as possible to each other; on one was written, EARL, RICHES,
HEALTH, DISQUIETUDE; on another, COBLER, SICKNESS, GOOD-HUMOR; on
a third, POET, CONTEMPT, SELF-SATISFACTION; on a fourth, GENERAL,
HONOR, DISCONTENT; on a fifth, COTTAGE, HAPPY LOVE; on a sixth,
COACH AND SIX, IMPOTENT JEALOUS HUSBAND; on a seventh, PRIME
MINISTER, DISGRACE; on an eighth, PATRIOT, GLORY; on a ninth,
PHILOSOPHER, POVERTY, EASE; on a tenth, MERCHANT, RICHES, CARE.
And indeed the whole seemed to contain such a mixture of good and
evil, that it would have puzzled me which to choose. I must not
omit here that in every lot was directed whether the drawer
should marry or remain in celibacy, the married lots being all
marked with a large pair of horns. We were obliged, before we
quitted this place, to take each of us an emetic from the
apothecary, which immediately purged us of all our earthly
passions, and presently the cloud forsook our eyes, as it doth
those of Aeneas in Virgil, when removed by Venus; and we
discerned things in a much clearer light than before. We began
to compassionate those spirits who were making their entry into
the flesh, whom we had till then secretly envied, and to long
eagerly for those delightful plains which now opened themselves
to our eyes, and to which we now hastened with the utmost
eagerness. On our way we met with several spirits with very
dejected countenances; but our expedition would not suffer us to
ask any questions. At length we arrived at the gate of Elysium.
Here was a prodigious crowd of spirits waiting for admittance,
some of whom were admitted, and some were rejected; for all were
strictly examined by the porter, whom I soon discovered to be the
celebrated judge Minos.