10.  I passed some time in the contemplation of this wonderful structure; and the great variety of objects which it presented.  My heart was filled with a deep melancholy, to see several dropping unexpectedly in the midst of mirth and jollity, and catching at every thing that stood by them to save themselves.  Some were looking up towards the heavens in a thoughtful posture, and in the midst of a speculation, stumbled and fell out of sight.  Multitudes were very busy in the pursuit of bubbles, that glittered in their eyes and danced before them; but often, when they thought themselves within the reach of them, their footing failed, and down they sunk.

11.  In this confusion of objects, I observed some with scymitars in their hands, and others with urinals, who ran to and fro upon the bridge, thrusting several persons on trap-doors, which did not seem to lie in their way, and which they might have escaped, had they not been thus forced upon them.

12.  The genius, seeing me indulge myself in this melancholy prospect, told me I had dwelt long enough upon it:  take thine eyes off the bridge, says he, and tell me if thou seest any thing thou dost not comprehend.  Upon looking up, what mean, said I, those great flights of birds that are perpetually hovering about the bridge, and settling upon it from time to time?  I see vultures, harpies, ravens, cormorants, and, among many other feathered creatures, several little winged boys, that perch in great numbers upon the middle arches.  These, said the genius, are envy, avarice, superstition, despair, love, with the like cares and passions that infest human life.

13.  I here fetched a deep sigh:  Alas, said I, man was made in vain! how is he given away to misery and mortality! tortured in life, and swallowed up in death!  The genius, being moved with compassion towards me, bid me quit so uncomfortable a prospect.  Look no more, said he, on man in the first stage of his existence, in his setting out for eternity; but cast thine eye on that thick mist into which the tide bears the several generations of mortals that fall into it.

14.  I directed my sight as I was ordered, and (whether or no the good genius strengthened it with any supernatural force, or dissipated part of the mist that 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.