The Travels of Marco Polo |
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abundance Alau animals appears Argon army Asia Baatu Badakshan Balkh Barka barons battle beasts beautiful bezants birds caliph called capital carry Cathay chief China Chinese Christians cities and castles city named cloth coast Comanians considered containing Count Boni court Crusca death described distance early editions east elephants Europe evidently flesh French friars Gengis Gengis Khan gerfalcons Ghazan gold Guignes honour horses idolaters idols India inhabitants island journey Kaidu Kambalu khan Khorasan killed Kin-sai king kingdom Klaproth Kublai lord Mangou Manji Marco Marco Polo Marsden mentioned merchandise merchants miles monarch Mongol mountains narrative Nestorian noble Nogai observed palace Persia Pipino Polo present Prester John prince probably province Ramusio region residence rich river route Rubruquis Saracens seems sent ships silk silver sovereign spices stones suppose Tangut Tartars tell Thibet thing thither tion Toctai traveller whole wine wives wonderful Yun-nan
Popular passages
Page 121 - Khan may be called a perfect alchymist, for he makes it himself. He orders people to collect the bark of a certain tree, whose leaves are eaten by the worms that spin silk. The thin rind between the bark and the interior wood is taken, and from it cards are formed like those of paper, all black.
Page 122 - Then he calls twelve men skilful in these matters, and commands them to look at the articles, and fix their price. Whatever they name is paid in these cards, which the merchant cordially receives. In this manner the great sire possesses all the gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones in his dominions. When any of the cards are torn or spoiled, the owner carries them to the place whence they were issued, and receives fresh ones, wfth a deduction of 3 per cent.
Page 285 - There are in it six great Kings with six great Kingdoms ; and of these six Kings there are three that are Christians and three that are Saracens ; but the greatest of all the six is a Christian, and all the others are subject to him.1 The Christians in this country bear three marks on the face ;* one from the forehead to the middle of the nose, and one on either cheek. These marks are made with a hot iron, and form part of their baptism ; for after that they have been baptised with water, these three...
Page 25 - Avecques la devise des armes de tous les chevaliers de la Table Ronde.
Page 183 - Our notice of those portions of Polo's travels which deal with countries other than China must be very brief. In Armenia he found petroleum, of which there was " a fountain whence rises oil in such abundance, that a hundred ships might be at once loaded with it. It is not good for eating, but very fit for fuel...
Page 56 - ... heard. We know not if you gave them authority to speak as they have done ; but we send you the firm commandment and ordinance of God, which is, that if you wish to remain seated in your land and heritage, you, Pope, must come to us in your proper person, and do homage to him who holds just sway over the whole earth. And if you do not obey this firm command of God, and of him who holds just sway over the whole earth, God only knows what may happen.
Page 125 - He sends his messengers through all his kingdoms and provinces, to know if any of his subjects have had their crops injured through bad weather or any other disaster ; and if such injury has happened, he does not exact from them any tribute for that season or year ; nay, he gives them corn out of his own stores to subsist upon, and to sow their fields. This he does in summer ; in winter he inquires if there has been a mortality among the cattle, and in that case grants similar exemption and aid.
Page 122 - In this manner the great sire possesses all the gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones in his dominions. When any of the cards are torn or spoiled, the owner carries them to the place whence they were issued, and receives fresh ones, with a deduction of 3 per cent. If a man wishes gold or silver to make plate, girdles, or other ornaments, he goes to the office, carrying a sufficient number of cards, and gives them in payment for the quantity which he requires. This is the reason why the Khan has...
Page 260 - ... striking accordance with the statements of Marco Polo, who visited that coast about twenty years before this was written. He says : " In this country no horses are reared, and hence the greater part of the revenue is employed in obtaining them from foreign regions. The merchants of Curmos, of Quisci, of Dufar, of Soer, and of Aden, whose provinces contain many steeds of fine quality, purchase, embark, and bring them to the king and his four princely brothers, selling them for 500 sagi of gold,...
Page 52 - TARTARS TO THE LORD POPE. The strength of God, Kuyuk khan, the ruler of all men, to the great Pope. You and all the Christian people who dwell in the West have sent by your messengers sure and certain letters for the purpose of making peace with us. This we have heard from them, and it is contained in your letter. Therefore, if you desire to have peace with us, you Pope, emperors, all kings, all men powerful in cities, by no means delay to come to us for the purpose of con eluding peace, and you...