JOHN DE PLANO CARPINI 



came so late unto our lodging, that we had no time to eate 

 the same night, but that which we should have eaten over 

 night, was given us in the morning. And often changing 

 our horses, wee spared no Horse-fleshe, but rode swiftly 

 and without intermission, as fast as our horses could trot. 



How Cuyne enterteined the Minorite Friers. 

 Chap. 26. 



BUt when wee were come unto the court of Cuyne, hee 

 caused (after the Tartars manner) a Tent and all 

 expenses necessarie to bee provided for us. And his 

 people entreated us with more regarde and courtesie, then 

 they did anie other Ambassadours. Howbeeit wee were 

 not called before his presence, because hee was not as yet 

 elected, nor admitted unto his empire. Notwithstanding, 

 the interpretation of the Popes letters, and the message 

 which we delivered, were sent unto him by the foresaid 

 Bathy. And having stayed there five or sixe dayes, hee 

 sent us unto his mother, under whome there was main- 

 teyned a verie solemne and royall court. And being 

 come thither, we saw an huge tent of fine white cloth 

 pitched, which was, to our judgement, of so great quantitie, 

 that more then two thousand men might stand within 

 it, and round about it there was a wall of planks set up, 

 painted with divers images. Wee therefore with our 

 Tartars assigned to attende upon us, tooke our journey 

 thither, and there were all the Dukes assembled, eche one 

 of them riding up and downe with his traine over the 

 hilles and dales. The first day they were all clad in white, 

 but the second in skarlet robes. Then came Cuyne unto 

 the saide tent. Moreover, the third day they were all in 

 blew robes, and the fourth in most rich robes of Baldakin 

 cloth. In the wall of boardes, about the tent aforesaid, 

 were two great gates, by one of the which gates, the 

 Emperour only was to enter, and at that gate there was no 

 gard of men appointed to stand, although it stood con- 

 tinually open, because none durst go in or come out the 

 same way : all that were admitted, entred by another gate, 



169 



A.D. 



1246. 



The curtesie of 

 Cuyne tozuards 

 Ambassadors. 



The tent roial. 



A generall 

 Gssemblie. 



