OF THE CUSTOMS OF KINGS AND OTHER THAT DWELL IN THE ISLES COASTING
TO PRESTER JOHN'S LAND.
AND OF THE WORSHIP THAT THE SON DOTH TO
THE FATHER WHEN HE IS DEAD
FROM those isles that I have spoken of before, in the Land of
Prester John, that be under earth as to us that be on this half,
and of other isles that be more further beyond, whoso will, pursue
them for to come again right to the parts that he came from, and so
environ all earth. But what for the isles, what for the sea, and
what for strong rowing, few folk assay for to pass that passage;
albeit that men might do it well, that might be of power to dress
them thereto, as I have said you before. And therefore men return
from those isles abovesaid by other isles, coasting from the land
of Prester John.
And then come men in returning to an isle that is clept Casson.
And that isle hath well sixty journeys in length, and more than
fifty in breadth. This is the best isle and the best kingdom that
is in all those parts, out-taken Cathay. And if the merchants used
as much that country as they do Cathay, it would be better than
Cathay in a short while. This country is full well inhabited, and
so full of cities and of good towns inhabited with people, that
when a man goeth out of one city, men see another city even before
them; and that is what part that a man go, in all that country. In
that isle is great plenty of all goods for to live with, and of all
manner of spices. And there be great forests of chestnuts. The
king of that isle is full rich and full mighty, and, natheles, he
holds his land of the great Chan, and is obeissant to him. For it
is one of the twelve provinces that the great Chan hath under him
without his proper land, and without other less isles that he hath;
for he hath full many.
From that kingdom come men, in returning, to another isle that is
clept Rybothe, and it is also under the great Chan. That is a full
good country, and full plenteous of all goods and of wines and
fruit and all other riches. And the folk of that country have no
houses, but they dwell and lie all under tents made of black fern,
by all the country. And the principal city and the most royal is
all walled with black stone and white. And all the streets also be
pathed of the same stones. In that city is no man so hardy to shed
blood of any man, ne of no beast, for the reverence of an idol that
is worshipped there. And in that isle dwelleth the pope of their
law, that they clepe Lobassy. This Lobassy giveth all the
benefices, and all other dignities and all other things that belong
to the idol.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 153 of 158
Words from 78815 to 79323
of 81655
