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| IIIF Color HighRes |
| The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 |
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Citation Information
CHAP. XVII. TIZE POLOS ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME
33
great fatigue of that long land journey for a lady. And
the ambassadors were the more desirous to have their
company, as being aware that those three had great
knowledge and experience of the Indian Sea and the
countries by which they would have to pass, and
especially Messer Marco. So they went to the Great
Kaan, and begged as a favour that he would send the
three Latins with them, as it was their desire to return
home by sea.
The Lord, having that great regard that I have
mentioned for those three Latins, was very loath to do
so [and his countenance showed great dissatisfaction].
But at last he did give them permission to depart,
enjoining them to accompany the three Barons and the
Lady.
NOTE I.—Pegolotti, in his chapters on mercantile ventures to Cathay, refers to the clangers to which foreigners were always liable on the death of the reigning sovereign. (See Catllay, p. 292.)
NOTE 2.—Several ladies of the name of BULUCHAN (" Libellina") have a place in Mongol-Persian history. The one here indicated, a lady of great beauty and ability, was known as the Great Iíhcítzú,z (or Lady) Bulughan, and was (according to strange Mongol custom) the wife successively of Abáka and of his son ARGHUN, the Argon of the text, Mongol sovereign of Persia. She died on the banks of the Kur in Georgia, 7th April, 1286. She belonged to the Mongol tribe of Bayaut, and was the daughter of Ilulákú's Chief Secretary Gíigah. (Ilchan. I. 374 et passim ; E;- d;;zann's 7 enz udsch i,z, p. 216.)
The names of the Envoys, ULADAI, APITSHHKA, and K0JA, are all names met with in Mongol history. And Rashiduddin speaks of an Apushka of the Mongol Tribe of Urnaut, who on some occasion was sent as Envoy to the Great Kaan from Persia,—possibly the very person. (See ErtInza,zlz, 205.)
Of the Lady Cocachin we shall speak below.
NOTE 3.—Ramusio here has the following passage, genuine no doubt : " So everything being ready, with a great escort to do honour to the bride of King Argon, the Ambassadors took leave and set forth. But after travelling eight months by the same Nay that they had come, they found the roads closed, in consequence of wars lately broken out among certain Tartar Princes ; so being unable to proceed, they were compelled to return to the Court of the Great Kaan."
VOL. I. C;
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