Page:Curious myths of the Middle Ages (1876).djvu/268

 And it is perfectly level both in length and breadth, There is neither hollow nor hill; nor is there frost nor snow, hail nor rain; but there is fons vitæ, that is, the well of life. When the calends of January commence, then floweth the well so beautifully and so gently, and no deeper than man may wet his finger on the front, over all that land. And so likewise each month, once when the month comes in the well begins to flow. And there is the copse of wood, which is called Radion Saltus, where each tree is as straight as an arrow, and so high, that no earthly man ever saw so high, or can say of what kind they are. And there never falleth leaf off, for they are evergreen, beautiful, and pleasant, full of happiness. Paradise is upright on the eastern part of this world. There is neither heat nor hunger, nor is there ever night, but always day. The sun there shineth seven times brighter than on this earth. Therein dwell innumerable angels of God with the holy souls till doomsday. Therein dwelleth a beautiful bird called Phœnix; he is large and grand, as the Mighty One formed him; he is the lord over all birds.”—(MS. Cotton. Vespas. D xiv., fol. 163.)

The monk who incited S. Brandan to undertake his mythical voyage told him that he had sailed