And
Also Every One Of Them Beareth An Ox Of Gold Or Of Silver In His
Forehead, In Token That They Love Well Their God.
And they go all
naked save a little clout, that they cover with their knees and
their members.
They be great folk and well-fighting. And they
have a great targe that covereth all the body, and a spear in their
hand to fight with. And if they take any man in battle, anon they
eat him.
The king of that isle is full rich and full mighty and right devout
after his law. And he hath about his neck 300 pearls orient, good
and great and knotted, as paternosters here of amber. And in
manner as we say our PATER NOSTER and our AVE MARIA, counting the
PATER NOSTERS, right so this king saith every day devoutly 300
prayers to his God, or that he eat. And he beareth also about his
neck a ruby orient, noble and fine, that is a foot of length and
five fingers large. And, when they choose their king, they take
him that ruby to bear in his hand; and so they lead him, riding all
about the city. And from thence-fromward they be all obeissant to
him. And that ruby he shall bear always about his neck, for if he
had not that ruby upon him men would not hold him for king. The
great Chan of Cathay hath greatly coveted that ruby, but he might
never have it for war, ne for no manner of goods.
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