And they have plates and helms made of quyrboylle, and
their horses covertures of the same. And whoso fleeth from the
battle they slay him. And when they hold any siege about castle or
town that is walled and defensible, they behote to them that be
within to do all the profit and good, that it is marvel to hear;
and they grant also to them that be within all that they will ask
them. And after that they be yielden, anon they slay them all; and
cut off their ears and souse them in vinegar, and thereof they make
great service for lords. All their lust and all their imagination
is for to put all lands under their subjection. And they say that
they know well by their prophecies, that they shall be overcome by
archers and by strength of them; but they know not of what nation
ne of what law they shall be of, that shall overcome them. And
therefore they suffer that folk of all laws may peaceably dwell
amongst them.
Also when they will make their idols or an image of any of their
friends for to have remembrance of him, they make always the image
all naked without any manner of clothing. For they say that in
good love should be no covering, that man should not love for the
fair clothing ne for the rich array, but only for the body, such as
God hath made it, and for the good virtues that the body is endowed
with of Nature, not only for fair clothing that is not of kindly
Nature.
And ye shall understand that it is great dread for to pursue the
Tartars if they flee in battle. For in fleeing they shoot behind
them and slay both men and horses. And when they will fight they
will shock them together in a plump; that if there be 20,000 men,
men shall not ween that there be scant 10,000. And they can well
win land of strangers, but they cannot keep it; for they have
greater lust to lie in tents without than for to lie in castle or
in towns. And they prize nothing the wit of other nations.
And amongst them oil of olive is full dear, for they hold it for
full noble medicine. And all the Tartars have small eyen and
little of beard, and not thick haired but shear. And they be false
and traitors; and they last nought that they behote. They be full
hardy folk, and much pain and woe may suffer and disease, more than
any other folk, for they be taught thereto in their own country of
youth. And therefore they spend as who saith, right nought.
And when any man shall die, men set a spear beside him.
