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。