And
all around, beneath this wall, ran a very deep stream, roaring
rushing like a storm. Erec stops to look at it, and ask and find
out if any one could truly tell him who was the lord of this
town. "Friend," said he to his kind companion, "could you tell
me the name of this town, and whose it is? Tell me if it belongs
to a count or a king. Since you have brought me here, tell me,
if you know." "Sire," he says, "I know very well, and will tell
you the truth about it. The name of the town is Brandigant, and
it is so strong and fine that it fears neither king nor emperor.
If France, and all of England, and all who live from here to
Liege were ranged about to lay a siege, they would never take it
in their lives; for the isle on which the town stands stretches
away four leagues or more, and within the enclosure grows all
that a rich town needs: fruit and wheat and wine are found; and
of wood and water there is no lack. It fears no assault on any
side, nor could anything reduce it to starvation. King Evrain
had it fortified, and he has possessed it all his days
unmolested, and will possess it all his life. But not because he
feared any one did he thus fortify it; but the town is more
pleasing so. For if it had no wall or tower, but only the stream
that encircles it, it would still be so secure and strong that it
would have no fear of the whole world.
Pages:
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180