The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 232 (Color Image)

0232	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

186 MARCO POLO BOOK II.

stands as it were in the water and surrounded by water,

so that a great many bridges are required to give free

passage about it. [And though the bridges be so high

the approaches are so well contrived that carts and horses

do cross them.2]

The document aforesaid also went on to state that

there were in this city twelve guilds of the different

crafts, and that each guild had 12,000 houses in the occu-

pation of its workmen. Each of these houses contains at

least 12 men, whilst some contain 20 and some 40, not

that these are all masters, but inclusive of the journey-

men who work under the masters. And yet all these

craftsmen had full occupation, for many other cities of

the kingdom are supplied from this city with what they

require.

The document aforesaid also stated that the number

and wealth of the merchants, and the amount of goods

that passed through their hands, was so enormous that

no man could form a just estimate thereof. And I should

have told you with regard to those masters of the different

crafts who are at the head of such houses as I have

mentioned, that neither they nor their wives ever touch

a piece of work with their own hands, but live as nicely

and delicately as if they were kings and queens. The

wives indeed are most dainty and angelical creatures !

Moreover it was an ordinance laid down by the King

that every man should follow his father's business and

no other, no matter if he possessed I oo,000 bezants.3

Inside the city there is a Lake which has a compass

of some 3o miles : and all round it are erected beautiful

palaces and mansions, of the richest and most exquisite

structure that you can imagine, belonging to the nobles

of the city. There are also on its shores many abbeys

and churches of the Idolaters. In the middle of the

Lake are two Islands, on each of which stands a rich,

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