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| IIIF Color HighRes |
| The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 |
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Citation Information
126 INTRODUCTION
quarter, and no one gives to him ; but still his faith and love to
God hold out :
" Ensément Bauduins chelle rue cherqua, Tant qu'à .j. chavetier Bauduins s'arresta, Qui chavates cousoit ; son pain en garigna : Jones fu et plaisans, apertement ouvra. Bauduins le regarde, c'onques mot ne parla."
P. 334.
The cobler is charitable, gives him bread, shoes, and a grey coat
that was a foot too short. He then asks Bauduin if he will not
learn his trade ; but that is too much for the knightly stomach :
"Et Bauduins respont, li preus et li membrus : J'ameroie trop miex que je fuisse pendus ! " P. 335.
The Caliph now in his Council expresses his vexation about the
miracle, and says he does not know how to disprove the faith of
the Christians. A very sage old Saracen who knew Hebrew,
and Latin, and some thirty languages, makes a suggestion,
which is, in fact, that about the moving of the Mountain, as
related by Marco Polo.* Master Thomas is sent for again,
and told that they must transport the high mountain of Thir
to the valley of Joaquin, which lies to the westward. He goes
away in new despair and causes his clerk to sonner le clocke
for his people. Whilst they are weeping and wailing in the
church, a voice is heard desiring them to seek a certain holy
man who is at the good cobler's, and to do him honour. God
at his prayer will do a miracle. They go in procession to
Bauduin, who thinks they are mocking him. They treat him
as a saint, and strive to touch his old coat. At last he consents
to pray along with the whole congregation.
The Caliph is in his palace with his princes, taking his ease
at a window. Suddenly he starts up exclaiming :
" ` Seignour, par Mahoumet que j'aoure et tieng chier, Le Mont de Thir enportent le déable d'enfeir !' Li Califes s'écrie : ` Seignour, franc palasin,
Volés le Mont de Thir qui ch'est mis au chemin ! Vés-le-là tout en air, par mon Dieu Apolin ;
Jä bientost le verrons ens ou val Joaquin !'" P. 345.
The Caliph is converted, releases Polibans, and is baptised,
* Vol. i. pp. 68 seqq. The virtuous cobler is not left out, but is made to play second fiddle to the hero Bauduin.
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