The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 02Hakluyt, Richard
History
The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 02
Hakluyt, Richard
Discoveries in geography -- English; Voyages and travels
[Sidenote: Cuyne heareth the Legates.] In the same place where the Emperour
was established into his throne, we were summoned before him. And Chirigay,
his chiefe secretary hauing written down our names, and the names of them
that sent vs, with the name of the Duke of Solangi, and of others, cried
out with a loude voice, rehearsing the said names before the Emperour, and
the assembly of his Dukes. Which beeing done, ech one of vs bowed his left
knee foure times, and they gaue vs warning not to touch the threshold. And
after they had searched vs most diligently for kniues, and could not find
any about vs, we entred in at the doore vpon the East side: because no man
dare presume to enter at the West Doore, but the Emperour onely. In like
maner, euery Tartarian Duke entreth on the West side into his tent. Howbeit
the inferiour sort doe not greatly regard such ceremonies. This therefore
was the first time, when we entred into the Emperours tent in his presence,
after he was created Emperour. Likewise all other ambassadours were there
receiued by him, but very fewe were admitted into his tent. [Sidenote:
Gifts presented vnto him.] And there were presented vnto him such abundance
of gifts by the saide Ambassadours, that they seemed to be infinite, namely
in Samites, robes of purple, and of Baldakin cloth, silke girdles wrought
with golde, and costly skinnes, with other gifts also. Likewise there was a
certaine Sun Canopie, or small tent (which was to bee carried ouer the
Emperours head) presented vnto him, being set full of precious stones. And
a gouernour of one Prouince brought vnto him a companie of camels couered
with Baldakins. They had saddles also vpon their backs, with certaine other
instruments, within the which were places for men to sitte vpon. Also they
brought many horses and mules vnto him furnished with trappes and
caparisons, some being made of leather, and some of iron. And we were
demanded whether we would bestow any gifts vpon him or no? But wee were not
of abilitie so to doe, hauing in a maner spent all our prouision.
[Sidenote: 500 Carts ful of treasure.] There were also vpon an hill
standing a good distance from the tents, more than 500. carts, which were
all ful of siluer and of gold, and silke garments. And they were all
diuided betweene the Emperour and his Dukes, and euery Duke bestowed vpon
his owne followers what pleased him.
De loco diuisionis Imperatoris et matris suæ, et morte Ieroslai, Ducis
Russiæ. Cap. 30.
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