Page:Historical Works of Venerable Bede vol. 2.djvu/248

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176
THE MINOR HISTORICAL WORKS

tain on the north, and lake on the south. Nazareth has no walls, but large houses, and two great churches. One of these is in the midst of the city, built on two arches, where formerly was a house, in which our Lord was nursed when an infant. This church is built on two eminences, with arches connecting them, and has under it between the eminences a clear fountain, from which all the citizens draw water in vessels with pulleys for the use of the church. In the other church was the house in which the Angel came to the blessed Mary.


CHAPTER XVII.

OF MOUNT TABOR, AND THE THREE CHURCHES THEREON.

Mount Tabor.Mount Tabor is situated in the midst of the plain of Galilee, and is three miles distant from Gennesareth, towards the north. It is round on all sides, covered with grass and flowers, and thirty furlongs high. Its top forms a pleasant meadow, twenty-three furlongs wide, whereon is a large monastery, surrounded by a thick wood, and containing three churches, according to the words of Peter, "Let us make here three tabernacles." The place is surrounded by a wall, and contains some stately edifices.


CHAPTER XVIII.

OF DAMASCUS.

Damascus. Damascus is situated in a plain, and surrounded by a broad and ample circuit of walls, strengthened with numerous towers, and intersected by four great rivers.