The only passage by
which it could be entered was a cavern that passed under a rock, of
which it had long been disputed whether it was the work of nature
or of human industry. The outlet of the cavern was concealed by a
thick wood, and the mouth which opened into the valley was closed
with gates of iron, forged by the artificers of ancient days, so
massive that no man, without the help of engines, could open or
shut them.
From the mountains on every side rivulets descended that filled all
the valley with verdure and fertility, and formed a lake in the
middle, inhabited by fish of every species, and frequented by every
fowl whom nature has taught to dip the wing in water. This lake
discharged its superfluities by a stream, which entered a dark
cleft of the mountain on the northern side, and fell with dreadful
noise from precipice to precipice till it was heard no more.
The sides of the mountains were covered with trees, the banks of
the brooks were diversified with flowers; every blast shook spices
from the rocks, and every month dropped fruits upon the ground.
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