t 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.

15. I could see persons dressed in glorious habits, with garlands upon
their heads, passing among the trees, lying down by the sides 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 at 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.

16. The islands, said he, that are 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 sand on the sea-shore; there are
myriads of islands behind those which thou here discoverest, reaching
further than thine eye, or even thine imagination can extend itself.
These are the mansions of good men after death, who, according to the
degree and kinds of virtue in which they excelled, are distributed among
these several islands, which abound with pleasures of different kinds
and degrees, suitable to the relishes and perfections of those who are
settled in them; every island is a paradise, accommodated to its
respective inhabitants.

17. Are not these, O Mirza, habitations worth contending for? Does life
appear miserable, that gives thee opportunities of earning such a
reward? Is death to be feared, that will convey thee to so happy an
existence? Think not man was made in vain, who has such an eternity
reserved for him. I gazed, with inexpressible pleasure, on these happy
islands. At length, said I, shew me now, I beseech thee, the secrets
that lie hid under those dark clouds, which cover the ocean on the other
side of the rock of adamant.

18. The genius making me no answer, I turned about to address myself to
him a second time, but I found that he had left me; I th