KE\V ATLANTIS. 475 



pound it : humbly beseeching him, if he thought it not fit to be 

 answered, that he would pardon it, though he rejected it.&quot; We said, 

 14 We well observed those his words which he formerly spake, that this 

 happy island where we now stood was known to few, and yot knew 

 most of the nations of the world ; which we found to be true, consider 

 ing they had the languages of Europe, and knew much of our state 

 and business ; and yet we in Europe, notwithstanding all the remote 

 discoveries and navigations of this last age, never heard any of the 

 least inkling or glimpse of this island. This we found wonderful 

 strange, for that all nations have interknowlcdgcone of another, either 

 by voyage into foreign parts, or by strangers that come to them : and 

 though the traveller into a foreign country doth commonly know more 

 by the eye than he that staycth at home can by relation of the tra 

 veller, yet both ways suffice to make a mutual knowledge in some 

 degree on both parts. But for this island, we never heard tell of any 

 ship of theirs that had been seen to arrive upon any shore of Europe, 

 no, nor of either the East or West Indies, nor yet of any ship of any 

 other part of the world that had made return from them. And yet 

 the marvel rested not in this, for the situation of it, as his lordship 

 said, in the secret conclave of such a vast sea, might cause it : but 

 then, that they should have knowledge of the languages, books, affairs 

 of those that lie such a distance from them, it was a thing we could 

 not tell what to make of; for that it seemed to us a condition and 

 property of divine powrvs and beings, to be hidden and unseen to 

 others, and yet to have others open and as in a light to them.&quot; At 

 this speech the governor gave a gracious smile, and said, &quot; That we 

 did well to ask pardon for this question we now asked, for that it 

 imported as if we thought this land a land of magicians, that sent 

 forth spirits of the air into all parts to bring them news and intelli 

 gence of other countries.&quot; It was answered by us all in all possible 

 humbleness, but yet with a countenance taking knowledge that we 

 knew that he spake it but merrily, &quot; That we were apt enough to think 

 there was somewhat supernatural in this island, but yet rather as 

 angelical than magical. Hut to let his lordship know truly what it 

 was that made us tender and doubtful to ask this question, it was not 

 any such conceit, but because we remembered he had given a touch in 

 his former speech, that this land had laws of secrecy touching stran 

 gers.&quot; To this he said, &quot; You remember it right ; and therefore in that 

 1 shall say to you, I must reserve some particulars, which it is not 

 lawful for me to reveal; but there will be enough left to fcivc you 

 satisfaction. 



&quot; You shall understand, that which perhaps you will scarce think 

 credible, that about three thousand years ago, or somewhat more, the 

 navigation of the world, especially for remote voyages, was greater 

 than at this day. Do not think with yourselves that I know not how 

 much it is increased with you within these sixscorc years; I know it 

 well : and yet I say, greater then than now. Whether it was that the 

 example of the ark that saved the remnant of men from the universal 

 deluge, gave men confidence to adventure upon the waters, or \\hat it 



