The New Atlantis | Page 7

for God's love, and as we love the weal of our souls and
bodies, let us so behave ourselves, as we may be at peace with God,
and may find grace in the eyes of this people." Our company with one
voice thanked me for my good admonition, and promised me to live
soberly and civilly, and without giving any the least occasion of
offence. So we spent our three days joyfully, and without care, in
expectation what would be done with us, when they were expired.
During which time, we had every hour joy of the amendment of our
sick; who thought themselves cast into some divine pool of healing;
they mended so kindly, and so fast.
The morrow after our three days were past, there came to us a new man,
that we had not seen before, clothed in blue as the former was, save that
his turban was white, with a small red cross on the top. He had also a
tippet of fine linen. At his coming in, he did bend to us a little, and put
his arms abroad. We of our parts saluted him in a very lowly and
submissive manner; as looking that from him, we should receive
sentence of life, or death: he desired to speak with some few of us:
whereupon six of us only staid, and the rest avoided the room. He said,
"I am by office governor of this House of Strangers, and by vocation I
am a Christian priest: and therefore am come to you to offer you my
service, both as strangers and chiefly as Christians. Some things I may
tell you, which I think you will not be unwilling to hear. The State hath
given you license to stay on land, for the space of six weeks; and let it
not trouble you, if your occasions ask further time, for the law in this
point is not precise; and I do not doubt, but my self shall be able, to
obtain for you such further time, as may be convenient. Ye shall also
understand, that the Strangers' House is at this time rich, and much
aforehand; for it hath laid up revenue these thirty-seven years; for so

long it is since any stranger arrived in this part: and therefore take ye no
care; the State will defray you all the time you stay; neither shall you
stay one day the less for that. As for any merchandise ye have brought,
ye shall be well used, and have your return, either in merchandise, or in
gold and silver: for to us it is all one. And if you have any other request
to make, hide it not. For ye shall find we will not make your
countenance to fall by the answer ye shall receive. Only this I must tell
you, that none of you must go above a karan," (that is with them a mile
and an half) "from the walls of the city, without especial leave."
We answered, after we had looked awhile one upon another, admiring
this gracious and parent-like usage; "That we could not tell what to say:
for we wanted words to express our thanks; and his noble free offers
left us nothing to ask. It seemed to us, that we had before us a picture of
our salvation in Heaven; for we that were a while since in the jaws of
death, were now brought into a place, where we found nothing but
consolations. For the commandment laid upon us, we would not fail to
obey it, though it was impossible but our hearts should be enflamed to
tread further upon this happy and holy ground." We added, "That our
tongues should first cleave to the roofs of our mouths, ere we should
forget, either his reverend person, or this whole nation, in our prayers."
We also most humbly besought him, to accept of us as his true servants;
by as just a right as ever men on earth were bounden; laying and
presenting, both our persons, and all we had, at his feet. He said; "He
was a priest, and looked for a priest's reward; which was our brotherly
love, and the good of our souls and bodies." So he went from us, not
without tears of tenderness in his eyes; and left us also confused with
joy and kindness, saying amongst ourselves; "That we were come into a
land of angels, which did appear to us daily, and prevent us with
comforts, which we thought not of, much less expected."
The next day about ten of the clock, the Governor came to us again,
and after salutations, said familiarly; "That he was come to visit us;"
and called for a chair, and sat him down: and we, being some ten