ANOTEONTHEAUTHOROFMESSERMARCOPOLO
SoCelticinfeelingandatmospherearethestoriesofDonnByrnethatmanyofhisdevoteeshavecometobelievethatheneverlivedanywherebutinIreland。Actually，DonnByrnewasborninNewYorkCity。
Shortlyafterhisbirth，however，hisparentstookhimbacktothelandofhisforefathers。Therehewaseducatedandcametoknowthepeopleofwhomhewrotesomagically。AtDublinUniversityhislovefortheIrishlanguageandforagoodfightwonhimmanyprizes，firstasawriterinGaelicandsecondastheUniversity’slightweightboxingchampion。AftercontinuinghisstudiesattheSorbonneandtheUniversityofLeipzig，hereturnedtotheUnitedStates，where，in1911，hemarriedandestablishedahomeinBrooklynHeights。Heearnedhisliving，whiletryingtowriteshortstories，asaneditorofdictionaries。
Soonhistalesbegantoattractattentionandheaddedtohiscollectionofboxingprizesmanyotherswoninshort-storycontests。WhenMESSER
MARCOPOLOappearedin1921hisreputationintheliteraryworldwasfirmlyestablished。Thereafter，whateverhewrotewashailedenthusiasticallybyhisever-growingpublic，until1928，whenhistragicdeathinanautomobileaccidentcutshortthecareerofoneofAmerica’sbest-lovedstory-tellers。
MESSERMARCOPOLO
Themessagecametome，atthesecondcheckofthehunt，thatacountrymanandaclansmanneededme。Thegroundwasheavy，thedayraw，anditwasadrag，toofastforfunandtootameforsport。
SoIblessedthecountrymanandtheclansman，andturnedmybackonthefield。
Butwhentheytoldmehisname，Iallbutfellfromthesaddle。
\"Butthatman’sdead！\"
Buthewasn’tdead。HewasinNewYork。HewastravelingfromthecraigsofUlstertohisgrandson，whohadanorange-groveontheIndianRiver，inFlorida。Hewasn’tdead。AndIsaidtomyselfwithimpatience，\"Musteverymanbornninetyyearsagobedead？\"
\"Butthisisadamnedthing，\"Ithought，\"tobesaddledwithamanoverninetyyearsold。TohavetoactasGARDE-MALADEatmyage！
Whycouldn’thehavestayedanddiedathome？Sure，oneofthesedayshewilldie，aswealldie，andtheghostofhimwillneverbecontentonthesluggishriver，bythemossytrees，wheretheblueheronsandthewhitecranesandthegreatgraypelicansfly。Itwillbegoingback，Iknow，totheboomingsurfandthered-berriedrowan-treesandthebarkingeaglesofAntrim。TodieoutofUlster，whenonecandieinUlster，thereisageyfoolishthing……\"
ButtheharshlogicofUlsterleftme，andthesoftmoodofUlstercameonmeasIrememberedhim，andIgoingintothetownonthetrain。
Andthelatewintergrass，ofWestchester，spare，scrofulous；thejerry-builtbungalows；thelinesofuncomelylinen；theblatantadvertisingboards——alltheunbeautyofitpassedaway，andIwasagainintheAntrimglens。TherewasthesoftpurpleoftheIrishChannel，andtherethesoft，dimoutlineofScotland。Therewastheherringschoolsilverinthesun，andIcouldseeitfromthecragswherethesurfboomedlikeadrum。Andunderfootwasthespringyheather，thebelledandpurpleheather……
Andtherecametomeagainthevisionoftheoldman’sthatchedfarmhousewhenthemoonwasupandthebatswereout，andthewindsoftheCountyAntrimcamebellyingdowntheglens……Theturffireburnedonthehearth，nowred，nowyellow，andtherewasthegoldenlightoflamps，andMalachioftheLongGlenwasrecitingsomepoemofBlindRaftery’s，orthelamentofPierreRonsardforMary，QueenofScots：
Taribinomocheadshearcannmophocssios。
AgasmnaEiripnileigheasfadaoismobhron，faraor！
Tamereidhleatgondeantarcomhracaol！
Agasgobhfasfaidhanfearnodhiaidhsinthridmolaranios！
Thereisaribbonfrommyonlyloveinmypocketdeep，AndthewomenofEuropetheycouldnotcuremygrief，alas！
Iamdonewithyouuntilanarrowcoffinbemadeforme。
Anduntilthegrassshallgrowafterthatupthroughmyheart！
AndIsuddenlydiscoveredontherumblingtrainthatapartfromthehurlingandthefoot-ballandthejumpingofhorses，whatlifeI
rememberedofUlsterwasboundupinMalachiCampbelloftheLongGlen……
Averystrangeoldman，hardyasablackthorn，immense，bowedshoulders，thefaceofsomeoldhawkofthemountains，hairwhiteandplentifulassomeoldcardinal’s。Allhiskinsfolkweredeadexceptforonegranddaughter……Andhehadbecomeatraditionintheglens……
Itwassaidhehadbeenanecclesiasticalstudentabroad，inValladolid……andthathehadforsakenthatlife。AndinFrancehehadbeenatutorinthefamilyofMacMahon，roid’Irlande……andsomewherehehadmarried，andhiswifehaddiedandlefthimmoney……andhehadcomebacktoAntrim……HehadbeeninthePapalZouaves，andfoughtalsointheAmericanCivilWar……AstrangeoldfigurewhoknewGreekandLatinaswellasmostprofessors，andwhohadneverforgottenhisGaelic……
Antrimwillevercolormyownwriting。MyFifthAvenuewillhavesomethinginitoftheheatherglen。Mypeoplewillhavealwaysaphrase，athought，aflashofScots-Irishmysticism，andforthatImusteitherthankorblameMalachiCampbelloftheLongGlen。
ThestoriesIheard，andIyoung，werenotofLittleRolloandSirWalterScott’s，butthehorribletaleoftheNakedHangman，whogoesthroughtheValleysonMidsummer’sEve；ofDermot，andGranyeoftheBrightBreasts；oftheCattleRaidofMaeve，QueenofConnacht；oftheoldageofCuchulainintheIslandofSkye；
grisly，homelystories，suchasyonoftheghostlyfoot-ballersofCushendun，whoseballisaskull，andwhosegoalistheportalsofaruinedgraveyard；strangereligiouspoems，liketheDialogueofDeathandtheSinner：
Dothugainnloistindogachdeoraidhtreith-lag——
Iusedtogivelodgingtoeverypoorwanderer；
FoodanddrinktohimIwouldseeinwant，Hisproperpaymenttothemanrequestingreckoning，Och！IsnotJesushardifhecondemnsme！
Allthesestories，ofallthesepeoplehetold，hadtheunreal，shimmeringqualityofthatmiragethatisseenfromPortrushcliffs，aglitteringcityinagoldendesert，surroundedbyastrangeseamist。
Allthesesongs，allthesewordshespoke，werenative，hadthesametangastheturfsmoke，theGaelicqualitythatisindarklakesonmountainssummits，inploversnestsamidtheheather……AndtorememberthemnowinNewYork，toseehim……
Fifteenyearshadchangedhimbutlittle：littlemoretremorandslownessinthewalk，abowtothegreatshoulders，aneyethatflashedlikeaknife。
\"AndwhatdoyouthinkofNewYork，Malachi？\"
\"Iwasherebefore，yourhonorwillremember。IfoughtattheWilderness。\"
Iforboreaskinghimwhatchangehehadfound。Isawhisquiveringnostrils。
Inafewdayshewouldproceedsouth，whenhehadorientatedhimselfafterthedaysofshipboard。
Thatnightitseemedeveryonechosetocomeinandclusteraroundthefire。Randall，thepoet；andthetwoblondDanishgirls，withtheirhairlikeflax；Fraser，thegolfer，justoverfromPrestwick；
andayoungwriter，withhisspursyettowin；andthisone……andthatone。
TheyallkeptsilenceasoldMalachspoke，sportsmen，artists，menandwomenoftheworld；ahushcameonthemandtheireyesshowedtheywerenotbeforethecracklingfireinthelongroomsbutamazedintheAntrimglens。
Yes，oldMalachisaid，thingswerechangedoverthere，andagreaterchangewasliable……PeoplewhisperedthatintheValleyoftheBlackPigtheBoarwithoutBristleshadbeenseenatthecloseoftheday，andinTemplemoretherewasableedingimage，andthesewereominousportents……Somefolksbelievedandsomedidn’t……
AndthegreatIrishhunterthathadwontheGrandNational，thegreatesthorseintheworld……ButourManofWar，Malachi？……
Oh，sure，allhecoulddowasrun，andahareoragreyhoundcouldbeathimatthat；butShawnSpadah，agreatjumperhim，aswellasarunner；infine，ahorse……AnddidIknowthatRedSimonMcEwerofCushundallhadgonearoundPortrushineighteenconsecutivefours？……ARathlinIslanderhadtriedtheswimacrosstoScotland，butdidn’tmakeit，andtherewasgreatarguingastowhetheritwasbecauseofthecurrentsoroflackofstrength……TherewererumblingsintheGiants’Causeway……verystrange……AwomaninOranhadthesecondsight，themostpowerfulgiftofsecondsightingenerations……TherewasanewpiperinIslay，anditwassaidhewasasecondMcCrimmon……AndanewpoethadariseninUist，andallovertheHighlandstheywererecitinghissongsandhis\"LamentfortheBruce\"……WasIstillaskeenfor，didIstillrememberthepoems，andthegreatstories？……
\"’Behold，thenightisofgreatlength，’\"Iquoted，\"’Unbearable。
Tellus，therefore，ofthosewondrousdeeds。’\"
\"Ifyou’verememberedyourGaidhligasyou’verememberedyourGreek！\"
\"It’salongtimesinceyou’vehadastoryofme，twelvelongyears，andit’salongtimebeforeyou’llhaveanother，andIgoingawaytomorrow。OldSergeantDeathhashiswarrantoutformethismanyaday，andit’sonlythewisdomofanolddogfoxthateludeshim；
buthe’lllaymebytheheelsoneofthesedays……thenthere’llbeanendtothegrandstories……Soafterthis，ifyou’rewantingastory，youmustbewritingityourself……
\"ButbeforeIdie，I’llleaveyouthestoryofMarcoPolo。There’sbeenapowerofbookswrittenaboutMarcoPolo。Thescholarshavepusheduptheirspectaclesandbrushedthecobwebsfromtheirears，andthey’vesaid，’There’sallthereisaboutMarcoPolo。’
\"Butthescholarsareaqueerandblindpeople，BrianOge。I’veheardtellthere’sadoctorinSpaincanweightheearth。Buthecan’tplowafurrowthatisneedful，forplantingcorn。Thescholarscantellhowmanyarethefeathersinabird’swing，butittakesmetoinformthedoctorswhythecallcomestothem，andtheyflyoveroceanswithoutcompassorsextantorsightofland。
\"Didyoueverseeascholarstandinginfrontofaslipofagirl？
Inallhislearninghecanfindnothingtosaytoher。Andeverypennypoetinthecountryknows。
\"Letyoubelisteningnow，BrianOge，andletalsothescholarsbelistening。Butwhetherthescholarsdoornot，I’mnotcaring。
Apopeoncelistenedtomewithgreatrespect，andamarshalofFranceandpoetswithoutnumber。Butthescholarsdobeturninguptheirnoses。And，mindyou，I’vegotasmuchscholarshipasthenextman，asyou’llseefrommystory。
\"Barringmyself，istherenooneinthishousethattakessnuff？
No！Ah，well，timesdobechanging。\"
CHAPTERI
Nowit’snearingnightonthefirstdayofspring，andyoucouldseehowloathdaywastobegoingforeventheshorttimeuntiltherisingofthesunagain。Andthoughtherewasachillonthecanals，yettherewasgreatcolortothesunset，theredofitonthewaterebbingintoorange，andthentopurple，andlosingitselfintheolivepoolsnearthemooring-ties。AndalittlewindcameupfromtheGreekislands，andnowsurgedandfluttered，thewayyou’dthinkaharpermightbeplaying。You’dhearnosound，butthemelodywasthere。Itwastherhythmofspring，thattheoldpeoplerecognize。
Buttheyoungpeoplewouldknowitwasspring，too，bytokenofthegaietythatwasintheair。Fornothingbringsjoytotheheartlikethecomingofspring。Thefolkwhodobeblindalltherestoftheyear，theireyesdoopenthen，andasunsettakesthem，andtheweevirginflowerscomingupbetweenthestones，orthetwitterofabirduponthebough……Andyoungwomendobepreeningthemselves，andyoungmendobesinging，eventheythathavethevoicesofrooks。
Thereissomethingstirringinthemthatisstirring，intheground，withtheburstingoftheseeds……
AndyoungMarcoPolothrewdownthequillinthecountinghousewherehewaslearninghistrade。Thenightwascomingon。Hewasonlyastripofalad，andtoladsthenightisnotrestfromwork，andthequietnessofsleeping，butgaming，anddrinking，andcourtingyoungwomen。Now，thereweretwowomenhemighthavegoneto，andonewasagreatVenetianlady，withhairtheredofaqueen’scloak，andagreatnobleshapetoherandgreatdignity。Butwithherhewouldonlyberecitingversesormakinggrand，stiltedcompliments，thelikeofthoseyouwouldhearinaplay。Andwhilethatseemedtofitinwithwinterandcandlelight，itwaspoorsportforspring。
Theotheronewasablack，plumplittlegown-maker，apleasant，singinglittlewoman，veryaffectionate，andveryproudtohaveoneofthegreatPoloslovingher。Shewaseagerforkissing，andalwaysaskingtheladtobecarefulofhimself，tobeputtinghiscloakon，ortobesureanddrinksomethingwarmwhenhegothomethatnight，fortheairfromthecanalswaschill。Thegreatladywastoomuchofthemind，andthelittlegown-makerwastoomuchofthebody，eitherofthem，tobepleasingyoungMarcoonthefirstnightofspring。
Now，itisaqueerthingwillbepleasingayoungmanonthefirstnightofspring。Thewanderingfootitches，andthemindandbodyarekeentofollow。Thereisthatinsideayoungmanthatmakesthehuntingdogrisefromthehearthonamoonlitnight：\"Begor！it’smyself’lltakeaturnthroughthefieldsonthechanceofabitofcoursing。Aweasel，maybe，oranotter，wouldbeoutthenight。
Orahareitself。Ay，therewouldbesportforyou！Theharerunninghell-for-leather，andmeafterhimoverbrakeanddell。
Ay！Ay！Ay！Agoodhunt’sajewel！I’lltakeastretchalongtheroad。\"
Orthereisinhimwhatdoesbetroublingthebirds，andtheyontropicislands。\"Tweet-tweet，\"theygrumble。\"Agrandplacethissurely，andverycomfortableforthewinter。Thepalm-treesaregreen，butI’dratherhavethegreenofyounggrass。Andthesea，youken，itbecomesmonotonous。DoyourememberthepeachesofChampagne，wife，andthecherry-treesofAntrim？Doyourememberthefarmerwhowassuchabadshot，andhiswifewiththeredpetticoat？I’mfeelingfineandstronginthewings，AVOURNEEN。
Whatdoyousay？Let’sbundleandgo！\"
Hewanderedoutwiththediscontentoftheseasononhim。Thesunhaddroppedatlast，andeverywhereyou’dseetorches，andtheimageoftorchesinthewater。Onthecanalsofthetowngreatbargesmoved。Everywherewerefine，nobleshadowsandthesplashingofoars。
Therewasagreatadmiral’sgalley，readytoputtoseaagainstGenoa。
ThereabigmerchantmanbackfromAfrica。Andalongthecanalswentallthepeopleintheworld，you’dthink。NowitwasaFrenchman，allsilksandsatinsand’la-di-da，monsieur！’OraSpaniardwithapointedbeardandlong，leanlegsandalong，leansword。AndnowitwasaGreekcourtesan，whiteasmilk，sittinginhergondolaasonathrone。HerewasaMuscovite，hairy，dirty，withfinefurandfinejewelsandteethsharpasadog’s。AndnowaneffeminateGreeknobleman，languidasabride。AndherewereMoorishcaptains，Othello’smen，greatgiantsofblackmarble；andswarthy，hook-nosedmerchantsofPalestine；andthesquiresofCrusaders——pretty，ringletedboys，swearinglikedemons。AndhereandtherewereScotsandIrishmercenaries，kilted，sensitivefolk，onemomentsmilingatyouandthenextaknifeinyourgizzard。
Andashewentthroughthecourtstherewerewhispersandlaughter，andoccasionallyasoftvoiceinvitedhimtoenter；buthesmiledandshookhishead。NeartheCanaldeMestre，whichisclosebytheGhetto，hestoppedbythewine-shopcalledThePrinceofBulgaria，andhecouldheargreatdisputation。AndsomewerespeakingofBaldwinII，andhowhehadnogutstohaveletPalaeologustakeConstantinoplefromhim。AndothersweremurmuringaboutGenoa。
\"Markus，theymeantrouble，thosedogs。Betterwipethemoffthefaceoftheearthnow。\"AndagroupwerediscussingthechancesofraidingtheJewishKingdomoftheYemen。\"They’vegottemplesthereroofedwithgold。\"……AndanIrishpiperwasplayingonalittlesilversetofpipes，andanIndianmagicianwasdoinggreatsleightofhand……
\"I’llgoinandtalktothestrangeforeignpeople，\"saidMarcoPolo。
CHAPTERII
Now，youmightbethinkingthatthepictureI’mdrawingisoutofmyownhead。Letyounotbethinkingofitasitisnow，acityofshadowsandghosts，withafewscantvisitorsmooninginthecanals。ThePrideoftheWestshewas，theJeweloftheEast。
Constantinoplewashercourtyard。Greece，Egypt，Abyssinia，Bulgaria，andMuscovy，herten-acrefields。TheCrusadersontheirwaytofighttheSaracenstoppedtopleadforherhelpandgenerosity。
Therewerenosoldiersmorechivalrous，noteventheFrench。Therewerenobetterfighters，noteventheHighlandclans。Sailors？
You’dthinkthosefellowshadinventedthesea。Andasforrichesandtreasures，oh！thewonderoftheworldshewas！Tributeshehadfromeverywhere；thefourgreathorsesofSaintMarktheycamefromConstantinople。ThetwogreatmarblecolumnsfacingthePiazetta，sure，theycamefromAcre。Whenforeignpowerswantedtheloanofmoney，itwastoVenicetheycame。ConsidertheprobityofVenetianmen。TheyonceheldaspledgetheCrownofThornsitself。
KingLouisIXofFranceredeemedit。
Theprocessionsofthetradespeoplewerelikeaking’sretinue，andtheymarchinginstateontheelectionofadoge。Eachintheirseparateorderthey’dcome，themastersmithsfirst，asisright，everyonegarlandedlikeaconqueror，withtheirbannerandtheirbuglers。Thefurriersnextinermineandtaffeta；thetanners，withsilvercupsfilledwithwine；thetailorsinwhite，withvermilionstars；thewool-workers，witholivebranches；thequilt-
makersincloakstrimmedwithfleur-de-lis；thecloth-of-goldweavers，withgoldencrownssetwithpearls；theshoemakersinfinesilk，whilethesilk-workerswereinfustian；thecheese-dealersandpork-butchersinscarletandpurple；thefish-mongersandpoulterers，armedlikemen-of-war；theglass-makers，withelegantspecimensoftheirart；thecomb-makers，withlittlebirdsincages；thebarber-surgeonsonhorseback，verydignified，verylearned，andwiththatyou’dthinkthere’dbeanendtothem，butcastyoureyebackonthatprocessionandyou’dfindguildsasfarasyoursightwouldreach……
Letyoubegoingdownthemarkets，andwhatwouldyouseeforsale？
Boots，clothes，bread？No，theywereoutofsight；butscatteredonthebooths，thelikeoffarlsofbreadonafair-day，you’dfindclovesandnutmegs，maceandebonyfromMoluccas，thathadcomebywayofAlexandriaandtheSyrianports；sandalwoodfromTimor，inAsia；camphorfromBorneo。SumatraandJavasentbenzointohermarkets。CochinChinasentbitteraloes-wood。FromChinaandJapanandfromSiamcamegum，spices，silks，chessmen，andcuriositiesfortheparlor。RubiesfromPeru，fineclothsfromCoromandel，andfinerstillfromBengal。TheygotspikenardfromNepaulandBhutan。
TheirdiamondswerefromGolconda。FromNirmultheypurchasedDamascussteelfortheirswords。Noristhatallyou’dsee，andyou’dbegoingdownbythemarketsonasunnymorning，andafine-
thinking，low-voicedwomanonyourarm。You’dseepearlsandsapphires，topazandcinnamonfromCeylon；lacandagates，brocadesandcoralfromCambay；hammeredvesselsandinlaidweaponsandembroideredshawlsfromCashmere。Asforspices，neverwouldyournostrilsmeetsuchanodor：bdelliumfromScinde，muskfromTibet，galbanumfromKhorasan；fromAfghanistan，asafetida；fromPersia，sagapenum；ambergrisandcivetfromZanzibar，andfromZanzibarcameivory，too。AndfromZeila，Berbera，andShehricamebalsamandfrankincense……
AndthatwasVenice，andMarcoPoloayoungman。Andnowit’sonlyatownlikeanyothertownbutforitschurchesandcanals。There’smanyatownhasghosts，butnonetheghoststhatVenicehas；notRomeitself，orTaraofthekings。
\"Oncedidshehold，\"Randallquoted，\"thegorgeousEastinfee；
AndwasthesafeguardoftheWest；theworthOfVenicedidnotfallbelowherbirth，Venice，theeldestChildofLiberty。
Shewasamaidencity，brightandfree；
Noguileseduced，noforcecouldviolate；
And，whenshetookuntoherselfamate，ShemustespousetheeverlastingSea！\"
Timeisthegreatestrogueofall。NotallthearrowsofAttilacandothedamageofatrickleofsandinanhour-glass！TyreandSidon，Carthage，ancientBabylon，andVenice，queenofthemall。
IamdescribingVenicetoyouforthisreason。YoumightnowstandwhereTroy’swallsoncewereandsaytoyourself：\"WasthiswhereHelenwalkedwithherlittleson？Wasthiswheretheloveliestfaceofageswept？\"Andachillofdoubtwouldcomeonyou，andyouwouldthink，\"I’vebeenwastingmysorrowandwastingmylove，foritwasallnothingbutanoldtalemadeupinaminstrel’shead。\"
AndsometimeinVenice，afteryourdinnerinahotel，you’dgooutforawhileinaBARCA，thatwouldhavenomoreromancetoitnorthebarkagilliewouldrow，andyousalmon-fishingonacold，blusteryday，andyouwouldfeeldisappointed，youhavingcomesofar，andyou’dsay：\"Itwasagrandstorysurely，andbravelydiditpassthewinterevening；butwasn’toldMalachioftheLongGlentheliaroftheworld！\"
Iwouldn’thaveyousayingthat，andIdead。InallI’mtellingyou，I’dhaveyoutoknowthere’snotaha’porthoflie。
CHAPTERIII
AndsoMarcoPolowentintothewine-shoptoseeandhearthestrangeforeignpeople。
Itwasadark，longroom，veryhigh，fullofshadowsbetweentheflamingtorchesonthewall。Atonesideofitwasagreatfireburning，forallitwasthefirstnightofspring。Atoneendofitwerethegreatbarrelsofliquorforthethirstycustomers；
blackbeerfortheEnglishandtheIrish，grand，hairystuffwithgreatfoamtoit，andbrownbeerfortheGermans；andtherewaswhitewinetherefortheFrenchpeople，andredwinefortheItalians，asquebaughfortheScots，andrumfromthesugarcaneforsuchashadcoldintheirbones。Therewasallkindofdrinkthereinthebrass-boundbarrels——drinkwouldmakeyoumadanddrinkwouldmakeyoumerry，drinkwouldputheartinatimidmananddrinkwouldmakefightingmenpeacefulaspigeons；anddrinkthatwouldmakeyouforgettrouble——allinthebrass-boundbarrelsattheendoftheroom。
Andpleasant，fatlittlemenwereroamingaroundservingthevariedliquorinlittlesilvercups，andfineVenetianglassesforthewine，andinbroad-bellieddrinking-potsthatwouldholdmorethanaquart。
Andtherewassuchababeloflanguageaswasneverheardbutinoneplacebefore。
Someofthedrinkersweredicingandshoutingastheywon，andgrumblingandcursingwhentheylost。Andsomeweresinging。
AndsomeweredancingtotheIrishpipes。AndtherewasaknotaroundtheIndianconjurer。
Buttherewasonemanbyhimselfatatable。Andhimbeingsosilent，you’dthinkhewasshoutingforattention。Hewassorestfulagainstthegreatcommotion，you’dknowhewasagreatman。Youmightturnyourbackonhim，andyou’dknowhewasthere，thoughheneverevenwhisperednorputoutafinger。Afat，pleasant，close-coupledmanhewas，inloose，greenclothes，withgoldbrocadeonthem。Andthereweretwobiggoldear-ringsinhislobes。Hesmokedaweepipewiththebowlhalf-waysupit。Thepipewassilverandallstem，andthebowlnobiggerthanaten-centpiece。Hisshoulderswereverypowerful，soyou’dknowhewasamanyoushouldbepoliteto，andoutofthatchestofhisagreatshoutcouldcome。Hemighthavebeenaworking-man，only，whenhefingeredhispipe，you’dseehishandswereaswellkeptasalord’slady’s，fineassilkandpolishedtoadegree。
Andyou’dthinkmaybeapleasantpoet，whichisascarcething，untilyoulookedatthebrownfaceofhimandbiggoldear-rings。
Andthenyou’dknowwhathewas：hewasagreatsea-captain。
Butwheredidhecomefrom？Youmightknowfromthehighcheekbonesandtheeyesthatwereonaslant，asitwere，thatitwasanEasternmanwasinit。ItmightbeJavaanditmightbeBorneo，oritmightbethestrangecountryofJapan。
Andtherewereacoupleofstrangeoccurrencesinthewine-shop。
TheIndianjugglerwasbeingbaitedbythefightingmen，aspeoplewillbeafterpokingcoarsefunataforeigner。TheslimHindufellowwasn’ttakingitatallwell。Hewaslookingwitheyeslikegimletsatabigbullockofasoldierthatwasleadingthetormenters。
\"Showmesomethingwouldsurpriseme，\"hewasordering。\"Bedamnedtothisoldwoman’sentertainment！\"sayshe。\"Asamagician，\"
sayshe，\"you’retheworstIeversaw。Ifyou’reamagician，\"
sayshe，\"I’marabbit。\"
Andtherewasaroaratthat，becausehewasknowntobeaverybraveman。
\"Showmeamagictrick，\"sayshe。
SaystheHindu：
\"Maybeyou’dwishyouhadn’tseenit。\"
\"Bedamnedtothat！\"saysthebigfellow。
\"Lookatthismanwell，\"theHindutoldtheroom。\"Lookathimwell。\"
Hethrowsahandfulofpowderinthefireandchantsinhisforeignlanguage。Acloudofwhitesmokearisesfromthefire。Hemakesapassbeforeit，and，loandbeholdye！it’sascreenagainstthewall。
Andthere’sagreatcommotionofshadowsonthescreen，andsuddenlyyouseewhatit’sallabout。It’saplatform，andamankneeling，withhisheadontheblock。Youdon’tseewhoitis，butyougetchilled。Andsuddenlythere’saheadsmaninaredcloakandaredmask，andtheaxswingsandfalls。Theheadpopsoff，andthebodyfallslimp。Andtheheadrollsdowntheplatformandstops，andyouseeit’stheheadofthefellowwhowantedtoseesomething，andit’sinthegrislygrinofdeath……
\"There’syourlatterendforyou，\"saystheconjurer。\"Youwantedtoseesomething。Ihopeyou’recontent。\"
Thebigfellowturnswhite，gulps，givesabellow，andmakesarush；
buttheconjurerisn’tthere，norhisscreennoranything。
Everybodyintheroomwaswhiteandshaken——allbutthesea-captain。
Hejusttampshispipeasifnothinghadhappened，andsmokeson。
Hedoesn’teventakeadrinkfromhisglass。
AndalittlewhilelateranIrishchieftainwalksin。He’spoorandraggedandverythin。Youmightknowhe’dbeenfightingtheheathenfortheHolysepulchre，andsoentitledtorespect，nomatterwhathiscondition。Andbehindhimarefiveclansmenasraggedashe。ButabigGermantrooperrollsup。
\"Andwhatareyou？\"saysthebig，burlyfellow。
\"Agentleman，Ihope，\"saystheraggedchief。
\"’Tisyourselfthatsaysit，\"laughstheGermantrooper。Thechieftainsnickstheknifefromhisarmpit，andstickshiminthejugularasneatasbedamned。
\"You’dmighttakethatout，KevinBeg\"——theIrishchiefpointstothekilledman——\"andthrowitinthecanal。Somebodymightstumbleoveritandbarktheirshins。\"
Nowthis，asyoucanconceive，rousedapowerfulcommotionintheroom。
Theywereallontheirfeet，captainsandmarinersandmen-at-arms，cheeringorgrumbling，andarguingtherightsandwrongsofthematter。
Allbutthesea-captain，whosawitall，andheneverblinkedaneyelid，neverevenmissedadrawofthepipe。
AndthenMarcoPoloknewhimtobeaChinaman，because，asalltheworldknows，Chinamenareneversurprisedatanything。
CHAPTERIV
SoMarcoPologoesoverandsaluteshimpolitely。
\"Iwonderifyoumindmysittingdownbyyouforawhile，\"hesays。
\"Iperceiveyou’refromChina。\"
Thesea-captainwaveshimpolitelytohisplace。
\"I’mfromChina。\"Hesmiles。\"Youguessedright。\"
\"Isitlongsinceyou’vebeeninChina？\"
\"Well，thatdependsuponwhatyoucalllong，\"saysthecaptain。
\"Ifyoumeantime，it’sonething。Ifyoumeanvoyage，it’sanother。
Foryou’vegottotakeintoaccount，\"sayshe，\"adversewinds，roundaboutturnstoavoidcurrents，possibledelaystohavetheshipscrapedfreefromtheparasitelifethatdoesbeattachingitselftothestrakes，timespentinbarterandtrade。Othermatters，too；theattacksofpirates；cross-grainedprinceswhodon’twantyoutobeleavingtheirportswithagoodcargoinyourhold；sickness；lossofsailsandmasts；repairstotheship。Itwasn’tashortjourneyanditwasn’talongone。\"
\"ItwillbealongwaystoChina，I’mthinking。\"
\"IcantellyouhowlongitisfromChinatohere，andyoucanreversethat，andyouwillgetafairideaofhowlongitisfromheretoChina。IleftZeitoonwithacargoofporcelainforJapan，andtradeditforgold-dust，andfromJapanIwenttoChambatolayinastoreofchessmenandpen-cases。AndfromChambaIsailedtoJava，whichisthegreatestislandintheworld。JavaisfifteenhundredmilesfromChamba，southandsoutheast，andittookmefourmonthssailing，butasea-captaincannotpassJavaby，foritisthechiefplaceforblackpepper，nutmegs，spikenard，galingale，cubebs，doves，andallthespicesthatgrow。
\"AndIstoppedatvarioussmallislandsfromthere，untilIcametoBasma，whichistheislandoftheunicorns。Andtherewetradeinpygmies，whichignorantpeoplethinkarehumanfolk。Theyarejustaweemonkey，withallthehairpluckedoutexceptthehairofthebeard。Thereisgreatmoneyinthem。
\"IstoppedatSumatraforcocoanutsandtoddy，andjustforwateratDragoian。Dragoianisnotagoodcity。Itisfilledwithsorcererswhohavetattooedfaces。AtLambriIputinforthesagoyoubuyfromthehairymenwithtails。
\"Son，neverstopattheisleofAndaman。Thementherehavefaceslikedogs。Theyareacruelgeneration，andeateveryonetheycancatch。Icouldtellyouastory，butIwouldnotspoilthisfinespringnight。GorathertotheislandofCeylon，andseetheKing’sRuby，whichisthegreatestjewelintheworld。IstoppedthereandatCoromandelforthepearlsthediversgodownintheseafor，andtherearenoclothesonthatisland，sothateveryonegoesnakedasafish。AndthereistheshrineofSaintThomas。Iwasthere。
\"Gujarat，Tana，Istoppedthere。TheMaleandFemaleIslandsIputintoforambergris。Svestra，whichisfullofmagicians——Iwasthere，too。MadagascarandZanzibar，wheretheyliveoncamelflesh，Iwasthere。AndfromZanzibarIcamenorthtoAbyssinia，becauseIhadtogetanostrichtherefortheKingofSiam。AndtherewasaletterandaparcelfortheSultanofEgypt。SoIwenttoCairo。Ihadamonthonmyhands，soIthoughtI’drunoverandseeVenice，becauseit’sahobbyofmine，youmightsay，toseetheworld。
\"Nowletmereckon。Fourandthreemakesseven，andfourmoreareeleven，andsixareseventeen，andletussayninewiththat，andyouhavetwenty-six。AndthemonthI’mforgettngontherocksofAdenistwenty-seven，andaweekhereandaweekthereforbadwindsandsuchlike。Itwouldbesafetoputthatatthreemonths。Soit’stwoyearsandahalfsinceIleftChina。\"
\"Younever，\"saysyoungMarco，\"metanybodyinChinabythenameofPolo？\"
\"Poh-lo？Poh-lo？China’sabiggerplacenoryouwouldimagine，laddie。There’shalfahundredmillionpeoplethere。\"
\"Thesewereforeigners，\"Marcoexplained，\"traders。TheywereatthecourtofthegreatKhan。\"
\"Polo？Polo？Well，now，IthinkI’veheardofthem。Wasoneofthemabigred-beardedmanwithagreateyeforahorseandagreateyeforawoman？\"
\"ThatwouldbemyUncleMatthew。\"
\"ForGod’ssake！Andwastheotheracold，darkman，agoodjudgeofajewelandagrandjudgeofasword？\"
\"Myfather，NicholasPolo。\"
\"ForGod’ssake！You’rethesonofoneandthenephewoftheother？\"
\"Didyouknowthem？\"
\"Ah，laddie，howwouldIbeknowingpeoplelikethat！Sure，they’regreatfolks，highintheesteemofthegrandKhan，andI’monlyapoorsailorman。\"
\"Butyouheardofthem。\"
\"Iheardofthem。Theywereingoodhealth。AndIheardtheywereontheirwayhome，thoughtheywouldtraveloverlandandnotriskthegreatdangersofthesea。Isuppose，iftheygobacktoChina，you’llbegoingwiththem？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saysMarcoPolo。
\"YououghttoseeChina。It’sagreatcountry，abeautifulcountry。\"
\"Itwouldhavetobeverygreatandbeautiful，\"saysMarcoPolo，\"toout-weighthegreatnessandthebeautythatarehere。Youmustn’tthinkI’mrunningdownyourcountry，mister，\"sayshe；\"butforgreatness，whereisthebeatingofVeniceinthisday？WhatstruckConstantinoplelikeathunderboltbutthemailedhandofVenice？
WhentheBarbarycorsairsroamedthesevenseas，sothatitwasnomoresafeforamerchantvesseltobesailingthanforababetobewalkingthroughawildjungle，itwasVenicewhoacceptedthechallengeandmadethegreatseaaspeacefulastheGrandCanal。WhohumbledproudGenoa？AndhurledtheSaracenfromSaintJohnofAcre’swalls？
Venice。Andasformagnificence，theretinueofourdogewhenhegoestomarrytheseawitharingitmakesthecourtofLorenzoseemlikeahuckster’strain。\"
\"Itisacrowningcity。\"
\"Andasforbeauty，sir，\"wentonMarcoPolo，\"thereisnothingintheworldlikeSanMarco’s，anditablazeinthesettingsun，andthegreatpillarsbeforeitrisingintonguesofflame。AndwasthereeverinalltimeanythingliketheGrandCanalattheduskofday，andthetorchesbeginningtoshowlikefireflies，andthelapofthewater，andstringedmusic，andthegreatbargesgoingbylikeswans，nowabattle-hackedcaptainofwar，nowagreatgraciouslady？Andthemoondoesberising……
\"You’vesailedallthewayfromChinaandseenstrangeandbeautifulthings，butIrememberonesummer’sday，whenItookoutmylittlesailing-boatandwentoutonthewatertocomposeapoemforalady，andthewaterwasblue——oh，asblueasthesky’sself，andthesandsoftheLidoweresilver，andthewatershuffledgentlyoverthem，asgentlyasachild’slittlefeet。Andtherewasaclumpofolive-treestheresogreenastobeblack，andtherealightedbeforeitagreatscarletEgyptianbird。Andthebeautyofthatbroughtthetearstomyeyes，sothatIthoughtofnunsintheircellsandbarefootfriarsinthehollowlands，andtheystrivingforparadise。WhatdidIcareaboutparadise？AVenetianI。SowhyshouldIwanttogotoChina？\"
\"YouhavemadeagreatcaseforthegrandeurandbeautyofVenice，\"
saysthesea-captain。\"Itislovely，surely，\"sayshe，fillinghispipe；\"butfinerpoetsnoryou，mylad，\"sayshe，lightingit，\"havetriedtodescribethegraceandbeautyofTao-Tuen，and，\"sayshetakingadraw，\"havefailed。\"
\"Tao-Tuenisabeautifulname。Itisliketwonotespluckedonaharp。Anditmustbeawonderfulplace，surely，ifgreatpoetscannotdescribeit。\"
\"Itisnotaplace，\"saidthecaptain，\"it’sagirl。\"
\"Asforwomen，Venice——\"
\"Venicebedamned！\"saidthesea-captain。\"NotinVenice，notinalltheworld，istherethelikeforgraceorbeautyofTao-Tuen。
TheycallherGoldenBells，\"hesays。
\"Issheadancing-girl？\"Marcoasked。
\"Sheisnotadancing-girl，\"saysthesea-captain，\"sheisthedaughterofKubla，thegreatKhan。\"
\"Acoldandbeautifulprincess，\"saysMarcoPolo。
\"Sheisnotacoldandbeautifulprincess，\"saysthesea-captain。
\"SheiswarmasthesuninearlyJune，andshemaybebeautifulandaprincess，butweallthinkofherasGoldenBells，thelittlegirlintheChinesegarden。\"
\"Didyoueverseeher？\"saysMarco，eagerly。\"Tellme。\"
\"IsawherbeforeIleft，\"saysthesea-captain。\"IwasattheKhan’spalaceofChagannor，\"sayshe，\"seeingofthechiefofthestewardswasthereanythingIcouldgetforhim，andIinforeignparts。AndasIwasbeingrowedbackalongtheriverbymytenbrawnysailormen，whatdidIpassbutthegardenofGoldenBells。
\"Andthereshewasbytheriver-side，alittlebrownslipofagirlingreencoatandtrousers，withaflowerinherdarkhair。
\"AndIlowermyheadinreverenceaswepassby。ButIhearherlow，merryvoice，byreasonofwhichtheycallherGoldenBells。
\"’Ho，masterofthevessel。’shecalls。’Wheredoyougo？’
\"Andthesailorsbackwaterwithaswish，andIstanduprespectfully，forallsheisonlyaslipofagirl。
\"’Igotoforeignparts，GoldenBells，’Itellher；’tofaranddangerousplaces，intotheIndianOcean。TotheIslandofUnicornsandtothelandwheremeneatmen。’
\"’Ihopeyoucomebacksafe，masterofthevessel，’shesays。’Ihopeyouhaveagoodvoyageandcomebacksafe。Itmustbeadreadfulstrainonyourpeopletothinkofyousofaraway。’
\"’Inallthiswideland，’Itellher，’thereisnonetoworryaboutme。Ihaveneitherchicknorchild。’
\"’GoldenBellswillworryaboutyou，then，’shesaid，’andyouinthehazardsofthesea。Andtakethisflowerforluck。’Andshegavemetheflowerfromherhair。’Andletitbringyouluckagainsttheangeroftheoceanandtheenemiesallmenhave。Andletmeknowwhenyouareback，becauseI’llbeworriedaboutamanofChinaandhimindangerontheopensea。’
\"Andwasn’tthatawonderfulthingfromadaughterofKublatome，apoorsailor-man？
\"ThesonoftheKingofSiamcametowooherwithahundredprincesonahundredelephants，butshewouldn’thavehim。’Idon’twishtobeaqueen，’shetoldherfather。’HowcouldIbeaqueen？IamonlyGoldenBells。’NorwouldshehaveanythingtosaytothePrinceoftheLandofDarkness，whocametoherwithseaivoryandpaleArcticgold。’ThesunofChinaisinmyheart，andyouwouldn’thavemegoupintothegreatcoldnesstoshiveranddie？’
\"SosheremainsinhergardenbythelakeofCraneswithLiPo，thegreatpoet，himtheycalltheDrinkerofWine，tomakesongsforher；andtheSANANGTungChih，thegreatmagician，toperformwondersforherwhensheiswearied；andBulagan，hernurse，totakehertoherheartwhensheissad。
\"Andsadsheisalotofthetime，theytellme。Shesitsinhergardeninthedusk，playingherlute，andsingingthesongoftheWillowbranches，whichisthesaddestlove-songintheworld……
\"Andwhysheshouldbesingingasadlove-song，isamystery，forhersoft，brownbeautyisthefloweroftheworld。Fortherewouldbenolackofsuitorsforher，norisshetheonetorefuselove。
TheonlythingImakeofitisthattherighthourhasn’tcome。
\"ThebeautyofVenicejumpstoyoureyes，butthebeautyofthispullsatyourheart。LittlebrownGoldenBells，inherChinesegarden，singingthesongoftheWillowBranchesatthecloseofday……IsthatnotbetternorVenice？\"
ButhegotnowordoutofMarcoPolo，sittingwithhischincuppedinhishands。Andthatwasthefinestansweratall，atall……
CHAPTERV
Thetimeswentby，andMarcoPolobusiedhimselfwithhisdailyaffairs，keepingtrackofthegalleasseswithmerchandisetostrangefar-awayports，buyingpresentsforrefractorygovernorswhodidn’tcareforforeigntradeintheirdomains，gettingwisdomfromtheoldclerks，andknowledgefromthemariners；inthemain，actingasthesonofagreathousewhiletheheadsofitwereaway。
Youwouldthinkthathewouldhaveforgottenwhatthesea-captainofChinatoldhimaboutGoldenBells，whatwithworkandsportandotherwomennearhim。Youwouldthinkthatwoulddropoutofhismemorylikeanoldrime。Butitstuckthere，asanoldrimesometimessticks，andbydintofthinkinghehadherfastnowinhismind——sofast，soclear，sofulloflife，thatshemightbesomeonehehadseenanhouragoorwasgoingtoseeanhourfromnow。Hewouldthinkofthenowmerry，nowsadeyesofher，andthesoft，sweetvoiceofherbyreasonofwhichtheycalledherGoldenBells，andtheduskylittleface，andthehairlikeblacksilk，andthesplotchoftheredflowerinit。Shewasasdistincttohimasthefivefingersonhishand。Itwasn’tonlyshewasclearinhismind’seye，butshewasinsideofhim，closerthanhisheart。Shewastherewhenthesunrose，sohewouldbesaying，\"It’sagranddayisinitsurely，GoldenBells。\"Shewasthereinthedimcountinghouseandhegoingoverinthegreatintricateledgerstheclerksdobepostingcarefullywithquillsofthegraygoose，sothathewouldbesaying：\"Iwonderwherethisisandthatis。SureIhadmyfingeronitonlyamomentago，GoldenBells。\"Andwhentheduskwasfalling，andthebatscameout，andthequietofChristwasovereverything，andtheswallowsflewlowonthegreatcanals，shewouldbebesidehim，andneverawordwouldhesaytoher，soneartohimwouldshebe。
Andshewroughtstrangenessbetweenhimandthewomenheknew，thegreatgraveladywiththelarge，palemouth，herthatwasofhismind，andthelittleblackcloak-makerwiththeeager，redmouth，herthatwascloserthanmindorhearttohim。Sothatthefirstfoundfaultwithhispoetry。
\"Idon’tknowwhat’scomeoveryou，MarcoPolo，\"——andtherewasatouchoftemperinhervoice，——\"butthesepoemsofyoursshowmeyouhaven’tyourmindonyoursubject。WouldyoumindtellingmewhenIhadboundblackhair？\"shesays。\"Andyousaymybosomisliketwolittlerussetapples。Now，aregularpoetoncecomparedittotwogreatsilvercups，andthatwasagoodcomparison，thoughintruth，\"shesays，\"heknewaslittleaboutitasyou。AndmyhandsarenotlikesoftEasternflowers。They’relikelilies。Idon’tknowwhereyoudobegettingtheseEasterncomparisons，\"shesays。
\"ButIdon’tlikethem。Tellme，prettyboy，\"——shelookssuspicious，——\"youhaven’tbeentakinganyofthestrangeEgyptiandrugsthedarkpeopledobesellinginthedimshopsonthequietcanals？Lookout，prettyboy！Lookout！\"
Andthelittlecloak-makergrumbledwhenhewasgone。\"Idon’tknowwhat’swrongwithhim，\"saysshe。\"Ormaybeit’ssomethingthat’swrongwithmyself，butthisdelicateloveisn’tallit’scrackeduptobe。It’sallrightinbooks，\"shesays，\"andit’sagrandsight，andtheplayersdoingit；butIlikeahug，\"shesays，\"wouldputthebreathoutofyou，andakiss，\"shesays，\"youcouldfeelinthesolesofyourfeet。\"Andshelayawakeandgrumbled。
\"Lethimbetakinghisla-di-dacourtingtothoseasfavorit，\"
saysshe。\"It’snotmykind，\"andshegrumbledthroughthelonelynight。\"Iwonderwheremyhusbandisnow，\"shesaid。\"Andwasn’tIthefoolishgirltobesendinghimoff！Sure，hedranklikeafishandbeatmesomethingcruel，buthewasararelover，andthemoodonhim。Sure，awomanneverknowswhenshe’swelloff，\"
saysshe。
AndMarcoPolodidn’tmissthemanymorenoryou’dmissanoldovercoatandthewinterpast。AllhismindwasonwastheGoldenBellsofChina。Andhethoughtlonguntilhisuncleandfathercame，sothathecouldbeoffwiththemtothestrangeChineseland。
\"Butthere’snousetomegoingthere，\"sayshe。\"Icouldn’tmarryher。Shewouldlaughatme，\"hesays。\"She，whorefusedthesonoftheKingofSiam，withhishundredprincesonahundredelephants，whatusewouldshehaveforme，who’snobetternorapeddlerwithhispack？Butitwouldbeworthwalkingtheworldbarefootfortoseethatlittlegoldenface，tohearthelow，sweetvoicetheycallGoldenBells。\"
Theycamebackinduetime，hisuncleMatthew，thered，hairyman，andhisfather，thethin，darkman，whoknewpreciousstones。
AndhetoldthemhewantedtogowiththemwhentheymadetheirnextexpeditiontoChina。
\"Wecouldbeusingyou，afteryourtrainingintrade，\"saysthefather。ButMarcoPolowouldtakenointerestinbarter。\"Sure，you’dbettercomealong，\"sayshisuncleMatthew。\"There’sgreatsporttobehadontheroad，kissingandcourtingtheforeignwomenandnotawordoflanguagebetweenyou，barringasmileandalaugh。\"
\"Ihavenointerestintheforeignwomen，UncleMatthew。\"
\"Thenit’sthehorsesyou’vebeenhearingabout，thefineArabhorsesfasternorthewind，andthelittlePersianponiestheydobeplayingpoloon，andthegrandTatarhuntersthatcanjumptheheighthofaman，andtheysure-footedasagoat。Ah，thehorses，thebonnyhorses！\"
\"Ah，sure，UncleMatthew，’tislittleIknowofhorses。Sure，Iknowallaboutboats，racingandtradeandwarboats，butahorseisnotkintome。\"
\"Thenwhatthehell’stheuseofyourgoingtoChina？\"
\"Ah，sure，that’sthequestionI’maskingmyself，UncleMatthew。
ButIhavetogo。Idoso。Thereissomethingcallingme，UncleMatthew——abellinmyear，father’sbrother，andthere’saringingbellinmyheart。\"
CHAPTERVI
IshallnowtellyouhowitcameaboutthatMarcoPolowenttoChinawithhisuncleandfather，thoughhehadnoeyeforabargain，orinterestincourtingforeignwomen，orsenseofhorses。
Now，asyoumayknow，thiswasagreatreligioustime。TheCrusaders，feelingshamethattheSepulchreoftheLordJesusshouldbeinSaracenhands，hadcomewithhorse，footandartillerytoPalestinetogivetributeofarmstoHimwhohaddiedforthemontheBitterTree。
Andgreatfeatswereperformedandgrandbattleswon。Andkingsbecamesaints，likeLouisofFrance，andsaintsbecamekings，likeBaldwinofConstantinople。Mightywonderswereseenandmiraclesperformed，sothatpeoplesaid，\"NowwillbethesecondcomingofChristandtheendoftheworld。\"
AndagreatdesirecameontheChristianpeopletotellthetruthofChristtothestrangeandforeignpeoplesoftheworld。SothateverydayoutofJerusalemyouwouldseefriarshittingtheroad，someofthemtoconfrontthewizardsoftheLandofDarkness，andsometoarguetheologywiththeoldlamasofTibet，andsometoconvertthesunnySouthernislands，wheretheyoungwomendobelettingdowntheirhairandthemendobeforgettingGodforthem。
Andallovertheworldtherewasspreadingagreatrumorthatthetruthofallthingswasatlastknown。
EvenKublaKhanhadheardofitfaroffinChina，andhehadchargedtheuncleandfatherofMarcowithamessagetothePopeofRome。
Letthepopebesendingsometheologianstohiscourt，andthey’darguethematterout；andifhewassatisfiedthatthisnewreligionwastheTrueReligion，thenhe’dturnChristianandtellhispeopletoturnChristian，too。AndletthembebringingbacksomeoftheOiloftheLampwhichburnsintheHolySepulchreatJerusalemandisacureforalltheillsintheworld。
AndwhentheycametotheCityofAcre，surethepopewasdead。
Andtheywaitedalongtime，butnonewpopewaschosen，sotheydecidedtogoback，becausetheyhadagoodbusinessthere，andtheydidn’twanttoloseit。Andyettheyknewthere’dbetroublewiththeGrandKhan，iftheydidn’tbringbackthenewsoftheTrueReligionandpeopletoargueit。
\"I’vebeenalongtimetrading，\"saysNicolo，andit’saqueerthing，butthemoretradingyoudo，thelessreligionyouhave。Thearguingofreligionwouldnotcomeeasytome。AndI’dbeupagainstexperts。
I’mnotthemanforit，\"sayshe。\"Howaboutyou，Matthew？\"
\"Oh，sure，they’dneverlistentome，\"Matthewlaughs——\"methat’sdrankwiththem，anddeludheredtheirwomen，andgambleduntilI
leftthemnothingbutthesweatoftheirbrows。I’dbeagreatonetopreachreligiontothem。Why，man，they’dlaughatme。ButI
tellyouwhat，Nicolas。There’sabishopinNegropont，andIknowwherehelives，andIknowhishouseandeverything。Whatdoyousay，Nicolas？We’lljustthrowabagoverhisheadandtiehimonahorse。Oh，sure，he’dgivegranddiscoursestotheGreatKhan！\"
\"Havesense，Matthew；havesense。You’realwaystoorough；alwaysreadytoendanargumentwithaknife，orjustliftwhatyouwant。
Havesense，man；youcan’tkidnapabishoplikeyou’dkidnapawoman。
\"Well，Idon’tseewhynot，\"saysMatthew。\"Itwouldbeeasier，too，becauseawomanwillscratchlikeawildcat。Butifyou’resetagainstit，Iwon’tdoit，\"hesays。\"Well，then，howaboutyoungMarco？\"
\"MysoundmanMatthew！Mybullyfellow！Sureyouwereneveratalossyet！YoungMarcoitis；sure，’tistheelegantidea。There’snotamanbornofwomanbetterforthejob。\"
Now，alltheChristianworldhadgonereligious，andyoungMarcowasnoexception；for’tisnotonlytheoldthatarereligious。
Theyoungare，too；butthere’sadifference。Thereligionofoldmenisreasonandtranslation；thereligionoftheyoungisjustaburningcloud。TheTragedyoftheBitterTreeisnotasymboltothem，butareality，andtheirtearsarenotofthespirit，butofthebody，too。
Andtherearenohalf-wayhouses，nocompromises，inayoungman’screed。It’sswallowall，orbedamnedtoyou。It’sbelieveorbelost。
AndthinkingoverthelittlegirlintheChinesegarden，therehadcomeintoMarco’sheart，athoughtpastenduring。IflittleGoldenBellsdidnotbelieve，thenlittleGoldenBellswaslost。Shemighthaveeverythinginthisworld，inthislife，anemperorforafather，kingsforsuitors，agreatpoetforaminstrel，awizardforanentertainer；butoncethelittleblueshadowleftherbody，shewaslostforever。AndthesightcametohimoflittleGoldenBellsgoingdownthedimandlonelyalleysofdeath，andweeping，weeping，weeping……Hereyeswouldbeshotwithpanic，andthelittlemouthtwisted，andthelittlefloweryhandstwitchingateachother。Anditwouldbecoldthereforherwhowassowarm，anditwouldbedarkthereforherwholovedlight，andtheGoldenBellsofhervoicewouldbelostinthewhistlingandclangingofthestarsastheyswungbyintheirorbits。Hetobeinthegreatdelightofparadise，andshetobeintheblue-graymazebetweentheworlds——whattragedy！
Kingsmightbringherpresents，ahusbandmightbringherhappiness；
butifhecouldonlybringhersalvation！IfhecouldonlytellheroftheBitterTree！
Thebody，whenyoucametothinkofit，matteredlittle。Allthebeautyintheworldcouldnotenduremorethanitsappointedspan。
Helenwasdustnow，andDeirdrenothing。WhathadbecomeofthebeautyofSemiramis，Alexander’sdarling；andCleopatra，wholovedthegreatproconsul；andBathsheba，forwhomDavidofthePsalmsfellfromgrace？AndBalkis，queenofSheba，withherapes，ivory，andpeacocks？Dustandashes，dustandashes！AndScheherazadewasbutastrange，sadsound。Beautyincreasedandwanedlikethemoon。
Alittleshadowaroundtheeyes，alittlecrinkleintheneck，thebacksofthehandsstiffeninglikeparchment。Dustandashes，dustandashes！
ButthelittleblueshadowwouldglowlikeanEastermorning。
Oritwouldbeapoor，lonely，unlitshadowinthecoldgloomoftheclangingworlds。
PoorGoldenBells！PoorlittleweepingGoldenBells！IfhecouldonlytellherabouttheBitterTree！
AndthenwhathappensbuthisuncleMatthewclapshimontheback，\"HowwouldyouliketogotoChina，MarcoMarkeen，\"sayshe，\"andpreachreligiontothebenightedpeople！\"
\"Howdidyouknow，UncleMatthew？\"
\"HowdidIknowwhat？\"
\"ThatIwantedtogotoChinaandpreachreligiontothe——thepeople！\"
\"Well，ifthatdoesn’tbeatBanagher，\"saysMatthewPolo，\"andBanagherbeatsthedevil！Tellme，didyoueverhearanoldtunecalled’BundleandGo！’？\"
Andsothethreeofthemleaveupontheirjourney，butatLayas，wheretheKingofArmeniahadhiscastle，theyheardoftheelectionofanewpope，sotheycamebacktoAcretogethisinstructionsandblessing。
CHAPTERVII
Thepopesaidagrandmassforthem，andatthegospelheentersthepulpit，aburlyfigureofamanwithsadeyes。
\"TheblessingoftheFatherandtheSonandtheHolyGhostbewithyouandaboutyou，Amen。
\"Itisnottoyou，NicoloPolo，thatIwishtospeak，nortoyou，MatthewPolo，forneitherofyouaremyambassadorstotheGreatKhan。
Merchantandsportsmen，Ihonoryou，andyouhavemyblessing，butyouhavenohopesofmine。Thedirtydiversionsoftheworldarebetweenyoureyesandglory，\"saidhe。\"It’sonlymyself，anoldandsorrowfulman，andthischild，ayoungandhopefulone，canunderstand；oldmenhavingsightofvisions，andyoungmendreamingdreams……
\"NowinthematterofconvertingtheGreatKhanandhisnumerousmillions，firstletwisdomspeak。Ihavelittlehopes。Hewantstobearguedintoit，yousee。Religionisnotamatterofargument。
Itisawisdomthatsurpasseswisdom。Itdriftsinmen’ssoulsasthefoggydewcomesunbiddentothetrees。Itisbornbeforeoursoul，asthehornedmoonisbornbeforeoureyes。
\"Andnow，mychild，youmightsay，’WhatistheuseofsendingmetoChinaifheknowsIcannotbringthesemillionsintothefold？
Mydearson，thereisthewisdomsurpassingwisdom。Agreatandnoblethoughtmustnotdie。Thingsofthespiritwecannotreckonasahusband-manreckonshiscrops。ThereisafolkonthemarchesofEurope，andtheyareevergoingintobattle，andtheyalwaysfall。
Theirresultsarenothing。Buttheirnameandtheirglorywillendureforever……
\"Mydearson，Godhasputwisdominmyheadandbeautyintoyours。
Wisdomisneededforthegovernanceofthisworld，butbeautyisneededforitsexistence。Inariddesertsthereisnolife。Birdsdonotsinginthedarkofnight。Showmeawastecountry，andI’llshowyouabrutalpeople。Nofaithcanlivethatisnotbeautiful……
\"ThebeautyGodhasputinyourheart，child，youmustalwayskeep……HowmuchIthinkofitI’lltellyou。I’manoldmannow，anoldandbrokenman，andinafewyearsI’llstandbeforemyMaster。
\"’Whathaveyouseenonmyearth，’He’llaskme，’youwhofollowedSt。Peter！’
\"’Lord！Lord！’I’lltellHim，’I’veseenmightythings。I’veseenthebridegroomleavehisbrideandthekinghiskingdom，thehucksterleavehisbooth，andthereaperdrophishook，thattheymightrescueYourHolySepulchrefrompaganhands。’
\"’Andanythingelse？’He’llask。
\"’AndI’veseenayoungmangooutintothedesertandoverhisheadwasastar……’
\"Youmaythinkyouhavefailed，child，butrememberthatinthecomingtimesyournameandfamewillawakenbeauty，andmany’sthetraveleronthehardroadwillfindhiscourageagain，andhethinkingofMarcoPolo。Andmany’stheyoungmanwilldreamdreams，andmany’stheoldmanwillseevisions，andtheyreadingthebookbythegoldencandle-light；andmany’stheyounggirlwillgiveyoulove，andyoudeadforcenturies。Butforthisyoumustkeepyourdream。
\"Nowyou’llthinkit’sthequeerpopeIamtobetellingyouthingslikethisinsteadofdemandingconverts。ButthewisdomthatsurpasseswisdomcomestoyouwiththeAnnointingoftheOil。’IknewamaninChristabovefourteenyearsago，’writesSaintPaul，’（whetherinthebodyIcannottell，orwhetheroutofthebodyIcannottell。Godknoweth。）
\"’Howthathewascaughtupintoparadise，andheardunspeakablewords，whichisnotlawfulforamantoutter。’
\"Nowyouseethereisawisdomsurpassingwisdom，anditisoutofthisfountofwisdomIamdrawingwhenIspeaktoyouthesewords。
\"Child，Iwillnotkeepyouanylonger。Onlytosaythis，andthisisthechiefestthing：neverletyourdreambetakenfromyou。
Keepitunspottedfromtheworld。Indarknessandintribulationitwillgowithyouasafriend；butinwealthandpowerholdfasttoit，forthenisdanger。Letnotthemistsoftheworld，thegaydiversions，thelittletrifles，drawyoufromglory。
\"Remember！
\"SioblitusfuerotuiJerusalem，——IfIforgetthee，OJerusalem，——
\"Oblivionideturdexteramea，——letmyrighthandforgethercunning——
\"Adhaereatlinguameafaucibusmeis，sinonmeminerotui，——ifIdonotrememberthee，letmytonguecleavetotheroofofmymouth——
\"SinonproposueroJerusalem，inprincipislaetitiaemeae，——IfI
prefernotJerusalemabovemychiefjoy。
\"IshallnowsendaprayertoHeaven，\"hesaid，\"tokeepyousafeinthestrangeforeignways，toprotectyouagainstwindandtempest，againstpestilenceandsuddendeath，againstthepowersofdarkness，andHimwhogoesupanddowntheworldfortheruinofsouls。\"
Andheturnedtothehighaltaragain，andnowyou’dhearhisvoiceloudandpowerful，andnowlowandsecret，andthebellstruck，andtheacolyteintonedtheresponses，andallofasuddenheturnedandspreadforthhishands。
\"Ite！Letyougonow。Missaest。\"
CHAPTERVIII
Andsotheysetforthwiththeirgreattrainofred，snarlingcamelsandlittlepatientdonkeysandslender，nervoushorsestowardtherisingsun。BehindthemthegreenhillsofPalestinediedoutasarainbowdiesout，andnowtherewassandbeforethemandnowbleakmountains，andbydaythewindwasswiftandhotandbynightitwasblackandcold。Andmoonswerebornanddied……
AndtheypassedthroughthelandoftheKingofArmenia，andtheypassedArarat，themountainwhereNoahbroughthisarktoanchor，andwhereitstillis，andwhereitcanbeseenstill，butcannotbereached，socoldandhighandterribleisthatmountain。
AndtheypassedruinedBabel，thatwasbuiltofNimrod，thefirstkingoftheworld，andnowisdesolation。Theypasseditonawaningmoon。Andoutoftheruinsthedragonscameandhissedatthem，andstrange，obscenebirdsflappedtheirwingsintheairandcawedandpeckedatthem，andoverthedesertthesatyrcalleduntohermate……
AndtheypassedthroughtheKingdomofGeorgia，whosekingsarebornwiththemarkofaneagleontheirrightshoulder。TheypassedthroughPersia，wherethemagiciansworshipfire。AndtheypassedthroughthecityofSaba，wheresleepthethreemagiwhocametoworshipatBethlehem，andtheirnameswereKaspar，Balthlasar，andMelchior。
AndtheypassedthroughCamadi，wheregreatruinsareandrobbersroamthroughthemagicaldarkness。AndtheypassednorthwardofthePerilousValley，wheretheDevil’sHeadisinblackstone，andthatisoneofthenineentrancestohell；andpassedtheValleyoftheCockadrills，wherethereareserpentsfivefathomsinlength；
andpassedtheValleyofCruelWomen，whohavepreciousstonesinplaceofeyes……
AndtheywentthroughtheDismalDesert，wherenostreamsang……
AndinthedeserttheypassedtheTreesoftheSunandMoon，whichspeakwiththevoicesofmen。AnditwasfromtheSpeakingTreethatAlexanderheardofhisdeath。AnditwasneartherethatheandDariusfought。AndtheypassedtheArbreSec，theDryTree，whichhasagreenbarkononesideandwhiteontheother，andtherearenotreeswithinahundredmilesofthattree，anditissprungfromthestaffofAdam。
AndtheypassedthroughBalkh，theMotherofCities。AndtheypassedthroughTailian，wherethegreatsaltmountainsare。AndtheypassedthroughBadashan，wherethemountainsoftherubiesare。
AndtheypassedthroughKashmir，whosewomenareverybeautiful，andwhosemagiciansweavethestrongestspellsintheworld……
Andmoonswerebornanddied……
AndtheycametoAlamoot，thefortessofSenexdeMonte，theOldManoftheMountain，theKingoftheAssassins，thegreatestwizardofalltime……
NowthisisthetaleoftheOldMantheMountain。