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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 utmost
danger and difficulty； the other； the most delightful imaginable；
leading through the most verdant meadows； painted and perfumed
with all kinds of beautiful flowers； in short； the most wanton
imagination could imagine nothing more lovely。 Notwithstanding
which； we were surprised to see great numbers crowding into the
former； and only one or two solitary spirits choosing the latter。
On inquiry； we were acquainted that the bad road was the way to
greatness； and the other to goodness。 When we expressed our
surprise at the preference given to the former we were acquainted
that it was chosen for the sake of the music of drums and
trumpets； and the perpetual acclamations of the mob； with which
those who traveled this way were constantly saluted。 We were
told likewise that there were several noble palaces to be seen；
and lodged in； on this road； by those who had passed through the
difficulties of it （which indeed many were not able to surmount）；
and great quantities of all sorts of treasure to be found in it；
whereas the other had little inviting more than the beauty of the
way； scarce a handsome building； save one greatly resembling a
certain house by the Bath； to be seen during that whole journey；
and； lastly； that it was thought very scandalous and
mean…spirited to travel through this； and as highly honorable and
noble to pass by the other。 We now heard a violent noise； when；
casting our eyes forwards； we perceived a vast number of spirits
advancing in pursuit of one whom they mocked and insulted with
all kinds of scorn。 I cannot give my reader a more adequate idea
of this scene than by comparing it to an English mob conducting a
pickpocket to the water； or by supposing that an incensed
audience at a playhouse had unhappily possessed themselves of the
miserable damned poet。 Some laughed； some hissed； some squalled；
some groaned； some bawled； some spit at him； some threw dirt at
him。 It was impossible not to ask who or what the wretched
spirit was whom they treated in this barbarous manner； when； to
our great surprise； we were informed that it was a king： we were
likewise told that this manner of behavior was usual among the
spirits to those who drew the lots of emperors； kings； and other
great men； not from envy or anger； but mere derision and contempt
of earthly grandeur； that nothing was more common than for those
who had drawn these great prizes （as to us they seemed） to
exchange them with tailors and cobblers； and that Alexander the
Great and Diogenes had formerly done so； he that was afterwards
Diogenes having originally fallen on the lot of Alexander。 And
now； on a sudden； the mockery ceased； and the king…spirit； having
obtained a hearing； began to speak as follows； for we were now
near enough to hear him distinctly：
〃GENTLEMEN；I am justly surprised at your treating me in this
manner； since whatever lot I have drawn； I did not choose： if；
therefore； it be worthy of derision； you should compassionate me；
for it might have fallen to any of your shares。 I know in how
low a light the station to which fate hath assigned me is
considered here； and that； when ambition doth not support it； it
becomes generally so intolerable； that there is scarce any other
condition for which it is not gladly exchanged： for what
portion； in the world to which we are going； is so miserable as
that of care？ Should I therefore consider myself as become by
this lot essentially your superior； and of a higher order of
being than the rest of my fellow…creatures； should I foolishly
imagine myself without wisdom superior to the wise； without
knowledge to the learned； without courage to the brave； and
without goodness and virtue to the good and virtuous； surely so
preposterous； so absurd a pride； would justly render me the
object of ridicule。 But far be it from me to entertain it。 And
yet； gentlemen； I prize the lot I have drawn； nor would I
exchange it with any of yo