Than is there an other yle ye men call Dodye

Than is there an other yle the men call Dody & it is a grete yle / In this yle are many dyuerse maner of men & haue euyll maners for the

fader eteth the sone / and the sone the fader / the husbande his wyfe / and the●wyf her husbonde . And yf it so be the the fader be seke or the moder or ony frende the sone gooth as soone to the preest of the lawe and prayeth hym that he wyll aske of the ydoll yf his fader shall deye of that syknesse or not . And than the preest & the sone kneledowne before the ydoll de●outly & asketh hym / & he answereth to theym / & yf he sayth that he shall lyue / than they kepe hym wel / & yf he say that he shal dye than come the preest with the sone or with the wyf or what frende that it be vnto hym that is seke . & they leye ther hondes ouer his mouthe to stoke his brethe / & so they slee hym / and than they smyte all the body in to pyeces and prayeth all his frendes for to come and ●te of hym that is dede / and they make a grete feste therof and haue many mynstrelles there and ete hym with grete melody . And so whan they haue eten all the flesshe / than they take the bones and burye theym all syngynge with grete worshyppe / and all those that are of his frendes that were not there at the etynge of hym hath grete shame and velonye soo that they shal neuer more be holden as frendes . And the kynge of this yle is a grete lorde and myghty / and he hath vnder hym . li●ij grete yles & eche of theym hath a kynge / & in one of thise yles are men that

hath but one eye / & that is in the myddes of theyr fronte / and they ete not but flesshe & fysshe rawe / And in an other yle dwell men that haue no hedes

& theyr eyen are in theyr sholders & theyr mouth is on theyr breste / In an other yle are men that haue no hede ne eyen & theyr mouth is in theyr sholders .

And in an other yle are men that haue platte faces without nose and without eyen / but they haue two small rounde holes in stede of eyen / and they haue a platte mouthe withoute lyppes . ¶ And in an oyle are men also that haue theyr faces all platte with out eyen and withoute mouthe and without nose / but they haue theyr eyen and theyr mouthe behynde on theyr sholdres . And in another yle are floue

men that haue the lyppe aboue the mouthe so grete that whan they slepe in the sonne they couer all theyr face with the lyppe . And in an other yle are ly lytell men as dwarfes & haue no mouthe but a lytell rounde hole & thrughe that hole they ete theyr mete with a pype / and they haue noo tonge & they speke not but they blowe & whysple and so make sygnes one to an other . And in as other yle are men with hangynge eeres vnto theyr knees . And in an other yle are wylde men with hangynge eeres and haue feete lyke an hors & may renne faste / and they take wylde bestes & ete theym . And in an other yle are men that go on theyr hondes & feet lyke beestes / & are all roughe & wyll leepe vpon a tree lyke cattes / or apes . And in an other yle are men that goo euer vpon theyr knees meruayllously and haue on euery fote / viij toos . And in an other yle is folke that

is bothe men & women & haue membres of bothe for to engender with / and whan they wyll they vse bothe on a tyme & the other an other tyme / & they gete chyldren whan they vse the membre of man& they bere chyldren whan they vse the membre of woman . many other maner of folke is thise in yles therabout of whome it were to longe to tell all .

¶ Of the kyngedome named Mancy & is the best kyngdome of the worlde . ca. lxiij .

TO goo fro this yle towarde the ●est many Iourneys a man shall fynde a kyngdom that is called Mancy & this is in Ynde the more / & it is moost delectable & plente of goodes of all the worlde . In this londe dwell crysten men & sarasyns / for it is a grete londe / & therin is .ij. M. grete cytees and many other townes . In this londe noo man gooth on beggynge for there is no poore man / & the men haue berdes thynne of heere as it were cattes . In this londe are fayre women / & therfore some men calle the londe albany for the whyte folke / & ther is a cyte that men call Latorym & is more than Parys / & in that londe are byrdes twyes greter than it be here / & there is good chepe of all maner of vytaylles .

In this countree are whyte hennes & they bere no● feders but woll as shepe do in oure londe / and women of that countre that are wedded bere crownes vpon theyr heedes that they may be knowen by . In this countree they take a beest that is called Loyres . & they kenne it to go in to waters or vy●ers / and as soone he bryngeth oute of the water grete fysshes / & thus they take fysshe as longe as they wyll to that theym nedeth . Fro this cyte men go by many Iourneyes to an other grete cyte that is called Cassay that is the moost cyte of the worlde / & that Cyte is fyfty myle aboute / & there is in the cyte mo than .xij. pryncypall gates without . Fro thens within thre myle is an other grete cyte / & within this Cyte are more than .xij. thousande brydges / & vpon eche brydge is a stronge toure where the kepers dwell too kepe it agayne the grete Chane for it marcheth on his londe / & on one syde of the cyte renneth a grete ryuer / & there dwell crysten men and other / for it is a good countre & plenteuous & there groweth ryghte good wyne / this is a noble cyte where the kynge of Mancy was wonte to dwelle / & there dwelle relygyous men crysten freres / And men goo vpon y●●yuer tyll they come to an abbaye of monkes a lytell fro the cyte / & in that abaye is a grete gardyn & fayr & therin is many maner of trees of dyuers fruytes In that gardyn dwell many maner of beestes as baboynes / apes / marmosettes & other / & whan the couent hath eten a monke taketh the relleef & bere it in to the gardeyne / & smytech ones with a bel of syluer whiche he holde in his hande / & anone come out thyse bestes that I spake of & many moo nere iij. or .iiij. thousande / & he g●ueth them to ete of fayre vessels of syluer / & whan they haue eten he smyteth the bell agayne & they goo agayne theyr way . And the monke sayth that those bestes are soules of men that are dede / & those beestes that are fayre are soules of lordes & other ryche men / & those that are foule bestes are soules of other comunes . And I asked theym yf it had not be better to gyue that relefe to poore men & they sayd ther is no poore man in the countree & yf there were yet it were more almes to gyue it to those soules the suffre there theyr penaunce & may go no ferder to gete theyr mete than to men the haue wytte & may trauayl for theyr mete . Than come men to a cyte the is called Chybens & there was the fyrst sege of the kyn●e of Mancy . In this cyte are .lx. brydges of stone as fayre a they may be .

¶ Of a grete cyte named Cadon where in is the grete Chanes palays & lege . ca. lxvij

IN the prouynce of Caythay towarde the eest is an olde cyte / & besyde that cyte the Tartarynes haue made an other Cyte that men calle Cadon that hath .xij. gates / and euer bytwene two gates is a grete myle / soo that those two cytees the olde and the newe is rounde aboute .xx. myle . In this cyte is the palays and sege of the grete Chane in a full fayre place & grete of whyche the walles about is two myle / & within that are many fayre places & in the gardeyne of that palays is a ryghte grete hyll on the whiche is an other palays / and i●●s the fayrest that may be founde in ony plade / and all aboute the hylle are many trees berynge dyuers fruytes / & aboute that hylle is a grete dyche / and there nere are many vyuers on eche syde / and in those are many wylde foules that he may take & go not out of the palays : Within the halle of that palays are xxiiij . pylers of golde / and all the walles are couered with ryche skynnes of beestes that men calle pauters . Those are fayre beestes and well smellynge & of the smell of the skynnes ●one euyll smelle may come to the palays / those skynnes are as reed as blode / & they shyne so agayne the sonne the vnethes may ●en beholde them / and ●en prayse those skynnes as moche as it were colde . In myddes of that palays is a place made that they call the mounture for the grete Chane that is well made with precyous stones & grete perles hangynge aboute / & at the four corners of that mountour are four nedders of golde / & vnder that mountour & aboue are conduytes of beuerage that they drynke in the emperours courte . And the halle of that palays is rychely dyghte & well / And fyrste at the ouer ende of the hall is the throne of the Emperoure ryght hye where he sytteth at mete at a tab●e the is well bordured with golde / & that bordure is full of precyous stones & grete perles / and the greces on the whiche he gooth vp are of dyuerse precyous stones bordred with golde . At the left syde of his throne is the syege of his wyfe a degre lower than he sytteth & that is of Iasper bordured with golde / & the syege of his seconde wyfe is a degree lower than the fyrste & that is also of good Iasper bordured with golde / and the syege of the thyrde wyfe is a degree lower than the seconde / for alwaye he hath thre wyues with hym where soeuer he is / besyde thyse wyues on the same syde sytteth other ladyes of his kynne echone lower than other as they are of degree / & all those that are wedded haue a counterfayte of a mannes fote vpon theyr hedes a cubyte longe & al made with precyous stones / and aboue they are made with shynynge feders of pecockes or suche other in tokenynge that they are subgeccyon of man and vnder men fote / and they that are not wedded haue none suche . And on the ryght syde of the Emperoure sytteth fyrste his sone that shall be Emperoure after hym / and he sytteth also a degree lower thanne the Emperoure in suche maner of seges as the Emperoure sytteth / & by hym sytteth other lordes of his kynne echone lower than other as they are of degre . And the emperoure hath his table by hymselfe alone that is made of golde and precyous stones or of whyte crystal or yelowe bordred with golde / and echone of his wyues hathe a table by herself . And vnder the Emperours table sytteth foure clerkes at his fete that wryteth al that the Emperour sayth be it good or ylle . And at grete festes aboue the Emperours table & all other tables in the halle is a vy●e made of fyne golde that gooth all aboute the hall & it hath many braunches of grapes lyke to grapes of the vyne / some are white / some are yelowe / some reed / some grene / and some blacke / all the reed are of rubyes of cremas or alabaunce / the whyte are of crystale or byrall / the yelowe are of topaces / the grene are of emeraudes & crysolytes / & the blacke are of quyches & gerandes / and this vyne is made thus of precyous stones so properly that it semeth as it were a vyne growynge . And before the borde of the Emperour standeth grete lordes / & no man is so hardy to speke to hym but it be mynstrels for to solace th emperour . And all the vessell that is serued in his halle or chambres are of precyous stones and namely at tables where grete lordes ete / that is to saye / of Iasper / crystall / amatyst / or fyne golde & the cuppes are of emeraudes / saphyres / topaces / and other many maner of stones / & of syluer haue they noo vessell for they prayse syluer but lytell to make vessell of / but they make of syluer greces pylers and pauymentes of halles & of chambres . And ye shall vnderstande that my felowe & I was in soudy with hym .xvi. monethes agayne the kynge of Mancy vpon whome he made warre / & the cause was for we had so grete desyre to se the nobley of his courte yf it were suche as we herde speke of / & forsoth we founde it more rycher & solempne than euer we herde speke of / & we sholde neuer haue byleude it had we not seen it / but ye shall vnderstande the mete & drynke is more honest amonge vs than it is in those countrees / for all the comons ete vpon skynnes of beestes on theyr knees & ete but flesshe of all maner bestes / & whan they haue all eten they wype theyr hondes in theyr skyrtes & they ete but ones on the daye & ete but lytell brede / but the estate of the lordes is full nobley & full rychely .

¶ Wherfore that the Emperour of Cathay is called the grete Chane . ca. lxviij .

ANd ye shall wete why he is called the grete Chane / ye wote well that all the worlde was destroyed with Noes flood but Noe & his wyf & his childern . Noe had thre sones Sen Cham and Iapheth . C ham was he that sawe his faders balockes naked whan he slepte & scorned it / and therfore was he cursyd / and Iapheth couered it agayne . Thyse thre brethern had all the londe . C ham toke the best parte eestwarde that is called Asia . Sem toke Affryke / & Iapheth to Europe . C ham was the myghtyest & rychest of his brethern / & of hym are come the paynem folke & dyuers maner of men of the yles / some hedles / & other men dysfygured / & for this Cham the Emperour there called hym Cham & lorde of all . But ye shal vnderstande that the Emperour of Cathay is called Chane & not Cham / and for this cause it is not longe gone that all Tartary was in subgeccyon & thrall to other nacyons about / & they were made herdemen to kepe beestes / & amonge theym was .vij. lynages or kyndes / the fyrst was called Tartary the is the best / the seconde lynage is called Tanghot / the thyrde Eurace / the fourthe Valayre / the fyfthe Semoth / the sixth Menchy / the seuenth Sobeth . Thyse are all holdynge of the grete Chane of Cathay . Now it befell so that in the fyrst lynage was an olde man & he was not ryche & men calle him Changyus . This man laye & slepte on a nyght in his bedde / & there came to hym a knyght all whyte syttynge vpon a whyte hors & sayd to hym . Chane slepest thou / god that is almyghty sente me to the / & it is his wyll that thou saye to the .vij. lynages that thou shalt be theyr Emperour / for ye shall conquere all the londes that are about you & they shall be in your subgeccyon as ye haue be in theyrs . And whan morowe came he rose up & sayd it to the .vij. lynages / and they scorned hym & sayd he was a fole . And the nyght after the same knyght came to the .vij. lynages & badde theym of goddes behalf to make Changyus theyr Emperour & they sholde be out of all subgeccyon . And on the morowe they chose Changyus to Emperour & dyde hym all worshyp that they myght do & called hym Chane as the whyte knyght called hym / and they sayd they wolde do as he badde theym . Than he made many statutes & lawes the whiche he called Ysakan . The fyrste statute was that they sholde be obedyent to god almyghty / & byleue that he sholde delyuer theym out of thraldom / & that they sholde calle on him in all theyr werkes . An other statute was that all men that myght bere armes sholde be nombred & to eche .x. sholde be a mayster & to an hondred a mayster / & to a thousande a mayster . Than he commaunded to all the grettest & pryncypalest of the .vij. lynages that they sholde forsake all that they hadde in herytage or lordshyp / and that they sholde holde theym payed of that he wolde gyue theym of his grace / and they dyde so And also he badde theym that eche man sholde brynge his eldest sone before hym and slee his owne sone with his owne handes and smyte of theyr heedes and as soone they dyde his byddynge . And whan he sawe they made no lettynge of that he badde theym do / than badde he theym folowe his baner / & than he put in subgeccyon all the londes about hym .

¶ How the grete Chane was hydde vnder a tree & so scaped his enmyes by cause of a byrde . ca. lxix .

ANd it befelle on a daye that the Chane rode with a fewe men to se the londe that he hadde wonne & he mette with a grete multytude of his enmyes and there he was cast downe of his hors and his hors slayne . And whan his men sawe hym at the erthe they wende he had be deed / & fled and the enmyes folowed after / and whan he sawe his enmyes were ferre he hydde hym in a busshe . for the wood was thycke there / and whan they were come agayn fro the chass● they wente to seke amonge the wood yf ony were hydde there / & they founde many . And as they came to the place where he was they sawe a byrde sytte vpon a tree the whiche byrde men calle an oule / & than sayd they that there was no man for that byrde sate there & so wente they awaye / & thus was the Chane saued fro deth / & so he wente awaye on a nyght to his owne men whiche were gladde of his comynge . And fro that tyme hyderwardes men of that countree haue do grete worshyp to that byrde & for that cause they worshyp that byrde aboue all the byrdes of the worlde And than he assembled all his men & rode vpon his enemyes & destroyed theym . And whan he had wonne all the londes that were about hym he hetde them in subgeccyon . And whan the Chane had wonne all the londes to mount Belyan / the whyte knyght come to hym in a vysyon agayne & sayd vnto hym . Chane the wyll of god is that thou passe the mount Belyan and thou shalt wynne many londes / & for thou shalt fynde no passage go thou to mount Belyan that is vpon the see syde & knele ix . tymes theron agaynst the eest in the worshyp of god & he shall shewe the a waye how thou shalt passe / & the Chane dyde so / and anone the see that touched the hylle withdrowe hym and shewed hym a fayre waye of .ix. foot brood bytwene the hylle and the see / and so he passed ryght well with all his men and than he wanne the londe of Cathay that is the moost londe and the grettest of all the worlde / and for those .ix. knelynges & the .ix. foot of waye the Chane and the men of Tartary haue the nombre of .ix. in grete worshyp .

¶ Of the grete Chanes letters and the wrytynge aboute his seale . ca. lxx .

ANd whan he had wonne the londe of Cathay he deyed & than regned after Cythoco the eldest sone of Chane / and his other broders wente to wynne theym londes in other countrees / & they wanne the londe of Pruysse & of Russy / and they dyde calle themself Chane / but he of Cathay is the grete Chane and the grettest lorde of all the worlde / & so he called him in his letters & sayth thus . Chan filius dei excelsi vniuersam terram colenciū summus imꝑator & dns dominātiū . That is to say . Chane goddes sone Emperour of all those that tylle all the londe & lorde of all lordes . And the wrytynge aboue his grete seale is . Deus in celo et chan super terram eius fortitudo omni hoīm imꝑatoris sigillum . That is to saye God in heuen Chane vpon erthe his strengthe the seale of th emperour of all men . And the wrytynge about his preuy seale is . Dei fortitudo omni hoīm īꝑatoris sigillum . That is to saye . The strengthe of god seale of the Emperour of all men . And all yf it be so that they be not crysten yet th emperour and the Tartaryns byleue in god almyghty .

¶ Of the gouernaunce of the courte of the grete Chane . ca. lxxi .

NOw haue I tolde you why he is called the grete Chane . Now shall I telle you of the gouernynge of his courte whan they make grete festes / & he keped four pryncypall festes in the yere / the fyrst is of his byrth / the seconde whan he is borne to the Temple to be circumcysed / the thyrde is of his ydols whan they begynne to speke / and the fourth whan the ydoll begynneth fyrst to do myracles / & at those tymes he hath men well arrayed by thousandes and by hondredes / & echone wote well what he shall do . For there is fyrst ordeyned foure thousande ryche barons & myghty for to ordeyne the feest & to serue th emperour / & all thyse barons haue crownes of golde well dyght with precyous stones & perles / and they are cladde in clothes of golde and camathas as rychely as they may be made / & they may well haue suche clothes for they are there of lesse pryce than wollen cloth is here . And thyse four thousande barons are departed in four partyes / & eche company is clad in dyuerse colour ryght rychely / & whan the fyrst thousande is passed & hath shewed theym / than come the seconde thousande / & than the thyrde thousande / and than the fourth & none of theym speketh a worde . And on one syde of th emperours table sytteth many phylosophres of many scyences / some of astronomy / nygromancy / geometry / pyromacy / & other many scyences / & some haue before theym astrolabes of golde or of precyous stones full of sonde or of coles brennynge / some haue orloges well dyght & rychely & other many Instrumentes after theyr scyences / & at a certayne houre whan they se tyme they saye to men the stande before theym make peas / and than saye those men with a loude voyce to all the halle now be stylle a whyle / & than sayth one of the phylosophres eche man make reuerence & enclyne to th emperour that is goddes sone & lorde of the worlde for now is tyme & houre / & than all men enclyne to hym & knele on the erthe / and than byddeth the phylosophre theym ryse vp agayne / & at an other houre an other phylosophre byddeth theym all put theyr fynger in theyr eerys & they do so / and at an other houre an other phylosophre byddeth that all men shall laye theyr honde on theyr heed & they do so / & than he byddeth theym take awaye & they do so / and thus fro houre to houre they bydde dyuerse thynges / & I asked pryuely what this sholde mene and one of the maysters sayd that the enclynynge & the knelynge on the erthe at that tyme hath this token / that all those men that kneled so shall euermore be true to th emperour / that for no gyfte ne hetynge they shall neuer be traytours ne fals to him And the puttynge of the fynger in the eere hath this token / that none of those shall here none ylle be spoken of the Emperour or his counseyll . And ye shall vnderstande that men dyght no thynge / clothes / brede / drynke / nor none suche thynges to th emperour but at certayne houres that the phylosophres telle & yf ony man reyse warre ayenst that Emperour in what countree so it be thyse phylophres wote it soone & tell the Emperour or his counseyll / and he sendeth men thyder for he hath many men . And he hath many men to kepe byrdes as garfaukons sperhaukes / faucons / gentyls / laners / sacres / popyniayes that are spekynge & many other .x. thousande olyfauntes / baboynes / marmosettes & other / & he hath euer about hym many physycyens more than two hondred that are crysten men and .xx. sarasyns / but trusteth more in crysten men than in sarasyns . And there is in that countree many barons & other seruauntes that are crysten & conuerted to the good fayth thorugh prechynge of good crysten men that dwelle there / but there are many that wyll not that men wete that they are crysten .

¶ Of the ordynaunce of the lordes of th emperour whan he rydeth from one countree to an other or to warre . ca. lxxiij .

ANd whan this grete Chane shall ryde from one countree to an other they ordeyne four hoostes of people / of whiche the fyrste gooth before a dayes Iourney / for that hoost lyeth at euen where the Emperour shall lye on the morowe / & there is plen●e of vytayls . And an other hoost cometh at that ryght syde of hym and an other at the lyfte syde / & in eche hoost is moche folke . And than cometh the fourth hoost behynde him a bowe drawght / & there is more men in than in ony of the other . And ye shal vnderstande that the Emperour rydeth on no hors but whan he wyll go to ony secrete place with a pryue meyne where he wyll not be knowen / but he rydeth in a charyotte with four wheles / & there vpon is a chambre made of a tree that men calle lignum aloes that cometh out of Paradyse terrestre & that chambre is couered with plates of fyne golde and precyous stones & perles / and four olyfauntes & foure oxen all whyte gone there in . And fyue or sixe grete lordes ryden about hym so that none other men shall come nere hym but yf the Emperour calle ony . And in that same maner with charyotte & suche hoostes rydeth the Empresse by an other syde / & the Emperours eldest sone on the same aray / and they haue so moche people that it is a grete meruayll for to se.

¶ How the Empyre of the grete Chane is departed in to .xij. prouynces / and how that they do cast ensence in the fyre where the grete Chane passeth thorugh the cytees and townes in worshyp of the Emperour . ca. lxxiiij .

THe londe of the grete Chane is departed in .xij. prouynces / & eche prouynce hath more than two thousande cytees & townes . Also whan th emperour rydeth thrugh the countree / & he passeth thrugh cytees & townes / eche man maketh a fyre before his hous & casteth therin ensence and other thynges that gyue good smell to th emperour . And yf ony men of relygyon that are crysten dwelle nere as th emperour cometh they mete hym with processyon with a crosse & holy water / & they synge● Veni creator spiritus with a loude voyce . And whan he see theym come he commaundeth the lordes that ryde nere hym to make waye that the relygyous men may come to hym / & whan he se that crosse he doth of his hatte that is made of precyous stones & grete perles / & that hatte is so ryche that it is meruayle to telle and than he enclyned to the crosse . And the prelate of the relygyous men sayth orysons before hym & gyueth hym the benyson with the crosse / & he enclyneth to the benyson full deuoutly / & than the same prelate gyueth hym some fruyte of the nombre of ix . in a plate of golde as peres or apples or other fruyte / & than the Emperour taketh one therof & the other he gyueth to his lordes / for the maner is suche there that no straunge man shall come before th emperour , but he gyue hym somwhat after the olde lawe that sayth . Non accedat in ●spectu meo inanis . That is too saye . No man come in to my syght ydle . And than the Emperour byddeth thyse relygyous men that they shall go forth so that men of his hoost defoule theym not . And those relygyous men that dwelle where the Empresse or the Emperours sone cometh do in the same maner .

Yet of other maners of this countree ca. lxxvi .

THis Emperour the grete Chane hath thre wynes / & the pryncypall wyfe was preester Io●●●s doughter . And the people of this countree begynne too do all theyr thynges in the newe mone / and they worshyp moche the sonne & the mone those men ryde comunely without spores / and they holde it grete synne too breke a bone with an other & to cast mylke on the erthe or other lycoure that men may drynke . And the moost synne that they may doo●s to pysse in theyr houses there they dwell / and he that pysseth in his house shall be slayne / and of those synnes they shryue them to theyr prestes / and for theyr penaunce they shal gyue syluer / & the place where they haue pyssed shall be halowed / or els may no man come there . And whan they haue do theyr penaunce they shall passe thrugh a fayr fyre or two too make theym clene of theyr synnes . And they haue eten they wype theyr handes vpon theyr shyrtes for they haue noo table clothes but it be ryghte grete lordes / & whan they haue all eten they put theyr dysshes or doublers not wasshen in the pot or caudron with flesshe that is lefte whan they haue eten vnto they wyll ete an other tyme / and ryche men drynke mylke of mares or asses or other bestes & other beuerage that is made of mylke & water togyder for they haue neyther wyne ne ale . And whan they goo to warre the warre full wysely / and eche man of them bereth two or thre bowes & many arowes & a grete hachet / & gentylmen haue shorte swerdes / & he that fleeth in batayll they slee hym / & they are euer in purpose to brynge all londes in subgeccyon to theym / for they say prophecyes saye that they shall be ouercome by shot of archers & that they shall torne theym to theyr lawe / but they wote not what men they shall be / & it is grete peryll to pursue the Tartaryns whan they flee / for they wyll sho●e behynde & slee men as well as before / & they haue small eyen as lytell byrdes / & they 〈◊〉 comunely false for they holde not that they promyse . And whan a man shall deye amonge theym they st●ke a spere in the erthe besyde hym / & whan 〈◊〉 draweth to the deth they go out of the hous tyll he 〈◊〉 dede and than they put hym in the erthe in the felde .

¶ How the Emperour is brought vnto his graue whan he is dede . ca. lxxvij

AN whan the Emperour is deed they sette hym in a chayre in the myddes of his tente / and they set before hym a table couered with a clothe and therupon flesse and other mete and a cuppe full of mylke of a mare / and they set a mare with a colte by hym and an horse sadled and brydeled / and the lay vpon the horse golde & syluer / and all about hym they make a grete graue / and with all thyse thynges they put hym therin as the tent hors golde & syluer & all that is a bout hym / ad they say whan he cometh in to an other worlde he shall not be without an house ne horse ne syluer ne golde / & the mare shal gyue hym mylke & brynge forth more horses tyll he be well stored in the other worlde and one of his chamberlaynes or seruauntes is put with hym in the erthe for to do hym seruyce in the other worlde / for they byleue that whan he is dede he shall goo in to an other worlde & be a greter lorde there than here . And whan that he is layde in the erthe noman shall be so hardy for to speke of hym before his frendes .

¶ What countrees & kyngdoms lye next to the londe of Cathay & the frontes therof . ca. lxxix .

THis londe of Cathay is in Asye the depe / & this same londe marcheth towarde the west vpon the kyngedom of Ser●y the whiche was somtyme to one of the thre kynges that wente to seke our lorde in Bethleem / and all those that come of his kynne are crysten . Thyse men of Tartary drynke no wyne . In the londe of Corosaym that is at the north syde of Cathay is ryght grete plente of good but no wyne / the whiche hath at the eest syde a grete wyldernesse that lasteth more than an hondred Iourneys / and the best cyte of that londe is called Corosaym & therafter is the londe soo called / and men of this londe are good warryoures & hardy / & therby is the kyngdom of Comayn / this is the moost & the gretest kyngedom of the worlde / but it is not all Inhabyte / for in one place of that londe is soo grete colde that noo man may dwell there for colde / & in an ●●her place is grete hete that no man may dwelle there / & there are soo many feyghes that a man wote not on what syde he may torne hym / & in this londe are but fewe trees berynge fruyte . In this londe men lye in tentes & they brenne dounge of bestes for defaute of wood . This londe dyscendeth towarde Pruyse & Rossy / and thorugh this londe renneth the ryuer Echell that is one of the greteste ryuers in the worlde / & it is frosen soo harde euery yere that men fyght thervpon in grete batayles on horse / and fote men more than hondred thousandes at ones . And a lytell fro that ryuer is the grete see of Occean that they call Maure / and bytwene this Maure & Caspye is a full strayte passage too go towarde Ynde & therfore kynge Alexander dyde make there a cyte that men calle Alexander for to kepe that passage / soo that noo man may passe but yf he haue leue / and nowe is that cyte called Porte de fear / and the pryncypall cyte of Comayn is called sarachys / this is one of the thre wayes to go in to Ynde / but thrugh this waye may not many men goo but yf it be in wynter . and this passage is called Berbent . And an other waye is for too goo from the londe of Turkescon thrughe Persy / & in this waye are many Iourneys in wyldernes . And the thyrde way is that cometh fro Cosmane & gooth thrugh the grete cyte and thrughe the kyngdom of Abachare . And ye shall vnderstonde that all thyse kyngedomes & londes vnto Persy are holden of the grete Chane of Cathay & many other / & therfore he is a full gretelorde of men & of londe .

¶ Of other wayes comynge from Cathay towarde the Grekes see . And also of the Emperoure of Persy . ca. lxxxx

NOw haue I deuysed you the londes towarde the northe to come fro the londes of Cathay to the londes of Pruyse & Rossy where crysten men dwell . Now shall I deuyse to you other londes and kyngedomes in comynge downe fro Cathay too the Grekes see where crysten men dwelle . And for as moche as next the grete Chane of Cathay the Emperour of Persy is the gretest lorde / therfore I shall speke of hym / and ye shall vnderstonde that he hath two kyngdoms / the one begynneth eestwarde and is the kyngdom of Turkescon / and it lasteth westwarde to the see of Caspye / & southwarde to the londe of Ynde / & this londe is good & playne and well manned / good cytees / but two moste pryncypall of the cytees are called Bacyryda & Sormagaunt . The other is the kyngdom of Persy & lasteth fro the ryuer of Physon vnto the grete Armony / & northwarde vnto the see of Caspy / & southwarde to the londe of Ynde / & this is a full plenteuous countre & good / and in this londe are thre pryncypall cytees . Nessabor . Saphan . and Sarmasse .

¶ Of the kyngdom of George & of Abcan & many meruaylles . ca. lxxxij

THan next is the kyngdom of Geroge that begynneth eestwarde at a grete hylle that men calle Abyor / this londe lasteth fro Turky too the grete see & the londe of Myddy and the grete Armonye . and in this londe are two kynges / one of Abcan / & an other of George / but he of George is in subgeccyon to the grete Chane / but he of Abcan hath a stronge countree and defendeth hym well agaynste his ennemyes / And in thi● londe of Abcan is a grete meruaylle / for there is a countre in this londe that is nere thre dayes longe and aboute / and it is called Hamfon / and that countree is all couered with derkenesse / soo that it hath no lyght that no man may se there / & no man dare go in to that countree for the derkenesse . And neuertheles men of the contree thereby saye that they may somtyme here therin the voyce of men & hors whynynge & cockes crowe & they wote well that men dwell there / but they wote not what maner of men / and they saye this darkenesse came thrughe myracle of god that he dyde for crysten men there . For there was a wycked Emperour that was of Poy / & he was called Saures & he pursued somtyme all crysten men too destroye / & dyde them make sacryfyce to theyr false goddes / and in that countree dwelled many crysten men the whiche lefte all theyr goodes & catelles & rychesse & wolde go in to Grece / & whan they were all in a grete ●●ayn that is called Megon the Emperoure & his men came to sle the crysten men / and than the crysten men al set them vpon theyr knees & prayed to god / & anone came a thycke cloude & ouerlapped the Emperour & all his hoost / so that he myght not go away / & so dwelled they in derkenes / & they came out neuer after / & the crysten went where as they wolde / & therfore they myght say thus / Adn̄o factum est istud & est mirabile in oculis nostris . That is to saye ▪ Of our lorde is this done & it is wonderfull in our eyen . Also out of this derke londe cometh a ryuer that men may se by good token that men dwell therin .

¶ Of the londe of Turky and dyuers other countrees & of the londe of Mesopotamy . ca. lxxxiij .

THan next is the londe of Turky that marcheth to grete Armony / & therin are many countrees as Capadoce . Sau●e . Bryke . Quesycyon Pytan & Geneth / in echone of thyse countrees are many good cytees / & it is a playne loude and fewe hylles and fewe ryuers / and than is the kyngdome of Mesopotamye that begynneth eestwarde at flom of Tygre at a Cyte that men calle Mosell / and it lasteth westwarde to the flom of Eufraten to a cyte that men call Rochaym / & westwarde fro hyghe Armony vnto the wyldernesse of Inde the lesse / & it is a good londe & playne / but there is fewe ryuers & there is but two hylles in that loude / the one is called Symar / & the other Lyson / and it marcheth vnto the londe of Caldee . And ye shall wete that the londe of Ethyope marcheth eestwarde to the grete wyldernesse / westwarde to the londe of Nuby southwarde to the londe of Marytan / & northwarde to the reed see / & than is Marytane that lasteth fro the hylles of Ethyope vnto Lyby the hygh & the lowe that lasteth to the grete see of Spayne .

¶ Of dyuerse countrees & kyngdoms & yles & meruaylles beyonde the londe of Cathay . ca. lxxxiiij

NOw haue I sayd & spoken of many thyngꝭ on this syde of the grete kingdom of Cathay of whome many are obeysaunt to the grete Chane / Now shall I saye of some londes & countrees & yles that are beyonde the londe of Cathay . Who so gooth fro Cathay to Ynde . the hyghe & the lowe he shall go thrughe a kyngdom that men call Cadissen & is a grete londe / there groweth a maner of fruyte as it were gourdes / & whan it is rype men cutte it asonder & men fynde therin a beest as it were of flesshe of bone & bloode as it were a lytell lambe without wolle & men ete the beest & the fruyte also and that is a grete meruayl . Neuertheles I sayd to them that I helde that for no meruayle / for I sayd that in my countree are trees that bere fruyte that become byrdes fleynge & they are good to ete / & that y● falleth in water lyued / & tthat that falleth on the erthe deyed & they had grete meruayle of this . In this londe & mani other about there are trees that bere clowes and nutmygges & canell and many other spyces .

And there are vynes that bere so grete grapes that a stronge man shall haue ynoughe to do to bere a cluster of the grapes . In that same londe are the hylles of Caspye that men call Vber / and amonge those hylles are the Iewes of the .x. kyndes enclosed within that men calle Gog and Magog and they may not come out on no syde . There was enclosed .xxij. kyngis with theyr folke that dwelled bytwene the hylles of 〈…〉 kynge Alexander chased theym thyder amonge those hylles / for he trusted for to haue enclosed theym there thorugh w●rkynge of men but he myght not / & whan he sawe that he m●●●t not he prayed to god that he wolde fulfyll tha● he had begonne / & god herde his prayer & enclosed the hylles togyder so that the Iewes dwell there as they were locked in / & there is hylles all about them hat at the one syde / & there is the see of Caspye . And some men myght aske / there is a see on one syde why go they not out there / for there to answere I that all yf it be called a see it is noo se / but a stange stondynge amonge hylles / a●d it is the gretest stange of all the world● / and yf they wente ouer the see they wote not where for too aryue / for they can noo speche but theyr owne . And ye shall vnderstande that the Iewes haue no lawe of theyr owne lawe in all the worlde / but they that dwelle in those hylles / and yet they paye trybute for theyr londe to the quene of Armony . And somtyme it is so that some of the Iewes goo ouer the hylles / but ●any men may not passe there too gyder for the hylles are so grete & hyghe . Neuerthelesse men saye in that countree there by that in the tyme of Antecryst they shall doo moche harme to crysten men● & therfore all the Iewes that dwelle in dyuerse partyes of the worlde lerne for too speke Ebrewe / fo● they hope that the Iewes that dwelle amonge the hylles aforesayd shal co●e out of the hylles & they speke all Ebrewe & not ell● / and than shall thyse Iewes speke Ebrewe to theym & leede theym in to crystendome for to destroye crysten men . For thyse Iewes saye they wote by theyr prophecyes that those Iewes that are amonge those hylles of Caspy shall come out & crysten men shall be in theyr ●●bgeccōn as they be vnder crysten men . And yf ye wyll w●te how they shall fynde the passage out as I haue vnderstande I shall telle you . In tyme of Antecryste a foxe shall make his denne in the same place where kynge Alexander dyde make the gates & he shall dygge in the erthe so longe tyll he perce it thorugh vnto that he come amonge the Iewes . And whan they se this foxe they shall haue grete meruayle of hym / for they sawe neuer suche beest / for other beestes haue they amonge theym many / and they shall chase this foxe & pursue hym vnto that he be fledde agayne in to his hole that he came fro . And than shall they dygge after as he wente vnto they come to the gates that Alexander dyde make of grefe stones well dyght with syment / & they shall breke thyse gates & so shall they fynde the yssue .

¶ Of the waye for to go to prester Iohans londe whiche is Emperour of Ynde . ca. lxxxvi .

FRo this londe of Bactry men goo many a dayes Iourney to the londe of prester Iohn that is a grete Emperour of Ynde / and men calle his londe the yle of Pantoxore . This Emperour prester Iohan holdeth grete londe & many good cytees & good townes in his kyngdom / many grete yles & large . For this londe of Ynde is all departed in yles by cause of grete flodes that come out of Paradyse / & also in the see are many grete yles The best cyte that is in the yle of Pantoxore is called Nyse / for that is a noble cyte and ryche . Prester Iohan hath vnder hym many kynges & many dyuerse people / and his londe is good and ryche but not so ryche as the londe of the grete Chane / for marchauntes come not so moche thyder as they do in to the londe of the grete Chane for it is to longe a waye . And also they fynde in the yle of Cathay all that they haue nede of / as spycery clothes of golde and other rychesse . And all yf they myght haue better chepe in the londe of preester Iohan than in the londe of Cathay and more fyner / neuertheles they wolde lette it for the longe waye & grete pe●yls in the see / for there are many places in the see where are grete Roches of a stone that is called adamande / the whiche of his owne kynde draweth to hym yron / and for as moche that there sholde passe no shyp that had nayles of yron for it sholde drawe it to hym / therfore they dare not wende in to that countree with shyppes for drede of adamandes . I wente ones in that see and sawe as longe as it had ben a grete yle of trees and stockes and braunches growynge / and the shypman sayd● to me that those was of grete shyppes that were dwellynge there thorugh the vertue of the adamandes and of thynges that were in the shyppes were those trees sprongen and waxen / and suche Roches are there many in dyuerse places of that see and therfore dare no shypman passe that waye . And an other also that they drede the longe waye / and therfore they goo moost all to Cathay and that is nerer vnto theym . And yet is it not so nere but theym behoueth fro Venys or fro Geene be in see towarde Cathay .xi. or .xij. monethes . The londe of prester Iohn is longe & marchauntes passe thyder thorugh the londe of Persy and come vnto a Cyte that men calle Hermes / for a phylosophre that men called hermes founded it / & they passe an arme of the see & come to an other cyte that men calle Saboth & there fynde they all marchaundyses & popyniayes as grete plente as larkes in our countree . In this countree is lytell whete or barley and therfore they ete ryse and mylke & chese and other fruytes . This Emperour prester Iohan weddeth comonly the doughter of the grete Chane and the grete Chane his doughter . In the londe of prester Iohn is many dyuerse thynges & many prec●ous stones so grete & so large that they make of theym vessels platers & cuppes and many other thynges of whiche it were to longe to telle / but som what of his lawe & of his fayth shall I telle you .

¶ Of the fayth & byleue of prester Iohan / but he hath not all the full byleue as we haue . ca. lxxxvij .

THis Emperour prester Iohan is crysten & a grete parte of his londe also / but they haue not all the artycles of our fayth / but they byleue well in the fader & the sone and the holy goost and they are full deuoute & true one to an other / & they make no force of catell / and he hath vnder hym .lxxij. prouynces & countrees and in echone is a kynge / & those kynges haue other kynges vnder theym . And in this londe are many meruayles / for in that londe is the grauelly see that is of sonde & of grauel & no droppe of water / and it ebbeth and floweth with ryght grete wawes as an other see doth and it is neuer styll ne neuer in rest & no man may passe that londe beyonde it . And all yf it so be that there is no water in that see / yet men may fynde there in ryght good fysshe & of other facyon and shape than is in ony other sees / and also they are of full good sauour & swete and good to ete . And at thre Iourneys fro that see are grete hylles thrugh whiche renneth a grete flood that cometh fro Parady se and it is full of precyous stones and no drope of water / & it renneth with grete wawes in to the grauelly see . And this flood renneth thre dayes in the weke so fast & stereth grete stones of the rockes with hym that make moche noyse / & as soone as they come in to the grauelly see they are nomore seen / & in those thre dayes whan it renneth thus no man dare come in it / but the other dayes men may goo therin where they wyll . And also beyonde the flood towarde the wyldernesse is a grete playne also s●ndy & grauelly amonge hylles / and in that playne growe trees that at the rysynge of the sonne eche daye begynne to growe / & so grewe they to myddaye & bere fruytes but no man dare ete of that fruyte / for it is a maner of yron ▪ and after myddaye it torned agayne in to the e●the / so that whan the sonne gooth downe it is no thynge seen / & so doth it euery daye And there is in that wyldernesse many wylde men with hornes on theyr heedes & ryght hydeous / and they speke not but grunt as swyne . And in that countree are many popyniayes that they calle in theyr langage pystak & they speke thrugh theyr● owne kynde as apertly as a man / & those that speke well haue longe tonges & large & on euery foot fyue toos ▪ there are some that haue but thre toos and tho same speke nought or very lyteli .

¶ How the Emperour preester Iohan whan he gooth to batayll hath thre crosses borne before hym of fyne golde . ca. lxxxviij .

THis Emperour preester Iohan whan he gooth to batayll he hath no baner borne bef●re hym / but he hath born before him thre crosses of fyne golde & those are grete and large and well dyght with precyous stones / & for to kepe eche crosse is ordeyned a thousande men of armes & mo than an hondred thousande on foot in maner as men keye a standarde in batayll in other places & he hath men without nombre whan he goth to ony batayll ayenst ony other lorde . And whan he hath no batayll but rydeth with preuy company than dooth he bere before hym but a crosse of tree not paynted & without golde & precyous stones & all playne in token that our lorde Ihu cryste suffeed deth on a crosse of tree . And also he hath born before hym a plate of golde full of erthe in token that his lordshyp & ●●●●ey shall torne to nought & his flesshe shall torne to erthe . And also he hath borne before hym an other vessell full of Iewelles & golde and precyous stones in token of his nobley & his myght .

¶ Of the moost dwellynge place of prester Iohan in a cyte called Suse . ca. lxxxix .

ANd he dwelleth comonly at the cyte of Suse & there is his pryncypall palays that is so ryche that meruayle is to tell / & aboue the pryncypall toure of the palays are two pomels of golde all rounde / & eche one of those hath two carbuncles grete & large that shyne ryght clere on the nyght And the pryncypall gates of this palays are of precyous stones that men calle Sardyn / & the borders of the barres are of yuory / & the wyndowes of the hal●e & chambres are of crystall . And tables that they ete of some are of Emeraudes some are of mastyk / some of golde & precyous stones / and the ●ylers that bere the tables are of suche stones also & the greces on whiche the Emperour gooth to his see where he sytteth at mete one is of mastyk an other of crystall an other of Iaphy grene an other of dyasper an other of sardyn an other of cormlyn a nother of sempton / and that he setteth his foot vp on is of crysolytes & all thyse greces are bordured with fyne golde and well dyght with grete perles & other precyous stones / and the sydes of his sege are Emeraudes bordured with golde & with precyous stones / the pylers in his chambre are of fyne golde with many carbuncles & other suche stones that gyue grete lyght on the nyght / and all yf the carbuncles gyue grete lyght neuertheles there brenneth eche nyght .xij. grete vessels of crystall full of bame to gyue good smell and to dryue awaye wycked ayre . The forme of his bedde is all of saphyre well bounde with golde to make hym to slepe well & for to destroye lechery / for he wyll not lye by his wyues but thryes in the yere after the sesons and all only for getynge of childern . And he hath also a fayre palays at the cyte of Nyse where he dwelleth whan he wyll but the ayer there is not soo well tempred as it is at the cyte of Suse . And he hath euery daye in his courte more that .xxx. th●usande men without comers & goers / but .xxx. thousande there & in the countree of the grete Chane spende not so moche as .xij. thousande in our countree / he hath euermore .vij. kynges in his court to serue hym / & echone of theym serueth a moneth and with thyse kynges serue alwaye .lxxij. dukes & CCC . Erles / and euery daye ete in his courte .xij. archebysshops and .xx. bysshops . The patrya●ke of saynt Thomas is as he were a pope / & arc●ebysshops & bysshops & abbottes all are kynges in that countree / & some of the lordes is mayster of the halle some of the chambre / some stuarde / some marshall & some other offycers & therfore he is full rychely serued & his londe lasteth in brede foure monethes Iourney / and it is of length without mesure .

¶ Of a ryche man in prester Iohns londe named Catolonabes & of his gardeyne . ca. lxxxx .

IN an yle of prester Iohans londe that men calle Myscorach & therin is grete plente of goodes & moche ryches and many precyous stones In that londe was a ryche man not longe agone that men called there Catolonabes / he was full ryche & he had a fayre castell on an hylle & stronge / and he hadde made a walle all about the hylle ryght stronge & fayre within that he had a fayre gardeyne wherin were many trees berynge all mane● of fruytes that he myght fynde / & he dyde plante therin all maner of herbes of good smell & that bare floures / & there was many fayre welles and by theym was made many fayre halles & chambres well dyght with golde & asure / and he had made there dyuerse storyes & beestes and byrdes the songe & torned by engyne and orbage as they had be all quycke / & he had in his gardayne that he myght fynde to make a man solace & comfort / and he had also there in that gardeyne maydens within the age of .xv. yere the fayrest that he myght fynde & men childern of the same age / & they were cladde with clothes of golde & he sayd that the same were angels / & he had do make thre hylles fayre and good all enclosed aboute with precyous stones of Iaspye and crystall & well bounde with golde and perles & other maner of stones / and he had made a conduyte vnder the erthe so that whan he wolde the walles ranne somtyme with mylke somtyme with wyne somtyme with hony / & this place is called Paradyse . And whan ony yonge bachelere of that countree knyght or squyer cometh to hym for solace & dysporte / he ledeth hym in to his Paradyse & sheweth vnto hym all thyse dyuerse thynges / & dyuerse songes of byrdes and also of his damoysels and his welles / and he dyde stryke dyuerse Instrumentes of musyke in an hyghe toure that myght be seen & sayd those were aungels of god / and that plac● was Paradyse that god hath graunted to those that byleued whan he sayd . Dabo vobis terram fluentem lac et mel . That is to saye . I shall gyue you londe flowynge mylke & hony . And than this ryche man dyde thyse men drynke a maner of drynke of whiche they were dronken & he sayd to them yf they wolde deye for his sake that whan they were deed they sholde come in to his Paradyse / an● they sholde be of the age of those maydens & sholde dwelle alwaye with theym / and he sholde put theym in a fayre Paradyse where they sholde se god in his Ioye & in his mageste / and than they graunted to do what he wolde / and he badde them go & slee suche a lorde or a man of the countre that he was wroth with / & that they sholde haue no drede of no man / and yf they were slayne themselfe for his sake he sholde put theym in his Paradyse whan they were deed . And so wente those bachelers to slee grete lordes of the countree / and were slayne themselfe in hope to haue that Paradyse / & thus he was auenged of his enemyes thorugh his deserte . And whan ryche men of the countree perceyued this malyce and cautele & the wyll of this Catolonabes they gadred theym togyder & assayled the castell and slewe hym and destroyed all his goodes and his fayre places & rychesse that were in his Paradyse / the place of the walles is there yet and some other thynges / but that rychesse is not there and it is not longe ago syth he was destroyed .

¶ Of a meruaylous vale that is besyde the ryuer of Physon . ca. lxxxxi .

ANd a lytell fro that place on the lyfte syde besyde the Ryuer of Physon is a grete ●●teruayle . There is a vale bytwene two hylles & that is foure myle longe / and some men calle it the valay enchaunted / some the valey of deuy●les / some the valey peryllous / & in that valey are many tempestes and a grete noyse and hydeous euery daye and nyght / and somtyme as it were a noyse of Taburynes of ●akers and of trompettes as it were at a grete feest . This valey is all full of deuylles & hath ben alwaye / & men saye there that it is an entre to helle . In this valey is moche golde and syluer / wherfore many crysten men & other go thyder for couetyse of that golde & syluer / but fewe of theym come out agayne for they are anone strangled with deuylles / & in myddes of that vale vpon a roche is a vysage & the heed of a fende bodyly ryght hydeous & dredefull to se / & there is no thynge seen but the heed to the sholders / but there is no crysten man in the worlde no other soo hardy that he ne sholde haue grete drede for to beholde it / for he beholdeth eche man so sharpely & so felly / & his eyen are so sterynge & so sprenkelynge as fyre , and he chaungeth so often his countenaunce that no man dare come nere for all the worlde / and out of his mouth & his nose cometh grete plente of fyre of dyuerse colours / & somtyme is the fyre so stynkynge that no man may suffre it / but alwaye a good crysten man & that is stable in the fayth may go there in without harme yf they shryue theym well and blysse theym with the token of the crosse than shall the deuylles haue no power of theym . And ye shall vnderstande that whan my felowes & I were in tha● valey we had full grete thought yf we sholde put our bodyes in auenture to go thrugh it / & some of my felowes accorded therto / & some wolde not accorde therto / & there was in our company two freres mynours of Lombardy & they sayd yf ony of vs wolde go in they wolde also / as they had sayd so vpon truste of theym we sayd that we wolde go and we dyde synge a masse & we were shryuen & houseled and we wente in .xiiij. and whan he came out we were but .x. and we wyste not wheder our felowes were lost there or that they torned agayne but we sawe nomore of theym / other of our felowes that wolde not go in with vs w●nte about ●p an other waye for to be before vs & so they were / & we wente thrugh the valey & sawe there many meruayllous thynges / golde syluer & precyous stones & Iewelys grete plente on many sydes as vs thought / wheder it was as it semed I wote not for I touched theym not / for the deuylles are so subtyll & queynt that make many tymes a thynge to seme that it is not for to deceyue men / & therfore I wolde touche no thynge for drede of enemyes that I sawe in many lykenesses what of deed bodyes that I sawe lye in the valey / but I dare not saye that they were not all bodyes but they semed bodyes thrugh makynge of deuylles / & we were often casted downe to the erthe thrugh wynde & thonder & tempests / but god he●ped as alway & so passed we thrugh the valey without peryll & harme thanked be god almyghty that kepte vs well .

¶ Of an ylonde where in dwelled people as grete as geauntes of .xxviij. or .xxx. foot of length and other thynges . ca lxxxxij .

ANd beyonde that valey is a grete yle where people are as grete as geauntes of .xxviij. foot or .xxx. foot longe / & they haue no clothynge but bestes skynnes that hange on them / & they ete no brede but flesshe rawe & drynke mylke / & they haue no honses & they ete gladlyer flesshe of men than of other / & men sayd vs that beyonde that yle is one yle where are gretter geauntes as of .xlv. or .l. foot longe / & some saye of .l. cubytes longe but I sawe not theym / & amonge those geauntes are grete sheep as it were yonge oxen and they bere grete wolle / thyse sheep haue I seen many tymes . An other yle is there northwarde where are many yil & felle women & they haue precyous stones in theyr eyen / & they haue suche kynde that yf they beholde ony man with wrath they slee theym of the beholdynge as the baselyske doth . An other yle is there of fayre folke & good where the custome is suche that the fyrst nyght that they are wedded they take a certayne man that is ordeyned therfore & do hym lye by theyr wyues to haue theyr maydenhede & they gyue hym grete rewarde for his trauayle / & those men are called Gadlybyryem / for men of y● countr● holde it a grete thynge to make a woman no mayden / & yf it be so that the husbonde fynde her a mayden the next nyght after / for perauenture he that laye by her was dronken or for ony other cause the husbonde shall playne of hym to the lawe that he hath not done his deuoure / & he shall greuously be punysshed & chastysed / but after the fyrst nyght they kepe theyr wyues well that ther speke not with those men / & I asked what was the cause why they had that custome / & they sayd somtyme men laye with theyr wyues fyrst & none other & theyr wyues had serpentes in theyr bodyes & stonged theyr husbonde on theyr yerde & theyr bodyes & so was many man slayne / & therfore had they that custome to lete other men haue theyr maydenhede for drede of the deth & thus they suffre theym to assaye the passage or they put theym vnto auenture .

¶ Of women whiche make grete sorowe as theyr childern are borne and grete Ioye whan they a●● deed . ca. lxxxxiii .

ANd other yle there is where women make grete sorowe whan theyr childern are born & whan they are deed they make grete Ioye & cast theym in a grete fyre & brenne theym / & they that loue well theyr husbondes whan they are deed they cast theym in a fyre to brenne also / for they saye that fyre shall make theym clene of all fylth & vyces & they shall be clene in an other wo●lde / & the cause why they wepe whan theyr childern are born & that they make Ioye at theyr deth / they saye , a childe whan he is borne cometh in to this worlde to haue trauayle & sorowe & heuyne●● / & whan they are deed they go to paradyse where ●yuers are of mylke & hony and there is lyf & Ioye & plente of goodes without trauayle and sorowe . In this yle they make theyr kynges by chesynge / and they che●e hym not for his rychesse ne his nobley but hym that is of good condycyons & moost ryghtwys & true that Iuged euery man truly lytell & moche after theyr trespas / & the kynge may Iuge no man to deth without counseyll of his barons & y● all they assent . And yf so b● that the kynge do a grete trespas as slee a man o● suche other he shall deye also / but he shall not b● slayne / but they shall defende & forbede that noman be so hardy to make hym company ne to speke with hym ne gyue hym mete ne drynke & thus he shall deye / they spare noman that hath done trespas for loue ne for lordeshyp ne rychesse nor nobley but they do hym ryght after that he hath deserued .

¶ Of an ylonde where a men wedde theyr owne doughters & kynneswomen . ca. lxxxxiiij .

THere is an other yle where is grete plent● of people / & they ete neuer flesshe of hares ne of hennes ne of goos yet is there many of the● but they ete gladly flesse of all other beestes & they drynke mylke . In this countree they wedde theyr owne doughters & other of theyr kynne as theym lyketh / & yf there be .x. or .xij. then in one hous echo ne of theyr wyues shall be comen to other / and at nyght shall one haue one of the wyues & an other nyght an other / & yf she haue ony childe she may gyue to whiche of theym she wyll so that noman wote yf it be his or not . In this londe & many other places of Y●de are many cocodrylles that is a maner of a longe serpent & on nyghtes they dwell on water & on dayes they dwel on londe and roches & they ete not in wynter . Thyse serpentes slee men & ete theym wypēde & they haue no tonge . In this countree & many other men cast sede of cotton & sowe it ech● yere & it groweth as it were smalle trees and they berecotton . In Araby is many byrdes /

that some men call Gyrsantes that is a full fayre beest and is hygher than a grete courser or a stede but his necke is nere .xx cubytes longe / & his croupe and his tayle is lyke an herte / and he may loke ouer an hygh house / & there is many camylyons that is a lytell beest & he eteth ne drynketh neuer / and he chaungeth often his coloure / for somtyme he is of one coloure & somtyme of an other / & he may chaunge hym in to all colours that he wyll saue blacke & reed . There are many wylde swyne of many coloures and as grete as oxen / and they are spotted as it were small fawnes / & there are lyons all whyte / & there be other beestes as grete as grete stedes that men call Lonhorans & some men call them Tontes & theyr hede is blacke / & thre longe hornes i● his fronte as cuttynge as sharpe swerdes / and he chaseth & wyll slee the olyfauntes . And there is many other maner of bestes of whome it were to longe for too wryte all .

¶ Of an other ylonde where in dwelleth full good people and true . ca. lxxxxv .

THere is an other ylonde good and grete and plenteuous where are good men and true & of goodly lyfe after theyr fayth / and all yf they be not crysten . Neuertheles of kynde they are full of good vertues & they fle all vyces and all synne and malyce / for they are not enuyous ne proude ne couytous ne lecherous ne glotenous / and they do not vnto an other man but that they wolde he dyde too them / & they fulfyll the .x. commaundementes / and they make no force of rychesse ne of hauynge / and they swere not but saye ye & naye / for they saye he that ●wereth he wyll dysceyue his neyghbour / and some men call this the yle of Bragamen / & some calle it the londe of fayth / & thorughe it renneth a grete ryuer that men calle Thebe / and generally all men in those yles & other thereby are truer and ryghtwyser than are in other countrees . In this yle are no theues ne murderers ne comune woman ne beggers / and for as moche they are so true and so good that there is no tempest ne thonder ne warre ne hunge● ne other trybulacyons / & thus it semeth well that god loued theym well & is well payde of theyr trouth & theyr dedes / and they byleue in god that made all thynge & hym they worshyp & they lyue so ordynatly in mete & drynke that they lyue ryght longe / & many of theym deye without sykenesse that kynde faylleth them for aege .

¶ How kynge Alexander sent his men thyder for to wynne that londe . ca. lxxxxvi

ANd kynge Alexander somtyme sente his men to wynne that londe . And they sente hym lettres that sayd thus . What behoueth a man to haue all the worlde that is not contente there with / thou shalte fynde no thynge in vs why thou sholdest make warre vpon vs / for we haue no rychesse ne tresoure / and all the goodes & catell of our countree are comune / our metes that we ete are oure rychesse . And in stede of tresoure of golde & syluer we make our tresoure peas & accorde of loue / and we haue nought but a cloth vpon our bodyes / our wyues are not arrayed rychely too pleasynge / for we holde it a grete fooly a man to dygh●e his body to make it to seme fayrer than god made it . We haue ben euermore in peas tyll now that thou wylte dysheryte vs . We haue a kynge amonge vs not for nede of the lawe ne to deme no man / fo● 〈◊〉 are no trespassours amonge vs but all on●● ( 〈…〉 to be obedyent to hym / and soo mayste 〈◊〉 not take from vs but our good peas . And whan kynge Alexander sawe this lettre / him thought al thus that he sholde do to moche harme yf he troubled them & sent to theym that they sholde kepe well theyr good maners & haue no drede of hym .

¶ Of an other ylonde where also dwelleth good people in & is called Synople . ca. lxxxxvij .

THan is there an other ylonde that is called Synople where in also are good people & trewe and full of good fayth / and they are moche lyke in theyr lyuynge to the men before sayd / and they go all naked . And in to that ylonde came kynge Alexander . And whan that he sawe theyr good faythe and trouthe and theyr good byleue / he sayd that he sholde doo to theym noo harme / and badde theym aske of hym rychesse and nought elles and they sholde haue it . And they answered that they hadde ryches ynoughe whan they hadde mete and drynke to susteyne theyr bodyes / and they sayd also that rychesse of this worlde is nought worth but yf it were so that he myght graunte theym that they sholde neuer deye that wolde they praye hym . And Alexander sayd that myght he not do for he was dedely and sholde dey as they sholde . Than sayd they why art thou so proude & wolde wynne all the worlde & haue in thy subgeccyon as it were a god & thou hast no terme of thy lyf / and thou wylt haue all rychesse of the worlde the whiche shall forsake the or thou forsake it / & thou shalt bere no thynge with the / but it shal dwelle to other / but as thou was borne naked so shalt thou be done in erthe . And Alexander was gretly astonyed of this answere / & yf it be so that they haue not the artycles of our fayth / neuertheles I byleue that god loueth theym well & theyr good entencyon & that he taketh theyr seruyce to gree as he dyde of Iob that was a paynym the whiche he helde for his true seruaunt & many other . I byleue well that god loueth all those that loue hym & serue hym mekely & truly & that despyse the vayne glorye of the worlde as thyse ●en do & as Iob dyde / and therfore sayd our lorde thorugh the mouth of Ysaye the prophete thus . Ponam eis multiplices leges meas . That is to saye I shall put to theym my lawes in many maners / & the gospell sayth thus . Alias oues habeo que non suntex hoc ouili . That is to saye . I haue other she pe that are not of this folde / and there to accordeth the vysyon that Saynt Peter sawe at Iaffe how the angell came fro heuen & brought with hym of all maner of beestes as serpentes & foules in all maner and sayd to saynt Peter . Take & ete . And saynt Peter answered . I ete neuer of vnclene beste . And the aungell sayd to hym . Non d●●as in . unda q̄deus mundauit . That is to saye . Calle thou not those thynges vnclene that god hath clensed . This was done in token that men sholde not haue many men in despyte for theyr dyuerse lawes / for we wote neuer whome god loueth and whome god hateth .

¶ Of the wyldernesse wherin that growe the trees of the sonne & of the mone . ca. lxxxxix .

ANd beyonde that ryuer is a grete wyldernesse as men that haue ben there saye . In this wyldernesse as men saye are the trees of the sonne & of the mone that spake to kynge Alexander & tolde hym of his deth / & men saye that folke that kepe thyse trees & ete of the fruytes of theym they lyue . four or fyue hondred yere thrugh vertue of the fruyte / & we wolde gladly haue gone thyder / but I byleue that an hondred thousande men of armes sholde not passe they wyldernesse for prete plente of wylde b●stes as dragons & serpentes that slee men whan they haue ony . In this londe is many olyfauntes all whyte & blewe without nombre / and vnycornes and lyons of many maners . Many other yles are in the londe of prestes Iohan that were to longe to telle & moche rychesse and nobley of precyous stones in grete plente . I byleue that we haue herde saye why this Emperous is called preester Iohan / but for those that wote it not I shall saye There was somtyme an Emperour that was a noble prynce & doughty / and he had many crysten knyghtes with hym / and the Emperour thought he wolde see the maner of seruyce in crysten chirches & than was chirches of crystendom in Turky Surry & Tartary Ierusalem Palestyn Araby & Alapy & all the londes of Egypt . And this Emperour came with a crysten knyght in to a chirche of Egypt & it was on a saterdaye after Wytsondaye whan the bysshop made ordres / and he behelde the seruyce & he asked of the knyght what folke those sholde be that stode before the bysshop / & the knyght sayd they sholde be preestes & he sayd he wolde no more be called kynge ne Emperour but preest & he wolde haue the name of hym that came fyrst out of the preestes / & he was called Iohan & so haue all the Emperours sythen be called preester Iohan. In that londe are many crysten men of good fayth & good lawe / and they haue preestes to synge masse and they make the sacrament as men of Grece do but they saye not so many thynges as o●r prestes do for they saye not but that the apostles sayd as saynt Peter & saynt Thomas and other apostles whan they ●ange masse & sayd Pater n● . And the wordes with the whiche goddes body is sacred / we haue many addycyons of popes that haue ben ordeyned of whiche men of those countrees knowe not .