LIFE OF MOHAMMED. 219 



On the night of this celestial excursion, calm but 

 exceedingly dark, INIohammed represents himself as 

 asleep between the hills of Safa and INIeroua, when 

 Gabriel approached and awoke him. Having ap- 

 prized the prophet of his intended voyage, he pre- 

 sented him with the animal called Borak, a sort of 

 nondescript, larger than an ass but smaller than a 

 mule, with a human face and the body of a horse. 

 His colour was milk-white ; the hair of his neck 

 of fine pearls ; his ears emeralds, and his eyes two 

 sparkling hyacinths. His whole body, wmgs, and 

 tail, bristled with the finest jewelry. 



In the twinkling of an eye they cleared the hills 

 of Mecca, and were on the top of Sinai, where 

 prayers were said, and where the print of the beast's 

 hoof is still shown. In the same manner they 

 performed their devotions at Jerusalem, where Mo- 

 hammed received the salutations of the ancient 

 prophets, and met with divers other adventures. 

 Leaving Borak fastened to a ring at the gate of the 

 temple, the travellers ascended by a ladder of light, 

 through an immense expanse of air, till they reached 

 the first heaven, distant a journey of 500 years from 

 the earth. It was composed of a subtle vapour, 

 with a roof of fine silver, from which hung the stars 

 by chains of massive gold. They entered by a pro- 

 digious gate, which on the name of Mohammed be- 

 ing annomiced, was opened by the porter. The 

 first person with whom he exchanged salutations 

 w^as Adam,* who appeared in the form of a decrepit 

 old man, and hailed him as the greatest and best of 

 his posterity. The whole firmament swarmed with 

 angels all busy in their several occupations, some 

 watering the clouds, others chanting hymns. They 

 appeared in all manner of shapes, — men, beasts, 

 and birds ; for each assumed the likeness of those 



* Mohammedan authors differ in the location of the patri- 

 archs. Few will dispute, and we have not thought it import- 

 ant to contest points of fabulous precedency. 



