as I apprehend. She was in a fast sleep, occasioned, as from her
savor it seemed, by a comfortable dose of gin. I had no pleasure
in this company, and, therefore, as the window was wide open, I
sallied forth into the open air: but, to my great astonishment,
found myself unable to fly, which I had always during my
habitation in the body conceived of spirits; however, I came so
lightly to the ground that I did not hurt myself; and, though I
had not the gift of flying (owing probably to my having neither
feathers nor wings), I was capable of hopping such a prodigious
way at once, that it served my turn almost as well. I had not
hopped far before I perceived a tall young gentleman in a silk
waistcoat, with a wing on his left heel, a garland on his head,
and a caduceus in his right hand.[3] I thought I had seen this
person before, but had not time to recollect where, when he
called out to me and asked me how long I had been departed. I
answered I was just come forth. "You must not stay here,"
replied he, "unless you had been murdered: in which case,
indeed, you might have been suffered to walk some time; but if
you died a natural death you must set out for the other world
immediately." I desired to know the way. "O," cried the
gentleman, "I will show you to the inn whence the stage proceeds;
for I am the porter. Perhaps you never heard of me--my name is
Mercury." "Sure, sir," said I, "I have seen you at the play-
house." Upon which he smiled, and, without satisfying me as to
that point, walked directly forward, bidding me hop after him. I
obeyed him, and soon found myself in Warwick-lane; where Mercury,
making a full stop, pointed at a particular house, where he bade
me enquire for the stage, and, wishing me a good journey, took
his leave, saying he must go seek after other customers.