第1章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"THE NEW ATLANTIS",免费读到尾

  WEsailedfromPeru,wherewehadcontinuedbythespaceofonewholeyear,forChinaandJapan,bytheSouthSea,takingwithusvictualsfortwelvemonths;

  andhadgoodwindsfromtheeast,thoughsoftandweak,forfivemonths’spaceandmore。Butthenthewindcameabout,andsettledinthewestformanydays,soaswecouldmakelittleornoway,andweresometimesinpurposetoturnback。

  Butthenagaintherearosestrongandgreatwindsfromthesouth,withapointeast;whichcarriedusup,forallthatwecoulddo,towardthenorth:bywhichtimeourvictualsfailedus,thoughwehadmadegoodspareofthem。Sothatfind-

  ingourselves,inthemidstofthegreatestwildernessofwatersintheworld,withoutvictual,wegaveourselvesforlostmen,andpreparedfordeath。YetwedidliftupourheartsandvoicestoGodabove,whoshowethHiswondersinthedeep;

  beseechingHimofHismercythatasinthebeginningHedis-

  coveredthefaceofthedeep,andbroughtforthdryland,soHewouldnowdiscoverlandtous,thatwemightnotperish。

  Anditcametopassthatthenextdayabouteveningwesawwithinakenningbeforeus,towardthenorth,asitwerethickclouds,whichdidputusinsomehopeofland,knowinghowthatpartoftheSouthSeawasutterlyunknown,andmighthaveislandsorcontinentsthathithertowerenotcometolight。Whereforewebentourcoursethither,wherewesawtheappearanceofland,allthatnight;andinthedawningofnextdaywemightplainlydiscernthatitwasalandflattooursight,andfullofboscage,whichmadeitshowthemoredark。Andafteranhourandahalf’ssailing,weenteredintoagoodhaven,beingtheportofafaircity。Notgreat,indeed,butwellbuilt,andthatgaveapleasantviewfromthesea。

  Andwethinkingeveryminutelongtillwewereonland,cameclosetotheshoreandofferedtoland。Butstraightwaywesawdiversofthepeople,withbatonsintheirhands,asitwereforbiddingustoland:yetwithoutanycriesorfierce-

  ness,butonlyaswarningusoff,bysignsthattheymade。

  Whereuponbeingnotalittlediscomfited,wewereadvisingwithourselveswhatweshoulddo。Duringwhichtimetheremadeforthtousasmallboat,withabouteightpersonsinit,whereofoneofthemhadinhishandatipstaffofayellowcane,tippedatbothendswithblue,whomadeaboardourship,withoutanyshowofdistrustatall。Andwhenhesawoneofournumberpresenthimselfsomewhataforetherest,hedrewforthalittlescrollofparchment(somewhatyellowerthanourparchment,andshiningliketheleavesofwriting-

  tables,butotherwisesoftandflexible),anddeliveredittoourforemostman。InwhichscrollwerewritteninancientHe-

  brew,andinancientGreek,andingoodLatinoftheschool,andinSpanishthesewords:\"Landyenot,noneofyou,andprovidetobegonefromthiscoastwithinsixteendays,exceptyouhavefurthertimegivenyou;meanwhile,ifyouwantfreshwater,orvictual,orhelpforyoursick,orthatyourshipneedethrepair,writedownyourwants,andyoushallhavethatwhichbelongethtomercy。\"Thisscrollwassignedwithastampofcherubim’swings,notspread,buthangingdown-

  ward;andbythemacross。

  Thisbeingdelivered,theofficerreturned,andleftonlyaservantwithustoreceiveouranswer。Consultinghereuponamongourselves,weweremuchperplexed。Thedenialoflanding,andhastywarningusaway,troubledusmuch:ontheotherside,tofindthatthepeoplehadlanguages,andweresofullofhumanity,didcomfortusnotalittle。Andaboveall,thesignofthecrosstothatinstrumentwastousagreatrejoic-

  ing,andasitwereacertainpresageofgood。OuranswerwasintheSpanishtongue,\"Thatforourship,itwaswell;

  forwehadrathermetwithcalmsandcontrarywinds,thananytempests。Foroursick,theyweremany,andinveryillcase;sothatiftheywerenotpermittedtoland,theyranindangeroftheirlives。\"Ourotherwantswesetdowninpar-

  ticular,adding,\"Thatwehadsomelittlestoreofmerchandise,whichifitpleasedthemtodealfor,itmightsupplyourwants,withoutbeingchargeableuntothem。\"Weofferedsomere-

  wardinpistoletsuntotheservant,andapieceofcrimsonvelvettobepresentedtotheofficer;buttheservanttookthemnot,norwouldscarcelookuponthem;andsoleftus,andwentbackinanotherlittleboatwhichwassentforhim。

  Aboutthreehoursafterwehaddespatchedouranswer,therecametowardusaperson(asitseemed)ofaplace。Hehadonhimagownwithwidesleeves,ofakindofwaterchamolet,ofanexcellentazurecolor,farmoreglossythanours;hisunder-apparelwasgreen,andsowashishat,beingintheformofaturban,daintilymade,andnotsohugeastheTurkishturbans;andthelocksofhishaircamedownbelowthebrimsofit。Areverendmanwashetobehold。Hecameinaboat,giltinsomepartofit,withfourpersonsmoreonlyinthatboat;andwasfollowedbyanotherboat,whereinweresometwenty。Whenhewascomewithinaflight-shotofourship,signsweremadetousthatweshouldsendforthsometomeethimuponthewater,whichwepresentlydidinourship-boat,sendingtheprincipalmanamongstussaveone,andfourofournumberwithhim。Whenwewerecomewithinsixyardsoftheirboat,theycalledtoustostay,andnottoapproachfar-

  ther,whichwedid。

  Andthereupontheman,whomIbeforedescribed,stoodup,andwithaloudvoiceinSpanishasked,\"AreyeChris-

  tians?\"Weanswered,\"Wewere;\"fearingtheless,becauseofthecrosswehadseeninthesubscription。Atwhichanswerthesaidpersonliftuphisrighthandtowardheaven,anddrewitsoftlytohismouth(whichisthegesturetheyuse,whentheythankGod),andthensaid:\"Ifyewillswear,allofyou,bythemeritsoftheSaviour,thatyearenopirates;norhaveshedblood,lawfullyorunlawfully,withinfortydayspast;youmayhavelicensetocomeonland。\"Wesaid,\"Wewereallreadytotakethatoath。\"Whereupononeofthosethatwerewithhim,being(asitseemed)anotary,madeanentryofthisact。Whichdone,anotheroftheattendantsofthegreatper-

  son,whichwaswithhiminthesameboat,afterhislordhadspokenalittletohim,saidaloud:\"Mylordwouldhaveyouknowthatitisnotofpride,orgreatness,thathecomethnotaboardyourship;butforthatinyouransweryoudeclarethatyouhavemanysickamongstyou,hewaswarnedbytheconser-

  vatorofhealthofthecitythatheshouldkeepadistance。\"

  Webowedourselvestowardhimandanswered:\"Wewerehishumbleservants;andaccountedforgreathonorandsingularhumanitytowardus,thatwhichwasalreadydone;buthopedwellthatthenatureofthesicknessofourmenwasnotinfectious。\"

  Sohereturned;andawhileaftercamethenotarytousaboardourship,holdinginhishandafruitofthatcountry,likeanorange,butofcolorbetweenorange-tawnyandscarlet,whichcastamostexcellentodor。Heusedit(asitseemed)

  forapreservativeagainstinfection。Hegaveusouroath,\"BythenameofJesus,andHismerits,\"andaftertoldusthatthenextday,bysixoftheclockinthemorning,weshouldbesentto,andbroughttothestrangers’house(sohecalledit),whereweshouldbeaccommodatedofthings,bothforourwholeandforoursick。Soheleftus;andwhenweofferedhimsomepistolets,hesmiling,said,\"Hemustnotbetwicepaidforonelabor:\"meaning(asItakeit)thathehadsalarysufficientoftheStateforhisservice。For(asIafterlearned)

  theycallanofficerthattakethrewardstwicepaid。

  Thenextmorningearlytherecametousthesameofficerthatcametousatfirst,withhiscane,andtoldushecametoconductustothestrangers’house;andthathehadpre-

  ventedthehour,becausewemighthavethewholedaybeforeusforourbusiness。\"For,\"saidhe,\"ifyouwillfollowmyadvice,thereshallfirstgowithmesomefewofyou,andseetheplace,andhowitmaybemadeconvenientforyou;andthenyoumaysendforyoursick,andtherestofyournum-

  berwhichyewillbringonland。\"Wethankedhimandsaid,\"Thathiscarewhichhetookofdesolatestrangers,Godwouldreward。\"Andsosixofuswentonlandwithhim;andwhenwewereonland,hewentbeforeus,andturnedtousandsaid\"hewasbutourservantandourguide。\"Heledusthroughthreefairstreets;andallthewaywewentthereweregatheredsomepeopleonbothsides,standinginarow;butinsocivilafashion,asifithadbeen,nottowonderatus,buttowelcomeus;anddiversofthem,aswepassedbythem,puttheirarmsalittleabroad,whichistheirgesturewhentheybidanywelcome。

  Thestrangers’houseisafairandspacioushouse,builtofbrick,ofsomewhatabluercolorthanourbrick;andwithhandsomewindows,someofglass,someofakindofcambricoiled。Hebroughtusfirstintoafairparlorabovestairs,andthenaskedus\"whatnumberofpersonswewere?andhowmanysick?\"Weanswered,\"Wewereinall(sickandwhole)

  one-and-fiftypersons,whereofoursickwereseventeen。\"Hedesiredushavepatiencealittle,andtostaytillhecamebacktous,whichwasaboutanhourafter;andthenheledustoseethechamberswhichwereprovidedforus,beinginnum-

  bernineteen。Theyhavingcastit(asitseemeth)thatfourofthosechambers,whichwerebetterthantherest,mightre-

  ceivefouroftheprincipalmenofourcompany;andlodgethemalonebythemselves;andtheotherfifteenchambersweretolodgeus,twoandtwotogether。Thechamberswerehandsomeandcheerfulchambers,andfurnishedcivilly。Thenheledustoalonggallery,likeadorture,whereheshowedusallalongtheoneside(fortheothersidewasbutwallandwindow)seventeencells,veryneatones,havingpartitionsofcedarwood。Whichgalleryandcells,beinginallforty(manymorethanweneeded),wereinstitutedasaninfirmaryforsickpersons。Andhetolduswithal,thatasanyofoursickwaxedwell,hemightberemovedfromhiscelltoacham-

  ber;forwhichpurposethereweresetforthtensparecham-

  bers,besidesthenumberwespakeofbefore。

  Thisdone,hebroughtusbacktotheparlor,andliftinguphiscanealittle(astheydowhentheygiveanychargeorcommand),saidtous:\"Yearetoknowthatthecustomofthelandrequireththatafterthisdayandto-morrow(whichwegiveyouforremovingyourpeoplefromyourship),youaretokeepwithindoorsforthreedays。Butletitnottroubleyou,nordonotthinkyourselvesrestrained,butratherlefttoyourrestandease。Youshallwantnothing;andtherearesixofourpeopleappointedtoattendyouforanybusinessyoumayhaveabroad。\"Wegavehimthankswithallaffectionandrespect,andsaid,\"Godsurelyismanifestedinthisland。\"

  Weofferedhimalsotwentypistolets;buthesmiled,andonlysaid:\"What?Twicepaid!\"Andsoheleftus。Soonafterourdinnerwasservedin;whichwasrightgoodviands,bothforbreadandmeat:betterthananycollegiatedietthatIhaveknowninEurope。Wehadalsodrinkofthreesorts,allwhole-

  someandgood:wineofthegrape;adrinkofgrain,suchasiswithusourale,butmoreclear;andakindofcidermadeofafruitofthatcountry,awonderfulpleasingandre-

  freshingdrink。Besides,therewerebroughtintousgreatstoreofthosescarletorangesforoursick;which(theysaid)

  wereanassuredremedyforsicknesstakenatsea。Therewasgivenusalsoaboxofsmallgrayorwhitishpills,whichtheywishedoursickshouldtake,oneofthepillseverynightbe-

  foresleep;which(theysaid)wouldhastentheirrecovery。

  Thenextday,afterthatourtroubleofcarriageandremov-

  ingofourmenandgoodsoutofourshipwassomewhatsettledandquiet,Ithoughtgoodtocallourcompanyto-

  gether,and,whentheywereassembled,saiduntothem:\"Mydearfriends,letusknowourselves,andhowitstandethwithus。Wearemencastonland,asJonaswasoutofthewhale’sbelly,whenwewereasburiedinthedeep;andnowweareonland,wearebutbetweendeathandlife,forwearebeyondboththeOldWorldandtheNew;andwhethereverweshallseeEurope,Godonlyknoweth。Itisakindofmiraclehathbroughtushither,anditmustbelittlelessthatshallbringushence。Thereforeinregardofourdeliverancepast,andourdangerpresentandtocome,letuslookuptoGod,andeverymanreformhisownways。Besides,wearecomehereamongaChristianpeople,fullofpietyandhumanity。Letusnotbringthatconfusionoffaceuponourselves,astoshowourvicesorunworthinessbeforethem。Yetthereismore,fortheyhavebycommandment(thoughinformofcourtesy)

  cloistereduswithinthesewallsforthreedays;whoknowethwhetheritbenottotakesometasteofourmannersandcon-

  ditions?Andiftheyfindthembad,tobanishusstraightway;

  ifgood,togiveusfurthertime。Forthesementhattheyhavegivenusforattendance,maywithalhaveaneyeuponus。Therefore,forGod’slove,andaswelovethewealofoursoulsandbodies,letussobehaveourselvesaswemaybeatpeacewithGodandmayfindgraceintheeyesofthispeople。\"

  Ourcompanywithonevoicethankedmeformygoodad-

  monition,andpromisedmetolivesoberlyandcivilly,andwithoutgivinganytheleastoccasionofoffence。Sowespentourthreedaysjoyfully,andwithoutcare,inexpectationwhatwouldbedonewithuswhentheywereexpired。Duringwhichtime,wehadeveryhourjoyoftheamendmentofoursick,whothoughtthemselvescastintosomedivinepoolofhealing,theymendedsokindlyandsofast。

  Themorrowafterourthreedayswerepast,therecametousanewman,thatwehadnotseenbefore,clothedinblueastheformerwas,savethathisturbanwaswhitewithasmallredcrossontop。Hehadalsoatippetoffinelinen。Athiscomingin,hedidbendtousalittle,andputhisarmsabroad。

  Weofourpartssalutedhiminaverylowlyandsubmissivemanner;aslookingthatfromhimweshouldreceivesen-

  tenceoflifeordeath。Hedesiredtospeakwithsomefewofus。Whereuponsixofusonlystayed,andtherestavoidedtheroom。Hesaid:\"Iambyoffice,governorofthishouseofstrangers,andbyvocation,IamaChristianpriest,andthereforeamcometoyoutoofferyoumyservice,bothasstrangersandchieflyasChristians。SomethingsImaytellyou,whichIthinkyouwillnotbeunwillingtohear。TheStatehathgivenyoulicensetostayonlandforthespaceofsixweeks;andletitnottroubleyouifyouroccasionsaskfurthertime,forthelawinthispointisnotprecise;andI

  donotdoubtbutmyselfshallbeabletoobtainforyousuchfurthertimeasshallbeconvenient。Yeshallalsounderstandthatthestrangers’houseisatthistimerichandmuchafore-

  hand;forithathlaiduprevenuethesethirty-sevenyears,forsolongitissinceanystrangerarrivedinthispart;andthere-

  foretakeyenocare;theStatewilldefrayyouallthetimeyoustay。Neithershallyoustayonedaythelessforthat。

  Asforanymerchandiseyouhavebrought,yeshallbewellused,andhaveyourreturn,eitherinmerchandiseoringoldandsilver,fortousitisallone。Andifyouhaveanyotherrequesttomake,hideitnot;foryeshallfindwewillnotmakeyourcountenancetofallbytheansweryeshallreceive。

  OnlythisImusttellyou,thatnoneofyoumustgoaboveakaran[thatiswiththemamileandahalf]fromthewallsofthecity,withoutspecialleave。\"

  Weanswered,afterwehadlookedawhileupononean-

  other,admiringthisgraciousandparent-likeusage,thatwecouldnottellwhattosay,forwewantedwordstoexpressourthanks;andhisnoblefreeoffersleftusnothingtoask。Itseemedtousthatwehadbeforeusapictureofoursalvationinheaven;forwethatwereawhilesinceinthejawsofdeath,werenowbroughtintoaplacewherewefoundnothingbutconsolations。Forthecommandmentlaiduponus,wewouldnotfailtoobeyit,thoughitwasimpossiblebutourheartsshouldbeinflamedtotreadfurtheruponthishappyandholyground。Weaddedthatourtonguesshouldfirstcleavetotheroofsofourmouthsereweshouldforgeteitherthisreverendpersonorthiswholenation,inourprayers。Wealsomosthumblybesoughthimtoacceptofusashistrueservants,byasjustarightasevermenonearthwerebounden;layingandpresentingbothourpersonsandallwehadathisfeet。Hesaidhewasapriest,andlookedforapriest’sreward,whichwasourbrotherlyloveandthegoodofoursoulsandbodies。

  Sohewentfromus,notwithouttearsoftendernessinhiseyes,andleftusalsoconfusedwithjoyandkindness,sayingamongourselvesthatwewerecomeintoalandofangels,whichdidappeartousdaily,andpreventuswithcomforts,whichwethoughtnotof,muchlessexpected。

  Thenextday,abouttenoftheclock;thegovernorcametousagain,andaftersalutationssaidfamiliarlythathewascometovisitus,andcalledforachairandsathimdown;andwe,beingsometenofus(therestwereofthemeanersortorelsegoneabroad),satdownwithhim;andwhenweweresethebe-

  ganthus:\"WeofthisislandofBensalem(forsotheycalleditintheirlanguage)havethis:thatbymeansofoursolitarysituation,andofthelawsofsecrecy,whichwehaveforourtravellers,andourrareadmissionofstrangers;weknowwellmostpartofthehabitableworld,andareourselvesunknown。

  Thereforebecausehethatknowethleastisfittesttoaskques-

  tionsitismorereason,fortheentertainmentofthetime,thatyeaskmequestions,thanthatIaskyou。\"Weanswered,thatwehumblythankedhimthathewouldgiveusleavesotodo。

  Andthatweconceivedbythetastewehadalready,thattherewasnoworldlythingonearthmoreworthytobeknownthanthestateofthathappyland。Butaboveall,wesaid,sincethatweweremetfromtheseveralendsoftheworld,andhopedassuredlythatweshouldmeetonedayinthekingdomofheaven(forthatwewerebothpartsChristians),wedesiredtoknow(inrespectthatlandwassoremote,andsodividedbyvastandunknownseasfromthelandwhereourSaviourwalkedonearth)whowastheapostleofthatnation,andhowitwascon-

  vertedtothefaith?Itappearedinhisfacethathetookgreatcontentmentinthisourquestion;hesaid:\"Yeknitmyhearttoyoubyaskingthisquestioninthefirstplace;foritshoweththatyoufirstseekthekingdomofheaven;andIshallgladly,andbriefly,satisfyyourdemand。

  \"AbouttwentyyearsaftertheascensionofourSaviouritcametopass,thattherewasseenbythepeopleofRenfusa(acityupontheeasterncoastofourisland,withinsight,thenightwascloudyandcalm),asitmightbesomemileinthesea,agreatpillaroflight;notsharp,butinformofacolumn,orcyl-

  inder,risingfromthesea,agreatwayuptowardheaven;andonthetopofitwasseenalargecrossoflight,morebrightandresplendentthanthebodyofthepillar。Uponwhichsostrangeaspectacle,thepeopleofthecitygatheredapacetogetheruponthesands,towonder;andsoafterputthemselvesintoanumberofsmallboatstogonearertothismarvelloussight。Butwhentheboatswerecomewithinaboutsixtyyardsofthepillar,theyfoundthemselvesallbound,andcouldgonofurther,yetsoastheymightmovetogoabout,butmightnotapproachnearer;

  soastheboatsstoodallasinatheatre,beholdingthislight,asaheavenlysign。ItsofelloutthattherewasinoneoftheboatsoneofthewisemenoftheSocietyofSaloman’sHouse(whichhouse,orcollege,mygoodbrethren,istheveryeyeofthiskingdom),whohavingawhileattentivelyanddevoutlyviewedandcontemplatedthispillarandcross,felldownuponhisface;andthenraisedhimselfuponhisknees,andliftinguphishandstoheaven,madehisprayersinthismanner:

  \"’LordGodofheavenandearth;thouhastvouchsafedofthygrace,tothoseofourordertoknowthyworksofcreation,andtruesecretsofthem;andtodiscern,asfarasappertainethtothegenerationsofmen,betweendivinemiracles,worksofnature,worksofartandimpostures,andillusionsofallsorts。

  Idohereacknowledgeandtestifybeforethispeoplethatthethingwenowseebeforeoureyesisthyfinger,andatruemira-

  cle。Andforasmuchaswelearninourbooksthatthouneverworkestmiracles,buttoadivineandexcellentend(forthelawsofnaturearethineownlaws,andthouexceedestthemnotbutupongreatcause),wemosthumblybeseechtheetoprosperthisgreatsign,andtogiveustheinterpretationanduseofitinmercy;whichthoudostinsomepartsecretlyprom-

  ise,bysendingituntous。’

  \"Whenhehadmadehisprayer,hepresentlyfoundtheboathewasinmovableandunbound;whereasalltherestremainedstillfast;andtakingthatforanassuranceofleavetoapproach,hecausedtheboattobesoftlyandwithsilencerowedtowardthepillar;buterehecamenearit,thepillarandcrossoflightbrokeup,andcastitselfabroad,asitwere,intoafirmamentofmanystars,whichalsovanishedsoonafter,andtherewasnoth-

  inglefttobeseenbutasmallarkorchestofcedar,dryandnotwetatallwithwater,thoughitswam;andintheforeendofit,whichwastowardhim,grewasmallgreenbranchofpalm;

  andwhenthewisemanhadtakenitwithallreverenceintohisboat,itopenedofitself,andtherewerefoundinitabookandaletter,bothwritteninfineparchment,andwrappedinsindonsoflinen。ThebookcontainedallthecanonicalbooksoftheOldandNewTestament,accordingasyouhavethem(forweknowwellwhatthechurcheswithyoureceive),andtheApoca-

  lypseitself;andsomeotherbooksoftheNewTestament,whichwerenotatthattimewritten,wereneverthelessinthebook。Andfortheletter,itwasinthesewords:

  \"’I,Bartholomew,aservantoftheHighest,andapostleofJesusChrist,waswarnedbyanangelthatappearedtomeinavisionofglory,thatIshouldcommitthisarktothefloodsofthesea。ThereforeIdotestifyanddeclareuntothatpeoplewhereGodshallordainthisarktocometoland,thatinthesamedayiscomeuntothemsalvationandpeace,andgood-willfromtheFather,andfromtheLordJesus。’

  \"Therewasalsoinboththesewritings,aswellthebookastheletter,wroughtagreatmiracle,conformtothatoftheapos-

  tles,intheoriginalgiftoftongues。Fortherebeingatthattime,inthisland,Hebrews,Persians,andIndians,besidesthenatives,everyonereaduponthebookandletter,asiftheyhadbeenwritteninhisownlanguage。Andthuswasthislandsavedfrominfidelity(astheremainoftheoldworldwasfromwater)byanark,throughtheapostolicalandmiraculousevan-

  gelismofSt。Bartholomew。\"Andherehepaused,andames-

  sengercameandcalledhimforthfromus。Sothiswasallthatpassedinthatconference。

  Thenextdaythesamegovernorcameagaintousimmedi-

  atelyafterdinner,andexcusedhimself,sayingthatthedaybe-

  forehewascalledfromussomewhatabruptly,butnowhewouldmakeusamends,andspendtimewithus;ifweheldhiscompanyandconferenceagreeable。Weansweredthatwehelditsoagreeableandpleasingtous,asweforgotbothdan-

  gerspast,andfearstocome,forthetimeweheardhimspeak;

  andthatwethoughtanhourspentwithhimwasworthyearsofourformerlife。Hebowedhimselfalittletous,andafterweweresetagain,hesaid,\"Well,thequestionsareonyourpart。\"

  Oneofournumbersaid,afteralittlepause,thattherewasamatterwewerenolessdesiroustoknowthanfearfultoask,lestwemightpresumetoofar。But,encouragedbyhisrarehumanitytowardus(thatcouldscarcethinkourselvesstran-

  gers,beinghisvowedandprofessedservants),wewouldtakethehardnesstopropoundit;humblybeseechinghim,ifhethoughtitnotfittobeanswered,thathewouldpardonit,thoughherejectedit。Wesaid,wewellobservedthosehiswords,whichheformerlyspake,thatthishappyisland,wherewenowstood,wasknowntofew,andyetknewmostofthena-

  tionsoftheworld,whichwefoundtobetrue,consideringtheyhadthelanguagesofEurope,andknewmuchofourStateandbusiness;andyetweinEurope(notwithstandingalltheremotediscoveriesandnavigationsofthislastage)neverheardanyoftheleastinklingorglimpseofthisisland。Thiswefoundwonderfulstrange;forthatallnationshaveinterknowledgeoneofanother,eitherbyvoyageintoforeignparts,orbystrangersthatcometothem;andthoughthetravellerintoaforeigncountrydothcommonlyknowmorebytheeyethanhethatstayethathomecanbyrelationofthetraveller;yetbothwayssufficetomakeamutualknowledge,insomedegree,onbothparts。Butforthisisland,weneverheardtellofanyshipoftheirsthathadbeenseentoarriveuponanyshoreofEu-

  rope;no,norofeithertheEastorWestIndies,noryetofanyshipofanyotherpartoftheworld,thathadmadereturnforthem。Andyetthemarvelrestednotinthis。Forthesitua-

  tionofit(ashislordshipsaid)inthesecretconclaveofsuchavastseamightcauseit。Butthen,thattheyshouldhaveknowledgeofthelanguages,books,affairs,ofthosethatliesuchadistancefromthem,itwasathingwecouldnottellwhattomakeof;forthatitseemedtousaconditionandproprietyofdivinepowersandbeings,tobehiddenandunseentoothers,andyettohaveothersopen,andasinalighttothem。

  Atthisspeechthegovernorgaveagracioussmileandsaidthatwedidwelltoaskpardonforthisquestionwenowasked,forthatitimported,asifwethoughtthislandalandofmagi-

  cians,thatsentforthspiritsoftheairintoallparts,tobringthemnewsandintelligenceofothercountries。Itwasan-

  sweredbyusall,inallpossiblehumbleness,butyetwithacoun-

  tenancetakingknowledge,thatweknewthathespakeitbutmerrily。Thatwewereaptenoughtothinktherewassome-

  whatsupernaturalinthisisland,butyetratherasangelicalthanmagical。Buttolethislordshipknowtrulywhatitwasthatmadeustenderanddoubtfultoaskthisquestion,itwasnotanysuchconceit,butbecausewerememberedhehadgivenatouchinhisformerspeech,thatthislandhadlawsofsecrecytouchingstrangers。Tothishesaid,\"Yourememberitaright;andthereforeinthatIshallsaytoyou,Imustreservesomeparticulars,whichitisnotlawfulformetoreveal,buttherewillbeenoughlefttogiveyousatisfaction。

  \"Youshallunderstand(thatwhichperhapsyouwillscarcethinkcredible)thatabout3,000yearsago,orsomewhatmore,thenavigationoftheworld(especiallyforremotevoyages)

  wasgreaterthanatthisday。Donotthinkwithyourselves,thatIknownothowmuchitisincreasedwithyou,withinthesethreescoreyears;Iknowitwell,andyetIsay,greaterthenthannow;whetheritwas,thattheexampleoftheark,thatsavedtheremnantofmenfromtheuniversaldeluge,gavemenconfi-

  dencetoventureuponthewaters,orwhatitwas;butsuchisthetruth。ThePhoenicians,andespeciallytheTyrians,hadgreatfleets;sohadtheCarthaginianstheircolony,whichisyetfartherwest。TowardtheeasttheshippingofEgypt,andofPalestine,waslikewisegreat。Chinaalso,andthegreatAt-

  lantis(thatyoucallAmerica),whichhavenowbutjunksandcanoes,aboundedthenintallships。Thisisland(asappearethbyfaithfulregistersofthosetimes)hadthen1,500strongships,ofgreatcontent。Ofallthisthereiswithyousparingmemory,ornone;butwehavelargeknowledgethereof。

  \"Atthattimethislandwasknownandfrequentedbytheshipsandvesselsofallthenationsbeforenamed。And(asitcomethtopass)theyhadmanytimesmenofothercountries,thatwerenosailors,thatcamewiththem;asPersians,Chal-

  deans,Arabians,soasalmostallnationsofmightandfamere-

  sortedhither;ofwhomwehavesomestirpsandlittletribeswithusatthisday。Andforourownships,theywentsundryvoyages,aswelltoyourstraits,whichyoucallthePillarsofHercules,astootherpartsintheAtlanticandMediterraneanseas;astoPaguin(whichisthesamewithCambalaine)andQuinzy,upontheOrientalseas,asfarastothebordersoftheEastTartary。

  \"Atthesametime,andanageafterormore,theinhabitantsofthegreatAtlantisdidflourish。Forthoughthenarrationanddescriptionwhichismadebyagreatmanwithyou,thatthedescendantsofNeptuneplantedthere,andofthemagnifi-

  centtemple,palace,city,andhill;andthemanifoldstreamsofgoodlynavigablerivers,whichassomanychainsenvironedthesamesiteandtemple;andtheseveraldegreesofascent,where-

  bymendidclimbuptothesame,asifithadbeenaScalaCoeli;

  beallpoeticalandfabulous;yetsomuchistrue,thatthesaidcountryofAtlantis,aswellthatofPeru,thencalledCoya,asthatofMexico,thennamedTyrambel,weremightyandproudkingdoms,inarms,shipping,andriches;somighty,asatonetime,oratleastwithinthespaceoftenyears,theybothmadetwogreatexpeditions;theyofTyrambelthroughtheAtlantictotheMediterraneanSea;andtheyofCoya,throughtheSouthSeauponthisourisland;andfortheformerofthese,whichwasintoEurope,thesameauthoramongyou,asitseemeth,hadsomerelationfromtheEgyptianpriest,whomheciteth。

  Forassuredly,suchathingtherewas。ButwhetheritweretheancientAtheniansthathadthegloryoftherepulseandre-

  sistanceofthoseforces,Icansaynothing;butcertainitistherenevercamebackeithershipormanfromthatvoyage。

  NeitherhadtheothervoyageofthoseofCoyauponushadbet-

  terfortune,iftheyhadnotmetwithenemiesofgreaterclem-

  ency。FortheKingofthisisland,bynameAltabin,awisemanandagreatwarrior,knowingwellbothhisownstrengthandthatofhisenemies,handledthemattersoashecutofftheirlandforcesfromtheirships,andentoiledboththeirnavyandtheircampwithagreaterpowerthantheirs,bothbyseaandland;andcompelledthemtorenderthemselveswithoutstrikingastroke;andaftertheywereathismercy,contentinghimselfonlywiththeiroath,thattheyshouldnomorebeararmsagainsthim,dismissedthemallinsafety。

  \"Butthedivinerevengeovertooknotlongafterthoseproudenterprises。Forwithinlessthanthespaceof100yearstheGreatAtlantiswasutterlylostanddestroyed;notbyagreatearthquake,asyourmansaith,forthatwholetractislittlesub-

  jecttoearthquakes,butbyaparticulardeluge,orinundation;

  thosecountrieshavingatthisdayfargreaterrivers,andfarhighermountainstopourdownwaters,thananypartoftheoldworld。Butitistruethatthesameinundationwasnotdeep,norpastfortyfoot,inmostplaces,fromtheground,sothatalthoughitdestroyedmanandbeastgenerally,yetsomefewwildinhabitantsofthewoodescaped。Birdsalsoweresavedbyflyingtothehightreesandwoods。Forasformen,althoughtheyhadbuildingsinmanyplaceshigherthanthedepthofthewater,yetthatinundation,thoughitwereshallow,hadalongcontinuance,wherebytheyofthevalethatwerenotdrownedperishedforwantoffood,andotherthingsnecessary。

  SoasmarvelyounotatthethinpopulationofAmerica,norattherudenessandignoranceofthepeople;foryoumustaccountyourinhabitantsofAmericaasayoungpeople,youngerathou-

  sandyearsattheleastthantherestoftheworld,forthattherewassomuchtimebetweentheuniversalfloodandtheirparticu-

  larinundation。

  \"Forthepoorremnantofhumanseedwhichremainedintheirmountains,peopledthecountryagainslowly,bylittleandlittle,andbeingsimpleandasavagepeople(notlikeNoahandhissons,whichwasthechieffamilyoftheearth),theywerenotabletoleaveletters,arts,andcivilitytotheirposterity;andhavinglikewiseintheirmountainoushabitationsbeenused,inrespectoftheextremecoldofthoseregions,toclothethem-

  selveswiththeskinsoftigers,bears,andgreathairygoats,thattheyhaveinthoseparts;whenaftertheycamedownintothevalley,andfoundtheintolerableheatswhicharethere,andknewnomeansoflighterapparel,theywereforcedtobeginthecustomofgoingnaked,whichcontinuethatthisday。

  Onlytheytakegreatprideanddelightinthefeathersofbirds,andthisalsotheytookfromthosetheirancestorsofthemoun-

  tains,whowereinviteduntoit,bytheinfiniteflightofbirds,thatcameuptothehighgrounds,whilethewatersstoodbelow。

  Soyousee,bythismainaccidentoftime,welostourtrafficwiththeAmericans,withwhomofallothers,inregardtheylaynearesttous,wehadmostcommerce。Asfortheotherpartsoftheworld,itismostmanifestthatintheagesfollow-

  ing(whetheritwereinrespectofwars,orbyanaturalrevolu-

  tionoftime)navigationdideverywheregreatlydecay,andspeciallyfarvoyages(theratherbytheuseofgalleys,andsuchvesselsascouldhardlybrooktheocean)werealtogetherleftandomitted。Sothen,thatpartofintercoursewhichcouldbefromothernationstosailtous,youseehowithathlongsinceceased;exceptitwerebysomerareaccident,asthisofyours。

  Butnowofthecessationofthatotherpartofintercourse,whichmightbebyoursailingtoothernations,Imustyieldyousomeothercause。ButIcannotsayifIshallsaytruly,butourship-

  ping,fornumber,strength,mariners,pilots,andallthingsthatappertaintonavigation,isasgreatasever;andthereforewhyweshouldsitathome,Ishallnowgiveyouanaccountbyitself;

  anditwilldrawnearer,togiveyousatisfaction,toyourprin-

  cipalquestion。

  \"Therereignedinthisland,about1,900yearsago,aKing,whosememoryofallotherswemostadore;notsuperstitiously,butasadivineinstrument,thoughamortalman:hisnamewasSalomana;andweesteemhimasthelawgiverofournation。

  ThisKinghadalargeheart,inscrutableforgood;andwaswhollybenttomakehiskingdomandpeoplehappy。He,there-

  fore,takingintoconsiderationhowsufficientandsubstantivethislandwas,tomaintainitselfwithoutanyaidatalloftheforeigner;being5,000milesincircuit,andofrarefertilityofsoil,inthegreatestpartthereof;andfindingalsotheshippingofthiscountrymightbeplentifullysetonwork,bothbyfishingandbytransportationsfromporttoport,andlikewisebysail-

  inguntosomesmallislandsthatarenotfarfromus,andareunderthecrownandlawsofthisState;andrecallingintohismemorythehappyandflourishingestatewhereinthislandthenwas,soasitmightbeathousandwaysalteredtotheworse,butscarceanyonewaytothebetter;thoughnothingwantedtohisnobleandheroicalintentions,butonly(asfarashumanfore-

  sightmightreach)togiveperpetuitytothatwhichwasinhistimesohappilyestablished,thereforeamonghisotherfunda-

  mentallawsofthiskingdomhedidordaintheinterdictsandprohibitionswhichwehavetouchingentranceofstrangers;

  whichatthattime(thoughitwasafterthecalamityofAmer-

  ica)wasfrequent;doubtingnoveltiesandcommixtureofman-

  ners。Itistrue,thelikelawagainsttheadmissionofstrangerswithoutlicenseisanancientlawintheKingdomofChina,andyetcontinuedinuse。Butthereitisapoorthing;andhathmadethemacurious,ignorant,fearful,foolishnation。Butourlawgivermadehislawofanothertemper。Forfirst,hehathpreservedallpointsofhumanity,intakingorderandmak-

  ingprovisionforthereliefofstrangersdistressed;whereofyouhavetasted。\"

  Atwhichspeech(asreasonwas)weallroseupandbowedourselves。Hewenton:\"ThatKingalsostilldesiringtojoinhumanityandpolicytogether;andthinkingitagainsthumanitytodetainstrangershereagainsttheirwills,andagainstpolicythattheyshouldreturnanddiscovertheirknowl-

  edgeofthisestate,hetookthiscourse;hedidordain,thatofthestrangersthatshouldbepermittedtoland,asmanyatalltimesmightdepartasmanyaswould;butasmanyaswouldstay,shouldhaveverygoodconditions,andmeanstolivefromtheState。Whereinhesawsofar,thatnowinsomanyagessincetheprohibition,wehavememorynotofoneshipthateverreturned,andbutofthirteenpersonsonly,atseveraltimes,thatchosetoreturninourbottoms。Whatthosefewthatreturnedmayhavereportedabroad,Iknownot。Butyoumustthink,whatsoevertheyhavesaid,couldbetakenwheretheycamebutforadream。Nowforourtravellingfromhenceintopartsabroad,ourlawgiverthoughtfitaltogethertorestrainit。SoisitnotinChina。FortheChinesesailwheretheywill,orcan;whichshoweth,thattheirlawofkeepingoutstrangersisalawofpusillanimityandfear。Butthisrestraintofourshathoneonlyexception,whichisadmirable;preservingthegoodwhichcomethbycommunicatingwithstrangers,andavoidingthehurt:andIwillnowopenittoyou。

  \"AndhereIshallseemalittletodigress,butyouwillbyandbyfinditpertinent。Yeshallunderstand,mydearfriends,thatamongtheexcellentactsofthatKing,oneaboveallhaththepre-eminence。Itwastheerectionandinstitutionofanorder,orsociety,whichwecallSaloman’sHouse,thenoblestfoundation,aswethink,thateverwasupontheearth,andthelanternofthiskingdom。ItisdedicatedtothestudyoftheworksandcreaturesofGod。Somethinkitbeareththefound-

  er’snamealittlecorrupted,asifitshouldbeSolomon’sHouse。

  Buttherecordswriteitasitisspoken。SoasItakeittobedenominateoftheKingoftheHebrews,whichisfamouswithyou,andnostrangerstous;forwehavesomepartsofhisworkswhichwithyouarelost;namely,thatnaturalhistorywhichhewroteofallplants,fromthecedarofLibanustothemossthatgrowethoutofthewall;andofallthingsthathavelifeandmotion。ThismakethmethinkthatourKingfindinghimselftosymbolize,inmanythings,withthatKingoftheHebrews,whichlivedmanyyearsbeforehim,honoredhimwiththetitleofthisfoundation。AndIamtheratherinducedtobeofthisopinion,forthatIfindinancientrecords,thisorderorsocietyissometimescalledSolomon’sHouse,andsometimestheCollegeoftheSixDays’Works,wherebyIamsatisfiedthatourexcellentKinghadlearnedfromtheHebrewsthatGodhadcreatedtheworldandallthatthereiniswithinsixdays:

  andthereforeheinstitutedthathouse,forthefindingoutofthetruenatureofallthings,wherebyGodmighthavethemoregloryintheworkmanshipofthem,andmenthemorefruitintheiruseofthem,didgiveitalsothatsecondname。

  \"Butnowtocometoourpresentpurpose。WhentheKinghadforbiddentoallhispeoplenavigationintoanypartthatwasnotunderhiscrown,hemadeneverthelessthisordinance;

  thateverytwelveyearsthereshouldbesetforthoutofthiskingdom,twoships,appointedtoseveralvoyages;thatineitheroftheseshipsthereshouldbeamissionofthreeofthefellowsorbrethrenofSaloman’sHouse,whoseerrandwasonlytogiveusknowledgeoftheaffairsandstateofthosecountriestowhichtheyweredesigned;andespeciallyofthesciences,arts,manufactures,andinventionsofalltheworld;andwithaltobringuntousbooks,instruments,andpatternsineverykind:

  thattheships,aftertheyhadlandedthebrethren,shouldre-

  turn;andthatthebrethrenshouldstayabroadtillthenewmis-

点击下载App,搜索"THE NEW ATLANTIS",免费读到尾