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Page 38
Accordingly, we set out at Sun-rising, and entered a Bark about a League
from the House, and having pass'd about four Leagues on a River which
ran thro' a Valley beautiful beyond Description, we went ashore within
an Hundred Yards _Abrahijo_'s Place of Abode.
When we came in, the venerable old Man, whose compos'd and chearful
Countenance spoke the Heaven of his Mind, rose from his Chair, and came
to meet us; he was of a great Age, but free from the Infirmities which
attend it in our World.
The _English Selenite_ presented me to him with few Words, and he
received me with Tenderness.
After he was inform'd of my Story, he spoke to me by our Interpreter,
to this Effect.
"My Son, I hope you will reap a solid Advantage from the perilous
Journey you have made, tho' your Expectation of finding Riches among
us is frustrated. All that I have to give you, is my Advice to
return to your World, place your Happiness in nothing transitory;
nor imagine that any Riches, but those which are Eternal, which
neither _Thief can carry away, nor Rust corrupt_, are worthy of your
Pursuit. Keep continually in your Eye the Joys prepared for those
who employ the Talents they are entrusted with, as they ought:
Reflect upon the little Content your World can afford you: Consider
how short is Life, and that you have but little Time to spare for
Trifles, when the grand Business, the securing your eternal Rest,
ought to employ your Mind. You are there in a State of Probation,
and you must there chuse whether you will be happy or miserable; you
will not be put to a second Trial; you sign at once your own
Sentence, and it will stand irrevocable, either for or against you.
Weigh well the Difference between a momentary and imperfect, and an
eternal and solid Happiness, to which the Divine Goodness invites
you; nay, by that Calmness, that Peace of Mind, which attends a
virtuous Life, bribes you to make Choice of, if you desire to be
among us, be your own Friend, and you will be sure to have those
Desires gratify'd. But you must now return, since it was never
known, that gross Flesh and Blood ever before breath'd this Air, and
that your Stay may be fatal to you, and disturb the Tranquillity of
the _Selenites_. This I prophesy, and my Compassion obliges me to
warn you of it."
I made him a profound Reverence, thank'd him for his charitable
Admonition, and told him I hoped nothing should win me from the
Performance of a Duty which carry'd with it such ineffable Rewards.
That if no greater were promised, than those indulged to the
_Selenites_, I would refuse no Misery attending the most abject Life,
to be enrolled in the Number of the Inhabitants of that happy Region.
"I wish, _replied he_, the false Glare of the World does not hinder
the Execution of these just Resolutions: But that I may give you
what Assistance is in our Power, in hopes of having you among us, we
will shew the World unmask'd; that is, we will detain some time the
Souls of Sleepers, that you may see what Man is, how false, how
vain, in all he acts or wishes. Know, that the Soul loos'd by Sleep,
has the Power to call about it all the Images which it would employ,
can raise imaginary Structures, form Seas, Lands, Fowls, Beasts, or
whatever the rational Faculty is intent upon. You shall now take
some Refreshment, and after that we will both divert and instruct
you."
The Table was spread by himself and the other _Selenites_, the
_Cacklogallinians_ and my self invited, and I observ'd it differ'd
nothing, either in Quality or Quantity, from that of my _English_
Host.
After a solemn Adoration of the ineffable Creator, each took his Place;
having finish'd our Meal, at which a strict Silence was observed,
_Abrahijo_ took me by the Hand, and led me into a neighbouring Field,
the Beauty of which far excell'd that of the most labour'd and
artificial Garden among us.
"Here, _said he_, observe yon Shade; I shall not detain it, that you
may see the Care and Uneasiness attending Riches."
The Shade represented an old withered starv'd Carcass, brooding over
Chests of Money. Immediately appeared three ill-look'd Fellows; Want,
Despair, and Murder, were lively-pictur'd in their Faces; they were
taking out the Iron Bars of the old Man's Window, when all vanish'd of a
sudden. I ask'd the Meaning of it; he told me, the Terror the Dream of
Thieves put him into, had awaken'd him; and the Minute he slept again, I
should see again his Shade. Hardly had _Abrahijo_ done speaking, when I
again saw the old Man, with a young well-dress'd Spark standing by him,
who paid him great Respect. I heard him say very distinctly,
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