Soc., p. 55; Ibn Batuta, IV.
91; Novus Orbis, p. 148.) A fuller account of these vessels is given at
the beginning of Bk. III.
NOTE 4. - I.e. in this case Sumatra, as will appear hereafter. "It is quite
possible for a fleet of fourteen junks which required to keep together to
take three months at the present time to accomplish a similar voyage. A
Chinese trader, who has come annually to Singapore in junks for many
years, tells us that he has had as long a passage as sixty days, although
the average is eighteen or twenty days." (Logan in J. Ind. Archip. II.
609.)
NOTE 5. - Ramusio's version here varies widely, and looks more probable:
"From the day that they embarked until their arrival there died of
mariners and others on board 600 persons; and of the three ambassadors
only one survived, whose name was Goza (Coja); but of the ladies and
damsels died but one."
It is worth noting that in the case of an embassy sent to Cathay a few
years later by Ghazan Khan, on the return by this same route to Persia,
the chief of the two Persian ambassadors, and the Great Khan's envoy, who
was in company, both died by the way. Their voyage, too, seems to have
been nearly as long as Polo's; for they were seven years absent from
Persia, and of these only four in China. (See Wassaf in Elliot, III.
47.)
NOTE 6. - Ramusio's version states that on learning Arghun's death (which
they probably did on landing at Hormuz), they sent word of their arrival
to Kiacatu, who directed them to conduct the lady to Casan, who was then
in the region of the Arbre Sec (the Province of Khorasan) guarding the
frontier passes with 60,000 men, and that they did so, and then turned
back to Kiacatu (probably at Tabriz), and stayed at his Court nine months.
Even the Geog. Text seems to imply that they had become personally known
to Casan, and I have no doubt that Ramusio's statement is an authentic
expansion of the original narrative by Marco himself, or on his authority.
Arghun Khan died 10th March, 1291. He was succeeded (23rd July) by his
brother Kaikhatu (Quiacatu of Polo), who was put to death 24th March,
1295.
We learn from Hammer's History of the Ilkhans that when Ghazan, the son of
Arghun (Casan of Polo), who had the government of the Khorasan frontier,
was on his return to his post from Tabriz, where his uncle Kaikhatu had
refused to see him, "he met at Abher the ambassador whom he had sent to
the Great Khan to obtain in marriage a relative of the Great Lady Bulghan.
This envoy brought with him the Lady KUKACHIN (our author's Cocachin),
with presents from the Emperor, and the marriage was celebrated with due
festivity." Abher lies a little west of Kazvin.
Hammer is not, I find, here copying from Wassaf, and I have not been able
to procure a thorough search of the work of Rashiduddin, which probably
was his authority. As well as the date can be made out from the History of
the Ilkhans, Ghazan must have met his bride towards the end of 1293, or
quite the beginning of 1294. Rashiduddin in another place mentions the
fair lady from Cathay; "The ordu (or establishment) of Tukiti Khatun was
given to KUKACHI KHATUN, who had been brought from the Kaan's Court, and
who was a kinswoman of the late chief Queen Bulghan. Kukachi, the wife of
the Padshah of Islam, Ghazan Khan, died in the month of Shaban, 695," i.e.
in June, 1296, so that the poor girl did not long survive her promotion.
(See Hammer's Ilch. II. 20, and 8, and I. 273; and Quatremere's
Rashiduddin, p. 97.) Kukachin was the name also of the wife of Chingkim,
Kublai's favourite son; but she was of the Kungurat tribe. (Deguignes,
IV. 179.)
NOTE 7. - Here Ramusio's text says: "During this journey Messers Nicolo,
Maffeo, and Marco heard the news that the Great Khan had departed this
life; and this caused them to give up all hope of returning to those
parts."
NOTE 8. - This Princess of Manzi, or Southern China, is mentioned only in
the Geog. Text and in the Crusca, which is based thereon. I find no notice
of her among the wives of Ghazan or otherwise.
On the fall of the capital of the Sung Dynasty - the Kinsay of Polo - in
1276, the Princesses of that Imperial family were sent to Peking, and were
graciously treated by Kublai's favourite Queen, the Lady Jamui. This young
lady was, no doubt, one of those captive princesses who had been brought
up at the Court of Khanbalik. (See De Mailla, IX. 376, and infra Bk. II.
ch. lxv., note 6.)
BOOK FIRST.
ACCOUNT OF REGIONS VISITED OR HEARD OF ON THE JOURNEY FROM THE LESSER
ARMENIA TO THE COURT OF THE GREAT KAAN AT CHANDU.
[Illustration: Aias, the LAIAS of POLO, from an Admiralty Chart]
[Illustration: Position of Dilawar, the supposed Site of POLO'S DILAVAR]
BOOK I.
CHAPTER I.
HERE THE BOOK BEGINS; AND FIRST IT SPEAKS OF THE LESSER HERMENIA.
There are two Hermenias, the Greater and the Less. The Lesser Hermenia is
governed by a certain King, who maintains a just rule in his dominions,
but is himself subject to the Tartar.[NOTE 1] The country contains
numerous towns and villages,[NOTE 2] and has everything in plenty;
moreover, it is a great country for sport in the chase of all manner of
beasts and birds. It is, however, by no means a healthy region, but
grievously the reverse.[NOTE 3] In days of old the nobles there were
valiant men, and did doughty deeds of arms; but nowadays they are poor
creatures, and good at nought, unless it be at boozing; they are great at
that.
