The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation Volume Ii Part 5

The same in English.

How departing from Bathy, they pa.s.sed through the land of Comania, and of the Kangittae. Chap. 23.

Moreouer, vpon Easter euen, we were called vnto the tent, and there came forth to meete vs the foresaid agent of Bathy, saying on his masters behalfe, that we should go into their land, vnto the Emperor Cuyne, deteining certaine of our company with this pretence, that they would send them backe vnto the Pope, to whom we gaue letters of al our affaires to deliuer vnto him. But being come as farre as duke Montij aforesaid, there they were kept vntill our returne. [Sidenote: They trauelled post from Easter day to the 22 of Iuly Eastward to Volga.] Vpon Easter day, hauing said our praiers, and taken a slender breakfast, in the company of two Tartars, which were a.s.signed vnto vs by Corensa, we departed with many teares, not knowing whether we went to death or to life. And we were so feeble in bodie, that we were scarce able to ride. For all that Lent through, our meat was Millet onely with a little water and salte. And so likewise vpon other fasting dayes. Neither had we ought to drinke, but snow melted in a skillet. And pa.s.sing through Comania we rode most earnestly, hauing change of horses fiue times or oftener in a day, except when we went through deserts, for then we were allowed better and stronger horses, which could vndergoe the whole labour. And thus farre had we trauailed from the beginning of Lent vntill eight dayes after Easter. [Sidenote: A description of Comania.] The land of Comania on the North side immediately after Russia, hath the people called Morduym Byleri, that is, Bulgaria magna, the Bastarci, that is, Hungaria magna, next vnto the Bastarci, the Parositae and the Samogetae. [Sidenote: The North Ocean.] Next vnto the Samogetae are those people which are sayd to haue dogges faces, inhabiting vpon the desert sh.o.r.es of the Ocean. On the South side it hath the Alani, the Circa.s.si, the Gazari, Greece and Constantinople, also the land of Iberia, the Cathes, the Brutaches who are said to be Iewes shauing their heads all ouer, the landes also of Scythia, of Georgia, of Armenia, of Turkie. On the West side it hath Hungaria, and Russia. Also Comania is a most large and long countrey.

The inhabitantes whereof called Comani the Tartars, slewe, some notwithstanding fled from them, and the rest were subdued vnder their bondage. But most of them that fled are returned againe. [Sidenote: The lande of the Kangittae.] Afterward wee entred the lande of the Kangittae, which in many places hath great scarcetie of waters, wherin there are but fewe inhabitants by reason of the foresayd defect of water. [Sidenote: Ieroslaus duke of Russia.] For this cause diuers of the seruants of Ieroslaus duke of Russia, as they were traueiling towards him into the land of Tartaria, died for thirst, in that desert. As before in Comania, so likewise in this countrey, wee found many skulles and bones of dead men lying vpon the earth like a dunghill. Through this countrey we were traueiling from the eight day after Easter vntil Ascension day. The inhabitants therof were Pagans, and neither they nor the Comanians vsed to till the ground, but liued onely vpon cattell, neither built they any houses but dwelled in tents. These men also haue the Tartars rooted out, and doe possesse and inhabite their countrey, howbeit, those that remained are reduced into their bondage.

Qualiter ad primam Imperatoris futuri curiam deuenerunt. Cap. 24.

[Sidenote: Terra Biserminorum.] Porr de terra Kangittarum intrauimus terram Biserminorum, qui loquuntur lingua Comanica, sed legem tenent Sarracenorum. In hac etiam terra inuenimus vrbes innumeras c.u.m castris dirutas, villasque multas desertas. [Sidenote: Altisolda.n.u.s.] Huius Dominus dicebatur Altisolda.n.u.s, qui c.u.m tota sua progenie a Tartaris est destructus. [Sidenote: Montes maximi.] Habet autem haec terra montes maximos. Et a meridie quidem habet Hierosalem et Baldach, totamque Sarracenorum terram. Atque in finibus illis propinquis morantur duo fratres carnales, [Sidenote: Burin. Cadan. Ocea.n.u.s ab Aquilone. Syban, frater Bathy.] Tartarorum Duces, scilicet Burin et Cadan, filij Thiaday, qui fuit filius Chingischam. Ab Aquilone ver terram habet nigrorum Kythaorum and Oceanum. In illa ver moratur Syban, frater Bathy. Per hanc iuimus a festo Ascensionis dominicae fere vsque ad viij. dies ante festum sanct. Iohan.

Baptistae. [Sidenote: Nigri Cathayni.] Deinde ingressi sumus terram nigrorum Kythaorum, in qua Imperator aedificauit domum, vbi etiam vocati fuimus ad bibendum. Et ille, qui erat ibidem ex parte imperatoris, fecit maiores ciuitatis, et etiam duos filios eius, plaudere eoram n.o.bis. [Sidenote: Mare paruum.] Hinc exeuntes, quoddam mare paruum inuenimus, in cuius littore quidam exist.i.t mons paruus. In quo scilicet monte quoddam foramen esse dicitur, vnde in hyeme tam maximae tempestates ventorum exeunt, qud homines inde vix et c.u.m magno periculo transire possunt. In aestate ver semper quidem ibi ventorum sonitus auditur, sed de foramine tenuiter egreditur.

Per huius maris littora plurimis diebus perreximus, quod quidem licet non multum sit magnum, plures insulas habet, et illud in sinistris dimisimus.

[Sidenote: Plurimus diebus. Plures insulae. Ordu. cap. 13.] In terra ver illa habitat Ordu, quem omnium Duc.u.m Tartarorum antiquiorem diximus, et est orda, siue curia patris ipsius, quam inhabitat, et regis vna de vxoribus eius. Consuetudo enim est apud Tartaros, qud principum et maiorum curiae non delentur, sed semper ordinantur aliquae mulieres, quae illas regant, eisque donariorum partes, sicut Dominis earum dari solebant, dantur.

[Sidenote: Prima curia Imperatoris.] Sic tandem ad primam Imperatoris curiam venimus, in qua erat vna de vxoribus ipsius.

The same in English,

How they came vnto the first court of the new Emperour. Chap. 24.

[Sidenote: The land of the Bisermini.] Moreouer, out of the land of the Kangittae, we entered into the countrey of the Bisermini, who speake the language of Comania, but obserue the law of the Saracens. In this countrey we found innumerable cities with castles ruined, and many towns left desolate. [Sidenote: Alti Solda.n.u.s. Huge mountaines.] The lord of this country was called Soldan Alti, who with al his progenie, was destroyed by the Tartars. This countrey hath most huge mountains. On the South side it hath Ierusalem and Baldach, and all the whole countrey of the Saracens.

[Sidenote: Burin and Cadan.] In the next territories adioyning doe inhabite two carnall brothers dukes of the Tartars, namely, Burin and Cadan, the sonnes of Thyaday, who was the sonne of Chingis Can. [Sidenote: The North ocean.] On the North side thereof it hath the land of the blacke Kythayans, and the Ocean. [Sidenote: Syban brother vnto Bathy.] In the same countrie Syban the brother of Bathy remaineth. Through this countrie we were traueiling from the feast of Ascension, vntil eight daies before the feast of S. Iohn Baptist. [Sidenote: The blacke Kythayans.] And then we entred into the land of the blacke Kythayans, in which the Emperour built an house, where we were called in to drinke. Also the Emperours deputy in that place caused the chiefe men of the citie and his two sonnes to daunce before vs. [Sidenote: A small sea.] Departing from hence, wee found a certaine small sea, vpon the sh.o.r.e whereof stands a little mountaine. In which mountaine is reported to be a hole, from whence, in winter time such vehement tempests of winds doe issue, that traueilers can scarcely, and with great danger pa.s.se by the same way. In summer time, the noise in deede of the winde is heard there, but it proceedeth gently out of the hole.

[Sidenote: Many dayes.] Along the sh.o.r.es of the aforesaid sea we traueiled for the s.p.a.ce of many dayes, which although it bee not very great, yet hath it many islandes, and wee pa.s.sed by leauiug it on our left hande.

[Sidenote: Ordu cap. 13.] In this lande dwelleth Ordu, whom wee sayde to bee auncient vnto all the Tartarian dukes. And it is the Orda or court of his father which hee inhabiteth, and one of his wiues beareth rule there.

For it is a custome among the Tartars, that the Courts of Princes or of n.o.ble men are not dissolued, but alwayes some women are appointed to keepe and gouerne them, vpon whom certain gifts are bestowed, in like sort as they are giuen vnto their Lords. [Sidenote: The first court of the Emperour.] And so at length we arriued at the first court of the Emperour, wherein one of his wiues dwelt.

Qualiter ad ipsum Cuyne, Imperatorem futurum peruenerunt. Cap. 25.

At ver quia nondum Imperatorem videramus, noluerunt vocare nos, nec intromittere ad Ordam ipsius, sed n.o.bis in tentorio nostro secundum morem Tartarorum valde bene seruiri fecerunt, et vt quiesceremus, nos ibidem per vnam diem tenuerunt. [Sidenote: Terra Nyamanorum] Inde procedentes in vigilia sanctorum Petri et Pauli, terram Naymanorum intrauimus, qui sunt Pagani. In ipsa ver die Apostolorum ibidem cecidit magna nix, et habuimus magnum frigus. Haec quidem terra montiosa et frigida est supra modum, ibique de planicie reperitur modic.u.m. Istae quoque duae nationes praedictae non laborabant, sed sicut et Tartari in tentorijs habitabant, quas et ipsi deleuerant per hanc etiam multis diebus perreximus. Deinde terram Mongalorum intrauimus, quos Tartaros appellamus. [Sidenote: Tartaria. Iulij 22. Acceleratum legatorum iter.] Per has itaque terras, vt credimus, tribus septimanis equitando fort.i.ter iuimus, et in die Beatae Mariae Magdalenae ad Cuyne Imperatorem electum peruenimus. Ideo autem per omnem viam istam valde festinauimus, quia praeceptum erat Tartaris nostris, vt cit nos deducerent ad curiam solennem, iam ex annis pluribus indictam, propter ipsius Imperatoris electionem. Idcirc de mane surgentes, ibamus vsque ad noctem sine comestione, et saepius tam tarde veniebamus, qud non comedebamus in sero, sed quod manducare debebamus in vespere, dabatur n.o.bis in mane.

Mutatisque frequentius equis, nullatenus parcebatur eis, sed equitabamus velociter ac sine intermissione, quantum poterant equi trotare.

The same in English.

Howe they came vnto Cuyne himselfe, who was forthwith to be chosen Emperour. Chap. 25.

But because we had not as yet seene the Emperour, they would not inuite vs nor admit vs into his Orda, but caused good attendauce and entertainment, after the Tartars fas.h.i.+on, to be giuen vnto vs in oure owne tent, and they caused vs to stay there, and to refresh our selues with them one day.

[Sidenote: The land of Naymani.] Departing thence vpon the euen of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, wee entered into the land of the Naymani, who are Pagans. But vpon the very feast day of the saide Apostles, there fel a mightie snowe in that place, and wee had extreame colde weather. This lande is full of mountaines, and colde beyonde measure, and there is little plaine ground to bee seene. These two nations last mentioned vsed not to till their grounde, but, like vnto the Tartars, dwelt in tents, which the sayde Tartars had destroyed. Through this countrey wee were trauailing manie dayes. Then entered wee into the lande of the Mongals, whome wee call Tartars. Through the Tartars lande wee continued our trauaile (as wee suppose) for the s.p.a.ce of some three weekes, riding alwayes hastily and with speede, and vpon the day of Marie Magdalene we arriued at the court of Cuyne the Emperour elect. [Sidenote: The 22. of Iuly.] But therefore did we make great haste all this way, because our Tartarian guides were straightly commaunded to bring vs vnto the court Imperiall with all speede, which court hath beene these if many yeeres, ordained for the election of the Emperour. Wherefore rising earely, wee trauailed vntil night without eating of any thing, and oftentimes wee came so late vnto our lodging, that we had no time to eate the same night, but that which we should haue eaten ouer night, was giuen vs in the morning. And often changing our horses, wee spared no Horse-fleshe, but rode swiftly and without intermission, as fast as our horses could trot.

Qualiter Cuyne Fratres Minores suscepit. Cap. 26.

c.u.m autem peruenimus ad Cuyne, fecit n.o.bis dari tentorium et expensas, quales Tartaris dare solent, n.o.bis tamen melius quam alijs nuncijs faciebant. [Sidenote: Cuyne in legatos benignitas.] Ad ipsum autem vocati non fuimus, eo qud nondum electus erat, nec adhuc de imperio se intromittebat. Interpretatio tamen literarum Domini Papae, ac verba etiam a n.o.bis dicta, a praedicto Baty erant ei mandata. c.u.m ergo stetissemus ibi per quinque vel s.e.x dies, ad matrem suam nos transmisit, vbi adunabatur curia solennis. [Sidenote: Tentorium regium.] Et c.u.m venissemus illuc, tam extensum erat tentorium magnum, de alba purpura praeparatum, eratque tam grande nostro indicio, qud plusquam duo millia hominum poterant esse sub illo. Et in circuitu factum erat ligneum tabulatum varijs imaginibus depictum. [Sidenote: Comitia.] Illuc erg perreximus c.u.m Tartaris, n.o.bis ad custodiam a.s.signatis, ibique conuenerant omnes duces, et vnusquisque c.u.m hominibus suis equitaibat in circuitu per planiciem et colles. In prima die vest.i.ti sunt omnes purpuris albis, in secunda ver rubeis. Et tunc venit Cuyne ad teritorium illud. Porr tertia die fuerunt omnes in blaueis purpuris, et quarta in optimis Baldakinis. In illo autem tabulato iuxta tentorium erant duae maiores portae, per quarum vnam solus Imperator debebat intrare, et ad illam nulla erat custodia, quamuis esset aperta, quia per illam nullus audebat ingredi vel exire: per aliam omnes, qui admittebantur, intrabant, et ad illam custodes c.u.m gladijs et arcubus et sagittis erant.

Itaque si quis tentorio propinquabat vltra terminos, qui positi erant, si capiebatur, verberabatur, si fugiebat, sagitta siue ferro sagittabatur.

Multique ibi erant, qui in fraenis, pectoralibus, sellis et huiusmodi, iudicio nostro, auri circiter viginti marcas habebant. Sic Duces infra tentorium colloquebantur, et de Imperatoris electione tractabant, vt a n.o.bis creditur. Alius autem vniuersus populus longe extra tabulatum collocabatur, et ita fere vsque ad meridiem morabantur. Tunc incipiebant lac iumentinum bibere, et vsque ad vesperas tantum bibebant, quod erat visu mirabile. [Symposium procorum.] Nos autem vocauerunt interius, et dederunt n.o.bis cereuisiam: quia iumentinum lac non bibebamus. Et hoc quidem n.o.bis pro magno fecerunt honore: sed tamen nos compellebant ad bibendum, quod nullatenus poteramus propter consuetudinem sustinere. Vnde ostendimus eis, hoc esse n.o.bis graue, ideoque nos cessauerunt compellere. [Ieroslaus Dux Russiae. Legati diuersarum nationum.] Foris autem erat Dux Ieroslaus de Susdal Russiae, pluresque Duces Kythaorum et Solangorum. Duo quoque filij regis Georgiae, nuncius etiam Caliphi de Baldach, qui erat Solda.n.u.s, et plus quam decem alij Soldani Sarracenorum, vt credimus. Et sicut n.o.bis a procuratoribus dicebatur, erant ibi nunciorum plus quam quatuor millia, inter illos, qui tributa portabant, et illos, qui deferebant munera, et Soldanos ac Duces alios, qui ad tradendum seipsos veniebant, et illos, pro quibus ipsi miserant, illosque qui terrarum praefecti erant. Hi omnes simul extra tabulatum ponebantur, eisque simul bibere praebebatur. n.o.bis autem et Duci Ierozlao fere semper ab eis dabatur superior locus, quando c.u.m eis eramus exterius.

The same in English

How Cuyne enterteined the Minorite Friers. Chap. 26.

[Sidenote: The curtesie of Cuyne towards Amba.s.sadors] But when wee were come vnto the court of Cuyne, hee caused (after the Tartars manner) a Tent and all expenses necessarie to bee prouided for vs. And his people entreated vs with more regarde and courtesie, then they did anie other Amba.s.sadours. Howbeeit wee were not called before his presence, because hee was not as yet elected, nor admitted vnto his empire. Notwithstanding, the interpretation of the Popes letters, and the message which we deliuered, were sent vnto him by the foresaid Bathy. And hauing stayed there fiue or sixe dayes, hee sent vs vnto his mother, vnder whome there was mainteyned a verie solemne and royall court. [Sidenote: The tent roial] And being come thither, we saw an huge tent of fine white cloth pitched, which was, to our iudgement, of so great quant.i.tie, that more then two thousand men might stand within it, and round about it there was a wall of planks set vp, painted with diuers images. [Sidenote: A generall a.s.semblie] Wee therefore with our Tartars a.s.signed to attende vpon vs, tooke our iourney thither, and there were all the Dukes a.s.sembled, eche one of them riding vp and downe with his traine ouer the hilles and dales. The first day they were all clad in white, but the second in skarlet robes. Then came Cuyne vnto the saide tent. Moreouer, the third day they were all in blew robes, and the fourth in most rich robes of Baldakin cloth. In the wall of boardes, about the tent aforesaid, were two great gates, by one of the which gates, the Emperour only was to enter, and at that gate there was no gard of men appointed to stand, although it stood continually open, because none durst go in or come out the same way: all that were admitted, entred by another gate, at which there stood watchmen, with bowes, swords, and arrowes. And whosoeuer approached vnto the tent beyond the bounds and limit a.s.signed, being caught, was beaten, but if he fled, he was shot at with arrowes or iron. There were many to our iudgement, had vpon their bridles, trappers, saddles, and such like furniture, to the value of 20 markes in pure gold.

The foresaid Dukes (as we thinke) communed together within the tent, and consulted about the election of their Emperor. But all the residue of the people were placed farre away without the walles of board, and in this maner they staied almost til noone. [Sidenote: The banquet of the n.o.bles.]

Then began they to drink mares milk, and so continued drinking til euen tide, and that in so great quant.i.ty, as it was wonderfull. And they called vs in vnto them, and gaue vs of their ale, because we could not drink their mares milke. And this they did vnto vs in token of great honor. But they compelled vs to drink so much, that in regard of our customary diet, wee coulde by no means endure it. Whereupon, giuing them to vnderstand, that it was hurtful vnto vs, they cea.s.sed to compel vs any more. [Sidenote: Ieroslaus Duke of Susdal.] Without the doore stoode Duke Ieroslaus of Susdal, in Russia, and a great many Dukes of the Kythayans, and of the Solangi. The two sonnes also of the king of Georgia, the ligier of the Caliph of Baldach, who was a Soldan, and (as we thinke) aboue ten Soldans of the Saracens beside. [Sidenote: Amba.s.sadors of sundry nations.] And, as it was tolde vs by the agents, there were more than 4000. amba.s.sadors, partly of such as paide tributes, and such as presented gifts, and other Soldans, and Dukes, which came to yeeld themselues, and such as the Tartars had sent for, and such as were gouernours of lands. All these were placed without the lists, and had drinke giuen vnto them. But almost continually they all of them gaue vs and Duke Ieroslaus the vpper hand, when we were abroad in their companie.

Qualiter in imperium sublimatus fuit. Cap. 27.

[Sidenote: Imperij Cuynae primitiae.] Et quidem, si bene meminimus ibidem per septimanas circiter quatuor fuimus. Credimusque quod ibi fuit electio celebrata, non tamen ibidem fuit publicata. Propter hoc autem id maxime credebatur, quia semper, quando Cuyne tentorio exibat, eidem cantabatur, et c.u.m virgis speciosis, in summitate lanam coccineam habentibus, inclinabatur, quod alteri Duc.u.m nulli fiebat, quousque exterius morabatur.

[Sidenote: Syra orda.] Haec autem statio siue Curia nominatur ab eis Syra orda. [Sidenote: Aurea orda.] Haec exeuntes, vnanimiter omnes equitauimus per tres aut quaruor leucas ad alium loc.u.m, vbi erat in quadam pulchra planicie iuxta riuum inter montes aliud tentorium, quod apud ipsos appellatur Orda aurea, praeparatum. Ibi enim Cuyne debebat poni in sede in die a.s.sumptionis Dominae nostrae [Sidenote: Augusti 15.]. Sed propter grandinem nuniam, quae tunc, vt supra dictum est, cecidit, res dilata fuit.

Eratque tentorium in columnis positum, quae laminis aureis erant tectae, et clauis aureis c.u.m alijs lignis fixae. Porr de Baldakino erat tectum superius, sed alij erant panni exterius. Fuimus autem ibi vsque ad festum Beati Bartholomaei, in quo maxima mult.i.tudo conuenit, et contra mendiem versis vultibus stet.i.t. [Sidenote: Preces solemnes.] Et quidam ad iactum lapidis longe a caeteris erant, semperque orationes faciendo, ac genua flectendo, contra meridiem longius et longius procedebant. Nos autem virum incantationes facerunt, aut genua Deo vel alteri flecterent, nescientes, nolebamus facere genu flexiones. c.u.mque diu ita fecissent, ad tentorium reuersi sunt, et Cuyne in sede imperiali posuerunt, Ducesque coram eo genua flexerunt. Post hoc idem fecit vniuersus populus, exceptis n.o.bis, qui eis subditi non eramus.

The same in English.

How he was exalted to his Empire. Chap. 27.

[Sidenote: The beginnings of Cuyne his empire.] And to our remembrance, we remained there, about the s.p.a.ce of foure weekes. The election was to our thinking there celebrated, but it was not published and proclaimed there.

And it was greatly suspected so to be, because alwayes when Cuyne came forth out of the tent, he had a noyse of musicke, and was bowed vnto, or honoured with faire wands, hauing purple wooll vpon the tops of them, and that, so long as he remained abroad: which seruice was performed to none of the other Dukes. [Sidenote: Syra Orda.] The foresaid tent or court is called by them Syra Orda. [Sidenote: The golden Orda.] Departing thence, wee all with one accord rode 3 or 4 leagues vnto another place, where, in a goodly plaine, by a riuers side, betweene certaine mountaines, there was another tent erected, which was called the golden Orda. For there was Cuyne to be placed in the throne Emperiall, vpon the day of the a.s.sumption of our Ladie [Sidenote: The 15th of August.]. But, for the abundance of haile which fell at the same time, as is aboue said, the matter was deferred.

There was also a tent erected vpon pillars, which were couered with plates of golde, and were ioyned vnto other timber with golden nailes. [Sidenote: Wollen cloth.] It was couered aboue with Baldakin cloth, but there was other cloth spread ouer that, next vnto the ayre. Wee abode there vnto the feast of Saint Bartholomew, what time there was a.s.sembled an huge mult.i.tude standing with their faces towards the South. And a certaine number of them beeing a stones cast distant from the residue, making continuall prayers, and kneeling vpon their knees, proceeded farther and farther towards the South. Howbeit wee, not knowing whether they vsed inchantments, or whether they bowed their knees to G.o.d or to some other, woulde not kneele vpon the grounde with them. And hauing done so a long time, they returned to the tent, and placed Cuyne in his throne imperiall, and his Dukes bowed their knees before him. Afterwarde the whole mult.i.tude kneeled downe in like maner, except our selues, for wee were none of his subiects.

De aetate ac moribus ac sigillo ipsius. Cap. 28.

[Sidenote: Cuynae aetas et mores.] Hic autem Imperator quando sublimatus est in regnum videbatur esse circiter xl. vel xlv. annorum. Mediocris erat staturae, prudens valde, nimis astutus multumque seriosus, et grauis in moribus. Nec vnquam videbat eum h.o.m.o de facili ridere, vel aliquam leuitatem facere, sicut dicebant Christiani, qui c.u.m ipso morabantur continue. Dicebant etiam n.o.bis a.s.serendo firmiter Christiani, qui erant de familia eius, qud deberet fieri Christia.n.u.s. [Sidenote: Studium Christianismi.] Cuius signum erat, quod ipse Clericos Christianos tenebat, et expensas eis dabat. Habebat etiam semper capellam Christianorum ante maius, tentorium suum, vbi cantant Clerici publice et aperte, ac pulsant ad horas, vt caeteri Christiani secundum mores Graecorum, quantacunque sit ibi mult.i.tudo Tartarorum, vel etiam aliorum hominum. Hoc tamen non faciunt alij Duces ipsorum. [Sidenote: Maiestas.] Est autem mos Imperatoris ipsius, vt nunquam ore proprio loquatur c.u.m extraneo, quantumcunque magnus sit, sed audit et respondet per interpositam personam, et quandocunque negotium proponunt, vel Imperatoris responsionem audiunt illi, qui sub eo sunt, quantumcunque sint magni, flexis genibus vsque ad finem verborum persistunt. Nec alicui de consuetudine super aliquo negotio loqui licitum est, postquam ab Imperatore definitum est. Habet autem Imperator praedictus procuratorem et protonotarios, atque scriptores, omnesque officiales in negotijs tam publicis quam priuatis, excepris Aduocatis. [Sidenote: Potestas ex lex.] Nam sine litium vel iudiciorum strepitu secundum arbitrium Imperatoris omnia fiunt. Alij quoque Principes Tartarorum de his, quae ad illos pertinent, idem faciunt. [Sideote: Bellum in Christianos cogitatum.] Hoc autem nouerint vniuersi, quia n.o.bis tunc existentibus in solenni curia, iam ex pluribus annis indicia, idem Cuyne Imperator, de nouo electus, c.u.m omnibus suis Principibus erexit vexillum contra Ecclesiam Dei, ac Romanum Imperium, et contra omnia regna Christianorum et populos Occidentis, nisi forta.s.se, quod absit, facerent ea, quae mandabat Domino Papae, atque potentibus, et omnibus Christianorum populis, videlicet vt ipsi subdantur eis. Nam excepta Christianitate, nulla est terra in orbe, quam timeant, et idcirco contra nos ad pugnam se praeparant. Huius siquidem Imperatoris pater, scilicet Occoday, necatus fuerat veneno, et ob hoc a bellis quieuerant tempore pauco. Intentio autem eorum, vt dictum est supra, est, sibi totum subijcere mundum, sicut a Chingischam habent mandatum. Vnde et ipse Imperator in literis suis ita scribit: Dei fort.i.tudo, hominum Imperator. In superscriptione quoque sigilli eius est hoc: Deus in coelo, et Cuyne Cham super terram, Dei fort.i.tudo: omnium hominum Imperatoris sigillum.

+ Et praeclare Aristoteles Politic. lib. 3. cap. 12. in hanc sententiam: Qui legem praeesse vult, is velle videtur Deum ac leges imperare: qui autem vult hominem, is etiam belluam adiungit, c.u.m praesertim tale quid sit cupiditas et iracundia: et magistratus et optimus quisque a recta via detorqueantur &c. Adde quae e Chrysippo adduc.u.n.tur ff. li. i. t.i.t. 3. 1.

2.

The same in English.

Of his age and demeanour, and of his seale. Chap. 28.

This Emperour, when hee was exalted vnto his gouernment, seemed to bee about the age of fourty or fourty fiue yeeres. He was of a meane stature, very wise and politike, and pa.s.sing serious and graue in all his demeanour.

A rare thing it was, for a man to see him laugh or behaue himself lightly, as those Christians report, which abode continually with him. [Sidenote: His inclination to Christianitie.] Certaine Christians of his familie earnestly and strongly affirmed vnto vs, that he himselfe was about to become a Christian. A token and argument whereof was, that hee reteined diuers Cleargie men of the Christians. Hee had likewise at all times a Chappell of Christians, neere vnto his great Tent, where the Clearkes (like vnto other Christians, and according to the custome of the Graecians) doe sing publiquely and openly, and ring belles at certaine houres, bee there neuer so great a mult.i.tude of Tartars, or of other people in presence. And yet none of their Dukes doe the like. [Sidenote: His maiestie.] It is the manner of the Emperour neuer to talke his owne selfe with a stranger, though he be neuer so great, but heareth and answeareth by a speaker. And when any of his subiects (howe great soeuer they bee) are in propounding anie matter of importaunce vnto him, or in hearing his answeare, they continue kneeling vpon their knees vnto the ende of their conference.

Neither is it lawfull for any man to speake of any affaires, after they haue beene determined of by the Emperour. The sayde Emperour, hath in his affaires both publike and priuate, an Agent, and Secretary of estate, with Scribes and all other Officials, except aduocates. [Sidenote: A lawlesse authoritie.] For, without the noyse of pleading, or sentence giuing, all things are done according to the Emperours will and pleasure. Other Tartarian princes do the like in those things which belong vnto them.

[Sidenote: Warre intended against all Christians.] But, be it known vnto al men, that whilest we remained at the said Emperours court, which hath bin ordained and kept for these many yeeres, the sayde Cuyne being Emperour new elect, together with al his princes, erected a flag of defiance against the Church of G.o.d, and Romane empire, and against al Christian kingdomes and nationes of the West, vnlesse peraduenture (which G.o.d forbid) they will condescend vnto those things, which he hath inioined vnto our lord the pope, and to all potentates and people of the Christians, namely, that they wil become obedient vnto him. For, except Christendom, there is no land vnder heauen, which they stande in feare of, and for that cause they prepare themselues to battel against vs. This Emperors father, namely Occoday, was poisoned to death, which is the cause why they haue for a short s.p.a.ce absteined from warre. But their intent and purpose is (as I haue aboue said) to subdue the whole world vnto themselues, as they were commanded by Chingis Can. Hence it is that the Emperor in his letters writeth after this maner: The power of G.o.d, and Emperour of all men. Also, vpon his seale, there is this posie ingrauen: G.o.d in heauen, and Cuyne Can vpon earth, the power of G.o.d: the seale of the Emperour of all men.

De admissione Fratrum et nuncioram ad Imperatorem. Cap. 29.

[Sidenote: Cuyne audit legatos.] In loco illo, vbi positus est Imperator in throno, vocati fuimus coram ipso. c.u.mque Chingay protonotarius eius nomina nostra scripsisset, illorumque a quibus missi eramus, et Ducis Solangorum et aliorum, clamauit alta voce, recitans illa coram Imperatore ac Duc.u.m vniuersitate. Quo facto, flexit vnusquisque nostrum quater genu sinistrum, et monuerunt, ne tangeremus limen deorsum. c.u.mque pro cultellis nos diligentissime scrutati fuissent, et nullatenus inuenissent, intrauimus ostium ab Orientale parte: quia nullus ab Occidente, nisi solus imperator, audet intrare. Similiter et Dux ab illa parte ingreditur solus, si est tentorium eius. Minores autem non multum curant de talibus. Tunc erg primum in eius praesentia suam intrauimus stationem, videlicet postquam factus est Imperator ibidem. [Sidenote: Munera eidem oblata.] Omnes quoque nuncij tunc ab eo recepti sunt, sed paucissimi tentorium eius intrauerunt.

Ibi ver tanta donaria ab ipsis nuncijs fuerunt ei praesentata, qud quasi videbantur infinita, videlicet in samitis ac purpureis et baldakinis ac cingulis sericis c.u.m auro praeparatis, pellibus etiam n.o.bilibus, caeterisque muneribus. Quoddam etiam Solinum, siue tentoriolum, quod super caput Imperatoris portatur, fuit eidem praesentatum, quod totum erat c.u.m gemmis praeparatum. Quidam ver preafectus vnius prouinciae adduxit ei Camelos multos c.u.m Baldakinis tectos. Similiter sellae positae c.u.m instrumentis quibusdam erant, in quibus homines interius sedere valebant. Equos etiam multos et mulos adducebant eidem phaleratos et armatos, quosdam quidem de corio, et quosdam de ferro. Nos etiam requisiti fuimus, an ei munera dare vellemus: sed iam facultas non erat, quoniam omnia fere nostra consumpseramus. [Sidenote: Currus.] Ibidem longe a stationibus super montem erant positi currus plusquam quingenti, qui omnes auro et argento ac sericis vestibus erant pleni. Cunctique inter imperatorem et Duces diuisi fuerunt, singulique Duces inter homines suos partes suas, vt eis placuit, diuiserunt.

The same in English.