Travels Of Marco Polo: Twenty Five

When the Khan wishes to celebrate a splendid festival, the tables are so arranged that his is much higher than the others, and he sits on the north, with his face towards the south.  His first wife is seated beside him on the left, while on the right are his sons and nephews, and all those imperial lineage, who are stationed that their head is on a level with the feet of the monarch. The barons sit still lower; while the ladies, daughters, and the female relations of the Khan are placed beneath the queen on the left side, and under them all the wives of the barons; every class knows the spot where they ought to sit. The tables are so arranged that the monarch can see all the company, who are very numerous; and outside of that hall there eat more than 40000 persons, who come with presents or remarkable objects from foreign parts, and attend on the day when he holds a court or celebrates a marriage.  In the midst of this hall is a very large vessel of fine gold containing wine, and on each side two smaller ones containing from which liquor is poured out into flagons, each containing fully enough for eight men, and one of these is placed between every two guests, who have besides separate cups of gold to drink out of.  This supply of plate is of very great value, and indeed the Khan has many vessels of gold and silver.

At each door of the great hall or any part of the palace occupied by his majesty, stand two officers of gigantic height, holding staves to prevent unauthorised persons entering the threshold.  If anyone happens to commit this offence, the officers at the door take the garments of the offender; and if he wants to get it back make a payment against the break of law; and if he is unable to make this payment he has to suffer two blows.  As strangers may not be aware of this the officers at the door warn them. But persons affected with wine may break the law and try to enter are not punished.  The barons serve at the table of Khan. Such barons wrap their mouth with rich towels of golden silk, so as to prevent their breath blowing upon the dishes.

When the Khan begins to drink, the serving barons and others present in the hall fall on their knees and make signs of great humility. Taking the cup by the Khan and touching it on his lips is accompanied by music coming from numerous instruments. This ritual and orchestra follows every time the cup touch the lips of the Khan or new viands are brought to him. 

These I shall not attempt to recount, anyone can see that the Khan have the greatest variety of beasts and birds, both wild and domestic, fishes of the seasons, and in the greatest abundance, cooked deliciously and in varieties, suitable to his magnificence and dignity. Every baron brings his wife and she sits at table along with other ladies.  When the great Khan has eaten, and the tables are removed, a number of jesters and players, and other witty persons perform various pieces, exciting much mirth and pleasure among the company, who then all depart and go to their homes.

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