Iberian Dales

Iberia P. R. 3. 318. the country between the Black and Caspian Seas, is corresponding to the modern Georgia. Strabo describes it as lying among the Caucasus, and difficult of acce . (11. 3.) The following suggests Milton’s “dark Iberian dales”: “In this King do me of Georgia is a marvellous strange Wonder or Miracle, which I durst not have reported or beleeved, if I had not scene it with my eyes. … In those parts there is a Province or Countrey called Hansem, being in circuit about three dayes journey, whose whole extent is all covered over with such thicke and palpable darkne e that none can see anything therein, neither do any dare to goe into that Land, because they know not the way out againe. Those that inhabit neere about it affirme that they have often heard the sound of mens voices crying, of Cockes crowing, and the neighing of Horses in the Wood, and by the course of a River that runneth out from that place, there appear certaine signes that there are people inhabiting therein.” {Pilgrimes 3. 110.) 165