This bridge, called in Arabic al Sirat, and said to extend over the infernal gulf, is represented as narrower than a spider’s web, and sharper than the edge of a sword. Though the attempt to cross it be—
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“More full of peril, and advent’rous spirit, Than to o’erwalk a current, roaring loud, On the unsteadfast footing of a spear;” |
yet the paradise of Mahomet can be entered by no other avenue. Those, indeed, who have behaved well need not be alarmed; mixed characters will find it difficult; but the wicked soon miss their standing, and plunge headlong into the abyss.—Pococke in Port. Mos., p. 282, etc. Milton apparently copied from this well-known fiction, and not, as Dr. Warton conjectured, from the poet Sadi, his way—
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“Over the dark abyss, whose boiling gulf Tamely endured a bridge of wond’rous length, From hell continued, reaching the utmost orb Of this frail world.” |
[ Page 250.] ... a certain series of years
According to the tradition from the prophet, not less than nine hundred, nor more than seven thousand.
[ Page 250.] ... the sacred camel
It was an article of the Mahometan creed, that all animals would be raised again, and some of them admitted into paradise. The animal here mentioned appears to have been one of those white-winged CAMELS caparisoned with gold, which Ali affirmed had been provided to convey the faithful.—Religious Ceremonies, vol. vii, p. 70. Sale’s Preliminary Discourse, p. 112. Al Jauheri. Ebno’l Athir, etc.