'Look no
more,' said he, 'on man in the first stage of his existence, in his
setting out for Eternity; but cast thine eye on that thick mist into
which the tide bears the several generations of mortals that fall
into it.' I directed my sight as I was ordered, and, whether or no
the good genius strengthened it with any supernatural force, or
dissipated part of the mist that was before too thick for the eye to
penetrate, I saw the valley opening at the further end, and
spreading forth into an immense ocean, that had a huge rock of
adamant running through the midst of it, and dividing it into two
equal parts. The clouds still rested on one half of it, insomuch
that I could discover nothing in it; but the other appeared to me a
vast ocean planted with innumerable islands, that were covered with
fruits and flowers, and interwoven with a thousand little shining
seas that ran among them. I could see persons dressed in glorious
habits, with garlands upon their heads, passing among the trees,
lying down by the sides of fountains, or resting on beds of flowers;
and could hear a confused harmony of singing birds, falling waters,
human voices, and musical instruments. Gladness grew in me upon the
discovery of so delightful a scene. I wished for the wings of an
eagle, that I might fly away to those happy seats; but the genius
told me there was no passage to them, except through the gates of
death that I saw opening every moment upon the bridge.
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