I rear the building, so that the roof shall surmount
all edifices, and it shall be fair without,
and the work shall nevertheless be more beautiful within.
"Whatsoever there be in marble or in glorious building,
I verily make, and if thou wilt commit to me
boys to teach, I will instruct them truly.'
Then said Abbanes: 'Excellent is the man
who hath such workmen; he is better than any king.'
Thomas answered him: ' Excellently thou hast spoken.
He is a King's Son, only-begotten of His Father,
and holdeth His Father's kingdom on high mountains
where no enemy cometh to molest His peace;
neither shall be found there poor man nor sick.'
Then they sailed forth seven nights together,
and went to land; but it would be tedious to say
all the wonders which he wrought in that land,
because we must hasten to his noble passion.
Then at last they came to the king in India;
and Abbanes brought Thomas honourably
to speak with the king, and he said to him:
' Canst thou erect for me in the Roman fashion
a royal dwelling?' He said that he could.
Then they surveyed the place where it should stand,
and Thomas went measuring the place with a meteyard,
and said that he proposed to make the hall
first, in the east part; and the other buildings
behind the hall, both bath-house and kitchen;
and winter-house, and summer-house, and winsome bowers,
twelve houses together, with good arches;
but it is not customary to make such work in England,
and therefore we shall not tell their names clearly.
Then beheld the king, and said to the apostle:
