The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 / Page 697 (Color Image)

0697	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1

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CHAP. XIII. THE GREAT KAAN'S TABLE

383

there stand a couple of big men like giants, one on each

side, armed with staves. Their business is to see that

no one steps Upon the threshold in entering, and if this

does happen, they strip the offender of his clothes, and

he must pay a forfeit to have them back again ; or in

lieu of taking his clothes, they give him a certain

number of blows. If they are foreigners ignorant of

the order, then there are Barons appointed to introduce

them, and explain it to them. They think, in fact, that

it brings bad luck if any one touches the threshold.

Howbeit, they are not expected to stick at this in going

forth again, for at that time some are like to be the

worse for liquor, and incapable of looking to their steps.4]

And you must know that those who wait upon the

Great Kaan with his dishes and his drink are some of

the great Barons. They have the mouth and nose

muffled with fine napkins of silk and gold, so that no

breath nor odour from their persons should taint the

dish or the goblet presented to the Lord. And when

the Emperor is going to drink, all the musical instru-

ments, of which he has vast store of every kind, begin to

play. And when he takes the cup all the Barons and

the rest of the company drop on their knees and make

the deepest obeisance before him, and then the Emperor

doth drink. But each time that he does so the whole

ceremony is repeated.' '

I will say nought about the dishes, as you may easily

conceive that there is a great plenty of every possible

kind. But you should know that in every case where

a Baron or Knight dines at those tables, their wives

also dine there with the other ladies. And when all

have dined and the tables have been removed, then

come in a great number of players and jugglers, adepts

at all sorts of wonderful feats,' and perform before the

Emperor and the rest of the company, creating great

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