WILLIAM DE RUBRUQUIS ad. 



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associate and interpreter, and caused them all to be put 

 down in writing. He demaunded likewise (because he 

 had bene informed, that you were departed out of your 

 owne countreys with an armie) against whom you waged 

 warre ? I answered : against the Saracens, who had defiled 

 the house of God at Jerusalem. He asked also, whether 

 your Highnes had ever before that time sent any 

 messengers unto him, or no ? To you sir ? (said I) never. 

 Then caused he us to sit downe, and gave us of his milke 

 to drinke, which they account to be a great favour, 

 especially when any man is admitted to drinke Cosmos 

 with him in his own house. And as I sate looking 

 downe upon the ground, he commanded me to lift up my 

 countenance, being desirous as yet to take more diligent 

 view of us, or els perhaps for a kinde of superstitious 

 observation. For they esteeme it a signe of ill lucke, or 

 a prognostication of evill unto them, when any man sits 

 in their presence, holding downe his head, as if he were 

 sad : especially when he leanes his cheeke or chinne 

 upon his hand. Then we departed forth, and immediatly 

 after came our guide unto us, and conducting us unto 

 our lodging, saide unto me : Your master the King 

 requesteth that you may remaine in this land, which 

 request Baatu cannot satisfie without the knowledge and 

 consent of Mangu-Can. Wherefore you, and your 

 interpreter must of necessitie goe unto Mangu-Can, 

 Howbeit your associate, and the other man shall returne 

 unto the court of Sartach, staying there for you, till you 

 come backe. Then began the man of God mine inter- 

 preter to lament, esteeming himselfe but a dead man. 

 Mine associate also protested, that they should sooner 

 chop off his head, then withdrawe him out of my com- 

 panie. Moreover I my selfe saide, that without mine 

 associate I coulde not goe : and that we stood in neede of 

 two servants at the least, to attend upon us, because, if 

 one should chance to fall sicke, we could not be without 

 another. Then returning unto the court, he told these 

 sayings unto Baatu. And Baatu commanded saying : let 



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