Wherefore Departing From Babylon In Egypt, Or Cairo, And Returning To Alexandria, We Again Put To Sea And Went To _Berynto_, A City On The Coast Of Syria Phoenicia, Inhabited By Mahometans And Abounding In All Things, Where We Remained A Considerable Time.

This city is not encompassed with walls, except on the west side where there are walls close to the sea.

We found nothing memorable at this place, except an old ruined building where they say St. George delivered the kings daughter from a cruel dragon which he slew, and then restated the lady to her father. Departing from thence we went to Tripoli in Syria, which is two days sail to the east of Berynto. It is inhabited by Mahometans, who are subject to the lieutenant or governor of Syria under the Soldan. The soil of the neighbouring country is very fertile, and as it carries on great trade this city abounds in all things. Departing from thence we came to the city of _Comagene_ of Syria, commonly called Aleppo, and named by our men Antioch[35]. This is a goodly city, which is situated under mount _Taurus_ and is subject to the lieutenant of Syria under the Soldan of Egypt. Here are the _scales_ or ladders as they are called of the Turks and Syrians, being near mount Olympus. It is a famous mart of the Azamians and Persians. The Azamians are a Mahometan people who inhabit Mesopotamia on the confines of Persia.

[Footnote 35: This is a gross error, as Aleppo is above 80 English miles N.E. and island from Antioch. From the sequel it is evident that Antioch is the place meant by Vertomannus in the text, as the _scales_, mart, or staple of the Syrian trade. - E.]

Departing from Antioch we went by land to Damascus, a journey of ten days; but mid-way we came to a city named _Aman_ in the neighbourhood of which there grows a great quantity of gossampine or cotton, and all manner of pleasant fruits. About six miles from Damascus on the declivity of a mountain is a city called _Menin_, inhabited by Greek christians who are subject to the governor of Damascus. At that place there are two fine churches, which the inhabitants allege were built by Helena the mother of the emperor Constantine. This place produces all kinds of fruit in great perfection, especially excellent grapes, and the gardens are watered with perpetual fountains.

SECTION II.

_Of the City of Damascus_.

Departing from _Menin_ we came to Damascus, a city so beautiful as surpasses all belief, situated in a soil of wonderful fertility. I was so much delighted by the marvellous beauty of this city that I sojourned there a considerable time, that by learning the language I might inquire into the manners of the people. The inhabitants are Mahometans and Mamelukes, with a great number of Christians who follow the Greek ritual. It may be proper in this place to give some account of the _Hexarchatus_ or commander of Damascus, who is subject to the lieutenant of Syria, which some call _sorya_. There is a very strong castle or fortress, which was built by a certain Etruscan or native of Florence in Tuscany, while he was _exarch_ or governor of Damascus, as appears by a flower of the lily graven on marble, being the arms of Florence.

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