The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

50. When this one had gone, Emperor Süleyman made ready (and) crossed into the eastern (regions, and) slew his brother Ase-beg, pursuing him from place to place; some lands he subdued, others he pacified, and with still others he started a war.

51. This one (the Despot) did not rest in the least, as (every) one who is exceedingly valiant, but took up (the work) on the aforesaid city, which was (one) of those great ancient (cities), and in a beautiful place, as few in the inhabited world, as we have said many times; it was spacious in appearance, (like) ships' sails in a harbor; (it had) fortifications of every kind and (the possibility) of obtaining food. We could not imagine (such a thing to exist) anywhere, nor (find) such a refuge, nor (the possibility) of approaching it both from the water and from the land; should even thousands (of soldiers) come beneath it, help could arrive, (and those who were) within could, having gathered themselves, suddenly begin battle. Would anyone say that such a city (exists) anywhere? The Despot, having seen and surveyed this, more swiftly than that one equal to the apostles,⁸¹ was persistent that everything be (done) as swiftly as possible. And who is able to express in written word what the position, the appearance and the beauty (of Belgrade) are?! (The Despot) built also many fortified towers for the people who live within and without; therefore of (Belgrade's) eminence, as of Solomon's in Jerusalem, it could be said: from (these) edifices a shadow fell over the surroundings (as it fell) from the lofty, mighty gates of Babylon. There was also a hanging garden, from which this proud (Despot), having climbed up, said: "Did I not build all this with a mighty right hand and an uplifted arm?"⁸² Truly this (city) had the most beautiful appearance of all imperial (cities). And the Despot always interpreted the words of the Gospel to his chosen ones with fitting parables and taught them as a teacher. And he adorned the imperial (palace) with a very ornate elevation, (and) outside the double ramparts (he dug) very good moats. This (Belgrade) was truly seven-peaked, very great and most beautiful, like Zion⁸³ in the upper Jerusalem, for which reason the prophet there too cried out: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; for thou art upon the heights, and thou hast beheld the coming of thy king."⁸⁴ The second (peak, that is, tower, eminence) is on the rivers, and there is the harbor for ships on the northern side of the great city, which is like the lower Jerusalem; there was a desire that (it) be extended (also) from the east; (and men) told that in the inhabited world they had seen (nothing) like Jerusalem except this city (Belgrade), (only that it has no) Mount of Olives; it, (however), in place of the Mount of Olives has the river of paradise, which flows toward the east. This second city (that is, eminence) is in every way like Zion, where the life-bearing Tomb is. The third (city, that is, eminence, tower) is (there) where the harbor for the imperial ships is, and it also has numerous fortifications. The fourth great tower is like the very house of David, both in its earthworks, and in its buildings and in the place (where it stands). When (this fourth tower, city