A.D. 



1246. 



His incHna- 

 tion to 

 Christianitie. 



His majestie. 



A lawlesse 

 authoritie. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



Of his age and demeanour, and of his seale. 

 Chap. 28. 



THis Emperour, when hee was exalted unto his govern- 

 ment, seemed to bee about the age of fourty or 

 fourty five yeeres. He was of a meane stature, very wise 

 and poHtike, and passing serious and grave in all his 

 demeanour. A rare thing it was, for a man to see him 

 laugh or behave himselfe lightly, as those Christians 

 report, which abode continually with him. Certaine Chris- 

 tians of his familie earnestly and strongly affirmed unto 

 us, that he himselfe was about to become a Christian. 

 A token and argument whereof was, that hee reteined 

 divers Cleargie men of the Christians. Hee had likewise 

 at all times a Chappell of Christians, neere unto his great 

 Tent, where the Clearkes (like unto other Christians, and 

 according to the custome of the Graecians) doe sing 

 publiquely and openly, and ring belles at certaine houres, 

 bee there never so great a multitude of Tartars, or of 

 other people in presence. And yet none of their Dukes 

 doe the like. It is the manner of the Emperour never 

 to talke his owne selfe with a stranger, though he be 

 never so great, but heareth and answeareth by a speaker. 

 And when any of his subjects (howe great soever they 

 bee) are in propounding anie matter of importaunce unto 

 him, or in hearing his answeare, they continue kneeling 

 upon their knees unto the ende of their conference. 

 Neither is it lawfull for any man to speake of any affaires, 

 after they have beene determined of by the Emperour. 

 The sayde Emperour, hath in his affaires both publike 

 and private, an Agent, and Secretary of estate, with Scribes 

 and all other Officials, except advocates. For, without 

 the noyse of pleading, or sentence giving, all things are 

 done according to the Emperours will and pleasure. 

 Other Tartarian princes do the like in those things which 

 belong unto them. But, be it known unto al men, that 

 whilest we remained at the said Emperors court, which 

 hath bin ordained and kept for these many yeeres, the 



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