Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/75

 Mind answerable thereto. They suppose it was the same with our St. George, and ascribe the same Exploits to him; as the saving of a Virgin by the Slaughter of a huge and terrible Dragon. To which they add many Fables and Imaginations of idle Brains; as that he travelled over several Countries far and near, and at last came to a River, whose Waters made those that drank them immortal; but in what Part of the World this River is, they cannot tell us; they say, moreover, that it lies somewhere in a great Cloud, or Mist of Darkness, and that never a Man saw it since Chederles. As for Chederles himself, he was made Immortal, and so was his Horse, by drinking the same Water, who now, both do invisibly travel over the World, delighting in Wars, and appearing therein to the most Valiant, or to those who implore his Aid, of what Religion soever they be: Such ridiculous Fancies do they please themselves with! To which we may add, other Things as absurd as those before-mentioned, That he was one of the Friends and Companions of Alexander the Great. For, the Truth is, the Turks keep no just Account either of Times or Ages, but makes a confused Hodge-podge of all History. When they have a Mind to it, they scruple not to say, That Job was Master of the Horse to King Solomon, and that Alexander the Great was General if his Army; with such-like Stuff.

that Monastry, or Mosque, there is a Fountain that bubbles forth very clear and limpid Water; it is built about and cover'd with most excellent Marble, and they ridiculously would have People believe, that it had its Original from Chederles's Horses, which he pissed in great Plenty in that Place. They also told us many Rodomontado's concerning the Companions of Chederles, concerning his chief