enemies; of which people and of their country I will hereafter make
mention.

All the tables aforesaid were covered only within salt and bread,
and after that we had sat awhile, the Emperor sent unto every one of
us a piece of bread, which was given and delivered unto every man
severally with these words: "The Emperor and Great Duke giveth thee
bread this day;" and in like manner three or four times before
dinner was ended he sent unto every man drink, which was given with
these words: "The Emperor and Great Duke giveth thee to drink."
All the tables aforesaid were served in vessels of pure and fine
gold, as well basins and ewers, platters, dishes, and saucers, as
also of great pots, with an innumerable sort of small drinking-pots
of divers fashions, whereof a great number were set with stone. As
for costly meats, I have many times seen better; but for change of
wines, and divers sorts of meads, it was wonderful; for there was
not left at any time so much void room on the table that one cup
more might have been set, and as far as I could perceive all the
rest were in the like manner served.

In the dinner-time there came in six singers who stood in the midst
of the chamber, and their faces towards the Emperor, who sang there
before dinner was ended three several times, whose songs or voices
delighted our ears little or nothing.

The Emperor never putteth morsel of meat in his mouth but he first
blesseth it himself, and in like manner as often as he drinketh; for
after his manner he is very religious, and he esteemeth his
religious persons above his noblemen.