Falls from his horse in battle, he ought immediately
to be taken or slain; as when on foot even they are excellent archers, and
destructive to men and horses[2].
[1] The word here used in the Latin, balistais, is probably
corrupted in transcription for balistariis; and may either mean
cross-bow-men, or men for working balistae, the ancient artillery, if
the expression be allowable. Arcubalistarii is the appropriate middle
age Latin for men armed with cross-bows. - E.
[2] Our good minorite seems in this chapter to have studied the
old proverb, fas est ab hoste doceri; but except in the leading
political advice of the section, he might have been better employed in
following the adage of ne sutor ultra crepidam. - E.
SECTION XIX.
Of the Journey of Friar John de Plano Carpini, to the First Guard of the
Tartars[1].
Setting out, by command from the apostolic See, upon our journey to the
Tartars, lest there might arise danger from their proximity to the church
of God, we came first to the king of Bohemia, with whom we were acquainted,
and who advised us to travel through Poland and Russia, because he had
kinsmen in Poland, through whose assistance we might be enabled to travel
in Russia; and he supplied us with recommendatory letters and passports,
giving us free passage as his charges through his dominions, whence we
proceeded to the court of Boleslaus, duke of Silesia, his nephew, who was
likewise known and friendly to us.
