Added by way of Conclusion, and Superaddition. I
t fell out upon a time, when I had sailed almost all my life from the Artick pole, to the Antarticke, that by the singular providence of God I was cast upon the shore of a certain great sea, and although I well knew and understood the passages, and properties of the sea of that Coast, yet I knew not whether in those Coasts was bred that little fish, which was called Remora, which so many men of great and small fortunes have hitherto so studiously sought after. But whilst I was beholding the sweet singing Mermaides swimming up and down with the Nymphs, and being weary with my foregoing labors, and oppressed with divers thoughts, I was with the noise of waters overtaken with sleep; and whilest I was in a sweet sleep, there appear’d to me in my sleep[Pg 52] a wonderfull vision, which is this. I saw Neptune a man of an honorable old age, going forth out of our sea with his three toothed instrument, called Tridens, who after a friendly salute led mee into a most pleasant Iland. This goodly Iland was situated towards the South, being replenished with all things respecting the necessity, and delight of man: Virgils Elisian field might scarce compare with it. All the banks were round about beset with green Mirtles, Cypresse trees, and Rosemary. The green meadowes were covered all over with flowers of all sorts, both fair, and sweet. The hills were set forth with Vines, Olive trees, and Cedar-trees in a most wonderfull manner. The woods were filled with Orenge, and Lemon-trees. The high wayes were planted on both sides with Bay-trees, and Pomegranate-trees, woven most artificially one within the other, and affording a most pleasant shadow to Travellers. And to bee short, whatsoever is in the whole world was seen there. As I was walking, there was shewed to me by the foresaid Neptune two Mines of that Iland lying under a certain rock, the one was of Gold, the other of Chalybs, or Steel. Not far from thence I was brought to a Meadow in which was a peculiar Orchard with divers sorts of trees most goodly to behold, and amongst the rest, being very many hee shewed to mee seven Trees marked out by speciall names; and amongst these I observed two as chiefest, more eminent then the rest, one of which did beare fruit like the Sun most bright, and shining, and the leaves thereof were like Gold. The other brought forth fruit that was most white, yea, whiter then the Lillies, and the leaves therof were as fine Silver: Now[Pg 53] these trees were called by Neptune, the one the tree of the Sun, the other the tree of the Moon. And although in this Iland all things were at ones pleasure, and command, yet there was one thing, and but one wanting: there was no water to be had, but with great difficulty. There were indeed many that partly endeavoured to bring it thither by pipes, and partly drew it out of divers things: but their endeavours were in vain, because in those places it could not bee had by any means or medium; and if it were at any time had, yet it was unprofitable, and poisonous, unlesse they fetched it (as few could doe) from the beams of the Sun, and Moone; and he which was fortunate in so doing could never get above ten parts; and that water was most wonderfull: and beleeve mee, for I saw it with mine eyes, and felt it, that that water was as white as the snow; and whilest I was contemplating upon the water, I was in a great wonder. Wherefore Neptune being in the mean while wearied vanished away from before mine eyes, and there appeared to me a great man, upon whose forehead was written the name of Saturne. This man taking the vessell drew ten parts of water; and tooke presently of the tree of the Sun, and put it in; and I saw the fruit of the tree consumed, and resolved like ice in warm water. I demanded of him; Sir, I see a wonderfull thing, water to bee as it were of nothing; I see the fruit of the tree consumed in it with a most sweet, and kindly heat, and wherefore is all this? But he answered mee most lovingly. My Son, it is true this is a thing to be wondered at; but doe not thou wonder at it, for so it must be. For this water is the Water of life, having power to better the fruit of this[Pg 54] tree so, that afterward neither by planting, or graffing, but only by its own odour it may convert the other six trees into its own likenesse. Moreover this water is to this fruit as it were a woman, the fruit of this tree can be putrefied in nothing but in this water, and although the fruit of it be of it self most wonderful, & a thing of great price; yet if it be putrefied in this water, it begets by this putrefaction a Salamander, abiding in the fire, whose blood is more pretious then any kind of treasure or riches in the world, being able to make those six trees, which here thou seest, fruitfull, and to bring forth their fruit sweeter then the honey. But I asked, Sir, How is that done? I told thee (saith hee) that the fruit of that tree is living, and sweet; but whereas one is now sufficed with it, when it is boyled in this water, a thousand may then bee satisfied with it. I demanded moreover, Sir, is it boiled with a strong fire, and how long is it in boyling? But said he, that water hath an intrinsecall fire, and if it be helped with a continuall heat, it burns three parts of its body with this body of the fruit, and there wil remain but a very smal part, which is scarce imaginable, but of wonderful vertue; it is boiled by the skilfull wit of the Artificer, first 7 months, then 10, but in the mean time there appeared divers things, and alwaies in the fiftieth day, or thereabouts. I demanded again, Sir, cannot this fruit be boiled in other waters, or something be put to it? Hee answered, there............