Travels of Marco Polo Part 30

The Travels of Marco Polo, Book 2, Chapter 34 of The Religion of the Cathayans and Some of Their Customs. As has already been observed, these people are idolaters, and for deities, each person has a tablet fixed upon the wall of his chamber, upon which is written a name that denotes the Most High and Heavenly God. To this they pay daily adoration, including the burning of incense. Lifting up their hands, and then striking their faces against the floor three times, they beg him to grant them the blessings of a sound mind and healthy body. But this is all they ask of him. Below this, on the floor, they have another image called Netigei, which they consider the god of all earthly things or whatever issues from the earth. They set beside him images of a wife and children, and worship him in a similar manner, burning incense, lifting up their hands, and bending to the floor. To him they pray for seasonable weather, a bunch of crops, children, and the like. They believe the soul to be immortal in the following sense. They hold that immediately upon the death of a man, his soul enters into another body, and depending on whether he has acted virtuously or wickedly during his life, his future state will become progressively better or worse. If he is a poor man and has conducted himself worthily and decently, he will first be reborn as the son of a gentlewoman, and will himself become a gentleman, then as the son of a lady of rank, and become a nobleman, thus continually ascending in the scale of existence until he is united to the divinity. But if on the contrary, being the son of a gentleman, he has behaved unworthily, he will in his next state be a clown, and at length a dog, continually descending lower and lower. Their style of conversation is most courteous. They greet each other politely and cheerfully, and have an air of good breeding, and eat their food with meticulous cleanliness. To their parents they show the utmost reverence. If a child acts disrespectfully or neglects to assist his parents when necessary, there is a tribunal whose especial duty it is to punish such filial ingratitude severely. Criminals who are apprehended and thrown into prison are either executed by strangling, or, if they are still in prison at the end of the three-year period, appointed by his majesty for a general amnesty, are liberated. But they then have a mark branded upon one of their cheeks, so that they may be recognized. The present Great Khan has prohibited all gambling and other modes of cheating, to which these people are addicted more than any others upon earth. To discourage these habits, he said, I conquered you by the power of my sword, and consequently, whatever you possess belongs to me. If you therefore gamble, you are gambling with my property. He does not, however, use this as an excuse to take anything arbitrarily from them. The behavior of all ranks of people when they present themselves before his majesty ought not to pass unnoticed. When they approach him within half a mile of any place where he happens to be, they show their respect for him by assuming a humble and subdued demeanor, insomuch that not the least noise nor any loud voice is heard. Every man of rank carries with him a small vessel into which he spits, no one daring to spit on the floor. This being done, he covers it and makes a salutation. They are likewise accustomed to take with them handsome slippers made of white leather. Before they enter the hall, they put these on, meanwhile handing over their shoes to the servants. This is done so that they may not soil the beautiful carpets, which are woven with silk and gold in a variety of colors. Part 2. A JOURNEY TO THE WEST AND SOUTHWEST OF CATHAE Chapter 35. Of the Interior of Cathae and the River Pulasangam. Having thus given an account of the government of the province of Cathae in the city of Cumbulic, as well as the magnificence of the Great Khan, we shall now proceed to speak of other parts of the empire. You must know, then, that the Great Khan sent Marco as his emissary on a journey to the west that lasted four months. We shall tell you all he saw both going and returning. Upon leaving the capital and traveling ten miles, you come to a river named Pulasangam, the Hunho, or Muddy River, just below Pepin, which empties into the ocean and is used by many vessels carrying much merchandise. Over this river, there is a very impressive stone bridge, perhaps unequaled by any other in the world. Its length is three hundred paces, and its width eight paces, so that ten mounted men can, without inconvenience, ride abread on it. It has twenty-four arches, all of marble, supported by twenty-five piers, all built with great skill. On each side, from one end to the other, there is a handsome parapet of marble slabs and pillars arranged in a masterly style. As the bridge descends, it narrows, but then, the sides run in straight and parallel lines. On the upper level, there is a massive and lofty column resting upon a tortoise of marble, and having near its base a large figure of lion, and another at the top. At a distance of a pace and a half, there is another handsome column, with its lion, and so on. All these spaces between the pillars are filled with slabs of marble, curiously sculpted and mortised into the next pillar, forming altogether a beautiful spectacle. These parapets serve to prevent accidents. Chapter Thirty-Six of The City of Gauza Having crossed this bridge and proceeded thirty miles in a westerly direction through the area of fine buildings, vineyards, and fertile fields, one arrives at a large and handsome city named Gauza, Chochao. Here, there are many convents of idolaters. The inhabitants, in general, live by commerce and handicraft. They manufacture gold tissue and the finest tapitas. There are many inns for travelers. A mile beyond this place, the roads divide, one going in a westerly direction through the province of Cathay, and the other southeasterly towards the province of Manzi. From the city of Gauza, it is a journey of ten days through Cathay to the kingdom of Ta'inpu, Shanxi. In the course of this, one passes through many fine cities, in which manufacturers and commerce flourish, and where there are many vineyards and much cultivated land. From there, grapes are carried into the interior of Cathay, where the vine does not grow. Mulberry trees also abound, which enable the inhabitants to produce large quantities of silk. All the people of this country are quite civilized as a result of frequent contact with the towns, which are numerous and near each other. To these, the merchants continually come, carrying their goods from one city to another, as the fairs are held at each. Chapter 37 of the Kingdom of Ta'inpu. At the end of ten days' journey, it is said, there is another city, one that is unusually large and handsome, named Ahpaluk. His Majesty's hunting grounds extend to this city, but no one dares hunt here except the princes of his own family and those whose names are on the Grand Falconer's list. Beyond these limits, all persons qualified by rank may pursue game. It happens, however, that the Great Khan scarcely ever indulges in a chase on this side of the country, and the consequences that the wild animals, especially hares, multiply to such a degree as to destroy all the crops of the province. When this came to the knowledge of the Great Khan, he came here with the full of his court, and a vast number of these animals were taken. A considerable trade is carried on here, and a variety of articles are manufactured, particularly arms and other military equipment, which are here conveniently situated for the use of the Emperor's armies. Vineyards are numerous, and a vast number of grapes are gathered. Other fruits also grow here in plenty, as does the mulberry tree, together with the worms that yield the silk. Leaving Ta'infu and traveling westward, one passes for seven days through a fine country with many cities where commerce and manufacturers dominate, and whose merchants travel profitably in various parts of the country. After this, one reaches the large and very important city of Ta'infu, the Yin-Yang Fu. It likewise contains numerous merchants and artisans, and silk is produced here in great quantity. We shall not say anything further of these places, but proceed to speak of the outstanding First noticing, however, a noble caste named Ta'in. Chapter 38 of the Castle of Ta'in. In a westerly direction from Ta'infu, there is a large and handsome fortress named Ta'injin, which is said to have been built at a remote period by a ruler called the Golden King. Within the walls of the fort stands a spacious and highly ornamented palace, the whole of which contains paintings of all the renowned princes who, from ancient times, have reigned in this place. Taken together, they form a fine sight. The following is a remarkable circumstance in the history of this king. He was a powerful prince and was always waited upon by young women of great beauty, a vast number of whom he kept at his court. When, for recreation, he rode around his fortress, these damsels drew him in a carriage, which they could do with ease since it was small. They were devoted to him and did anything for him that might contribute to his convenience or amusement. He was a vigorous governor and ruled with dignity and justice. The situation of the castle, according to the report of the people of the country, was tremendously strong. The king was, however, a vassal of Unkan, who, as we have said, was known as Prester John. See Book 1, Chapter 46. But goaded by pride, he rebelled against him. When this came to the knowledge of Prester John, he was greatly angered, but, because of the strong situation of the castle, found it impossible to attack it. Matters had remained some time in this state when seventeen cavaliers belonging to his retinue came before him and declared their intention to seize the Golden King and bring him alive to his majesty. In this, they were encouraged by the promise of a large reward. They accordingly went to the Golden King and, saying that they had come from a distant country, offered him their services. They so ably and diligently performed their duties in his employ that they gained the esteem and favor of their new master. One day, when the king was engaged in the chase and a river separated him from the rest of his party, these cavaliers saw their chance to carry out their design. They drew their swords around the king and led him away towards the territory of Prester John before he could get any assistance from his own people.