On One Side Of The
Mount Is A Great Lake, Abounding In Geese And Ducks, And All Manner Of
Water Fowl, And Having A Most Magnificent Bridge; And The Wood Upon The
Mount Is Stored With All Kinds Of Beasts And Land Birds.
Hence when the
khan is inclined to take the diversion of hunting or hawking, he needs not
to quit his palace.
The principal palace in which the khan resides is very large, and contains
fourteen pillars of gold, and all the walls are hung with red skins, which
are reckoned the most costly in the world[1]. In the midst of this palace,
there is a cistern two yards high, all of a precious stone called
merdochas, which is wreathed round with gold, having the golden image of
a serpent at each corner, as it were furiously menacing with their heads.
This cistern is farther ornamented by a rich net-work of pearls; and, by
means of certain pipes and conduits, it continually supplies certain kinds
of drink that are used at the court of the emperor[2]. Around this there
stand many golden vessels, so that all who choose may drink abundantly.
There are likewise many golden peacocks; and when any of the Tartars drink
to the prosperity of their lord, and the guests clap their hands from mirth
and joy, the golden peacocks spread their wings and expand their trains,
and appear to dance. This, I presume, is occasioned by magic art, or
perhaps by means of some secret machinery below ground.
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