long ago to convey Elijah up from earth. The saint made
Astolpho seat himself beside him, took the reins, and giving the word
to the coursers, they bore them upward with astonishing celerity.

At length they reached the great continent of the Moon. Its surface
appeared to be of polished steel, with here and there a spot which,
like rust, obscured its brightness. The paladin was astonished to see
that the earth, with all its seas and rivers, seemed but an
insignificant spot in the distance.

The prince discovered in this region so new to him rivers, lakes,
plains, hills, and valleys. Many beautiful cities and castles enriched
the landscape. He saw also vast forests, and heard in them the sound of
horns and the barking of dogs, which led him to conclude that the
nymphs were following the chase.

The knight, filled with wonder at all he saw, was conducted by the
saint to a valley, where he stood amazed at the riches strewed all
around him. Well he might be so, for that valley was the receptacle of
things lost on earth, either by men's fault, or by the effect of time
and chance. Let no one suppose we speak here of kingdoms or of
treasures; they are the toys of Fortune, which she dispenses in turning
her wheel; we speak of things which she can neither give nor take away.
Such are reputations, which appear at one time so brilliant, and a
short time after are heard of no more. Here, also, are countless vows
and prayers for unattainable objects, lovers' sighs and tears, time
spent in gaming, dressing, and doing nothing, the leisure of the dull
and the intentions of the lazy, baseless projects, intrigues, and
plots; these and such like things fill all the valley.

Astolpho had a great desire to understand all that he saw, and which
appeared to him so extraordinary. Among the rest, he observed a great
mountain of blown bladders, from which issued indistinct noises. The
saint told him these were the dynasties of Assyrian and Persian kings,
once the wonder of the earth, of which now scarce the name remains.

Astolpho could not help laughing when the saint said to him, "All these
hooks of silver and gold that you see are the gifts of courtiers to
princes, made in the hope of getting something better in return." He
also showed him garlands of flowers in which snares were concealed;
these were flatteries and adulations, meant to deceive. But nothing was
so comical as the sight of numerous grasshoppers which had burst their
lungs