The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 / Page 330 (Color Image)

0330	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1

MARCO l'VLU Prtol,.

CHAPTER XVIII.

How THE Two BROTHERS AND MESSER MARCO TOOK LEAVE OF THE GREAT KAAN, AND RETURNED TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

AND when the Prince saw that the Two Brothers and

Messer Marco were ready to set forth, he called them

all three to his presence, and gave them two golden

Tablets of Authority, which should secure them liberty

of passage through all his dominions, and by means of

which, whithersoever they should go, all necessaries

would be provided for them, and for all their company,

and whatever they might choose to order.' He charged

them also with messages to the King of France, the

King of England,' the King of Spain, and the other

kings of Christendom. He then caused thirteen ships

to be equipt, each of which had four masts, and often

spread twelve sails.' And I could easily give you all

particulars about these, but as it would .be so long an

affair I will not enter upon this now, but hereafter,

when time and place are suitable. [Among the said

ships were at least four or five that carried crews of 25o

or 26o men.]

And when the ships had been equipt, the Three

Barons and the Lady, and the Two Brothers and

Messer Marco, took leave of the Great Kaan, and

went on board their ships with a great company of

people, and with all necessaries provided for two years

by the Emperor. They put forth to sea, and after sailing

for some three months they arrived at a certain Island

towards the South, which is called JAVA,4 and in which

there are many wonderful things which we shall tell you

all about by-and-bye. Quitting this Island they con-

National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books