The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2 / Page 251 (Color Image)

0251	The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.2

CIIAP. LXXVII. THE GREAT CITY OF KINSAY

203

what it is. They are found not only in the vicinity of

the market places, where usually a quarter is assigned to

them, but all over the city. They exhibit themselves

splendidly attired and abundantly perfumed, in finely

garnished houses, with trains of waiting-women. These

women are extremely accomplished in all the arts of

allurement, and readily adapt their conversation to all

sorts of persons, insomuch that strangers who have once

tasted their attractions seem to get bewitched, and are so

taken with their blandishments and their fascinating

ways that they never can get these out of their heads.

Hence it comes to pass that when they return home they

say they have been to Kinsay or the City of Heaven,

and their only desire is to get back thither as soon as

possible.6

Other streets are occupied by the Physicians,_ and by

the Astrologers, who are also teachers of reading and

writing ; and an infinity of other professions have their

places round about those-squares. In each of the squares

there are two great palaces facing one another, in which

are established the officers appointed by the King to

decide differences arising between merchants, or other

inhabitants of the quarter. It is the daily duty of these

officers to see that the guards are at their posts on the

neighbouring bridges, and to punish them at their

discretion if they are absent.

All along the main street that we have spoken of, as

running from end to end of the city, both sides are lined

with houses and great palaces and the gardens pertaining

to them, whilst in the intervals are the houses of trades-

men engaged in their different crafts. The crowd of

people that you meet here at all hours, passing this way

and that on their different errands, is so vast that no one

would believe it possible that victuals enough could be

provided for their consumption, unless they should see

National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books