FRIAR BEATUS ODORICUS ad. 



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 ment in shape like unto a mans foote, of a cubite and 

 a halfe in length, and the lower part of the sayd foote 

 is adorned with cranes feathers, and is all over thicke 

 set with great and orient pearles. Upon the right hand 

 of the great Can sitteth his first begotten sonne and heire 

 apparant unto his empire, and under him sit all the 

 nobles of the blood royall. There bee also foure Secre- 

 taries, which put all things in writing that the emperor 

 speaketh. In whose presence likewise stand his Barons 

 and divers others of his nobilitie, with great traines of 

 folowers after them, of whom none dare speake so much 

 as one word, unlesse they have obtained licence of the 

 emperor so to doe, except his jesters and stage-players, 

 who are appointed of purpose to solace their lord. 

 Neither yet dare they attempt to doe ought, but onely 

 according to the pleasure of their emperor, and as hee 

 enjoineth them by lawe. About the palace gate stand 

 certaine Barons to keepe all men from treading upon the 

 threshold of the sayd gate. When it pleaseth the great 

 Can to solemnize a feast, he hath about him 140CO. 

 Barons, carying wreathes & litle crownes upon their 

 heads, and giving attendance upon their lord, and every 

 one of them weareth a garment of gold and precious 

 stones, which is woorth ten thousand Florens. His 

 court is kept in very good order, by governours of tens, 

 governours of hundreds, and governours of thousands, 

 insomuch that every one in his place performeth his 

 duetie committed unto him, neither is there any defect 

 to bee found. I Frier Odoricus was there present in 

 person for the space of three yeeres, and was often at 

 the sayd banquets ; for we friers Minorites have a place 

 of aboad appointed out for us in the emperors court, 

 and are enjoined to goe and to bestow our blessing upon 

 him. And I enquired of certaine Courtiers concerning 

 the number of persons pertaining to the emperors court ? 

 And they answered mee, that of stage-players, musicians, 

 and such like, there were eighteene Thuman at the least, 

 and that the keepers of dogs, beasts and foules were 



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