of Abcaz. And alle weys in that contree ben 2 kynges, and thei ben bothe
Cristene: but the Kyng of Georgie is in subieccioun to the grete Chane. And
the King of Abcaz hathe the more strong contree: and he alle weyes
vigerously defendethe his contree; azenst alle tho that assaylen him; so
that no man may make him in subieccioun to no man. In that kyngdom of Abcaz
is a gret marvaylle. For a provynce of the contree, that hathe wel in
circuyt 3 iorneyes, that men clepen Hanyson, is alle covered with
derknesse, with outen ony brightnesse or light; so that no man may see ne
here, ne no man dar entren in to hem. And natheles, thei of the contree
seyn, that som tyme men heren voys of folk, and hors nyzenge, and cokkes
crowynge. And men witen wel, that men duellen there: but thei knowe not
what men. And thei seyn, that the derknesse befelle be myracle of God. For
a cursed Emperour of Persie, that highte Saures, pursuede alle Cristene
men, to destroye hem, and to compelle hem to make sacrifise to his ydoles;
and rood with grete host, in alle that ever he myghte, for to confounde the
Cristene men. And thanne in that contree, dwellen manye gode Cristene men,
the whiche that laften hire godes, and wolde han fled in to Grece: and whan
they weren in a playn, that highte Megon, anon this cursed emperour mett
with hem, with his hoost, for to have slayn hem, and hewen hem to peces.
And anon the Cristene men kneleden to the grounde, and made hire preyeres
to God to sokoure hem. And anon a gret thikke clowde cam, and covered the
emperour and alle his hoost: and so thei enduren in that manere, that thei
ne mowe not gon out, on no syde; and so schulle thei ever more abyden in
derknesse, tille the day of dome, be the myracle of God. And thanne the
Cristene men wenten, where hem lykede best, at hire own plesance, with
outen lettynge of ony creature; and hire enemyes enclosed and confounded in
derknesse, with outen ony strok. Wherfore we may wel seye, with David, _A
Domino factum est istud; et est mirable in oculis nostris_. And that was a
gret myracle, that God made for hem. Wherfore methinkethe, that Cristene
men scholden ben more devoute, to serven oure Lord God, than ony other men