EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE MAGAZINE Early American Literature Magazine exam | Page 9

LITERARY SAMPLE
PART I :A TALE O F THE FOUNDATION O F THE GREAT
I SLAND , NOW NORTH A MERICA—THE TWO
I NFANTS BORN , AND THE CREATION
O F THE U NIVERSE .
AMONG the ancients there were two worlds in existence. The lower world was in a great
darkness ; —the possession of the great monsters ; but the upper world was inhabited
by mankind ; and there was a woman conceived and would
have the twin born. When her travail drew near, and her situation seemed to produce a great
distress on her mind, and she
was induced by some of her relations to lay herself on a mattrass which was prepared, so as to
gain refreshments to her
wearied body ; but while she was asleep the very place sunk
down towards the dark world. The monsters of the great water
were alarmed at her appearance of descending to the lower
world ; in consequence all the species of the creatures were
immediately collected into where it was ex pected she would
fall. When the monsters were assembled, and they made
consultation, one of them was appointed in haste to search
the great deep, in order to procure some earth, if it could be
obtained ; accordingly the monster descends, which succeeds,
and returns to the place. Another requisition was presented,
who would be capable to secure the woman from the terrors
of the great water…
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