THE ISLE OF THE BLEST.
They came now to a small island with a high rampart of fire all round
it; and that rampart revolved continually round the island. There was
one large open door in the rampart; and whenever the door, in its
involution, came in front of them, they could see almost the whole
island through it, and all that was therein.
And this is what they saw: A great number of people, beautiful and
glorious-looking, wearing rich garments adorned and radiant all over,
feasting joyously, and drinking from embossed vessels of red gold which
they held in their hands. The voyagers heard also their cheerful,
festive songs; and they marvelled greatly, and their hearts were full of
gladness at all the happiness they saw and heard. But they did not
venture to land.