s you first studied
physic, astronomy, astrology, geometry, and cosmography, I, to the
contrary, you know, studied divinity, notwithstanding now in any of your
own studies I am sure I have proceeded farther than yourself; for since
I began I have never erred, for, might I speak it without affecting
mine own praise, my calendars and other practices have not only the
commendations of the common sort, but also the chiefest lords and nobles
of this our Dutch nation, because (which is chiefly to be noted) I write
and presage of matters to come, which all accord and fall out so right,
as if they had already been before. And for thee, my beloved Victori,
you write to know my voyage which I made unto the heavens, the which (as
you certify me) you have had some suspicion of, although you partly
persuade yourself that it is a thing impossible; no matter for that, it
is as it is, and let it be as it will, once it is done in such a manner
as now according, unto your request, I will give you here to understand.
I being once laid in my bed, and I could not sleep for thinking on my
calendar and practice, I marvelled with myself how it were possible that
the firmament should be known, and so largely written of by men, or
whether they write true or false, by their own opinions and suppositions,
or by due observation and true course of the heavens; behold, I thought
my house would have been blown down, so that all my doors and chests
flew open, whereat I was not a little astonished, for withal I heard a
groaning voice, which said, 'Get up; the desire of thy heart, mind,
and thought thou shalt see.' At the which I answered, 'What my heart
desireth that would I fain see; and to make proof if I shall see, I will
away with thee.' 'Why, then,' quoth he, 'look out the window, there
cometh a messenger for thee.' That did I; and behold, there stood a
waggon with two dragons before it to draw the same, and all the waggon
was of a light burning fire, and for that the moon shone I was the
willinger at that time to depart. But the voice spoke again: 'Sit up,
and let us away.' 'I will,' said I, 'go with thee, but upon condition
that I may ask after all things that I see, hear, or think on.' The
voice answered: 'I am content for this time.' Hereupon I got me into the
waggon, so that the dragons carried me up right into the air.

"The waggon had four wheels, the which rattled so, and made such a
noise, as if it had been all this while running on the sto