Pagina 387 di 1116

The bright spot upon its summit is a dome of yellow laton from

Andalusia, vaulted upon ten columns; and on its crown is a

horseman who rideth a horse of brass and holdeth in hand a lance

of laton; and there hangeth on his bosom a tablet of lead graven

with names and talismans." And he presently added, "And, O King,

none destroyeth folk save the rider on that steed, nor will the

egromancy be dispelled till he fall from his horse."[FN#258]

Then, O my lady, the Captain wept with exceeding weeping and we

all made sure of death doom and each and every one of us

farewelled his friend and charged him with his last will and

testament in case he might be saved. We slept not that night and

in the morning we found ourselves much nearer the Loadstone

Mountain, whither the waters drave us with a violent send.