Marco Polo · Complete work
Book Two, Chapters 8–15
Book Two, Chapters 8–15 of 8. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
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Description de la forme & staturede l’Empereur Cublai,& de ses femmes & concubines.Chap. VIII.
L’Empereur Cublai est fort bel homme, de mediocre stature, ne trop gras ne aussi trop meigre. Il a la face un peu rouge, entremeslée de blanc, les yeulx grandz, beau nez, & tous autres delineamentz de son corps bien & devëment proportionnez. Il a quatre femmes qu’il repute legitimes, de la premiere desquelles le filz aisné luy succede au royaulme. Et chascune de ces quatre femmes a son train apart, & tient maison comme Royne, au mesme Palays de l’Empereur, ayant chacune environ troys cens damoiselles d’eslite en son service, & plusieurs serviteurs qui sont chastrez, & grand nombre d’autres serviteurs domestiques. Oultre cela le Roy a plusieurs concubines: car entre les Tartares y a certaine nation particuliere qui est appellée Ungrac.Ungrac, en laquelle y a des femmes belles par excellence, de bonne grace, & bien apprises, entre lesquelles l’Empereur en faict prendre & choisir des plus belles, qu’il entretient ordinairement en son Palays, jusques au nombre de cent, & leur baille des gouvernantes, qui n’ont autre charge que de les traicter, & soigneusement prendre garde qu’elles ne tumbent malades, ou quelque tache leur survienne: car autrement elles n’oseroient coucher avec l’Empereur. De ces concubines on en prend six, qui sont deputées pour gardes de la chambre Imperialle par trois jours & trois nuyctz. Service de concubines.Et quand le Roy s’en va coucher, ou que au matin il se leve du lict, incontinent elles se presentent à luy comme servantes, & couchent en sa chambre. Le quatriesme jour, six autres succedent à ceste charge, & par trois autres jours & autant de nuictz font le service de la chambre. Et ainsi successivement les unes apres les autres, y sont commises, & continuent leur ordre jusques à ce que tout le nombre des cent concubines ayt esté employé au service de l’Empereur. Or des quatre femmes legitimes l’Empereur a eu vingtdeux enfans masles. Le filz aisné de la premiere d’icelles fut nommé Chinchis, & devoit succeder à l’Empire, mais il deceda au paravant son pere, toutesfois il delaissa un filz nommé Temir.Temir, qui est homme magnanime & prudent, & fort adextre aux armes: celuy doibt succeder a l’empire de son ayeul, par representation de son deffunct pere. Au surplus l’empereur Cublai a eu de ses concubines & chambrieres vingtsept enfans, qui sont tous grandz seigneurs & barons en sa court.
Du palays & lieux de plaisancede la ville de Cambalu.Chap. IX.
Trois mois de l’année, asçavoir Decembre, Janvier & Febvrier l’Empereur Cublai faict sa residence en sa ville royalle de Cambalu, ou il y a un palays sumptueux & basty de grand artifice. Il a de circuit environ deux lieues lieues, ayant mil pas de longueur en chascune quadrature, les murailles d’iceluy sont de grosse espesseur, ayans de haulteur cinq toises, les paremens desquelles par le dehors sont des couleurs blanc & rouge. En chacune encoigneure des quatre murailles, y a un palays beau & grand, enfermé de quatre tours pour servir de forteresses. Et au mylieu de chascune des quatre murailles y a semblablement un palays brave & sumptueux, tellement que ce sont en tout huict palays, esquelz on retire & garde les armes, artillerie, instrumens & munitions de guerre, comme arcs, flesches, trousses, esperons, freins, lances, massues, cordes darc & autres choses necessaires pour la guerre, & chascune espece d’armes sont divisement & par ordre en chascun palays. Or du costé du palays qui regarde vers midy, y a cinq portes & entrées, desquelles celle du mylieu est la plusgrande, & n’est jamais ouverte, sinon pour l’entrée de l’empereur. Car il n’est permis à aucun d’entrer par icelle, sinon à l’empereur, mais il y a de chascun costé deux autres portes, par lesquelles entrent tous ceulx qui suyvent l’empereur. Et au regard des autres trois pentes & costez de muraille, n’y a qu’une porte en chacune, par laquelle peult entrer au palays qui veult, mais entre ces premieres murailles, & au dedans d’icelles, y a un autre mur faict comme le premier, ayant en chascune encongneure & sur le mylieu de la muraille huict autres palais, esquelz on retire la vaisselle & joyaulx precieux de l’Empereur. Et sur le mylieu de ceste closture est le palais Royal, auquel l’Empereur faict sa demeure. En ce palais n’y a qu’un estage, car de plancher par dessus n’y en a point, mais aussi le paviment d’iceluy est eslevé, & plus hault de dix paulmes que l’ayre de la court. Le lambriz en est fort hault, enrichi de diverses painctures, les murailles & cloisons des chambres sont reluysantes de l’or & argent dont elles sont enrichies. En tous endroictz on y void de singulieres painctures, & histoires de guerres memorables, figurées de vive couleurs, enrichies d’or. En la Salle magnifique.grande salle se peuvent asseoir à table ensemblement, environ six mille hommes. Entre ces grandes & premieres murailles qui environnent tout le chasteau, y a plusieurs jardins, & preaux plantez de diverses sortes d’arbres fruictiers, esquelz semblablmeent on veoid courir infinies bestes sauvaiges, comme cerfz, les bestes qui portent le musc, chevreux, dains & autres especes de bestes. Sur la coste de Septentrion y a des viviers esquelz on nourrist des meilleurs poissons qui se puissent trouver, & pour les remplir d’eaua y passe un petit fleuve, l’entrée & sortie duquel sont garnies de grilles de fer pour empescher que le poisson ne sorte hors, & suyve le cours de l’eaue. Hors ce palais à distance environ d’une lieue, y a un Montaigne Royalle.coustau de haulteur de cent pas, qui a de tour & circonference environ mille pas, lequel est planté d’arbres en tout temps verdoyantz. En ceste motte l’Empereur faict apporter de toutes pars arbres exquis & singuliers, les faisans charger sur des elephans, & transporter de païs loingtain, avec les racines pour les y transplanter. Et pource que ce coustau est tousjours verd, on l’appelle La verde montaigne.la verde montaigne, au sommet duquel y a un beau palais, tout painct de verd, auquel le grand Cham va souvent prendre son plaisir. Aupres du palais dessusdict, y en a un autre magnifique & sumptueux, auquel demoure Temir le filz aisné, celuy qui doibt succeder à l’Empire, qui y tient son train, & vit royallement & magnifiquement avec ses gentilz hommes & ceulx de sa maison. Car il a tresgrande authorité & puissance, mesmes a le seau Imperial, toutesfois il est subject au grand Cham comme à son seigneur.
Description de la ville de Cambalu.Chap. X.
La ville de Cambalu est située en la province de Cathay, aupres d’une grosse reiviere. De tout temps & ancienneté elle a esté ville royalle & fameuse, aussi le mot Cambalu signifie la cité du seigneur. Ceste ville a esté transferée par le grand Cham de l’autre costé de la riviere. Car il avoit entendu par ses astrologues & divinateurs, qu’elle devoit estre au temps à venir rebelle à l’empire. La ville est construicte en quadrature egalle, & a de circuit vingtquatre mille, qui peuvent estre huict lieues françoises: car en chascune quadrature elle à six mille. Les murailles en sont blanches, de la haulteur de dix toyses, & de largeur cinq, toutesfois ceste espesseur en montant est beaucoup diminuée & amoindrie. En chacun quarre y a trois portes principales, qui sont en nombre douze, chascune garnie de portaulx magnifiques, & sumptueux. Il y a aussi aux encoigneures des murailles, de beaux palais ou les armeures de la ville sont gardées. Les rues & places de la ville sont si droictes qu’on peult aisément, & sans aucun empeschement veoir d’une porte à l’autre opposite, aussi les maisons d’une part & d’autre y sont magnifiquement basties, & semble que ce soient petitz palais. Au mylieu de la ville y a une maison sumptueusement bastie, au feste de laquelle est pendue une grosse cloche, de laquelle sur le soir on sonne par trois fois: & apres le troisiesme coup sonné, il n’est permis à aucun sortir hors de sa maison jusques au lendemain, si ce n’estoit pour cause urgente comme pour malades ou proches parens: encores ceulx qui par telle necessité sont contrainctz aller par la ville, De n'aller de nuict sans lumiere.fault qu’ilz portent avec eulx de la lumiere. Chascune des portes de la ville à mille hommes commis pour la garde d’icelle, non point pour craincte qu’ilz ayent des ennemis, mais pour les larrons & volleurs, car sur tout le Roy veult donner ordre de chasser & punir les brigans & larrons, a ce que son pays n’en soit infecté.
Des faulxbourgs de la ville de Cambalu,& marchans y demourans.Chap. XI.
A l'entour de la ville de Cambalu y a douze grandz faulxbourgs, situez & joignans chacune des douze portes de la ville, esquelz y a grande affluence de marchands & autres gens estrangiers: Car tant à l’occasion de la court de l’Empereur, que pour les diverses traffiques de marchandises, une infinité de peuple y arrive, qui toutesfois s’arreste es faulxbourgs pour faire & expedier leurs traffiques. Aussi ne sont les faulxbourgs moindres en magnificence & sumptuosité de maisons, que la ville, hors mis le Palais royal. Au dedans de la ville jamais ne se faict sepulture ou funerailles d’aucun corps mort, mais hors les faulxbourgs, assavoir on fait brusler les corps de ceulx qui adorent les idoles, & des autres sectes, ilz sont inhumez & enterrez. Et pource qu’en tout temps en ce lieu y a grande affluence de gens estrangiers, y a aussi dedans les faulxbourgs ordinairement environ vingt mille putains, mais dedans l’enclos de la ville jamais on n’en souffre aucune. Il est impossible de declairer la quantité des marchandises & richesses qui de toutes partz sont apportées en ceste ville: Car on estimeroit y en avoir à suffire pour tout le monde. On y apporte des pierres precieuses, perles, soyes, & diverses espiceries des Indes, de Mangi, Cathay, & autres regions. Car ceste ville de Cambalu semble estre le centre & mylieu de toutes les regions & provinces circonvoisines. Et ne se passe jour en l’année qu’on n’y ameine par les marchans estrangers environ mille charrettes chargees de soyes, desquelles sont faictz par les ingenieux artizans de la ville de fort singuliers draps, & habillemens.
Des gardes du corps du grand Chamqu’il a ordinairement en sa compaignie.Chapitre XII.
Le grand Cham à en sa court douze mille chevaliers qui s’appellent Quesitan.Quesitan, c’est à dire Chevaliers fideles à leur seigneur, lesquelz sont commis à la garde de son corps: & ont quatre capitaines, chacun desquelz à la charge de trois mil chevaliers. Leur office est de suyvre la personne de l’Empereur, & estre subjectz de le garder jour & nuict, aussi ilz font à ses gaiges. Et divisent leur service en tel ordre, que quand un capitaine de trois mil chevaliers aura avec se acompaignie servy, & faict la Gardes du Grand Chamgarde dedans le Palais de l’empereur par trois jours entiers, les autres trois jours subsequentz un autre capitaine (qui ce pendant se sera reposé) luy succedera, & servira par mesme espace de temps avec trois mil autres chevaliers, puis trois jours apres un autre avec semblable nombre de chevaliers. Ainsi continuent leur service successivement par toute l’année, non point qu’il soit besoing à l’empereur de si grandes gardes, pour qu’il soit en danger de sa personne, mais affin que sa magnificence soit plus apparente et plus grande.
De l’excellence des bancquetz & festins dugrand Cham. Chap. XIII.
La magnificence qui est observée es banquetz de l’empereur, est en ceste maniere ordonnée. Quand l’empereur a l’occasion de quelque feste ou pour autre cause raisonnable, veult faire banquet en sa grande Salle, sa table sera eslevée par dessus toutes les autres, & assise en l’endroit de la salle le plus apparent, tirant vers Septentrion, en sorte que l’empereur estant assis à table aura la face tournée vers Midy, & pres de luy à main senestre sera asisse la principale & mieulx favorisée de ses femmes, & a la main dextre seront assis ses enfans, & nepveuz, & ceulx qui seront du sang royal: toutesfois leur table sera dressée plus bas, tellement que leur teste a peine pourra toucher aux piedz de l’Empereur. Les autres grandz seigneurs, barons & chevaliers, seront encores en une table plus basse, ayans chacun leurs femmes assises pres d’eulx a costé senestre, en maniere que chacun duc, chevalier ou gentilhomme, tient son ordre & degré, comme aussi sont leurs femmes. Car tous les gentilz hommes qui doivent assister au festin & banquet de l’Empereur, y ameinent avec eulx leurs femmes: & lors l’empereur estant assis au lieu plus eminent, peult regarder tous ceulx qui sont assis a table en la salle. Oultre ceste grande salle royalle, y a encores d’autres sallettes a costé d’icelles, esquelles en ces jours de feste on traicte quelquesfois bien quarante mil hommes, desquelz la pluspart sont gens de sa court, ou autres qui viennent renouveller leurs foy & hommaiges à l’empereur. OUltre y a une infinité de farseurs & bastelleurs, qui s’y trouvent. D’avantaige y a au milieu de la grande salle royalle un grand vase d’or, en forme de fontaine qui produict & distille incessament vin, ou autre breuvaige excellent, lequel tumbe, & est receu dedans quatre autres vaisseaux d’or, esquelz on l’espuise en grande abondance, pour servir & distribuer à ceulx qui sont assiz à table, lesquelz semblablement ne sont serviz, & ne boivent point en d’autres vaisseaulx que de fin or. Brief, il seroit impossible d’exprimer la grande magnificence & sumptuosité, soit en vaisselle ou autres meubles & utensilles, dont on use quand le grand Cham mange publiquement en sa salle royalle. Et au regard des escuyers qui servent l’empereur à table, ilz ont tous la bouche couverte d’un taffetas, ou linge delié, de peur de jecter leur halaine sur le boire & manger préparé pour la bouche de l’empereur. Et quand l’empereur prend sa couppe pour boire, tous les haulxbois & menestriers commencent à sonner de leurs instrumentz fort melodieusement: & ce pendant tous les autres serviteurs de salle se mettent à genoulx. Il n’est besoing au surplus de declairer la quantité de viandes qui sont portées & apposees à sa table, ne combien elles sont exquises & delicates, & de quelle pompe & magnificence elles luy font presentées. Le disner finy, viennent les musiciens & joueurs d’instrumentz harmonieux, semblablement les farceurs & nigromanciens, lesquelz tant par leurs chantz & sons melodieux, que par leurs gestes & bastelleries, qu’ilz font devant l’empereur, le resjouyssent merveilleusement, & luy donnent grand plaisir & passetemps.
Quelle magnificence on observe au jour natal de l’Empereur.Chapitre XIIII.
Tous les Tartares observent ceste coustume de celebrer en grand honneur & magnificence le Jour de la naissance du grand Cham.jour natal de leur seigneur. Or le jour de la nativité du grand Cham Cublay est le vingthuitiesme Septembre, & n’ont point de jour plus solennel & ferial en toute l’année, hors mis la solennité des Calendes de Febvrier, esquelles Commencement d’année des Tartares.ilz commencent leur année. Donc en ce jour de sa nativité l’empereur sera vestu d’une precieuse robe de fin drap d’or, & semblablement tous de sa court seront vestuz de leurs meilleurs & plus riches habillemens, & à chacun d’eulx l’empereur donne une ceinture d’or de grand prix & valeur, & des souliers faictz de chamoys, cousuz de fil d’argent, de sorte que chacun tasche de s’acoustrer & parer ce jour le plus bravement qu’il peult en l’honneur de leur prince, qu’il semble à les veoir que ce soient petitz Roys. Et non seulement au jour natal de l’Empereur ceste braveté est observée, mais aussi aux autres festes que les Tartares celebrentpar chacun an, qui sont en nôbre treze, esquelles l’empereur faict present aux gentilz-hommes de sa court de robes precieuses enrichies d’or, de perles, & autres pierreries singulieres, auec leurs ceinctures & souliers telz que cy dessus auôs dict, & ne sont telles robes de couleur differête à celle de l’empereur. Oultre est obseruée vne autre coustume entre les Tartares, que au jour natal du grand Cham, tous les Roys, princes & seigneurs qui sont subiectz & tributaires à l’empereur, luy envoyent leurs presentz, enrecognoissance de sa maiesté imperialle. Et ceulx qui veulent impetrer de luy quelque charge, administration, ou offices, ilz presentent leurs requestes à douze Barôs, qui à cela sont cômis & deputès, & ce qui est par eulx ordonné & accordé, est valable comme si l’empereur de sa bouche l’auoit commâdé & ordonné. Semblablement sont contrainctz tous les peuples à luy subiectz de quelque sorte, foy ou nation qu’ils soient, Chrestiês, Juifz, Sarrazins, Tartares, & tous autres Payens, de inuoquer & de faire prieres solênelles à leurs dieux, chacun en son endroict, pour la vie, prosperité & santé du grand Cham.
De quelle solennité les Tartares celebrent le commencement de l’année. Chapitre XV.
Le iour des Calendes de Feburier, qui est le premier iour du moys, & le cômencemêt de l’année en toute la Tartarie, le grand Cham, & tous les Tartares en quelque pays qu’ilz soient, celebrent vne grande feste & solennité, & tous vnanimemêt, tant hômes que femmes, curieusement s’estudient d’estre parez & vestus dacoustremens blancz, & appellent ce jour ferial la feste des Blancz: car ilz se persuadent le vestement blanc leur porter bon heur, & que toute l’année la fortune leur sera propice & favorable, si le commencement d’iclle ilz sont vestus d’habillements blancz. Or les Lieuxtenans & gouverneurs des villes & pruinces, pour le deu de leurs estatz & offices, envoyent ce jour ferial leurs presentz à l’empereur, comme d’or, d’argêt, perles, pierres precieuses, & draps excellens: & principalement des cheuaulx blancz auoir esté ce iour presentez, & offerts à l’Empereur. Semblablement les Tartares s’enuoyent des presens l’vun à l’autre au commencement de l’année. Oultre à ceste feste tous les elephans de l’Empereur (qui sont en nombre cinq mil) sont amenez à la court, couuertz de riches tapisseries, esquelles sont figurées & depainctes toutes sortes de bestes & oyseaulx, & sont ces elephans chargez sur le doz de grands bahuz pleins de la vaisselle d’or & d’argent, & autre vtensilles dont ilz ont afaire pour magnifiquement celebrer la feste des blancz. Aussi y sont amenez plusieurs chameaux couuertz d’excellentz tapiz, qui apportent les autres prouisiôs necessaires pour vn tel bâquet. Or des le poinct
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Manquent les feuillets 53 (verso) et 54 (recto) qui doivent comporter le titre du chapitre XV.
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du jour de la feste des blancz, tous les Roys, Ducz, Barons, Chevaliers, Medecins, Astrologues, les gouverneurs des provinces, capitaines & chefz de guerre, & autres officiers de l’Empereur, s’assemblent en la grande salle Royalle, & ceulx qui n’y peuvent entrer, à cause que le lieu n’est pas capable pour recepvoir si grande multitude, se retirent es autres salles qui sont à costé. Estans donc assis chacun en son ordre, & degré selon sa dignité, & office, quelqu’un se levera au mylieu d’entre eulx, qui dira à haulte voix: Enclinez vous & adorez. Et lors un chascun se levera soubdainement de son siege, se prosternant & baissant la face en terre, comme s’ilz adoroient Dieu, & font cela par quatre fois. L’adoration finie, ilz vont tous en leur ordre à l’autel, qui est préparé au mylieu de la salle, sur une grande table paincte de couleur rouge, en laquelle est escript le nom du grand Cham, & prenans l’encensier, qui est fort riche & sumptueux, ilz y mettent des gommes aromatiques & odoriferentes, dont avec grande reverence ilz perfument la table & l’autel en l’honneur du grand Cham, puis chacun s’en retourne en sa place. Ayans parachevé & finy leurs ceremonies, chacun se presente à l’Empereur, & luy offre son present, (comme cy dessus avons dict.) Puis apres que tout ce est faict & acomply, on dresse les tables, & lors se faict un banquet magnifique, auquel ilz sont traictez sumptueusement en grande joye, & au contentement de tous. Les tables levées, & le disner finy, viennent les chantres & haulxbois, ensemble les farceurs, lesquelz chacun en son regard, de leur harmonie & jeux resjouissent toute la compaignie. Oultre on ameine a l’Empereur un lyon privé, lequel se couche à ses piedz aussi doux & paisible qu’un petit chien, & le recongnoist comme son seigneur.
Musean translation
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation of Book Two (the empire of Kublai Khan and China), made directly from the 1556 French text (Groulleau, Paris), for fidelity, the traveler’s voice, and modern clarity. The long s is normalized to s.
Description of the form and stature of Emperor Kublai, and of his wives and concubines. Chap. VIII.
Emperor Kublai is a very handsome man of middling stature, neither too stout nor too thin. His face is somewhat ruddy, mingled with white; he has large eyes and a handsome nose, and all the other features of his body are properly and well proportioned. He has four wives whom he regards as legitimate; the eldest son of the first succeeds him to the kingdom. Each of these four wives has her own retinue and maintains a household like a queen within the emperor’s palace, with about three hundred chosen ladies in her service, several castrated servants, and a great number of other household servants. Besides these, the king has many concubines. For among the Tartars there is a particular people called Ungrac, whose women are exceptionally beautiful, graceful, and accomplished. From among them the emperor has the most beautiful selected and taken into his palace, where he regularly keeps as many as a hundred. He appoints governesses whose sole duty is to attend to them and watch carefully that they do not fall ill or suffer any blemish: otherwise they would not dare to sleep with the emperor. Six of these concubines are selected to attend the imperial chamber for three days and three nights. When the king goes to bed or rises in the morning, they immediately present themselves to him as attendants, and they sleep in his chamber. On the fourth day another six take their place and serve in the chamber for a further three days and as many nights. So, one group after another is appointed in succession, and they continue in this order until all one hundred concubines have served the emperor. By his four legitimate wives the emperor has had twenty-two sons. The eldest son of the first wife was named Chinchis and was to succeed to the empire, but he died before his father. He left a son named Temir, a magnanimous and prudent man, highly skilled in arms; Temir is to succeed to his grandfather’s empire in place of his deceased father. Besides these, Emperor Kublai has had twenty-seven children by his concubines and chambermaids, all of whom are great lords and barons at his court.
On the palace and places of pleasure in the city of Cambaluc. Chap. IX.
For three months of the year, namely December, January, and February, Emperor Kublai resides in his royal city of Cambaluc, where he has a sumptuous palace built with great skill. Its circumference is about two leagues, with a thousand paces along each of its four sides. Its walls are very thick and five toises high, and their outer faces are white and red. At each corner of the four walls stands a great and beautiful palace enclosed by four towers that serve as fortresses. Likewise, in the middle of each of the four walls stands a splendid and sumptuous palace, making eight palaces in all. In these are stored the weapons, artillery, instruments, and munitions of war—bows, arrows, quivers, spurs, bridles, lances, clubs, bowstrings, and other necessities of war—each kind of weapon stored separately and in order in its own palace. On the side of the palace facing south there are five gates and entrances, of which the central one is the largest and is never opened except for the emperor’s entry. No one but the emperor is permitted to enter by it; those who follow him enter by the two other gates on either side. On each of the other three sides of the wall there is only one gate, through which anyone who wishes may enter the palace. Within these first walls stands another wall built like the first, with eight more palaces at its corners and in the middle of its walls, where the emperor’s vessels and precious jewels are kept. At the center of this enclosure stands the royal palace, in which the emperor lives. This palace has only one story, with no floor above it, but its pavement is raised ten palms higher than the level of the courtyard. Its ceiling is very high and enriched with various paintings; the walls and partitions of its chambers shine with the gold and silver that adorn them. Everywhere one sees remarkable paintings and scenes from memorable wars, depicted in vivid colors and enriched with gold. In the great hall some six thousand men can sit at table together. Between the great outer walls that surround the whole castle lie many gardens and lawns planted with various kinds of fruit trees, where countless wild animals run about, including deer, musk-bearing animals, roe deer, fallow deer, and other species. On the northern side are fishponds stocked with the finest fish that can be found. A small river runs through them to supply their water, with iron gratings at its entry and exit to prevent the fish from escaping downstream. Outside this palace, at a distance of about one league, is a hill a hundred paces high and about a thousand paces in circumference, planted with trees that remain green in every season. The emperor has rare and exceptional trees brought there from all parts, loaded onto elephants and transported with their roots from distant lands to be transplanted. Because the hill is always green it is called the Green Mountain. At its summit stands a beautiful palace painted entirely green, where the Great Khan often goes to take his pleasure. Near the palace described above stands another, magnificent and sumptuous, where Temir, the eldest son and the one who is to succeed to the empire, lives. There he keeps his household and lives in royal splendor with his gentlemen and household attendants. He has very great authority and power and even holds the imperial seal, though he remains subject to the Great Khan as his lord.
Description of the city of Cambaluc. Chap. X.
The city of Cambaluc lies in the province of Cathay beside a great river. From ancient times it has been a royal and celebrated city; indeed, the word Cambaluc means “the city of the lord.” The Great Khan moved the city to the other side of the river, for he had learned from his astrologers and diviners that in time to come it would rebel against the empire. The city is built as an even square and measures twenty-four thousand around its circuit, which may be eight French leagues, since each side measures six thousand. Its walls are white, ten toises high and five wide, although their thickness diminishes considerably toward the top. Each side has three principal gates, twelve in all, each furnished with magnificent and sumptuous gatehouses. At the corners of the walls stand handsome palaces where the city’s armor is kept. The streets and squares are so straight that one can easily see without obstruction from one gate to the gate opposite it; on either side the houses are so splendidly built that they seem like little palaces. In the middle of the city stands a sumptuous building with a great bell hanging from its roof, which is rung three times in the evening. After the third stroke no one may leave his house until the next day, except for some urgent cause, such as the needs of a sick person or a close relative. Even those who must go through the city for such a reason must carry a light. Each city gate has a thousand men assigned to guard it, not because they fear enemies, but because of thieves and robbers. Above all, the king wishes to drive out and punish brigands and thieves so that his country will not be overrun by them.
On the suburbs of Cambaluc and the merchants who live there. Chap. XI.
Around the city of Cambaluc are twelve great suburbs, each adjoining one of its twelve gates. A great throng of merchants and other foreigners gathers there: because of both the emperor’s court and the many kinds of trade, innumerable people arrive, but remain in the suburbs to conduct and conclude their business. The houses of the suburbs are no less magnificent and sumptuous than those of the city, apart from the royal palace. No dead body is ever buried or given funeral rites within the city; beyond the suburbs the bodies of those who worship idols are burned, while those belonging to other sects are interred and buried. As foreigners gather here in great numbers at all times, there are ordinarily about twenty thousand prostitutes in the suburbs, though none is ever allowed within the city walls. It would be impossible to describe the quantity of merchandise and wealth brought here from every direction: one would think there was enough for the entire world. Precious stones, pearls, silks, and various spices come from the Indies, Mangi, Cathay, and other regions. The city of Cambaluc seems to be the center and heart of all the neighboring regions and provinces. Not a day passes in the year without foreign merchants bringing some thousand carts laden with silk, from which the city’s ingenious artisans make exceptionally fine cloths and garments.
On the guards of the Great Khan’s person, who are always in his company. Chapter XII.
At his court the Great Khan has twelve thousand knights called Quesitan, meaning “knights faithful to their lord,” appointed to guard his person. They have four captains, each in command of three thousand knights. Their duty is to follow the emperor and stand ready to guard him day and night, and they receive his pay. They arrange their service so that when one captain and his company of three thousand knights have served and kept guard inside the emperor’s palace for three full days, another captain, who has meanwhile rested, succeeds him for the next three days with three thousand other knights. Three days later another takes his turn with the same number. So they continue their service in succession throughout the year, not because the emperor needs so large a guard or his person is in danger, but to make his magnificence more visible and more imposing.
On the excellence of the Great Khan’s banquets and feasts. Chap. XIII.
The magnificence observed at the emperor’s banquets is arranged as follows. When the emperor chooses to hold a banquet in his great hall for a feast day or some other suitable occasion, his table is raised above all the others and placed in the most conspicuous part of the hall, toward the north, so that when he sits at table he faces south. Close to him, on his left, sits the chief and most favored of his wives; on his right sit his children, nephews, and those of royal blood, though their table is set lower, so low that their heads can barely reach the emperor’s feet. The other great lords, barons, and knights sit at a still lower table, each with his wife seated beside him on his left. Every duke, knight, and gentleman thus takes his place according to his rank, and so does his wife. All the gentlemen who attend the emperor’s feast and banquet bring their wives with them, and from his elevated seat the emperor can see all those seated at table in the hall. Besides this great royal hall are other smaller halls alongside it, where on feast days as many as forty thousand men are sometimes entertained, most of them people of his court or others who have come to renew their fealty and homage to the emperor. There is also a countless company of comedians and entertainers. Furthermore, in the middle of the great royal hall stands a great golden vessel in the form of a fountain, which continually pours out wine or another fine drink. The drink falls into four other golden vessels, from which it is drawn in abundance and distributed to those seated at table; they too are served and drink from no vessels but those of fine gold. In short, it would be impossible to express the magnificence and expense of the vessels, furnishings, and other implements used when the Great Khan dines publicly in his royal hall. The attendants who serve the emperor at table all cover their mouths with taffeta or fine linen, lest their breath fall upon the food and drink prepared for his mouth. When the emperor lifts his cup to drink, all the oboe players and musicians begin playing their instruments most melodiously, while all the other attendants of the hall kneel. Nor is there any need to describe the quantity of dishes laid before him, how exquisite and delicate they are, or with what pomp and magnificence they are presented. When the meal is over, musicians and players of harmonious instruments arrive, together with comedians and magicians. By their songs and melodious music, their performances and feats of entertainment before the emperor, they delight him wonderfully and give him great pleasure and diversion.
What magnificence is observed on the emperor’s birthday. Chapter XIIII.
All the Tartars observe the custom of celebrating their lord’s birthday with great honor and magnificence. The birthday of the Great Khan Kublai falls on the twenty-eighth of September. They have no day more solemn or festive in the whole year except the festival of the first of February, when they begin their year. On his birthday, therefore, the emperor wears a precious robe of fine cloth of gold, and everyone at his court likewise puts on their finest and richest clothes. The emperor gives each of them a gold belt of great price and value and shoes made of chamois leather sewn with silver thread. Each person strives to dress and adorn himself as splendidly as possible in honor of their prince, so that they look like little kings. This finery is worn not only on the emperor’s birthday, but also at the other festivals the Tartars celebrate each year, thirteen in number. At these the emperor presents the gentlemen of his court with precious robes enriched with gold, pearls, and other rare gems, and with belts and shoes such as we have described above. The color of these robes does not differ from the emperor’s own. Another custom is observed among the Tartars: on the Great Khan’s birthday, all the kings, princes, and lords who are subject to the emperor and pay him tribute send him gifts in recognition of his imperial majesty. Those who wish to obtain some charge, administration, or office from him submit their petitions to twelve barons appointed for the purpose; whatever these barons order and grant has the same force as if the emperor had commanded and ordained it with his own mouth. Likewise all the peoples subject to him, whatever their kind, faith, or nation—Christians, Jews, Saracens, Tartars, and all other pagans—are required to invoke their gods and offer solemn prayers, each in his own way, for the Great Khan’s life, prosperity, and health.
With what ceremony the Tartars celebrate the beginning of the year. Chapter XV.
On the first of February, the first day of the month and the beginning of the year throughout Tartary, the Great Khan and all the Tartars, wherever they may be, celebrate a great festival. All alike, men and women, take pains to adorn and dress themselves in white, and call this holiday the Feast of the Whites. They believe that white clothing brings them good fortune and that fortune will smile on them throughout the year if they wear white at its beginning. The lieutenants and governors of the cities and provinces, in keeping with the duties of their ranks and offices, send the emperor gifts on this holiday, such as gold, silver, pearls, precious stones, and fine cloth; white horses in particular are presented and offered to the emperor on this day. The Tartars also exchange gifts with one another at the beginning of the year. At this festival all the emperor’s elephants, five thousand in number, are brought to court covered with rich tapestries depicting animals and birds of every kind. The elephants carry great chests full of gold and silver vessels and other implements needed to celebrate the Feast of the Whites magnificently. Many camels are brought as well, covered with fine carpets and carrying the other provisions required for such a banquet. From the break of dawn on the day of the Feast of the Whites […]
All the kings, dukes, barons, knights, physicians, astrologers, provincial governors, captains and commanders, and other officers of the emperor assemble in the great royal hall. Those who cannot enter because the place cannot hold so vast a multitude withdraw to the adjoining halls. Once each is seated in his proper order and degree according to his dignity and office, someone stands among them and cries aloud: “Bow down and worship.” At once everyone rises from his seat and prostrates himself, lowering his face to the ground as though worshipping God; they do this four times. When this act of worship is finished, they go in order to the altar prepared in the middle of the hall, upon a great table painted red and inscribed with the Great Khan’s name. Taking the richly ornamented censer, they put fragrant aromatic resins into it and, with great reverence, perfume the table and altar in the Great Khan’s honor; then each returns to his place. Once their ceremonies are complete, each presents himself to the emperor and offers him his gift, as we have said above. When all this is accomplished, the tables are laid and a magnificent banquet is held, at which they are sumptuously entertained amid great joy and to everyone’s satisfaction. Once the tables have been cleared and the meal has ended, singers, oboe players, and comedians come forward and delight the entire company, each with his music or performances. Moreover, a tame lion is brought to the emperor; it lies at his feet, as gentle and quiet as a little dog, and acknowledges him as its lord.
Plain English translation
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition of Book Two, made independently and directly from the 1556 French text (Groulleau, Paris). The long s is normalized to s.
Description of Emperor Kublai’s Appearance and Build, and of His Wives and Concubines. Chapter VIII.
Emperor Kublai is a very handsome man of average height, neither too fat nor too thin. His face is a little red with some white in it. He has large eyes and a fine nose, and all the other parts of his body are properly proportioned. He has four wives whom he regards as legitimate. The eldest son of the first wife succeeds him as ruler. Each of these four wives has her own attendants and runs her own household like a queen within the emperor’s palace. Each has about three hundred selected young women in her service, several castrated servants, and many other household servants. The emperor also has many concubines. Among the Tartars there is a particular people called the Ungrac. Their women are exceptionally beautiful, graceful, and well trained. The emperor has the most beautiful among them chosen and taken into his palace, where he regularly keeps as many as a hundred. He appoints women to look after them. Their only duty is to care for the concubines and watch carefully that they do not get sick or develop a blemish. Otherwise they would not dare sleep with the emperor. Six of these concubines are selected to attend the imperial chamber for three days and three nights. Whenever the emperor goes to bed or gets up in the morning, they come to serve him, and they sleep in his room. On the fourth day six others take their place and serve in the chamber for another three days and nights. They take turns in this way until all one hundred concubines have served the emperor. The emperor has had twenty-two sons by his four legitimate wives. The eldest son of the first wife was named Chinchis and was to succeed him as emperor, but he died before his father. He left a son named Temir, a man of great spirit and good judgment who is very skilled in arms. Temir is to succeed his grandfather as emperor in place of his late father. In addition, Emperor Kublai has had twenty-seven children by his concubines and chambermaids. All of them are great lords and barons at his court.
On the Palace and Pleasure Grounds in the City of Cambaluc. Chapter IX.
For three months of the year, namely December, January, and February, Emperor Kublai lives in his royal city of Cambaluc. There he has a lavish palace built with great skill. Its perimeter is about two leagues, and each of its four sides is one thousand paces long. Its walls are very thick and five fathoms high, and their outer faces are white and red. At each corner of the four walls there is a beautiful, large building enclosed by four towers to serve as fortifications. At the middle of each of the four walls there is another fine and lavish building. That makes eight in all. Weapons, artillery, military equipment, and supplies are stored there, including bows, arrows, quivers, spurs, bridles, lances, clubs, bowstrings, and other things needed for war. Each type of weapon is kept separately and in order in its own building. The side of the palace facing south has five gates and entrances. The middle one is the largest and is opened only for the emperor to enter. No one else is allowed through it. There are two other gates on either side for all those accompanying him. On each of the other three sides of the wall there is just one gate, through which anyone who wishes may enter the palace. Inside those first walls there is another wall built like the first. It has eight more buildings, at the corners and in the middle of each side, where the emperor’s precious vessels and jewels are kept. The royal palace, where the emperor lives, stands in the center of this enclosure. It has only one story, with no floor above it. Its floor, however, is raised ten palms above the ground level of the courtyard. Its ceiling is very high and decorated with many paintings. The walls and partitions of the rooms shine with the gold and silver used to decorate them. Everywhere one sees remarkable pictures, including scenes of memorable wars in vivid colors and gold. About six thousand men can sit and eat together in the great hall. Between the large outer walls surrounding the entire castle are many gardens and lawns planted with different kinds of fruit trees. Countless wild animals run through them, including deer, musk-bearing animals, roe deer, fallow deer, and other kinds of beasts. On the north side there are ponds stocked with the best fish to be found. A small river flows through them to fill them with water. Iron grilles at its entrance and exit keep the fish from escaping and swimming away with the current. Outside this palace, about one league away, is a hill one hundred paces high and about one thousand paces around. It is planted with trees that stay green all year. The emperor has unusual and choice trees brought to this hill from everywhere. He has them loaded onto elephants and carried with their roots from distant countries to be transplanted there. Because the hill is always green, it is called the Green Mountain. At the top stands a beautiful palace painted entirely green, where the Great Khan often goes to enjoy himself. Near the palace already described stands another grand and lavish palace. Temir, the eldest son who is to succeed to the empire, lives there. He keeps his own household and lives splendidly like a king with his gentlemen and servants. He has very great power and authority and even possesses the imperial seal, although he remains subject to the Great Khan as his lord.
Description of the City of Cambaluc. Chapter X.
The city of Cambaluc is in the province of Cathay, beside a large river. It has long been a famous royal city. Indeed, Cambaluc means “the city of the lord.” The Great Khan moved the city to the other side of the river because his astrologers and diviners had told him it would one day rebel against the empire. The city is built as an even square and measures twenty-four thousand around, which can be eight French leagues, since each side measures six thousand. Its walls are white, ten fathoms high and five wide, though they grow much thinner toward the top. There are three main gates on each side, twelve in all. Each has a grand and splendid entrance. At the corners of the walls there are also beautiful buildings where the city’s armor is kept. The city’s streets and squares are so straight that one can easily see from one gate to the opposite one without anything blocking the view. The houses on both sides are also splendidly built and look like small palaces. In the middle of the city stands a richly built structure with a large bell hanging from its roof. The bell is rung three times in the evening. After the third ring, no one may leave home until the next day unless there is an urgent reason, such as illness or a close relative’s need. Even people who have to go through the city for such a reason must carry a light. One thousand men are assigned to guard each gate of the city. This is not because they fear enemies, but because of thieves and robbers. Above all, the king wants measures taken to drive out and punish criminals and thieves so that they do not spread through his country.
On the Suburbs of Cambaluc and the Merchants Who Live There. Chapter XI.
Around the city of Cambaluc are twelve large suburbs, each adjoining one of the city’s twelve gates. Many merchants and other foreigners gather there. Huge numbers of people arrive both because of the emperor’s court and to trade many kinds of goods. They stay in the suburbs to conduct their business. Except for the royal palace, the houses in the suburbs are no less grand and splendid than those in the city. No dead body is ever buried or given a funeral inside the city. Instead, outside the suburbs, the bodies of idol worshipers are burned, while the dead of other sects are buried in the ground. Because large numbers of foreigners are always present, about twenty thousand prostitutes usually live in the suburbs. None are ever allowed within the city walls. It is impossible to describe how many goods and riches are brought to this city from every direction. One might think there was enough there for the whole world. Precious stones, pearls, silks, and many kinds of spices are brought there from the Indies, Mangi, Cathay, and other regions. Cambaluc seems to be the center of all the surrounding lands and provinces. Every day of the year foreign merchants bring in about one thousand cartloads of silk. The city’s skilled craftspeople make these into very fine cloth and clothing.
On the Great Khan’s Bodyguards, Who Regularly Accompany Him. Chapter XII.
At his court the Great Khan has twelve thousand horsemen called Quesitan, meaning “horsemen loyal to their lord.” They are assigned to guard him personally. They have four captains, each responsible for three thousand horsemen. Their duty is to accompany the emperor and guard him day and night, and he pays them for this service. They divide their duty as follows. Once a captain and his company of three thousand horsemen have guarded the emperor’s palace for three full days, a second captain, who has rested in the meantime, replaces him with three thousand other horsemen for the next three days. After that, another captain takes a turn with the same number of horsemen. They continue taking turns throughout the year. The emperor does not need such a large guard because his life is in danger. He keeps it so that his splendor will be more visible and impressive.
On the Excellence of the Great Khan’s Banquets and Feasts. Chapter XIII.
The emperor’s banquets are arranged with great splendor in the following way. When he holds a banquet in his great hall for a festival or some other good reason, his table is raised above all the others and placed in the most prominent part of the hall toward the north. The emperor sits facing south. His principal and favorite wife sits beside him on his left. His children, nephews, and other members of the royal family sit on his right. Their table, however, is set lower, so that their heads barely reach the emperor’s feet. Other great lords, barons, and horsemen sit at a still lower table. Each has his wife seated beside him on his left. Every duke, horseman, and gentleman has his own place according to rank, as does his wife. All the gentlemen who attend the emperor’s feast and banquet bring their wives. Sitting at the highest place, the emperor can see everyone eating in the hall. Beside this large royal hall there are other smaller rooms. On festival days as many as forty thousand people are sometimes entertained in them. Most belong to his court, while others have come to renew their pledges of loyalty and homage to the emperor. Countless jesters and performers also attend. In the middle of the large royal hall stands a great gold vessel shaped like a fountain. It constantly pours out wine or another excellent drink into four other gold vessels. From these the drink is taken in large quantities to serve everyone at the tables. The diners, too, are served and drink only from vessels of pure gold. In short, it would be impossible to describe the vast splendor of the dishes, furnishings, and other utensils used when the Great Khan eats publicly in his royal hall. The attendants who serve the emperor at his table all cover their mouths with taffeta or a thin cloth so that they do not breathe on the food and drink prepared for him. When the emperor picks up his cup to drink, all the oboe players and musicians begin playing their instruments beautifully. Meanwhile, all the other hall servants kneel. There is no need to describe how much food is brought and placed on his table, how fine and delicate it is, or how splendidly it is presented to him. When dinner is over, singers and players of musical instruments appear, as do jesters and magicians. Their songs, beautiful music, gestures, and performances before the emperor delight him greatly and give him much enjoyment.
What Splendor Is Observed on the Emperor’s Birthday. Chapter XIIII.
All Tartars have the custom of celebrating their lord’s birthday with great honor and splendor. The Great Khan Kublai’s birthday is September twenty-eighth. They have no more solemn holiday in the entire year except the festival of the first day of February, when they begin their year. On his birthday, the emperor wears a precious robe made of fine cloth of gold. Everyone at his court also puts on their finest and richest clothing. The emperor gives each of them a very valuable gold belt and shoes made of chamois leather sewn with silver thread. Everyone tries to dress and adorn themselves as finely as possible on this day to honor their prince. To look at them, one would think they were little kings. They dress this finely not only on the emperor’s birthday but also on the other festivals that the Tartars celebrate each year. There are thirteen of these. At them, the emperor presents the gentlemen of his court with precious robes decorated with gold, pearls, and other rare gems, together with belts and shoes of the kind described above. These robes are the same color as the emperor’s. The Tartars observe another custom as well. On the Great Khan’s birthday, all the kings, princes, and lords who are subject to him and pay him tribute send him gifts to acknowledge his imperial majesty. Those who want to obtain a post, an administrative position, or an office from him present their requests to twelve barons appointed for that purpose. Whatever these barons decide and grant is as valid as if the emperor himself had spoken the order. All peoples subject to him, whatever their kind, faith, or nation—Christians, Jews, Saracens, Tartars, and all other pagans—must likewise call on their gods and hold formal prayers, each in their own place, for the Great Khan’s life, prosperity, and health.
How Solemnly the Tartars Celebrate the Beginning of the Year. Chapter XV.
On the first day of February, the first day of the month and the beginning of the year throughout Tartary, the Great Khan and all Tartars, wherever they live, hold a great festival. Men and women alike make a special effort to dress and adorn themselves in white clothing. They call this holiday the Festival of the Whites. They believe white clothing brings them good luck and that fortune will favor them all year if they wear white at its beginning. On this holiday the emperor’s lieutenants and governors of cities and provinces send him gifts as their duties require. These include gold, silver, pearls, precious stones, and fine cloth. White horses are especially offered and presented to the emperor that day. Tartars also exchange gifts with one another at the beginning of the year. For this festival all the emperor’s elephants, five thousand in number, are brought to court. They are covered with rich tapestries showing every kind of animal and bird. On their backs they carry large chests full of gold and silver dishes and other utensils needed to celebrate the Festival of the Whites splendidly. Many camels covered with fine carpets are brought as well, carrying the other supplies needed for such a banquet. From daybreak on the Festival of the Whites, all the kings, dukes, barons, horsemen, physicians, astrologers, provincial governors, captains and military commanders, and other officers of the emperor gather in the great royal hall. Those who cannot fit there because the hall cannot hold so many people go into the neighboring rooms. Once everyone is seated in order according to rank and office, someone stands among them and says loudly, “Bow down and worship.” Then everyone immediately rises from their seat and prostrates themselves face down on the ground as if worshiping God. They do this four times. When the worship is finished, they all go in order to the altar prepared in the middle of the hall. It stands on a large red-painted table on which the Great Khan’s name is written. They take a very rich and splendid censer, place fragrant aromatic resins in it, and respectfully perfume the table and altar in honor of the Great Khan. Then each person returns to their place. Once these ceremonies are finished, each person comes before the emperor and offers a gift, as we said above. After everything is done, the tables are set and a splendid banquet begins. Everyone is served lavishly and enjoys the occasion. When the tables are cleared and dinner is finished, singers, oboe players, and jesters appear. Each entertains the whole gathering with music or performances. They also bring a tame lion to the emperor. It lies at his feet as gently and peacefully as a little dog and recognizes him as its lord.