When the men saw daylight again, the walls began to widen, and before too long they came out into a broad plain. The duke and his companions were delighted and steered to the bank, where they left their raft. The bold and valiant war-riors soon came to a thick wood, where they found a group of forest dwellers, whose language they did not understand. They ran toward them, but when the others saw the travelers they fled, men, women, and children alike. The warriors found enough bread, however, to feed themselves and stave off hunger, because they had again been weakened. They set off farther into the forest, and God brought them to a very fine land. It was a kingdom in which they could see a number of fine citadels, and we are given to understand that the name of this country was Arimaspi. The duke was very pleased indeed to be there, now that the warriors had arrived in the territory of an important ruler who had built a magnificent citadel. You should know that it was large and strong-looking. The people who lived there, however, were unusual, and it cannot be denied that they looked quite fearsome. They only had one eye, in the middle of the forehead, and are called “Circle-Eyes,” or cyclops in Latin.

By now the warriors had come closer to the strongly built citadel and were very anxious about how they would be received here, how they would manage, and what would happen next. The duke said, “We shall go there trusting in the mercy of God,” and they soon became aware of the lord of that city taking his ease with his knights by the gates. This lord received the men courteously and with honor and conducted them to a richly appointed palace. Their host was very friendly toward them, although they did not understand his language. The lord of the city indicated with gestures that they could take off their armor. Things were going well.

This lord was a good host. He treated his guests courteously and offered them what the knights greatly needed; namely, all kinds of food and clothing, and all to their tastes.