A journey to the world under-groundHolberg, Ludvig
Science
A journey to the world under-ground
Holberg, Ludvig
Utopias -- Early works to 1800; Voyages, Imaginary -- Early works to 1800
The Diploma, which constituted me in my Office, being order’d to
be drawn out, I now retir’d to my Repose. But tho’ my Limbs were
excessively tir’d, yet was I not able to compose myself to Sleep.
That ignoble Employment, to which I was condemn’d, run continually in
my Head, and I thought it the greatest Debasement imaginable for one
who was a Candidate for Holy Orders, and a Bachelor of Arts in the
Upper World, to be chang’d into a vile Subterranean Court-Messenger.
With these mortifying Thoughts did I waste a great Part of the
Night, and during this Agitation, I several Times perus’d my
University-Testimonium, which I had brought with me; (for as I observ’d
above, the Night is almost as light as the Day.) At length quite jaded
with thinking, I sunk into the Arms of Sleep. But what a Variety of
Scenes presented themselves to my disturb’d Imagination! I thought I
was return’d to my own Country, and relating aloud to vast Numbers of
People all that had befel me in my subterranean Tour; presently I was
sailing in the Air again, and engag’d with the Griffin once more, who
gave me so warm a Reception, as that it wak’d me out of my Sleep. But
how was I shock’d when I beheld by my Bedside a Monkey of the largest
Size, which, by Reason of the Doors being left open, had got into my
Chamber. This unlook’d for Spectacle chill’d all my Blood, and made me
alarm the House with my Cries for Assistance. Some Trees, which lay in
the adjacent Chambers, immediately entering, disengag’d me from the
Struggle, and drove the beastly Creature away. I understood afterwards,
that this Accident afforded the Prince plentiful Matter for Laughter.
But that I might run no such Risque for the future, he gave Command
that I should be habited after the subterranean Fashion, and adorn’d
with artificial Branches. As for my _European_ Garments, they were
taken from me, and for their Novelty hung up in the Prince’s Wardrobe,
with this Inscription: “_The Dress of a superterranean Animal_.” Bless
me! said I to myself, if Master _Andrews_, the Taylor at _Bergen_, who
made this Suit, should know that his Workmanship was preserv’d among
the Curiosities of a subterranean Prince, without Doubt he would grow
vain, and think himself as great a Man as any in the City.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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