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from this world to the next-第5章

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who makes them; when I found her launching farther into this

subject I resolved to put an end to my visit; and; taking my

leave with many thanks for the favor she had done me; I returned

to the inn; where I found my fellow…travelers just mounting into

their vehicle。  I shook hands with my host and accompanied them

into the coach; which immediately after proceeded on its journey。



'8' These ladies; I believe; by their names; presided over the 

leprosy; king's…evil; and scurvy。





CHAPTER IV 



Discourses on the road; and a description of the palace of Death。



We were all silent for some minutes; till; being well shaken into

our several seats; I opened my mouth first; and related what had

happened to me after our separation in the city we had just left。



The rest of the company; except the grave female spirit whom our

reader may remember to have refused giving an account of the

distemper which occasioned her dissolution; did the same。  It

might be tedious to relate these at large; we shall therefore

only mention a very remarkable inveteracy which the Surfeit

declared to all the other diseases; especially to the Fever; who;

she said; by the roguery of the porters; received acknowledgments

from numberless passengers which were due to herself。  〃Indeed;〃

says she; 〃those cane…headed fellows〃 (for so she called them;

alluding; I suppose; to their ticket) 〃are constantly making such

mistakes; there is no gratitude in those fellows; for I am sure

they have greater obligations to me than to any other disease;

except the Vapors。〃  These relations were no sooner over than one

of the company informed us we were approaching to the most noble

building he had ever beheld; and which we learned from our

coachman was the palace of Death。  Its outside; indeed; appeared

extremely magnificent。  Its structure was of the Gothic order;

vast beyond imagination; the whole pile consisting of black

marble。  Rows of immense yews form an amphitheater round it of

such height and thickness that no ray of the sun ever perforates

this grove; where black eternal darkness would reign was it not

excluded by innumerable lamps which are placed in pyramids round

the grove; so that the distant reflection they cast on the

palace; which is plentifully gilt with gold on the outside; is

inconceivably solemn。  To this I may add the hollow murmur of

winds constantly heard from the grove; and the very remote sound

of roaring waters。  Indeed; every circumstance seems to conspire

to fill the mind with horror and consternation as we approach to

this palace; which we had scarce time to admire before our

vehicle stopped at the gate; and we were desired to alight in

order to pay our respects to his most mortal majesty (this being

the title which it seems he assumes)。  The outward court was full

of soldiers; and; indeed; the whole very much resembled the state

of an earthly monarch; only more magnificent。  We passed through

several courts into a vast hall; which led to a spacious

staircase; at the bottom of which stood two pages; with very

grave countenances; whom I recollected afterwards to have

formerly been very eminent undertakers; and were in reality the

only dismal faces I saw here; for this palace; so awful and

tremendous without; is all gay and sprightly within; so that we

soon lost all those dismal and gloomy ideas we had contracted in

approaching it。  Indeed; the still silence maintained among the

guards and attendants resembled rather the stately pomp of

eastern courts; but there was on every face such symptoms of

content and happiness that diffused an air of cheerfulness all

round。  We ascended the staircase and passed through many noble

apartments whose walls were adorned with various battle…pieces in

tapistry; and which we spent some time in observing。  These

brought to my mind those beautiful ones I had in my lifetime seen

at Blenheim; nor could I prevent my curiosity from inquiring

where the Duke of Marlborough's victories were placed (for I

think they were almost the only battles of any eminence I had

read of which I did not meet with); when the skeleton of a

beef…eater; shaking his head; told me a certain gentleman; one

Lewis XIV; who had great interest with his most mortal majesty;

had prevented any such from being hung up there。  〃Besides;〃 says

he; 〃his majesty hath no great respect for that duke; for he

never sent him a subject he could keep from him; nor did he ever

get a single subject by his means but he lost 1000 others for

him。〃  We found the presence…chamber at our entrance very full;

and a buzz ran through it; as in all assemblies; before the

principal figure enters; for his majesty was not yet come out。 

At the bottom of the room were two persons in close conference;

one with a square black cap on his head; and the other with a

robe embroidered with flames of fire。  These; I was informed;

were a judge long since dead; and an inquisitor…general。  I

overheard them disputing with great eagerness whether the one had

hanged or the other burned the most。  While I was listening to

this dispute; which seemed to be in no likelihood of a speedy

decision; the emperor entered the room and placed himself between

two figures; one of which was remarkable for the roughness; and

the other for the beauty of his appearance。  These were; it

seems; Charles XII of Sweden and Alexander of Macedon。  I was at

too great a distance to hear any of the conversation; so could

only satisfy my curiosity by contemplating the several personages

present; of whose names I informed myself by a page; who looked

as pale and meager as any court…page in the other world; but was

somewhat more modest。  He showed me here two or three Turkish

emperors; to whom his most mortal majesty seemed to express much

civility。  Here were likewise several of the Roman emperors;

among whom none seemed so much caressed as Caligula; on account;

as the page told me; of his pious wish that he could send all the

Romans hither at one blow。  The reader may be perhaps surprised

that I saw no physicians here; as indeed I was myself; till

informed that they were all departed to the city of Diseases;

where they were busy in an experiment to purge away the

immortality of the soul。



It would be tedious to recollect the many individuals I saw here;

but I cannot omit a fat figure; well dressed in the French

fashion; who was received with extraordinary complacence by the

emperor; and whom I imagined to be Lewis XIV himself; but the

page acquainted me he was a celebrated French cook。  We were at

length introduced to the royal presence; and had the honor to

kiss hands。  His majesty asked us a few questions; not very

material to relate; and soon after retired。  When we returned

into the yard we found our caravan ready to set out; at which we

all declared ourselves well pleased; for we were sufficiently

tired with the formality of a court; notwithstanding its outward

splendor and magnificence。





CHAPTER V 



The travelers proceed on their journey; and meet several spirits 

who are coming into the flesh。



We now came to the banks of the great river Cocytus; where we

quitted our vehicle; and passed the water in a boat; after which

we were obliged to travel on foot the rest of our journey; and

now we met; for the first time; several passengers traveling to

the world we had left; who informed us they were souls going into

the flesh。



The two first we met were walking arm…in…arm; in very close and

friendly conference; they informed us that one of them was

intended for a duke; and the other for a hackney…coachman。  As we

had not yet arrived at the place where we were to deposit our

passions; we were all surprised at the familiarity which

subsisted between persons of such different degrees; nor could

the grave lady help expressing her astonishment at it。  The

future coachman then replied; with a laugh; that they had

exchanged lots; for that the duke had with his dukedom drawn a

shrew for a wife; and the coachman only a single state。



As we proceeded on our journey we met a solemn spirit walking

alone with great gravity in his countenance:  our curiosity

invited us; notwithstanding his reserve; to ask what lot he had

drawn。



He answered; with a smile; he was to have the reputation of a

wise man with L100;000 in his pocket; and was practicing the

solemnity which he was to act in the other world。  A little

farther we met a company of very merry spirits; whom we imagined

by their mirth to have drawn some mighty lot; but; on inquiry;

they informed us they were to be beggars。



The farther we advanced; the greater numbers we met; and now we

discovered two large roads leading different ways; and of very

different appearance; the one all craggy with rocks; full as it

seemed of boggy grounds; and everywhere beset with briars; so

that it was impossible to pass through it without the utmo
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