The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 / Page 603 (Color Image)

0603	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1

CHAP. LXI. THE KAAN'S PALACE AT CHANDU

301

and the False Gods shall have their share of it, and

the Spirits likewise that inhabit the Air and the Earth.

And thus those beings will protect and bless the Kaan

and his children and his wives and his folk and his gear,

and his cattle and his horses, his corn and all that is his.

After this is done, the Emperor is off and away.?

But I must now tell you a strange thing that hitherto

I have forgotten to mention. During the three months

of every year that the Lord resides at that place, if it

should happen to be bad weather, there are certain

crafty enchanters and astrologers in his train, who are

such adepts in necromancy and the diabolic arts, that

they are able to prevent any cloud or storm from

passing over the spot on which the Emperor's Palace

stands. The sorcerers who do this are called TIBET

and KESIMUR, which are the names of two nations of

Idolaters. Whatever they do in this way is by the

help of the Devil, but they make those people believe

that it is compassed by dint of their own sanctity and

the help of God.8 [They always go in a state of dirt

and uncleanness, devoid of respect for themselves, or

for those who see them, unwashed, unkempt, and

sordidly attired.]

These people also have a custom which I must tell

you. If a man is condemned to death and executed by

the lawful authority, they take his body and cook and

eat it. But if any one die a natural death then they

will not eat the body.'

There is another marvel performed by those BACSI,

of whom I have been speaking as knowing so many

enchantments.10 For when the Great Kaan is at his

capital and in his great Palace, seated at his table,

which stands on a platform some eight cubits above

the ground, his cups are set before him [on a great

buffet] in the middle of the hall pavement, at a distance

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