It is, however, by no means a healthy region, but grievously the reverse.

In days of old the nobles there were valiant men, and did doughty deeds of arms; but nowadays they are poor creatures, and good at nought, unless it be at boozing; they are great at that. Howbeit, they have a city upon the sea, which is called Layas, at which there is a great trade. For you must know that all the spicery, and the cloths of silk and gold, and the other valuable wares that come from the interior, are brought to that city. And the merchants of Venice and Genoa, and other countries, come thither to sell their goods, and to buy what they lack.

And whatsoever persons would travel to the interior (of the East), merchants or others, they take their way by this city of Layas. Having now told you about the Lesser Hermenia, we shall next tell you about Turcomania.