him back.

A spirit now advanced, and the gate was immediately thrown open
to him before he had spoken a word. I heard some whisper, "That
is our last lord mayor."

It now came to our company's turn. The fair spirit which I
mentioned with so much applause in the beginning of my journey
passed through very easily; but the grave lady was rejected on
her first appearance, Minos declaring there was not a single
prude in Elysium.

The judge then addressed himself to me, who little expected to
pass this fiery trial. I confessed I had indulged myself very
freely with wine and women in my youth, but had never done an
injury to any man living, nor avoided an opportunity of doing
good; that I pretended to very little virtue more than general
philanthrophy and private friendship. I was proceeding, when
Minos bade me enter the gate, and not indulge myself with
trumpeting forth my virtues. I accordingly passed forward with
my lovely companion, and, embracing her with vast eagerness, but
spiritual innocence, she returned my embrace in the same manner,
and we both congratulated ourselves on our arrival in this happy
region, whose beauty no painting of the imagination can describe.


CHAPTER VIII

The adventures which the author met on his first entrance into
Elysium.