THIRD BOOK.
“Who can tell me the straight road, and guide my foot into the path that leads to the most wondrous adventure in this boundless forest? O ye translunarian powers look kindly upon me, and, if it be the destiny of an earth-born to rend this mighty spell, let it fall to my share!”
Thus spoke Reginald, lost in thought, proceeding on the unbeaten road towards the forest. For seven days he pursued his way along the interminable wilderness without dread or fear, and passed seven nights under heavens’ canopy, on the dew-dripping grass, so that his armour became rusted. On the eighth day he ascended the pinnacle of a rock from which he could look down upon inhospitable plains as if from Saint Gotthard’s mountain.[12] On one side a valley, covered with green sward, opened upon his view surrounded by blocks of granite overgrown with firs and cypresses. In the distance he saw something resembling a monument. Two gigantic marble columns, with brazen pedestals, supported a Doric entablature, leaning against a granite wall, and shadowing a steel portal bound with brass hoops, and provided with iron bolts;
