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Marco Polo, Rustichello of Pisa - The Travels of Marco Polo, 1
As regards geographical elucidations, I may point to the explanation
of the name Gheluchelan (i. p. 58), to the discussion of the route
from Kerman to Hormuz, and the identification of the sites of Old
Hormuz, of Cobinan and Dogana, the establishment of the position
and continued existence of Keshm, the note on Pein and Charchan,
on Gog and Magog, on the geography of the route from Sindafu to
Carajan, on Anin and Coloman, on Mutafili, Cail, and
Ely.
As regards historical illustrations, I would cite the notes regarding
the Queens Bolgana and Cocachin, on the Karaunahs, etc., on the
title of King of Bengal applied to the K. of Burma, and those
bearing upon the Malay and Abyssinian chronologies.
In the interpretation of outlandish phrases, I may refer to the notes
on Ondanique, Nono, Barguerlac, Argon, Sensin, Keshican, Toscaol,
Bularguchi, Gat-paul, etc.
Among miscellaneous elucidations, to the disquisition on the Arbre
Sol or Sec in vol. i., and to that on Mediaeval Military Engines in
vol. ii.
In a variety of cases it has been necessary to refer to Eastern
languages for pertinent elucidations or etymologies. The editor would,
however, be sorry to fall under the ban of the mediaeval adage:
"Vir qui docet quod non sapit
Definitur Bestia!"
and may as well reprint here what was written in the Preface to
Cathay:
I am painfully sensible that in regard to many subjects dealt with in
the following pages, nothing can make up for the want of genuine
Oriental learning. A fair familiarity with Hindustani for many years,
and some reminiscences of elementary Persian, have been useful in
their degree; but it is probable that they may sometimes also have led
me astray, as such slender lights are apt to do.
TO HENRY YULE.
Until you raised dead monarchs from the mould
And built again the domes of Xanadu,
I lay in evil case, and never knew
The glamour of that ancient story told
By good Ser Marco in his prison-hold.
But now I sit upon a throne and view
The Orient at my feet, and take of you
And Marco tribute from the realms of old.
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