The “the cloud, but many of them fell into them. Vision of "They grew thinner towards the middle, but Mirzah "multiplied and lay closer together towards "the end of the arches that were entire.

“There were indeed some persons, but "their number was very small, that continued “a kind of hobbling march on the broken "arches, but fell through one after another, “being quite tired and spent with so long a "walk.

"I passed some time in the contemplation "of this wonderful structure, and the great "variety of objects which it presented. My "heart was filled with a deep melancholy to "see several dropping unexpectedly in the “midst of mirth and jollity, and catching at "every thing that stood by them to save them"selves. Some were looking up toward the "Heavens in a thoughtful posture, and in the "midst of a Speculation stumbled and fell out "of sight. Multitudes were very busy in the

"pursuit of bubbles that glittered in their eyes The "and danced before them, but often when Vision of "they thought themselves within the reach Mirzah "of them, their footing failed and down they "sunk. In this confusion of objects, I ob"served some with Scymetars in their hands, "and others with Urinals, who ran to and fro "upon the bridge, thrusting several persons on "trap-doors which did not seem to lie in their "way, and which they might have escaped, "had they not been thus forced upon them.

"The Genius seeing me indulge myself "in this melancholy prospect, told me I had "dwelt long enough upon it: take thine eyes “off the bridge, said he, and tell me if thou “seest any thing thou dost not comprehend. "Upon looking up, What mean, said I, those “great flights of birds that are perpetually "hovering about the bridge, and settling up"on it from time to time? I see vultures, har"“peys, ravens, cormorants; and among many

The "other feathered creatures several little wingVision of "ed boys, that perch in great numbers upon Mirzah "the middle arches. These, said the Genius,

“are envy, avarice, superstition, despair, love, "with the like cares and passions that infest "human life.

"I here fetched a deep sigh; Alas, said I, “man was made in vain! How is he given "away to misery and mortality! tortured in “life, and swallowed up in death! The Genius "being moved with compassion towards me, "bid me quit so uncomfortable a prospect. "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 strength"ened it with a supernatural force, or dissi"pated part of the mist that was before too

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"thick for the eye to penetrate) I saw the The "valley opening at the further end, and spread- Vision of "ing forth into an immense ocean, that had a Mirzah "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 shin"ing 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 foun"tains, or resting on beds of flowers; and “could hear a confused harmony of singing "birds, falling waters, human voices, and mu"sical instruments. Gladness grew in me up"on the discovery of so delightful a scene. I "wished for the wings of an eagle, that I

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The "might fly away to those happy seats; but Vision of "the Genius told me there was no passage Mirzah “to them, except through the gates of Death that I saw opening every moment upon the "bridge. The Islands, said he, that lie so fresh "and green before thee, and with which the “whole face of the ocean appears spotted as "far as thou canst see, are more in number "than the sands on the sea-shore; there are "myriads of Islands behind those which thou “here discoverest,reaching further than thine "eye or even thine imagination can extend "itself. These are the mansions of good men "after death, who according to the degree "and kinds of virtue in which they excelled, “are distributed among these several Islands, "which abound with pleasures of different “kinds and degrees, suitable to the relishes "and perfections of those who are settled in "them; every Island is a paradise accommo"dated to its respective inhabitants. Are not