The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 / Page 718 (Color Image)

0718	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1

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MARCO POLO BOOK II.

hawking ; in fact, there is no sport in the world to

equal it !

The Emperor himself is carried upon four elephants in

a fine chamber made of timber, lined inside with plates of

beaten gold, and outside with lions' skins [for he always

travels in this way on his fowling expeditions, because he is

troubled with gout]. He always keeps beside him a dozen

of his choicest gerfalcons, and is attended by several of

his Barons, who ride on horseback alongside. And some-

times, as they may be going along, and the Emperor from

his chamber is holding discourse with the Barons, one

of the latter shall exclaim : " Sire ! Look out for Cranes ! "

Then the Emperor instantly has the top of his chamber

thrown open, and having marked the cranes he casts one

of his gerfalcons, whichever he pleases ; and often the

quarry is struck within his view, so that he has the most

exquisite sport and diversion, there as he sits in his

chamber or lies on his bed ; and all the Barons with him

get the enjoyment of it likewise ! So it is not without

reason I tell you that I do not believe there ever existed

in the world or ever will exist, a man with such sport and

enjoyment as he has, or with such rare opportunities.'

And when he has travelled till he reaches a place

called CACIIAR MoDuN,6 there he finds his tents pitched,

with the tents of his Sons, and his Barons, and those of

his Ladies and theirs, so that there shall be full lo,000

tents in all, and all fine and rich ones. And I will tell

you how his own quarters are disposed. The tent in

which he holds his courts is large enough to give cover

easily to a thousand souls. It is pitched with its door

to the south, and the Barons and Knights remain in

waiting in it, whilst the Lord abides in another close to

it on the west side. When he wishes to speak with any

one he causes the person to be summoned to that other

tent. Immediately behind the great tent there is a fine

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