All of us have monarchs and sages for kinsmen; nay, angels and archangels for cousins; since in antediluvian days, the sons of God did verily wed with our mothers, the irresistible daughters of Eve. Thus all generations are blended: and heaven and earth of one kin: the hierarchies of seraphs in the uttermost skies; the thrones and principalities in the zodiac; the shades that roam throughout space; the nations and families, flocks and folds of the earth; one and all, brothers in essence-oh, be we then brothers indeed! All things form but one whole.
In this excerpt from Herman Melville's "Mardi and a Voyage Thither," the author reflects on the interconnectedness of all beings, suggesting that humanity is linked to both celestial and terrestrial figures, such as monarchs, sages, angels, and the divine. He emphasizes that the bonds between generations and realms unite heaven and earth, illustrating a shared lineage that encompasses even the most exalted beings.
This passage underscores the idea that all entities, whether human or celestial, are part of a singular, unified essence. Melville encourages the notion of brotherhood among all creations, highlighting that regardless of their origins or status, everything is intertwined in a harmonious whole, promoting the sentiment of collective existence and kinship among diverse forms of life.
