ded, whiter than snow, and clearer than chrystal, and the beast Alborak standing by him, on which, says he, the prophets used to be carried from place to place to execute any divine command. This beast Mahomet describes to be as white as milk, of a mixed nature between an ass and a mule, but not quite so big as the latter, and as swift as lightning, which the word Alborak signifies in the Arabick language. On Mahomet’s appearing at the door, the angel saluted him with a pleasant countenance, telling him he was sent to bring him to heaven, where he should see strange mysteries, not lawful to be seen by any other man, and ordered him to mount Alborak; but the beast being wanton and skittish with idleness, having rested from the time of Christ till now, would not stand still for Mahomet for to get upon his back, till he had first soothed him by promising him a place in paradise; whereupon having quietly mounted, the angel leading the way with the bridle in his hand, he was carried in the twinkling of an eye from Mecca to Jerusalem. On his coming thither, all the departed prophets and saints appeared at the gate of the temple to salute him; and attending him to the chief oratory, desired him to pray for them, and then departed; whereupon Mahomet and the angel going out of the temple, found there a ladder of light ready fixed for them, which they immediately ascended, leaving Alborak tied to a rock till their return.
On their arrival at the first heaven, and Gabriel’s knocking and informing the porter who was there, the gates, which Mahomet describes to be of a prodigious size, were immediately opened.
