_The_ +Author’s+ _Return into his own
Country_.
I lay for a considerable Time among the Mountains, almost destitute
of Sense. For my late violent Motion, together with that strange
Metamorphosis from a Founder of a fifth Monarchy, into a famish’d
Bachelor of Arts, had occasion’d very great Disorders in my Brain.
And, in Truth, my Adventure was so singular and so poetical, that it
might well shock the Frame of the soundest Head. In this Condition
I began to ask myself, whether what I saw was a Reality, or whether
it was not some visionary Deception. But my Distraction abating, and
returning by Degrees to my Senses, my Astonishment gave Place to
Grief and Indignation. And, indeed, turn over the Annals of remote
Antiquity, as well as those of modern Date, and you will not be able
to find a parallel Adventure with mine, unless perhaps in the Case
of _Nebuchadnezzar_, who from the greatest Monarch in the World, was
transform’d into a wild Creature, and liv’d like one of the Beasts
of the Field. Much the same Freaks of Fortune I experienc’d. For in
a few Hours two mighty Empires were wrested from me, together with
almost twenty Kingdoms, the Shadows and faint Images of which now only
remain’d. Lately I was a Monarch; and now the Utmost of my Hopes was to
procure the Mastership of some little School for my Subsistence. Lately
I was call’d the Embassador of the Sun; and now I fear’d Necessity
would drive me to become the Servant of some Bishop or Dean. But a
few Days ago Glory, Hope, Victory and Success attended my Steps; and
now Care and Misery, Tears and Lamentations are all my Companions. In
short, I resembled those Summer Herbs, which suddenly spring up, and as
suddenly die away; and to say all in one Word, Sorrow, Rage, Anxiety,
Disappointment, and Despair, rais’d such a Conflict in my Breast,
that sometimes I resolv’d to end my Being with my Sword, sometimes
I determin’d to plunge again into the Cavern to try if I could not
succeed better in a second Expedition. But a Regard for my immortal
Soul, and the Principles of the Christian Religion, restrained me from
these mad Attempts.
I now endeavour’d to descend the Mountain by that narrow Path which
leads to _Sandwic_. But my Imagination was so disturb’d, that I
stumbled almost every Step I took: For the whole Powers of my Mind
were taken up in contemplating upon the fifth Monarchy. This Idea
so constantly haunted me, that it almost unhing’d my Understanding.
And indeed the Loss of so much Dignity and Power, could never be
recompenc’d by any Advantages which my own Country could bestow.
For suppose they should make me Governor of _Bergen_, or what is
more, Lord-Lieutenant of _Norwey_, yet, alas! what Compensation, what
Comfort would this be to the Monarch and Founder of so many Empires and
Kingdoms? However, I resolv’d not to refuse a Thing of that Kind, in
case it should be offer’d me.
After I had got half way down the Hill, I saw at a little Distance some
Children, to whom I beckon’d and made Signs to come to my Assistance,
pronouncing aloud at the same Time these Words, _Jeru Pikal Salim_,
which in the _Quamitic_ Language signifies, _Shew me the Way_. But
the Boys, at the Sight of a Man cloath’d in a foreign Habit, and with
a Diadem upon his Head embroider’d with Rays like those of the Sun,
ran down the Mountain as fast as they could, and soon gaining the
Start of me, (for I Was forc’d to drag my weary and wounded Feet but
slowly after me) they got to _Sandwic_ an Hour before me, where they
alarm’d the whole Village, vowing and protesting that they had seen the
_Wandring Jew_ among the Mountains, his Head all glittering with Rays,
and by his Groans expressing great Uneasiness of Mind. The Inhabitants
enquiring how they knew it was the _Wandring Jew_, they readily
answer’d, that I myself had told my Name and Country. This Mistake I
guess’d must proceed from those Words of mine misinterpreted, _Jeru
Pikal Salim_, which indeed have some Affinity in Sound to that Conceit
of the Children. All the Village was now in an Uproar, and nobody
doubted the Truth of the Fact, especially as there had been but very
lately a Story cook’d up about this Wanderer, who was said to have
appear’d not long since at _Hamburgh_.
About Evening I arriv’d at _Sandwic_, where I found a Mob of the
Inhabitants gather’d together, from a natural Curiosity implanted in
all Men to see strange Sights. They stood at the Foot of the Mountain
to meet me, but as soon as ever they heard me speak, they all took
to their Heels as if they were seiz’d with a Panic, except one old
Man, who having more Courage than the rest, would not move out of his
Place. To this Man I address’d myself, and begg’d to know if he would
have the Goodness to entertain a Stranger. He ask’d me who I was? and
whence I came? To which I reply’d with a deep Sigh, that the Day was
too far spent to begin my Story, but that if he would receive me into
his House, I should relate to him such a Series of Adventures, as
were not to be parallel’d in all History, and which must consequently
stagger human Belief. The old Man, who was a Lover of Novelty, took me
by the Hand, and led me to his House; and as we went, he rally’d the
ridiculous Fears of the Populace, who are frighten’d at a strange Face
as much as at a Comet. As soon as I was within the House, I begg’d the
Favour of some cold Water to assuage my Thirst. Instead of which a Cup
of Ale was brought me by my Host himself, because his Wife and Maids
were all afraid to venture themselves near me. Having drank off my
Liquor, and slack’d my Thirst, I spoke to my good Host in the following
Terms: “You see before you a Man, who has experienc’d the most cruel
Reverses of Fate, and who has been the Bubble and Sport of Fortune
to a Degree beyond all mortal Men. It is indeed an undoubted Truth,
that in a Moment of Time the greatest Affairs may be disconcerted
and thrown into Confusion; yet nevertheless what has happened to me
surpasses all Credibility.” To which my Host reply’d, _That this must
be the Condition of those who wander for such a Length of Time; for_,
continued he, _what Vicissitudes, what Misfortunes may not happen to a
Man in a Course of Sixteen hundred Years Peregrination?_ I could not
comprehend the Meaning of this, and therefore I ask’d him what he meant
by those Sixteen hundred Years? _If_, return’d he, _any Credit is to be
given to History, it is now Sixteen hundred Years since_ Jerusalem _was
destroy’d: I doubt not, most venerable Sir, but that about the Time of
that memorable Action, you was even then something advanc’d in Years;
for if what is related concerning you be true, we may refer the Date
of your Nativity to the Reign of_ Tiberius. At these Words I was silent
for a considerable Time, and thought the old Man doated; but at last I
told him, that his Language requir’d an _OEdipus_ to unriddle it. With
that he brought me a Print of the Temple of _Jerusalem_, and ask’d me,
whether I thought it differ’d very much from the Original? In spite of
all my Grief, I could not help bursting into a Laugh, and ask’d him
the Meaning of this odd puzzling Discourse. He reply’d, _Whether I am
in an Error, or not, I cannot say: But the Inhabitants of this Place
aver, that you are that famous_ Jew, _who ever since the Days of Christ
have been condemn’d to wander over the World. But yet, methinks, the
nearer I survey you, the more I discover in your Face the Features of
an old Friend of mine, who some twelve Years ago perish’d on the Top of
this Mountain._ At these Words, the Mist before my Eyes was dissipated,
and I knew my old Friend _Abeline_, whose House in _Bergen_ I us’d to
frequent. I flew into his Arms immediately, and tenderly embrac’d him.
And do I live to hold thee thus, my _Abeline_, said I? I scarce believe
my Eyes and Senses. Yes, I am _Klimius_, return’d in a manner from the
Grave. I am that very _Klimius_, who about twelve Years since descended
into that Cavern. My Friend, confounded at this unexpected Turn, stood
like one thunder-struck; at length he cry’d out, Yes! it is he! I see
my _Klimius_! I hear his Voice!
_Sic oculos, sic ille manus, sic ora ferebat._
But tho’ no Twin can be more like his Brother, than you are like my
_Klimius_, yet I neither can nor dare believe my Senses; for Miracles
are ceas’d, and the Dead rise not now: I must have therefore stronger
and more convincing Proofs, e’er I can give Credit to what you tell me.
Hereupon, at once to conquer his Incredulity, I gave him a succinct
Detail of all that had pass’d between us formerly. This remov’d every
Doubt; and straitway he embrac’d me with Tears of Joy, and cry’d
out, It is, it is the very Man, whose Ghost I thought I had seen!
But explain to me, pursued he, in what Part of the World you have
lost yourself all this Time, and in what Country you procur’d that
wonderful Dress you have on. Then I proceeded to recount to him every
Particular which had happen’d to me, and he heard me with profound
Attention, till I came to that Part of my History concerning the Planet
_Nazar_, and Trees endu’d with Speech and Reason: At this, he lost all
Patience: “Not all the Absurdities, says he, which Dreams convey to
us, not all the Follies which Madness produces, or all the Nonsense
which Drunkenness utters, can equal these Visions of yours; I should
rather chuse to believe with the Vulgar, that you must have fallen
into the Hands of Witches or Hobgoblins; for how idle soever such Tales
are, yet they have an Appearance of Truth, if put in Competition with
this subterranean Journey of yours.” I begg’d and intreated of him to
have but a Moment’s Patience more, till I had finish’d my Recital;
upon which, as I observ’d he kept Silence, I proceeded to relate all
that had happened to me below, the sundry Accidents and Reverses of
Fortune I had experienc’d, and how I had been the Founder of the fifth
and greatest Monarchy that ever was. All these Things increas’d the
Suspicion he had entertained, that I was bewitch’d, or had had some
Commerce with Magicians of evil Spirits; and that being abused with
their diabolical Delusions, I had embraced a Cloud instead of _Juno_.
In order to try how far the Force of these Charms and Incantations
had spread, or to what a Length my Extravagance would run, my Friend
began to interrogate me concerning the State of the _Happy_, and that
of the _Damn’d_ in the other World; concerning the _Elysian_ Fields,
and divers other Matters of that Kind. I soon perceiv’d the sly Design
of these Questions, and told my Friend, that I, for my Part, could
hardly blame his Incredulity, since my Narration appear’d too fabulous
to Command a ready Assent: However, it was not my Fault; for that
in Reality my Adventures were so marvellous, as to baffle all human
Belief. I solemnly protest to you, continued I, that I have not added
or supply’d one Jot or Tittle from my own Invention, but that I have
recounted every thing simply and ingenuously in the Order they happened
to me. My Friend persisting in his Incredulity, desir’d that I would
compose my Mind, and take a few Days Rest and Refreshment, in which
Time he told me he hop’d these Commotions in my Brain would by degrees
subside and die away.
After I had repos’d myself for full eight Days, my Friend now thinking
I had taken sufficient Rest, was resolv’d to try if I had recover’d my
Senses, and therefore artfully resum’d the Conversation concerning my
subterranean Journey. He was now in Hopes, that the fifth Monarchy,
together with the twenty conquer’d Kingdoms, was all vanish’d into
Smoke, and so utterly buried in Oblivion, that not an Idea remain’d of
so much as a single Town or Village. But when he heard me repeat the
very same Things in the very same Order I had before done; when at the
Conclusion of my History I upbraided him with his obstinate Unbelief,
and moreover alledg’d certain indubitable Facts, such as that about
twelve Years ago it was notorious I had descended into that Cavern, and
that I was now return’d into my own Country in a strange and foreign
Habit; he then began to waver, and had not a Word to reply. I took the
Advantage of this his Situation of Mind, and press’d the Matter still
more home. I demonstrated to him, that his Hypothesis concerning
Witchcraft and Sorcery, was far, infinitely far more absur’d than this
Expedition of mine; for that those were justly to be thrown into the
Class of old Wives Fables; but that on the other hand, he could not but
know that several Philosophers of Reputation were of Opinion, that the
Earth was concave, and that probably it contain’d within it a lesser
habitable World; and that I, for my Part, being convinc’d of it by
Experience, could not possibly give up my Senses with respect to this
Article.
Convinc’d at length by these Arguments, Your Constancy, said he, and
your Punctuality in affirming these Things, the Pretence of which could
not be the least Advantage to you, has at last entirely vanquish’d
my Incredulity; I must and do believe you. My Friend thus persuaded
of the Facts in Question, now begg’d me to renew my Story to him, if
possible, in a more full and copious Manner; accordingly I obey’d
him. He was quite charm’d with my Account of the Planet _Nazar_, and
the _Potuan_ Government, the Laws and Institutions of which, he said,
were such as deserv’d to be a Model to all the Kingdoms in the World.
He also observ’d in Justice to me, that a Description of so wise
and well-regulated a Government, could not possibly proceed from a
disorder’d Head, or a confused Imagination; for that such Principles
were rather of divine, than human Original.
When I found that his Conviction was perfectly sincere, and well
establish’d, I then thought it high Time to talk to him about my own
Affairs; accordingly I desir’d to know of him, what he thought I had
best do in my present Condition, or what I might reasonably expect
in my own Country, after the mighty Exploits I had atchiev’d in the
subterranean World. To which he answer’d thus: “Let me persuade you,
says he, never to discover these Things to any Mortal. You know the
Zeal of our Priests. You know they persecuted the Author of that famous
Discovery of the Earth’s Motion round the Sun, and all who adher’d to
that Philosophy. And what then do you think will become of you for
asserting the Existence of a subterranean Sun and Planets? You will
be declar’d a Heretick, and as such unworthy to live in a Christian
Community. How will Master _Rupert_ thunder against you? He, who but
a Year ago sentenced a Man to do publick Penance, for asserting the
Doctrine of the Antipodes. Certainly, so holy a Person will condemn to
the Flames, the Author of so new a System, as that of a World under
Ground. I give it you therefore as my best Advice, that you suffer
these Things to lie buried in eternal Oblivion, and that you live
privately in my House for a Time.”
He then made me throw aside my subterranean Habit, and equipp’d me
according to the Fashion of my own Country. Moreover, he drove away
all those Crowds of People from the Door, who came out of Curiosity
to see the _Wandering Jew_, assuring them, that he disappear’d all at
once. However, the Affair was nois’d all over the Country, and, in a
short Time, all the Pulpits rung with Predictions and Prophecies of the
Evils and Misfortunes that must follow upon this Apparition. It was
said at _Sandwic_, that the _Wandering Jew_ was come, publishing every
where the approaching Vengeance of Heaven, and exhorting the People
to Repentance. And this Story (as Stories always gain in telling)
was presently enrich’d with various Additions and Interpolations.
Accordingly some said, that the _Wandering Jew_ had foretold the End of
the World, and that the next _St. John_’s Day would be the Day of the
general Conflagration, unless they would prevent it by a very sincere
Repentance; with abundance of other Things in the same Style. Nay,
these Predictions had occasion’d such Troubles in a certain Parish,
that the Farmers all gave off Plowing and Sowing, because as the
World was soon to be at an End, there would certainly be no Harvest.
Hereupon, Master _Nicholas_, the Minister of the Parish, fearing he
should fall short in his Tythes and other Articles of his Income,
told his Congregation, that to his certain Knowledge, the Day of
Judgment was put off to the next Year. The Stratagem took, and they
all returned to their wonted Labours. As the Origin of all this Folly
and Superstition was known only to my Friend and me, it afforded us
plentiful Matter of Mirth and Laughter from Time to Time.
At length, as I did not care to continue longer in a House that was
not my own, and as I was under a Necessity of coming abroad one Time
or other, in order to procure myself a competent Livelihood, I thought
it was now high time to begin: Accordingly, we both went to _Bergen_;
and my Friend made me pass for a Student of _Drontheim_, and a Relation
of his, who came to spend some Time in that Capital. Soon after he
recommended me so earnestly to the Bishop of _Bergen_, sometimes by
Letters, and sometimes in Conversation, that that venerable Prelate
promised me the first vacant Mastership of any School or College he had
in his Gift. This was an Office to my Palate, inasmuch as it seem’d
to be something a-kin to the Elevation I was lately fallen from. For
the Government of a School is the Shadow or Image of Imperial Power:
The Ferula is the Scepter, and the Chair a Throne. But as no Vacancy
happen’d in a long Time, and as it was necessary something should be
done for my present Subsistence, I was resolv’d to embrace the first
Offer that should be made me. Luckily the Curate of _St. Cross_ now
died, and the Bishop appointed me to succeed him. This Promotion seem’d
ridiculous enough for the Monarch of so many Empires and Kingdoms.
But as nothing makes Men more ridiculous than Poverty, and as it is
too high a Strain of Niceness, to refuse muddy Water, when a Man is
parch’d with Thirst, I accepted the gracious Offer, and am now spending
the Residue of my Days in this Office, with the Contentedness of a
Philosopher.
A little after this Promotion, a Match was propos’d to me with the
Daughter of a Merchant of _Bergen_, whose Name was _Magdalen_. The
Lady pleas’d me highly: But as it was very likely that the Empress
of _Quama_ was still alive, I was afraid lest by this Marriage with
_Magdalen_, I should be guilty of Polygamy. But my Friend _Abeline_, to
whom I unbosom’d myself on this Occasion, ridicul’d my Fears, and by so
many Arguments demonstrated the Folly of my Scruples, that I no longer
hesitated to conclude the Match. I liv’d six Years with this Wife in
the utmost Love and Friendship; altho’ in all that Time, I never once
related my subterranean History to her. But as I could never entirely
lose the Remembrance of that Height of Glory from which I was fallen,
some sudden Starts and Gestures would now and then escape me, which did
not seem to agree with my present Condition. By this second Venter
I had three Sons, _Christiern_, _John_, and _Jasper_; so that in the
whole I have four, if so be that the Prince of _Quama_ is still alive.
_Thus far the Manuscript of_ +Nicholas Klimius+ _reaches. What
follows is the Appendix of Master_ +Abeline+.
_Nicholas Klimius_ lived to the Year 1695. He was belov’d and esteem’d
for the Sobriety of his Life, and the Purity of his Manners. The Rector
however was now and then displeas’d at his excessive Gravity, which
he thought proceeded from Pride. But I, who knew the Man, and knew
his History, rather wonder’d at his exemplary Modesty and Patience,
who from the Government of so many Kingdoms, could humbly accomodate
himself to such an Employment. However, with other Men, to whom his
amazing Metamorphosis was unknown, he could not altogether escape the
Charge of Pride. It was his Custom, at certain Times of the Year, while
his Strength permitted him, to ascend the old Mountain, and take an
earnest View of the famous Cavern. His Friends observ’d, that he always
return’d from thence with his Eyes swoln, and his Face all bath’d
in Tears; that he would afterwards shut himself up whole Days in his
Study, and seem’d to shun the Conversation of Mankind. His Wife also
assured me, that he would often talk in his Sleep, about Land Armies
and Forces at Sea. This Absence of Mind went so far once, as to give
Orders for the Governor of _Bergen_ to come immediately before him.
His Spouse imagin’d these Disorders of his Brain proceeded from an
excessive Application to his Studies. His Library consisted chiefly of
political Books, and as such a Choice but ill agreed with the Office of
a Curate, he could not avoid some Censures upon that Head. He himself
wrote his own Adventures, and his Manuscript, which is the only one in
Being, is at present in my Custody. Tho’ I always intended it for the
Press, yet I have hitherto been hinder’d from publishing it by very
important Reasons.
_FINIS._
Transcriber’s Notes:
• Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
• Text enclosed by pluses is in small caps (+small caps+).
• Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.