me I had dwelt long enough upon it: Take thine Eyes off the Bridge, said
he, and tell me if thou yet 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 upon it from
time to time? I see Vultures, Harpyes, Ravens, Cormorants, and among
many other feather'd Creatures several little winged Boys, that perch in
great Numbers upon 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 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 farther
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 Side 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. 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