their monasteries, assuring us that they will put us into Paradise
whether we will or not?"

"How now, Geburon?" said Hircan. "Have you forgotten the wickedness you
related to us of the Grey Friars, that you ask how such folk find it
possible to lie? I declare to you that I do not think that there can
be greater lies than theirs. Those, indeed, who speak on behalf of the
whole community are not to be blamed, but there are some among them who
forget their vows of poverty in order to satisfy their own greed."

"Methinks, Hircan," said Nomerfide, "you must know some such tale, and
if it be worthy of this company, I pray you tell it us."

"I will," said Hircan, "although it irks me to speak of such folk.
Methinks they are of the number of those of whom Virgil says to Dante,
'Pass on and heed them not.' (6) Still, to show you that they have not
laid aside their passions with their worldly garments, I will tell you
of something that once came to pass."

6 _Non ragioniam di lor, ma guarda e passa_ (Dante's
_Purgatorio_, iii. 51). The allusion is to the souls of
those who led useless and idle lives on earth, supporting
neither the Divinity by the observance of virtue, nor the
spirit of evil by the practice of vice. They are thus cast
out both from heaven and hell.--Ed.


[Illustration: 049.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 051a.jpg The Grey Friar introducing his Comrade to the