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。