![]() Marco Polo on Kubilai Khan's falconing expeditions At the end of the three days and nights they are relieved by other six." ![]() Thus six of these damsels take their turn for three days and nights, wait on him when he is in his chamber and when he is in his bed, to serve him in any way, and to be entirely at this orders. are appointed to attend on the Emperor by turns. Then such of them as are of approved beauty. And these old ladies make the girls sleep with them, in order to ascertain if they have sweet breath (and do not snore), and are sound in all their limbs. "Now every year a hundred of the most beautiful maidens of the tribe are sent to the Great Khan, who commits them to the charge of certain elderly ladies dwelling in his palace. Marco Polo on Kubilai Khan's selection of wives ".For the Great Khan their king is, I tell you, the wisest and most accomplished man, the greatest Captain, and best to govern men and rule an Empire, as well as the most valiant, that ever existed among the Tribes of Mongols." ![]() Here is a selection of some interesting excerpts I marked when reading The travels of Marco Polo: The travels of Marco Polo: selected excerpts ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |