young nobleman with a numerous following, smiling graciously and bowing
low to everyone he met. "It is strange," said I, "that these two should
belong to the same street." "It is the same princess--Pride, who governs
them both," answered he, "this one's errand is but to speak fair; he is
now making a bid for fame with the intent thereby to attain the highest
office in the State; he is most ready to weep with the people, and tell
them how greatly they are wronged through the oppression of wicked
ministers; yet it is his own exaltation, and not the common weal that is
the main object of his pursuit."

After looking for a longwhile I saw close by the Porch of Pride a fair
city on seven hills, and over its magnificent court the triple crown, the
swords and cross-keys. "Well, here is Rome," quoth I, "here lives the
Pope, is it not?" "Yes, most often," said the Angel, "but he hath a
court in each of the other streets." Over against Rome I could see a
city with a very fine court, whereon was raised on high a crescent on a
golden banner, by which I knew the Turk was there. After these came the
court of Lewis XIV. of France, as I perceived by his arms--the three
fleur-de-lys on a silver banner reared high. Whilst admiring the
loftiness and magnificence of these palaces, I observed that there was
much traversing from one court to another, and asked the reason. "Oh,
there is many a dark reason," said the Angel, "existing between these
three potent and crafty monarchs, but though they deem themselves fitting
peers to the three princesses up yonder, their power and guile is nought
compared with theirs. Yea more, great Belial deems the whole city,
notwithstanding the number of its kings, unsuitable for his daughters.
Although he offers them in marriage to everybody, he has never actually
given them to anyone. Keen rivalry has existed between these three for
their hands; the Turk, who calls himself the god of earth, would have the
eldest, Pride, to wife. "Nay," said the king of France, "she is mine,