but there are in this city a few probationary churches belonging to the
Church of England, where the Welsh and English stay for a time on
probation, so that they may become fit to have their names enrolled as
members of the Catholic Church, and ever blessed be he who shall have his
name so enrolled. Yet, more's the pity, there are but few who befit
themselves for its citizenship. For too many, instead of looking
thitherwards, allow themselves to be blinded by the three princesses down
below; Hypocrisy too, keeps many with one eye on the upper city and the
other on the lower; yea, Hypocrisy is clever enough to beguile many who
have withstood the other enchantresses. Enter here, and thou shalt see
more," he said, and snatched me up into the roodloft in one of the Welsh
churches, when the people were at service; there we saw some busily
whispering, some laughing, some staring at pretty women, others prying
their neighbour's dress from top to toe; others, in eagerness for the
position due to their rank, keep shoving forward and showing their teeth
at one another, others dozing, others assiduous at their devotions, and
many of these too, dissimulating. "Thou hast not yet seen, nay, not even
among infidels shamelessness so barefaced and public as this," said the
Angel, "but so it is, I am sorry to say, there is no worse corruption
than the corruption of the best." {28a} Then they went to communion, and
everybody appeared fairly reverent before the altar; yet through my
friend's glass I could see one taking unto himself with the bread the
form of a mastiff, another, that of a mole, another, that of an eagle, a
pig or a winged serpent, and a few, ah, how few, received a ray of bright
light with the bread and wine. "There," he pointed out, "is a Roundhead,
who is going to be sheriff, and because the law calls upon a man to
receive the sacrament in the Church before taking office he has come here
rather than lose it, and although there are some here who rejoice on
seeing him, we have felt no joy at his conversion, because he has only
become converted for the occasion. Thus thou perceivest that Hypocrisy,