The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

NE W ATLANTIS.
A WORK UNFINISHED.
TO THE READER.
THis fable my lord devised, to the end that he might exhibit therein a model or description of a.
college, instituted for the interpreting of nature, and the producing of great and marvellous works
for the benefit of men, under the name of Solomon's House, or the College of the Six Day's Works.
And even so far his lordship hath proceeded, as to finish that part. Certainly, the model is more
vast, and high, than can possibly be imitated in all things; notwithstanding most things therein are
within men's power to effect. His lordship thought also in this present fable to have composed a
frame of laws, or of the best state or mould of a commonwealth; but foreseeing it would be a long
work, his desire of collecting the Natural History diverted him, which he preferred many degrees
before it.
This work of the New Atlantis (as much as concerneth the English edition) his lordship designed
for this place;* in regard:t hath so near affinity (iii one part of it) with the preceding Natural
History. W. RAWLEY.
NEW ATLANTIS
WE sailed from Peru, where we had continued knowing how that part of the South Sea was
by the space of one whole year, for China and utterly unknown; and might have islands or conJapan, by the South Sea, taking with us victuals tinents, that hitherto were not come to light.
for twelve months; and had good winds from the Wherefore we bent our course thither, where we
east, though soft and weak, for five months' space saw the appearance of land all that night; and in
and more. But then the wind came about and the dawning of the next day, we might plainly
settled in the west for many days, so as we could discern that it was a land, flat to our sight and
make little or no way, and were sometimes in full of boscage, which made it show the more
purpose to turn back. But then again there arose dark. And after an hour and a half's sailing, we
strong and great winds from the south, with a entered into a good haven, being the port of a fair
point east, which carried us up, for all that we city; not great indeed, but well built, and that
could do, towards the north; by which time our gave a pleasant view from the sea. And we
victuals failed us, though we had made good thinking every minute long till we were on land,
spare of them. So that finding ourselves in the came close to the shore, and offered to land. But
midst of the greatest wilderness of waters in the straightways we saw divers people with batons
world, without victual, we gave ourselves for lost in their hands, as it were forbidding us to land;
inen, and prepared for death. Yet we did lift up yet without any cries or fierceness, but only as
our hearts and voices to God above, who showeth warning us off by signs that they made. Where.
", his wonders in the deep;" beseeching him of upon being not a little discomforted, we were
his mercy, that as in the beginning he discovered advising with ourselves what we should do.
the face of the deep, and brought forth dry land, During which time there made forth to us a small
so he would now discover land to us that we boat, with about eight persons in it; whereof one
might not perish. And it came to pass, that the of them had in his hand a tipstaff of a yellow
next day about evening, we saw within a kenning cane, tipped at both ends with blue, who came
before us, towards the north, as it were thick aboard our ship, without any show of distrust at
clouds, which did put us in some hope of land; all. And when he saw one of our number pro.
* See the Note at the end. sent himself somewhat afore the rest, he drew
255