a memorable fancy, plates 6-7

as i was walking among the fires of hell

delighted with the enjoyments of genius

which to angels look like torment and insanity

i collected some of their proverbs

thinking that as the sayings used in a nation

mark its character

so the proverbs of hell

shew the nature in infernal wisdom better than any description of buildings or garments

when i came home: on the abyss of the five senses

where a flat sided steep frowns over the present world

i saw a mighty devil folded in black clouds

hovering on the sides of the rock

with corroding fires he wrote the following sentence now perceived by the minds of men

& read by them on earth

how do you know but ev'ry bird that cuts the airy way

is an immense world of delight

clos'd by your senses five?