ABSTRACT

Now, this lord passeth the summer at a certain place which is called Sandu 1 , situated towards the north 2 , and the coolest habitation in the world 3 . But in the winter 228season he abideth in Cambalech 1 . And when he will ride from the one place 2 to the other this is the order thereof. He hath four 3 armies of horsemen, one of which goeth a day’s march in front of him, one at each side, and one a day’s march in rear, so that he goeth always, as it were, in the middle of a cross. And marching thus, each army hath its route laid down for it day by day, and findeth at its halts all necessary provender. But his own immediate company hath its order of march thus. The king travelleth in a two-wheeled carriage, in which is formed a very goodly chamber, all of lign-aloes and gold 4 , and covered over with great and fine skins, and set with many precious stones. And the carriage is drawn by four elephants, well broken in and harnessed, and also by four splendid horses, richly caparisoned. And alongside go four barons 5 , who are called Cuthe 6 , keeping watch and ward over the chariot that no hurt come to the king 7 . Moreover, he carrieth with 229him in his chariot twelve gerfalcons 1 ; so that even as he sits therein upon his chair of state or other seat, if he sees any birds pass he lets fly his hawks at them. And none may dare to approach within a stone’s throw of the carriage, unless those whose duty brings them there 2 . And thus it is that the king travelleth.