Toward the city, there was no trace of it.

Near where I stood, the flow of its fountain must at least have paused! Around the city were gardens, growing many sorts of vegetables, hardly one of which I recognised.

I saw no water, no flowers, no sign of animals.

The gardens came very near the walls, but were separated from them by huge heaps of gravel and refuse thrown from the battlements.
I went up to the nearest gate, and found it but half-closed, nowise secured, and without guard or sentinel.

To judge by its hinges, it could not be farther opened or shut closer.