of the Earth, the Sovereign of the Mongols. This com- mand is addressed by Mangou-Khan to Louis, King of France, to all the lords and priests, and to all the kingdom of France, in order that they may hear my words, and the commands of the Eternal God to Tchin- guiz-Khan, which have not yet reached you.
"A man named David has been to you as ambassador from the Mongols, but he was a liar, and an impostor ; you sent your ambassadors with him to Couyouk-Khan, and they arrived at his court after his death. His widow, Ogoul, sent you by them a piece of silk and some letters. As to the affairs of peace and war, how could that wicked woman, more vile and abject than a feminine dog, know anything about such matters ?
"These two monks came from you to Sartak, who sent them to Batou, and Batou sent them hither, because Mangou-Khan is the supreme chief of the Mongols. We should have sent back our ambassadors with your priests, but they have given us to understand that between your country and ours there are many hostile nations, and dangerous roads, which made them fear that our ambassadors might not reach you in safety ; but they have offered to bear the letters containing our commands to King Louis. Thus, then, we address to you, by your priests, the commands of the eternal God. When you shall have heard them, you will send us your ambassadors, to let us know whether you will have peace or war with us.
"If you despise the commandments of God, in the thought that your country is very distant, and that you are protected by high mountains, and vast and deep seas, He who can make easy what is difficult, and bring near what is far off, knows well what we shall do."[1]
- ↑ " Voyage de Rubruk," ch. 48.
