Of the Castle of Cathay (Xiezhou)
Upon leaving Pianfu (Linfen) and traveling two days' journey to the west, one arrives at the noble castle of Cathay (Xiezhou), built in times past by a king of that country called the Golden King. Inside it there is a beautiful palace with a large hall, in which the portraits of all the ancient kings of this province are painted. The palace is beautifully decorated with gold and many paintings, and is the work of all the kings who ruled this province. And of this Golden King I will tell you a beautiful story that, as the inhabitants of this castle say, occurred between him and Prester John.
Both were at war, but the castle was in such an inaccessible place that Prester John could not seize it, which caused him great anger. One day, seven of Prester John's servants proposed to him that, if he gave them permission to do so, they would deliver the Golden King to him alive. Prester John replied that he would be most pleased if they did so. Then the servants set out on their way, accompanied by squires, and went to the court of the Golden King, telling him that they came from distant lands and had come to serve him. He welcomed them and said that he was very glad of their offer.
These wicked men then began to serve the Golden King and were much esteemed by the king due to the good service they had been providing him. Two years after their arrival, they were still thinking of betraying him. One day they accompanied the king and his small retinue on a walk. After crossing a river that flows a mile from his palace and finding themselves alone with the king, they considered that the time had finally come to carry out their plan. They drew their swords and threatened to kill him if he did not go with them. The king, greatly astonished by their behaviour, said to them: "Why are you doing this to me, my sons? Where do you want to take me?" "Whether you like it or not, you will have to come with us; we will take you to Prester John, our lord."
How Prester John held the Golden King prisoner
The king, upon hearing that answer, almost fell dead from grief, and said: "For the love of God, my sons, have mercy on me! Have I not showered you with honours in my palace? Why do you want to put me into the hands of my enemy? If you do so, you will commit a great villainy and a tremendous disloyalty." Nevertheless, they acted in this way and led him before Prester John. When the latter saw him, he felt very satisfied and gave him the worst of welcomes. The Golden King kept silent while Prester John gave orders to his guards to take him outside as a cattle herd, under heavy guard. In this manner, he wished to humiliate him and show him how little regard he had for him.
After keeping him tending cattle for two years, they led the Golden King before Prester John. The latter presented him with rich garments, treated him with all honor, and said to him: "Thus you will understand that you are in no position to make war on me." "I know it now and I already knew it before," replied the Golden King. Then Prester John said: "It is all that I ask of you. From now on you will be served and honoured according to your rank." And he gave him many horses, provisions, and a good escort, and sent him back to his castle. From that day on, the Golden King was a loyal friend and servant of Prester John.
Of the Castle of Cathay (Xiezhou)
Upon leaving Pianfu (Linfen) and traveling two days' journey to the west, one arrives at the noble castle of Cathay (Xiezhou), built in times past by a king of that country called the Golden King. Inside it there is a beautiful palace with a large hall, in which the portraits of all the ancient kings of this province are painted. The palace is beautifully decorated with gold and many paintings, and is the work of all the kings who ruled this province. And of this Golden King I will tell you a beautiful story that, as the inhabitants of this castle say, occurred between him and Prester John.
Both were at war, but the castle was in such an inaccessible place that Prester John could not seize it, which caused him great anger. One day, seven of Prester John's servants proposed to him that, if he gave them permission to do so, they would deliver the Golden King to him alive. Prester John replied that he would be most pleased if they did so. Then the servants set out on their way, accompanied by squires, and went to the court of the Golden King, telling him that they came from distant lands and had come to serve him. He welcomed them and said that he was very glad of their offer.
These wicked men then began to serve the Golden King and were much esteemed by the king due to the good service they had been providing him. Two years after their arrival, they were still thinking of betraying him. One day they accompanied the king and his small retinue on a walk. After crossing a river that flows a mile from his palace and finding themselves alone with the king, they considered that the time had finally come to carry out their plan. They drew their swords and threatened to kill him if he did not go with them. The king, greatly astonished by their behaviour, said to them: "Why are you doing this to me, my sons? Where do you want to take me?" "Whether you like it or not, you will have to come with us; we will take you to Prester John, our lord."
How Prester John held the Golden King prisoner
The king, upon hearing that answer, almost fell dead from grief, and said: "For the love of God, my sons, have mercy on me! Have I not showered you with honours in my palace? Why do you want to put me into the hands of my enemy? If you do so, you will commit a great villainy and a tremendous disloyalty." Nevertheless, they acted in this way and led him before Prester John. When the latter saw him, he felt very satisfied and gave him the worst of welcomes. The Golden King kept silent while Prester John gave orders to his guards to take him outside as a cattle herd, under heavy guard. In this manner, he wished to humiliate him and show him how little regard he had for him.
After keeping him tending cattle for two years, they led the Golden King before Prester John. The latter presented him with rich garments, treated him with all honor, and said to him: "Thus you will understand that you are in no position to make war on me." "I know it now and I already knew it before," replied the Golden King. Then Prester John said: "It is all that I ask of you. From now on you will be served and honoured according to your rank." And he gave him many horses, provisions, and a good escort, and sent him back to his castle. From that day on, the Golden King was a loyal friend and servant of Prester John.
