It was innumerable islands; lifting themselves bluely through the azure² air, and looking upon the distant sea, like haycocks in a hazy³ field. Towering above all, and mid-most, rose a mighty⁴ peak; one fleecy cloud sloping against its summit; a column wreathed. Beyond, like purple steeps in heaven at set of sun, stretched far away, what seemed lands on lands, in infinite perspective.

 

Gliding⁵ on, the islands grew more distinct; rising up from the billows to greet us; revealing hills, vales, and peaks, grouped within a milk-white zone of reef, so vast, that in the distance all was dim. The jeweled vapors⁶, ere-while hovering⁷ over these violet shores, now seemed to be shedding their gems⁸; and as the almost level rays of the sun, shooting through the air like a variegated⁹ prism, touched the verdant¹⁰ land, it trembled all over with dewy sparkles.

 

Still nearer we came: our sail faintly distended¹¹ as the breeze died away from our vicinity to the isles¹². The billows rolled listlessly by, as if conscious that their long task was nigh done; while gleamed the white reef, like the trail of a great fish in a calm. But as yet, no sign of paddle or canoe; no distant smoke; no shining

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