The next day, about ten of the clock, the governor came to us again, and after salutations said familiarly, that he was come to visit us: and called for a chair, and sat him down: and we being some ten of us, the rest were of the meaner sort, or else gone abroad, sat down with him. And when we were set, he began thus: "We of this island of Bensalem," for so they call it in their language, have this, that by means of our solitary situation, and of the laws of secrecy which we have for our travellers, and our rare admission of strangers, we know well most part of the habitable world and are ourselves unknown. Therefore, because he that knowest least is fittest to ask questions, it is more reason for the entertainment of the time, that ye ask me questions, than that I ask you." We answered; "That we humbly thanked him that he would give us leave so to do: and that we conceived by the taste we had already, that there was no worldly thing on earth more worthy to be known than the state of that happy land. But above all," we said, "since that we were met from the several ends of the world, and hoped assuredly that we should meet one day in the kingdom of heaven, for that we were both parts Christians, we desired to know, in respect that land was so remote, and so divided by vast and unknown seas, from the land where our Saviour walked on earth, who was the apostle of that nation, and how it was converted to the faith?" It appeared in his face that he took great contentment in this our question: he said, "Ye knit my heart to you, by asking this question in the first place; for it showeth that you 'first seek the kingdom of heaven;' and I shall gladly and briefly satisfy your demand. At his coming in he did bend to us a little, and | angels, which did appear to us daily, and prevent put his arms abroad. We of our parts saluted us with comforts which we thought not of, much him in a very lowly and submissive manner, as less expected." looking that from him we should receive sentence of life or death. He desired to speak with some few of us: whereupon six of us only stayed, and the rest avoided the room. He said, "I am by office governor of this House of Strangers, and by vocation I am a Christian priest; and therefore am come to you, to offer you my service, both as strangers and chiefly as Christians. Some things I may tell you, which I think you will not be unwilling to hear. The state hath given you licence to stay on land for the space of six weeks: and let it not trouble you if your occasions ask further time, for the law in this point is not precise; and I do not doubt but myself shall be able to obtain for you such further time as may be convenient. Ye shall also understand, that the Strangers' House is at this time rich, and much aforehand; for it hath laid up revenue these thirty-seven years; for so long it is since any stranger arrived in this part: and therefore take ye no care; the state will defray you all the time you stay; neither shall you stay one day the less for that. As for any merchandise ye have brought, ye shall be well used, and have your return either in merchandise or in gold and silver: for to us it is all one. And if you have any other request to make, hide it not. For ye shall find, we will not make your countenance to fall by the answer ye shall receive. Only this I must tell you, that none of you must go above a karan," that is with them a mile and a half, "from the walls of the city without special leave." We answered, after we had looked awhile one upon another, admiring this gracious and parent-like usage; "that we could not tell what to say: for we wanted words to express our thanks; and his noble free offers left us nothing to ask. It seemed to us, that we had before us a picture of our salvation in heaven; for we that were awhile since in the jaws of death, were now brought into a place where we found nothing but consolations. For the commandment laid upon us, we would not fail to obey it, though it was impossible but our hearts should be inflamed to tread further upon this happy and holy ground." We added; "that our tongues should first cleave to the roofs of our mouths, ere we should forget either his reverend person or this whole nation in our prayers." We also most humbly besought him to accept of us as his true servants, by as just a right as ever men on earth were bounden, laying and presenting both our persons and all we had at his feet. He said; "he was a priest, and looked for a priest's reward; which | selves all bound, and could go no further, yet so was our brotherly love and the good of our souls as they might move to go about, but might not and bodies.' So he went from us, not without approach nearer: so as the boats stood all as in a tears of tenderness in his eyes; and left us also theatre, beholding this light as an heavenly sign. confused with joy and kindness, saying amongst It so fell out, that there was in one of the boats urselves, "that we were come into a land of one of the wise men of the society of Solomon's "About twenty years after the ascension of our Saviour, it came to pass, that there was seen by the people of Renfusa, a city upon the eastern coast of our island, within night, the night was cloudy and calm, as it might be some mile into the sea, a great pillar of light; not sharp, but in form of a column or cylinder rising from the sea a great way up towards heaven: and on the top of it was seen a large cross of light more bright and resplendent than the body of the pillar. Upon which so strange a spectacle, the people of the city gathered apace together upon the sands to wonder; and so after put themselves into a number of small boats, to go nearer to this marvellous sight. But when the boats were come within about sixty yards of the pillar, they found them House, which house or college, my good brethren, | of tongues. For there being at that time in this is the very eye of this kingdom; who having land, Hebrews, Persians and Indians, besides the awhile attentively and devoutly viewed and con-natives, every one read upon the book and letter, templated this pillar and cross, fell down upon as if they had been written in his own language. his face; and then raised himself upon his knees, and lifting up his hands to heaven, made his prayers in this manner: "Lord God of heaven and earth, thou hast vouchsafed of thy grace, to those of our order, to know thy works of creation, and the secrets of them; and to discern, as far as appertaineth to the generations of men, between divine miracles, works of nature, works of art, and impostures and illusions of all sorts. I do here acknowledge and testify before this people, that the thing which we now see before our eyes, is thy finger, and a true miracle; and forasmuch as we learn in our books, that thou never workest miracles, but to a divine and excellent end, for the laws of nature are thine own laws, and thou exceedest them not but upon great cause, we most humbly beseech thee to prosper this great sign, and to give us the interpretation and use of it in mercy; which thou dost in some part secretly promise by sending it unto us.' And thus was this land saved from infidelity, as the remain of the old world was from water, by an ark, through the apostolical and miraculous evangelism of St. Bartholomew." And here he paused, and a messenger came, and called him from us. So this was all that passed in that conference. The next day the same governor came again to us immediately after dinner, and excused himself, saying, "that the day before he was called from us somewhat abruptly, but now he would make us amends, and spend time with us, if we held his company and conference agreeable:" We answered, "that we held it so agreeable and pleasing to us, as we forgot both dangers past. and fears to come for the time we heard him speak; and that we thought an hour spent with him was worth years of our former life." He bowed himself a little to us, and after we were set again, he said; "Well the questions are on your part." One of our number said, after a little pause; "that there was a matter we were no less desirous to know, than fearful to ask, lest we might presume too far. But encouraged by his rare humanity towards us, that could scarce think ourselves strangers, being his vowed and professed servants, we would take the hardiness to propound it: humbly beseeching him, if he thought it not fit to be answered, that he would "When he had made his prayer, he presently found the boat he was in movable and unbound: whereas all the rest remained still fast; and taking that for an assurance of leave to approach, he caused the boat to be softly and with silence rowed | towards the pillar. But ere he came near it, the pillar and cross of light brake up, and cast itself abroad, as it were into a firmament of many stars; which also vanished soon after, and there was no-pardon it, though he rejected it." We said; thing left to be seen but a small ark or chest of cedar, dry, and not wet at all with water, though it swam. And in the fore-end of it, which was towards him, grew a small green branch of palm; and when the wise man had taken it with all reverence into his boat, it opened of itself, and there were found in it a book and a letter, both written in fine parchment, and wrapped in sindons of linen. The book contained all the canonical books of the Old and New Testament, according as you have them, for we know well what the churches with you receive, and the Apocalypse itself: and some other books of the New Testament, which were not at that time written, were nevertheless in the book: and for the letter it was in these words: "I, Bartholomew, a servant of the Highest, and apostle of Jesus Christ, was warned by an angel that appeared to me in a vision of glory, that I should commit this ark to the floods of the sea. Therefore I do testify and declare, unto that people where God shall ordain this ark to come to land, that in the same day is come unto them salvation, and peace, and good-will, from the Father, and from the Lord Jesus.' "There was also in both these writings, as well the book as the letter, wrought a great miracle, conform to that of the apostles in the original gift "we well observed those his words which he formerly spake, that this happy island where we now stood, was known to few, and yet knew most of the nations of the world; which we found to be true, considering they had the languages of Europe, and knew much of our state and business; and yet we in Europe, notwithstanding all the remote discoveries and navigations of this last age, never heard any of the least inkling or glimpse of this island. This we found wonderful strange; for that all nations have inter-knowledge one of another either by voyage into foreign parts, or by strangers that come to them: and though the traveller into a foreign country doth commonly know more by the eye, than he that stayeth at home can by relation of the traveller; yet both ways suffice to make a mutual knowledge, in some degree, on both parts. But for this island, we never heard tell of any ship of theirs that had been seen to arrive upon any shore of Europe; no, nor of either the East or West Indies, nor yet of any ship of any other part of the world, that had made return from them. And yet the marvel rested not in this. For the situation of it, as his lordship said, in the secret conclave of such a vast sea might cause it. But then, that they should have knowledge of Mediterranean Seas; as to Peguin, which is the the languages, books, affairs, of those that lie | well to your straits which you call the pillars of such a distance from them, it was a thing we Hercules, as to the other part in the Atlantic and could not tell what to make of; for that it seemed to us a condition and propriety of divine powers and beings, to be hidden and unseen to others, and yet to have others open, and as in a light to them." At this speech the governor gave a gracious smile, and said; "that we did well to ask pardon for this question we now asked; for that it imported, as if we thought this land a land of magicians, that sent forth spirits of the air into all parts, to bring them news and intelligence of other countries." It was answered by us all, in all possible humbleness, but yet with a countenance taking knowledge that we knew that he spake it but merrily, "That we were apt enough to think there was something supernatural in this island, but yet rather as angelical than magical. But to let his lordship know truly, what it was that made us tender and doubtful to ask this question, it was not any such conceit, but because we remembered, he had given a touch in his former speech, that this land had laws of secrecy touching strangers." To this he said; "You remember it aright; and therefore in that I shall say to you, I must reserve some particulars, which it is not lawful for me to reveal; but there will be enough left to give you satisfaction. "You shall understand, that which perhaps you will scarce think credible, that about three thousand years ago, or somewhat more, the navigation of the world, especially for remote voyages, was greater than at this day. Do not think with yourselves, that I know not how much it is increased with you within these six-score years: I know it well; and yet I say greater then than now: whether it was, that the example of the ark, that saved the remnant of men from the universal deluge, gave men confidence to adventure upon the waters, or what it was, but such is the truth. The Phoenicians, and especially the Tyrians, had great fleets. So had the Carthaginians their colony, which is yet further west. Toward the east, the shipping of Egypt, and of Palestine, was likewise great. China also, and the great Atlantis, that you call America, which have now but junks and canoes, abounded then in tall ships. This island, as appeareth by faithful registers of those times, had then fifteen hundred strong ships, of great content. Of all this there is with you sparing memory, or none; but we have large knowledge thereof. SO "At the same time, and an age after, or more, the inhabitants of the great Atlantis did flourish. For though the narration and description which is made by a great man with you, that the descendants of Neptune planted there; and of the magnificent temple, palace, city, and hill; and the manifold streams of goodly navigable rivers, which, as so many chains, environed the same site and temple; and the several degrees of ascent, whereby men did climb up to the same, as if it had been a scala cœli, be all poetical and fabulous: yet so much is true, that the said country of Atlantis, as well as that of Peru, then called Coya, as that of Mexico, then named Tyrambel, were mighty and proud kingdoms in arms, shipping, and riches: mighty, as at one time, or at least within the space of ten years, they both made two great expeditions, they of Tyrambel, through the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea; and they of Coya, through the South Sea upon this our island: and for the former of these, which was into Europe, the same author amongst you, as it seemeth, had some relation from the Ægyptian priest whom he citeth. For assuredly, such a thing there was, but whether it were the ancient Athenians that had the glory of the repulse and resistance of those forces, I can say nothing: but certain it is, there never came back either ship or man from that voyage. Neither had the other voyage of those of Coya upon us better fortune, if they had not met with enemies of greater clemency. For the king of this island, by name Altabin, a wise man and a great warrior; knowing well both his own strength and that of his enemies; handled the matter so, as he cut off their land-forces from their ships, and entoiled both their navy and their camp, with a greater power than theirs, both by sea and land; and compelled them to render themselves without striking stroke: and after they were at his mercy, contenting himself only with their oath, that they should no more bear arms against him, dismissed them all in safety. But the divine revenge overtook not long after those proud enterprises. For within less than the space of one hundred years, the great Atlantis was utterly lost and destroyed: not by a great "At that time, this land was known and frequent-earthquake, as your man saith, for that whole ed by the ships and vessels of all the nations before named. And as it cometh to pass, they had many times men of other countries, that were no sailors, that came with them; as Persians, Chaldeans, Arabians, so as almost all nations of might and fame resorted hither; of whom we have some stirps and little tribes with us at this day. And for our own ships, they went sundry voyages, as tract is little subject to earthquakes, but by a particular deluge or inundation: those countries having, at this day far greater rivers, and far higher mountains, to pour down waters, than any part of the old world. But it is true, that the same inundation was not deep; not past forty foot, in most places, from the ground; so that although it destroyed man and beast generally, yet some few wild inhabitants of the wood es- | others we most adore; not superstitiously, but as caped. Birds also were saved by flying to the a divine instrument, though a mortal man; his high trees and woods. For as for men, although name was Solomona: and we esteem him as the they had buildings in many places higher than | lawgiver of our nation. This king had a large the depth of the water; yet that inundation, heart, inscrutable for good, and was wholly bent though it were shallow, had a long continuance; to make his kingdom and people happy. He whereby they of the vale, that were not drowned, | therefore, taking into consideration how sufficient perished for want of food and other things neces- and substantive this land was to maintain itself, sary. So as marvel you not at the thin population without any aid at all from the foreigner, being of America, nor at the rudeness and ignorance of five thousand six hundred miles in circuit, and of the people; for you must account your inhabitants rare fertility of soil, in the greatest part thereof; of America as a young people; younger a thou- and finding also the shipping of this country sand years at the least than the rest of the world; might be plentifully set on work, both by fishing for that there was so much time between the uni- and by transportations from port to port, and likeversal flood and their particular inundation. For wise by sailing unto some small islands that the poor remnant of human seed, which remained are not far from us, and are under the crown and in their mountains, peopled the country again slow-laws of this state; and recalling into his memory ly, by little and little and being simple and savage the happy and flourishing state wherein this land people, not like Noah and his sons, which was was so as it might be a thousand ways altered the chief family of the earth, they were not able to the worse, but scarce any one way to the better; to leave letters, arts, and civility to their posterity; thought nothing wanted to his noble and heroical and having likewise in their mountainous habita- intentions, but only, as far as human foresight tions been used, in respect of the extreme cold of might reach, to give perpetuity to that, which those regions, to clothe themselves with the skins was in his time so happily established. Therefore of tigers, bears, and great hairy goats, that they amongst his other fundamental laws of this kinghave in those parts; when after they came down | dom, he did ordain the interdicts and prohibitions, into the valley, and found the intolerable heats which we have, touching entrance of strangers; which are there, and knew no means of lighter which, at that time, though it was after the calaapparel, they were forced to begin the custom of mity of America, was frequent; doubting novelgoing naked, which continueth at this day. Only ties, and commixture of manners. It is true, the they take great pride and delight in the feathers like law, against the admission of strangers of birds; and this also they took from those their without licence is an ancient law in the kingdom ancestors of the mountains, who were invited unto of China, and yet continued in use: but there it by the infinite flights of birds, that came up to it is a poor thing; and hath made them a curious, the high grounds, while the waters stood below. ignorant, fearful, foolish nation. But our lawgiver So you see, by this main accident of time, we made his law of another temper. For first, he lost our traffic with the Americans, with whom, hath preserved all points of humanity, in taking of all others, in regard they lay nearest to us, we order, and making provision for the relief of stranhad most commerce. As for the other parts of gers distressed, whereof you have tasted." At the world, it is most manifest, that in the ages which speech, as reason was, we all rose up, and following, whether it were in respect of wars, or bowed ourselves. He went on. "That king also by a natural revolution of time, navigation did still desiring to join humanity and policy together. everywhere greatly decay; and especially far and thinking it against humanity to detain stranvoyages, the rather by the use of galleys, and gers here against their wills; and against policy such vessels as could hardly brook the ocean, that they should return, and discover their knowwere altogether left and omitted. So then, that ledge of this estate, he took this course; he did part of intercourse which could be from other na- ordain, that of the strangers that should be pertions to sail to us, you see how it hath long since mitted to land, as many, at all times, might depart ceased; except it were by some rare accident, as as would; but as many as would stay, should this of yours. But now of the cessation of that have very good conditions, and means to live, other part of intercourse, which might be by our from the state. Wherein he saw so far, that now sailing to other nations, I must yield you some in so many ages since the prohibition, we have other cause, For I cannot say, if I shall say memory, not of one ship that ever returned, and truly, but our shipping, for number, strength, ma- but of thirteen persons only, at several times, riners, pilots, and all other things that appertain that chose to return in our bottoms. What those o navigation, is as great as ever: and therefore few that returned may have reported abroad I why should we sit at home, I shall now give you know not: but you must think, whatsoever they an account by itself: and it will draw nearer to have said, could be taken where they came but give you satisfaction to your principal question. for a dream. Now for our travelling from hence "There reigned in this island about nineteen into parts abroad, our lawgiver thought fit altohundred years ago, a king whose memory of all | gether to restrain it. So is it not in China. For the Chinese sail where they will or can; which of victuals, and good quantity of treasure to remain with the brethren, for the buying of such things, and rewarding of such persons, as they should think fit. Now for me to tell you how the vulgar sort of mariners are contained from being discovered at land; and how they that must be put on shore for any time colour themselves under the names of other nations; and to what places these voyages have been designed; and what places of rendezvous are appointed for the new missions, and the like circumstances of the practique, I may not do it: neither is it much to your desire. But thus you see we maintain a trade, not for gold, silver, or jewels; nor for silks; nor for spices; nor any other commodity of matter; but only for God's first creature, which was light; to have light, I say, of the growth of all parts of the world. And when he had said this, he was silent; and so were we all. For indeed we were all astonished to hear so strange things so probably told. And he perceiving that we were willing to say somewhat, but had it not ready, in great courtesy took us off, and descended to ask us questions of our voyage and fortunes, and in the end concluded, that we might do well to think with ourselves what time of stay we would demand of the state; and bade us not to scant ourselves; for he would procure such time as we desired. Whereupon we all rose up, and presented ourselves to kiss the skirt of his tippet, but he would not suffer us; and so took his leave. But when it came once amongst our people, that the state used to offer conditions to strangers that would stay, we had work enough to get any of our men to look to our ship; and to keep them from going presently to the governor to crave conditions. But with much ado we refrained them, till we might agree what course to take. We took ourselves now for free men, seeing there was no danger of our utter perdition; and lived most joyfully, going abroad and seeing what was to be seen in the city and places adjacent within our tedder; and obtaining acquaintance with many of the city, not of the meanest quality; at whose hands we found such humanity, and such a freedom and desire to take strangers as it were into their bosom as was enough to make us forget all that was dear to us in our own countries; and continually we met with many things right worthy of observation and relation; as indeed, if there be a mirror in the world worthy to hold men's eyes, it is that country. One day there were two of our company bidden to a feast of the family, as they call it. A most natural, pious, and reverend custom it is, showing that nation to be compounded of all goodness. This is the manner of it. It is granted to any man, that shall live to see thirty persons descended of his body alive together, and all above three years old, to make this feast, which is done at the cost of the state. The father of the family, whom they call the Tirsan, twe |