For He Thought For To Have
Been Abraham's Heir, And He Named The Town After His Surname
Damascus.
And in that place, where Damascus was founded, Cain slew
Abel his brother.
And beside Damascus is the Mount Seir. In that
city of Damascus there is great plenty of wells. And within the
city and without be many fair gardens and of diverse fruits. None
other city is not like in comparison to it of fair gardens, and of
fair disports. The city is great and full of people, and well
walled with double walls. And there be many physicians. And Saint
Paul himself was there a physician for to keep men's bodies in
health, before he was converted. And after that he was physician
of souls. And Saint Luke the evangelist was disciple of Saint Paul
for to learn physic, and many other; for Saint Paul held then
school of physic. And near beside Damascus was he converted. And
after his conversion ne dwelt in that city three days, without
sight and without meat or drink; and in those three days he was
ravished to heaven, and there he saw many privities of our Lord.
And fast beside Damascus is the castle of Arkes that is both fair
and strong.
From Damascus men come again by our Lady of Sardenak, that is a
five mile on this half Damascus. And it sitteth upon a rock, and
it is a full fair place; and it seemeth a castle, for there was
wont to be a castle, but it is now a full fair church. And there
within be monks and nuns Christian. And there is a vault under the
church, where that Christian men dwell also. And they have many
good vines. And in the church, behind the high altar, in the wall,
is a table of black wood, on the which sometime was depainted an
image of our Lady that turneth into flesh: but now the image
sheweth but little, but alway, by the grace of God, that table
evermore drops oil, as it were of olive; and there is a vessel of
marble under the table to receive the oil. Thereof they give to
pilgrims, for it heals of many sicknesses; and men say that, if it
be kept well seven year, afterwards it turns into flesh and blood.
From Sardenak men come through the vale of Bochar, the which is a
fair vale and a plenteous of all manner of fruit; and it is amongst
hills. And there are therein fair rivers and great meadows and
noble pasture for beasts. And men go by the mounts of Libanus,
which lasts from Armenia the more towards the north unto Dan, the
which is the end of the Land of Repromission toward the north, as I
said before. Their hills are right fruitful, and there are many
fair wells and cedars and cypresses, and many other trees of divers
kinds. There are also many good towns toward the head of their
hills, full of folk.
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