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The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries

R >> Richard Hakluyt >> The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries




+ Et præclarè Aristoteles Politic. lib. 3. cap. 12. in hanc sententiam: Qui
legem præesse vult, is velle videtur Deum ac leges imperare: qui autem
vult hominem, is etiam belluam adiungit, cum præsertim tale quid sit
cupiditas et iracundia: et magistratus et optimus quisque à recta via
detorqueantur &c. Adde quæ è Chrysippo adducuntur ff. li. i. tit. 3. 1.
2.


The same in English.

Of his age and demeanour, and of his seale. Chap. 28.

This Emperour, when hee was exalted vnto his gouernment, seemed to bee
about the age of fourty or fourty fiue yeeres. He was of a meane stature,
very wise and politike, and passing serious and graue in all his demeanour.
A rare thing it was, for a man to see him laugh or behaue himself lightly,
as those Christians report, which abode continually with him. [Sidenote:
His inclination to Christianitie.] Certaine Christians of his familie
earnestly and strongly affirmed vnto vs, that he himselfe was about to
become a Christian. A token and argument whereof was, that hee reteined
diuers Cleargie men of the Christians. Hee had likewise at all times a
Chappell of Christians, neere vnto his great Tent, where the Clearkes (like
vnto other Christians, and according to the custome of the Græcians) doe
sing publiquely and openly, and ring belles at certaine houres, bee there
neuer so great a multitude of Tartars, or of other people in presence. And
yet none of their Dukes doe the like. [Sidenote: His maiestie.] It is the
manner of the Emperour neuer to talke his owne selfe with a stranger,
though he be neuer so great, but heareth and answeareth by a speaker. And
when any of his subiects (howe great soeuer they bee) are in propounding
anie matter of importaunce vnto him, or in hearing his answeare, they
continue kneeling vpon their knees vnto the ende of their conference.
Neither is it lawfull for any man to speake of any affaires, after they
haue beene determined of by the Emperour. The sayde Emperour, hath in his
affaires both publike and priuate, an Agent, and Secretary of estate, with
Scribes and all other Officials, except aduocates. [Sidenote: A lawlesse
authoritie.] For, without the noyse of pleading, or sentence giuing, all
things are done according to the Emperours will and pleasure. Other
Tartarian princes do the like in those things which belong vnto them.
[Sidenote: Warre intended against all Christians.] But, be it known vnto al
men, that whilest we remained at the said Emperours court, which hath bin
ordained and kept for these many yeeres, the sayde Cuyne being Emperour new
elect, together with al his princes, erected a flag of defiance against the
Church of God, and Romane empire, and against al Christian kingdomes and
nationes of the West, vnlesse peraduenture (which God forbid) they will
condescend vnto those things, which he hath inioined vnto our lord the
pope, and to all potentates and people of the Christians, namely, that they
wil become obedient vnto him. For, except Christendom, there is no land
vnder heauen, which they stande in feare of, and for that cause they
prepare themselues to battel against vs. This Emperors father, namely
Occoday, was poisoned to death, which is the cause why they haue for a
short space absteined from warre. But their intent and purpose is (as I
haue aboue said) to subdue the whole world vnto themselues, as they were
commanded by Chingis Can. Hence it is that the Emperor in his letters
writeth after this maner: The power of God, and Emperour of all men. Also,
vpon his seale, there is this posie ingrauen: God in heauen, and Cuyne Can
vpon earth, the power of God: the seale of the Emperour of all men.


De admissione Fratrum et nuncioram ad Imperatorem. Cap. 29.

[Sidenote: Cuyne audit legatos.] In loco illo, vbi positus est Imperator in
throno, vocati fuimus coram ipso. Cúmque Chingay protonotarius eius nomina
nostra scripsisset, illorumque à quibus missi eramus, et Ducis Solangorum
et aliorum, clamauit alta voce, recitans illa coram Imperatore ac Ducum
vniuersitate. Quo facto, flexit vnusquisque nostrum quater genu sinistrum,
et monuerunt, ne tangeremus limen deorsum. Cúmque pro cultellis nos
diligentissimè scrutati fuissent, et nullatenus inuenissent, intrauimus
ostium ab Orientale parte: quia nullus ab Occidente, nisi solus imperator,
audet intrare. Similiter et Dux ab illa parte ingreditur solus, si est
tentorium eius. Minores autem non multum curant de talibus. Tunc ergò
primum in eius præsentia suam intrauimus stationem, videlicet postquam
factus est Imperator ibidem. [Sidenote: Munera eidem oblata.] Omnes quoque
nuncij tunc ab eo recepti sunt, sed paucissimi tentorium eius intrauerunt.
Ibi verò tanta donaria ab ipsis nuncijs fuerunt ei præsentata, quòd quasi
videbantur infinita, videlicet in samitis ac purpureis et baldakinis ac
cingulis sericis cum auro præparatis, pellibus etiam nobilibus, cæterísque
muneribus. Quoddam etiam Solinum, siue tentoriolum, quod super caput
Imperatoris portatur, fuit eidem præsentatum, quod totum erat cum gemmis
præparatum. Quidam verò preafectus vnius prouinciæ adduxit ei Camelos
multos cum Baldakinis tectos. Similiter sellæ positæ cum instrumentis
quibusdam erant, in quibus homines interius sedere valebant. Equos etiam
multos et mulos adducebant eidem phaleratos et armatos, quosdam quidem de
corio, et quosdam de ferro. Nos etiam requisiti fuimus, an ei munera dare
vellemus: sed iam facultas non erat, quoniam omnia ferè nostra
consumpseramus. [Sidenote: Currus.] Ibidem longè à stationibus super montem
erant positi currus plusquam quingenti, qui omnes auro et argento ac
sericis vestibus erant pleni. Cunctique inter imperatorem et Duces diuisi
fuerunt, singulique Duces inter homines suos partes suas, vt eis placuit,
diuiserunt.


The same in English.

Of the admission of the Friers and Ambassadours vnto the Emperour. Chap.
29.

[Sidenote: Cuyne heareth the Legates.] In the same place where the Emperour
was established into his throne, we were summoned before him. And Chirigay,
his chiefe secretary hauing written down our names, and the names of them
that sent vs, with the name of the Duke of Solangi, and of others, cried
out with a loude voice, rehearsing the said names before the Emperour, and
the assembly of his Dukes. Which beeing done, ech one of vs bowed his left
knee foure times, and they gaue vs warning not to touch the threshold. And
after they had searched vs most diligently for kniues, and could not find
any about vs, we entred in at the doore vpon the East side: because no man
dare presume to enter at the West Doore, but the Emperour onely. In like
maner, euery Tartarian Duke entreth on the West side into his tent. Howbeit
the inferiour sort doe not greatly regard such ceremonies. This therefore
was the first time, when we entred into the Emperours tent in his presence,
after he was created Emperour. Likewise all other ambassadours were there
receiued by him, but very fewe were admitted into his tent. [Sidenote:
Gifts presented vnto him.] And there were presented vnto him such abundance
of gifts by the saide Ambassadours, that they seemed to be infinite, namely
in Samites, robes of purple, and of Baldakin cloth, silke girdles wrought
with golde, and costly skinnes, with other gifts also. Likewise there was a
certaine Sun Canopie, or small tent (which was to bee carried ouer the
Emperours head) presented vnto him, being set full of precious stones. And
a gouernour of one Prouince brought vnto him a companie of camels couered
with Baldakins. They had saddles also vpon their backs, with certaine other
instruments, within the which were places for men to sitte vpon. Also they
brought many horses and mules vnto him furnished with trappes and
caparisons, some being made of leather, and some of iron. And we were
demanded whether we would bestow any gifts vpon him or no? But wee were not
of abilitie so to doe, hauing in a maner spent all our prouision.
[Sidenote: 500 Carts ful of treasure.] There were also vpon an hill
standing a good distance from the tents, more than 500. carts, which were
all ful of siluer and of gold, and silke garments. And they were all
diuided betweene the Emperour and his Dukes, and euery Duke bestowed vpon
his owne followers what pleased him.


De loco diuisionis Imperatoris et matris suæ, et morte Ieroslai, Ducis
Russiæ. Cap. 30.

[Sidenote: Tentorium purpureum.] Inde recedentes, venimus ad alium locum,
vbi tentorium mirabile, totum de purpura rufa, quod Kitay dederant, erat
positum. Illic interius introducti fuimus, et semper cùm intrabamus nobis
dabatur ad bibendum cereuisia vel vinum, et etiam carnes coctæ, si
volebamus, ad edendum. [Sidenote: Solium churnum.] Erátque solariolum vnum,
de tabulis altè præparatum, vbi thronus Imperatoris erat positus, ex ebore
mirabiliter sculptus, in quo etiam erat aurum, et lapides preciosi, si bene
meminimus, et illuc ascendebatur per gradus. Eratque rotundum superius.
Banci verò erant positi in circuitu sedis, vbi dominæ sedebant à parte
sinistra in scamnis, à dextris autem nemo sedebat superius, sed Duces
sedebant in Bancis inferius, et hoc in medio. Alij verò sedebant, post eos,
et quolibet die veniebat dominarum maxima multitudo. Ista verò tria
tentoria, de quibus suprà diximus, erant valdè magna, aliáque habebant
vxores eius de filtro albo satis magna et pulchra. Ibidem Imperator diuisus
est à matre sua, quæ iuit in vnam terræ partem, et Imperator in aliam ad
iudicia facienda. Capta siquidem erat amica Imperatoris istius, quæ veneno
interfecerat patrem eius, eo tempore, quo exercitus eoram in Hungaria fuit.
Propter quod etiam exercitus eorum, qui erat in partibus illis, recessit.
[Sidenote: Nex Occoday vindicata. Ieroslaus Dux Russiæ.] De qua cum alijs
pluribus factum fuit iudicium, et occisi fuerunt. Eodem tempore mortuus
fuit Ierozlaus, Dux magnus Soldal, quæ est quædam Russia pars. Vocatus enim
ad matrem Imperatoris quasi pro honore, vt manducaret ac biberet de manu
ipsius, in continenti ad hospitum est reuersus, infirmatúsque mortuus est
post septem dies, totumque corpus eius miro modo glaucum effectum est,
dicebatúrque ab omnibus, quod ibidem, vt terram eius liberè ac plenariè
possiderent, fuisset impotionatus.


The same in English.

Of the place where the Emperour and his mother tooke their leaues one of
another, and of Ieroslaus Duke of Russia. Chap. 30.

[Sidenote: A tent of purple.] Departing thence, we came vnto another place,
where a wonderfull braue tent, all of red purple, giuen by the Kythayans,
was pitched. Wee were admitted into that also, and alwaies when we entred,
there was giuen vnto vs ale and wine to drinke, and sodden fleshe (when we
would) to eate. [Sidenote: A throne of Iuorie.] There was also a loftie
stage built of boords, where the Emperour's throne was placed, being verie
curiously wrought out of iuorie, wherein also there was golde and precious
stones, and (as we remember) there were certain degrees or staires to
ascend vnto it. And it was round vpon the top. There were benches placed
about the saide throne, whereon the ladies sate towarde the left hand of
the Emperour vpon stooles, (but none sate aloft on the right hand) and the
Dukes sate vpon benches below, the said throne being in the midst. Certaine
others sate behind the Dukes, and euery day there resorted great companie
of Ladies thither. The three tents whereof we spake before, were very
large, but the Emperour his wiues had other great and faire tentes made of
white felt. This was the place where the Emperour parted companie with his
mother: for she went into one part of the land; and the Emperour into
another to execute iustice. For there was taken a certaine Concubine of
this Emperour, which had poysoned his father to death, at the same time
when the Tartars armie was in Hungarie, which, for the same cause returned
home. [Sidenote: The death of Occoday reuenged.] Moreouer, vpon the
foresaide Concubine, and many other of her confederats sentence of
iudgement was pronounced, and they were put to death. At the same time
Ieroslaus the great Duke of Soldal, which is a part of Russia, deceased.
For being (as it were for honours sake) inuited to eate and drinke with the
Emperours mother, and immediately after the banquet, returning vnto his
lodging, he fel sicke, and within seuen dayes, died. And after his death,
his body was of a strange blew colour, and it was commonly reported, that
the said Duke was poisoned, to the ende that the Tartars might free and
totally possess his Dukedome.


Qualiter tandem Fratres ad Imperatorem accedentes, literas dederunt &
acceperunt. Cap. 31.

[Sidenote: Cuyne cum legatis dissimulanter agit.] Deníque Tartari nostri
nos ad Imperatorem duxerunt: qui cùm audisset per illos, nos ad eum
venisse, iussit nos ad matrem redire. Volebat enim secundo die, sicut
superiùs dictum est, contra totam Occidentis terram vexillum erigere, quod
nos volebat ignorare. Itaque reuersi stetimus paucis diebus, & iterum ad
ipsum reuersi sumus. Cum quo benè per mensem fuimus in tanta fame ac siti,
quòd vix viuere poteramus. Nam expensæ, quæ nobis pro diebus quatuor
debantur, vix vni sufficiebant. Nec inuenire poteramus aliquid ad emendum,
quia forum erat nimis remotum. [Sidenote: Cosmas Russus.] Sed Dominus nobis
quendam Ruthenum, nomine Cosmam, aurifabrum præparauit, qui satis dilectus
Imperatori, nos in aliquo sustentauit. Et hic nobis ostendit thronum
Imperatoris, quem ipse fecerat, antequam poneretur in sede, & sigillum
eiusdem, quod etiam fabricauerat ipse. [Sidenote: Chingay internuncius.]
Post hoc Imperator pro nobis misit, nobísque per Chingay protonotarium suum
dici fecit, vt verba nostra & negotia scriberemus, eíque porrigeremus. Quod
& fecimus. Post plures dies nos iterum vocari fecit, & vtrum essent apud
Dominum Papam, qui Ruthenorum vel Sarracenorum, aut etiam Tartarorum
literam intelligerent, interrogauit. Cui respondimus, quòd nullam istarum
literarum habebamus. Sarraceni tamen erant in terra, sed remoti erant à
Domino Papa. Diximus tamen, quia nobis expedire videbatur, quòd in
Tartarico scriberent, & nobis interpretarentur, nos autem in litera nostra
diligenter scriberemus, & tam literam quam interpretationem ad Dominum
Papam deferremus. Tunc à nobis recesserunt, & ad Imperatorem iuerunt. Porrò
à die Beati Martini fuimus vocati. Tunc Kadac, totius imperij procurator, &
Chingay & Bala, plurésque scriptores ad nos venerunt, nobísque literam de
verbo ad verbum interpretati fuerunt. Et cùm in Latina litera
scripsissemus, faciebant sibi per singulas orationes interpretari, volentes
scire, si nos in aliquo verbo erraremus. Cum igitur ambæ literæ fuissent
scriptæ, fecerunt nos semel ac secundo legere, ne fortè minus aliquid
haberemus. Dixerunt enim nobis, videte, quòd omnia benè intelligatis, quia
non expediret, quòd non omnia bene intelligeretis. Literas etiam in
Sarracenico scripserunt, vt aliquis in partibus nostris inueniri posset,
qui eas, si opus esset, legeret.


The same in English.

How the Friers coming at length vnto the Emperour, gaue, and receiued
letters. Chap. 31.

[Sidenote: Coyne dissembleth with the Legates.] To be short, the Tartars
brought vs vnto their Emperor, who when he had heard of them, that we were
come vnto him, commanded that we should return, vnto his mother. For he was
determined the next day, (as it is abouesaid) to set vp a flag of defiance
against all the countreis of the West, which he would haue vs in no case to
know. Wherefore returning, we staid some few dayes with his mother, and so
returned backe again vnto him. With whom we continued for the space of one
whole moneth in such extreme hunger and thirst, that we could scarce hold
life and soule together. For the prouision allowed vs for foure dayes, was
scantly sufficient for one day. Neither could we buy vs any sustenance,
because the market was too farre off. [Sidenote: Cosmas a Russian.] Howbeit
the Lorde prouided for vs a Russian goldsmith, named Cosmas, who being
greatly in the Emperours fauour, procured vs some sustenance. This man
shewed vnto vs the throne of the Emperour, which hee had made, before it
was set in the proper place, and his seale, which he also had framed.
[Sidenote: The message of Chingay.] Afterward the Emperor sent for vs,
giuing vs to vnderstand by Chingay his chief Secretary, that wee should
write downe our messages & affaires, and should deliuer them vnto him.
Which thing we performed accordingly. After many daies he called for vs
againe, demanding whether there were any with our Lord the Pope, which
vnderstood the Russian, the Saracen, or the Tartarian language? To whom we
answered, that we had none of those letters or languages. Howbeit, that
there were certaine Saracens in the land, but inhabiting a great distance
from our Lord the Pope. And wee saide, that wee thought it most expedient,
that when they had written their mindes in the Tartarian language, and had
interpreted the meaning thereof vnto vs, we should diligently translate it
into our own tongue, and so deliuer both the letter and the translation
thereof vnto our Lord the Pope. Then departed they from vs, and went vnto
the Emperour. And after the day of S. Martine, we were called for againe.
Then Kadac, principal agent for the whole empire, and Chingay, and Bala,
with diuers other Scribes, came vnto vs, and interpreted the letter word
for word. And hauing written it in Latine, they caused vs to interprete
vnto them eche sentence, to wit if we had erred in any word. And when both
letters were written, they made vs to reade them ouer twise more, least we
should haue mistaken ought. For they said vnto vs: Take heed that ye
vnderstand all things throughly, for if you should not vnderstand the whole
matter aright, it might breed some inconuenience. They wrote the said
letters also in the Saracen tongue that there might be some found in our
dominions which could reade and interprete them, if need should require.


Qualiter licentiati fuerunt. Cap. 32.

Vt autem nobis Tartari nostri dixerunt, proposuit Imperator nuncios suos
nobiscum mittere. Volebat tamen, vt credimus, quod nos id ab eo peteremus.
Sed cùm vnus de Tartaris nostris, qui senior erat, nos ad hoc petendum
hortaretur, nobis quidem, vt venirent, ne quaquam bonum videbatur.
[Sidenote: Legate abhorrent à Tartarorum ad Christianos legatione.] Ideóque
respondimus ei, quòd non erat nostrum petere, sed si sponte ipse Imperator
mitteret eos, libenter eos securè conduceremus, Domino adiuuante. Nobis
autem ob plures causas vt venirent, non videbatur expedire. Prima quidem
fuit, quia timuimus, ne visis dissentionibus aut guerris, quæ fiunt inter
nos, magis animarentur ad veniendum contra nos. Secunda fuit, timebamus eos
exploratores terræ fieri. Tertia verò, quia timebamus eos interfici. Gentes
enim nostræ arrogantes sunt et superbæ. Vnde quando seruientes, qui stant
nobiscum, ex rogatu Cardinalis, legati scilicet Alemanniæ, in habitu
Tartarico ibant ad ipsum, in via ferè lapidati sunt à Teutonicis, et coacti
sunt deponere habitum illum. Consuetudo autem est Tartarorum, vt cum illis,
qui nuncios eorum occiderint, nunquam faciant pacem, nisi sumant de ipsis
vltionem. Quarta etiam causa fuit, quia timebamus ne nobis auferrentur vi.
Quinta verò causa erat, quia de aduentu eorum nulla foret vtilitas, cùm
nullum haberent aliud mandatum vel potestatem, nisi quòd literas
Imperatoris ad Dominum Papam et ad Principes deferrent, quas videlicet
literas ipsi nos habebamus, et malum ex eorum aduentu posse contingere
credebamus. Itaque tertia die post hoc, scilicet in festo beati Briccij
[Sidenote: Nouemb. 13.] nobis dederunt licentiam et literam, Imperatoris
sigillo munitam, mittentes nos ad ipsius Imperatoris matrem, quæ vnicuique
nostrum dedit pelliceum, vnum de pellibus vulpinis, quod habebat pilos de
foris, et purpuram vnam. [Sidenote: Honorantur commeatu et lautijs.] De
quibus Tartari nostri furati sunt ex vnaquaque vnum passum. De ilia quoque
quæ dabatur seruienti, meliorem medietatem sunt furati. Quod nos quidem non
ignorauimus, sed inde verba mouere noluimus.


The same in English.

How they were licensed to depart. Chap. 32.

[Sidenote: The Legates are loth to haue any Ambassadours sent from the
Tartars to the Christians.] And (as our Tartars told vs) the Emperour was
purposed to send his ambassadors with vs. Howbeit, he was desirous (as we
thought) that we our selues should craue that fauour at his hands. And when
one of our Tartars being an ancient man, exhorted vs to make the said
petition, we thought it not good for vs, that the Emperour should send his
ambassadours. Wherefore we gaue him answere, that it was not for vs to make
any such petition, but if it pleased the Emperour of his owne accord to
send them, we would diligently (by Gods assistance) see them conducted in
safetie. Howbeit, we thought it expedient for vs, that they should not goe,
and that for diuers causes First, because we feared, least they, seeing the
dissentions and warres which are among vs should be the more encouraged to
make warre against vs. Secondly, we feared, that they would be insteade of
spies and intelligencers in our dominions. Thirdly, we misdoubted that they
would be slaine by the way. For our nations be arrogant and proud. For when
as those seruants (which at the request of the Cardinall, attended vpon vs,
namely the legates of Almaine) returned vnto him in the Tartars attire,
they were almost stoned in the way, by the Dutch, and were compelled to put
off those garments. And it is the Tartars custome, neuer to bee reconciled
vnto such as haue slaine their Ambassadours, till they haue reuenged
themselues. Fourthly, least they should bee taken from vs by mayne force.
Fiftly, because there could come no good by their ambassade, for they were
to haue none other commission, or authoritie, but onely to deliuer their
Emperours letter vnto the Pope, and to the Princes of Christendome, which
very same letters wee our selues had, and we knew right well, that much
harme might ensue thereof. Wherefore, the third day after this, namely,
vpon the feast of Saint Brice [Sidenote: Nouember 13.], they gaue vs our
passe-port and a Letter sealed with the Emperours owne seale, sending vs
vnto the Emperours mother, who gaue vnto eche of vs a gowne made of Foxe
skinnes, with the furre on the outside, and a piece of purple. [Sidenote:
They are rewarded with gifts.] And our Tartars stole a yard out of euery
one of them. And out of that which was giuen vnto our seruant, they stole
the better halfe. Which false dealing of theirs we knew well enough, but
would make no words thereof.


Qualiter ab illo itinere redierunt. Cap. 33.

[Sidenote: Difficilis legatorum reditus.] Tunc iter ad reuertendum
arripuimus, at per totam hyemem venimus, iacentes in desertis sæpiùs in
niue, nisi quantum poteramus nobis cum pede locum facere. Ibi quippe non
erant arbores; sed planus campus. Et sæpe manè nos inueniebamus totos niue,
quam ventus pellebat, coopertos. Sic venientes vsque ad Ascensionem Domini
peruenimus ad Bathy. [Sidenote: Bathy.] A quo cùm inquireremus, quid
responderet Domino Papæ, dixit se nolle aliud, nisi quod Imperator
diligenter scripserat, demandare. Datísque nobis de conductu literis, ab eo
recessimus, & sabbatho infra octauas Pentecostes vsque ad Montij
peruenimus, vbi erant socij nostri, ac seruientes, qui fuerant retenti,
quos ad nos fecimus reduci. [Sidenote: Corrensa.] Hinc vsque Corrensam
peruenimus, cui iterum à nobis donaria petenti non dedimus, quia non
habebamus. Dedítque nobis duos Comanos, qui erant ex Tartarorum plebe,
vsque ad Kiouiam Russiæ. Tartarus tamen noster non dimisit nos, donec
exiremus vltimam Tartarorum custodiam. Isti verò alij, qui nobis à Corrensa
dati sunt, in sex diebus ab vltima custodia vsque ad Kiouiam nos duxerunt.
Venimus autem illuc ante festum Beati Iohannis Baptistæ xv. diebus.
[Sidenote: Iunij 8. Gratulationes reducibus factæ. Basilius & Daniel
Principes.] Porrò Kiouienses aduentum nostrum percipientes, occurrerunt
nobis omnes lætanter. Congratulabantur enim nobis, tanquam à morte
suscitatis. Sic fecerunt nobis per totam Russiam, Poloniam & Bohemiam.
Daniel & Wasilico frater eius festum nobis magnum fecerunt, & nos contra
voluntatem nostram bene per octo dies tenuerunt. Medióque tempore inter se
& cum Episcopis, cæterísque probis viris, super his, quæ locuti fueramus
eisdem, in processu nostro ad Tartaros consilium habentes, responderunt
nobis communiter, dicentes: [Sidenote: Russi agnoscunt primatum Papæ.] quòd
Dominum Papam habere vellent in specialem Dominum, & in patrem, sanctam
quoque Romanam Ecclesiam in dominam & magistram, confirmantes etiam omnia,
quæ priùs de hac materia per Abbatem suum transmiserant. Et super hoc etiam
nobiscum ad Dominum Papam nuncios suos & literas transmiserunt.


The same in English.

How they returned homewards. Chap. 33.

[Sidenote: The sore iourneys of the legates in returning.] Then taking our
iourney to returne, we trauailed all Winter long, lying in the deserts
oftentimes vpon the snow, except with our feete wee made a piece of ground
bare to lye vpon. For there were no trees, but the plaine champion
[Footnote: Champagne (Fr.) Open] field. And oftentimes in the morning, we
found our selues all couered with snow driuen ouer vs by the winde.
[Sidenote: Bathy.] And so trauailing till the feast of our Lordes
Ascension, we arriued at the court of Bathy. Of whom when wee had enquired,
what answere he would send vnto our Lord the Pope, he said that he had
nothing to giue vs in charge, but onely that we should diligently deliuer
that which the Emperour had written. And, hauing receued letters for our
safe conduct, the thirteenth day after Pentecost, being Saterday, wee were
proceeded as farre as Montij, with whome our foresaide associates and
seruants remained, which were withheld from vs, and we caused them to be
deliuered vnto vs. [Sidenote: Corrensa.] From hence wee trauailed vnto
Corrensa, to whom, requiring gifts the second time at our hands, we gaue
none, because we had not wherewithall. And hee appointed vs two Comanians,
which liued among the common people of the Tartars, to be our guides vnto
the citie of Kiow in Russia. Howbeit one of our Tartars parted not from vs,
till we were past the vtmost gard of the Tartars. But the other guides,
namely the Comanians, which were giuen vs by Corrensa, brought vs from the
last garde vnto the citie of Kiow, in the space of sixe dayes. And there we
arriued fifteene dayes before the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist. [Sidenote:
Iune 8. How they were welcomed at their returne.] Moreouer, the Citizens of
Kiow hauing intelligence of our approach, came foorth all of them to meet
vs, with great ioy. For they reioyced ouer vs, as ouer men that had bene
risen from death to life. So likewise they did vnto vs throughout all
Russia, Polonia, and Bohemia. [Sidenote: Basilius and Daniel Princes.]
Daniel and his brother Wasilico made vs a royall feast, and interteined vs
with them against our willes for the space Of eight dayes. In the mean
time, they with their Bishops, and other men of account, being in
consultation together about those matters which we had propounded vnto them
in our iourney towards the Tartars, answered vs with common consent,
saying: that they would holde the Pope for their speciall Lord and Father,
and the Church of Rome for their Lady & mistresse, confirming likewise al
things which they had sent concerning this matter, before our comming, by
their Abbate. And for the same purpose, they sent their Ambassadours and
letters by vs also, vnto our Lord the Pope.

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