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The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 |
CHAP. XIV. TIIE ISLAND OF SEILAN
313
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of the mariners of those seas. But the north wind
there blows with such strength that it has caused
the sea to submerge a large part of the Island ; and
that is the reason why it is not so big now as it used
to be. For you must know that, on the side where
the north wind strikes, the Island is very low and
flat, insomuch that in approaching on board ship from
the high seas you do not see the land till you are
right upon it.2 Now I will tell you all about this
Island.
They have a king there whom they call SENDEMAIN,
and are tributary to nobody.' The people are Idolaters,
and go quite naked except that they cover the niiddle.
They have no wheat, but have rice, and sesamum of
which they make their oil. They live on flesh and
milk, and have tree-wine such as I have told you of.
And they have brazil-wood, much the best in the
world.4
Now I will quit these particulars, and tell you of
the most precious article that exists in the world.
You must know that rubies are found in this Island
and in no other country in the world but this. They
find there also sapphires and topazes and amethysts,
and many other stones of price. And the King of this
Island possesses a ruby which is the finest and biggest
in the world ; I will tell you what it is like. It is about
a palm in length, and as thick as a man's arm ; to look
at, it is the most resplendent object upon earth ; it is
quite free from flaw and as red as fire. Its value is so
great that a price for it in money could hardly be named
at all. You must know that the Great Kaan sent an
embassy and begged the King as a favour greatly
desired by him to sell him this ruby, offering to give for
it the ransom of a city, or in fact what the h ing would.
But the King replied that on no account whatever
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