The Sleeping Bard | Page 6

alderman, and in many official situations; he came spreading his
wings as if to fly, though he could scarcely draw one knee after the
other, on account of the gout, and various other genteel disorders:
notwithstanding which, you could not obtain from him, but through a
very great favour, a glance or a nod, though you should call him by his
titles and his offices.

From this being I turned my eyes to the other side of the street, where I
beheld a lusty young nobleman, with a number of people behind him;
he had a sweet smile and a condescending air to every one who met
him. "It is strange," said I, "that this young man and yonder personage
should belong to the same street." "Oh, the same princess Pride rules
them both," answered the angel,--"this young man is only speaking fair
on account of the errand he comes upon; he is seeking popularity at
present, with the intent to raise himself thereby to the highest office in
the kingdom--it is easy for him to lament to the people how much they
are wronged by the oppression of bad masters; but his own exaltment,
and not the weal of the kingdom, is the heart of the matter." After
gazing for a long time, I perceived at the gate of Pride, a fair city upon
seven hills, and on the top of its lofty palace there was a triple crown,
with swords and keys crossed. "Lo! there is Rome," said I, "and therein
dwells the Pope." "Yes, most usually," said the angel; "but he has a
palace in each of the other streets." Over against Rome, I could see a
city with an exceedingly fair palace, and upon it was mounted on high,
a half-moon on a banner of gold, and by that I knew that the Turk was
there. Next to the gate after those, was the palace of Lewis XIV., of
France, as I understood by his arms, three fleurs-de-lis upon a silver
banner hanging aloft. Whilst looking on the height and majesty of these
palaces, I perceived that there was much passing and repassing from
the one to the other, and I asked what was the cause thereof? "Oh, there
is many a dark cause," said the angel, "why those three crafty, powerful
heads should communicate; but though they account themselves fully
adapted to espouse the three princesses above, their power and subtlety
are nothing when compared with these; yes, Belial the Great does not
esteem the whole city, (though so numerous be its kings), as equivalent
to his daughters. Notwithstanding that he offers them in marriage to
everybody, he has still never given one entirely to anybody yet. There
has been a rivalry between these three concerning them:--the Turk, who
calls himself _God upon earth_, wished for the eldest, Pride, in
marriage. 'No,' said the king of France, 'she belongs to me, as I keep all
my subjects in her street, and likewise bring many to her from England
and other countries.' Spain would have the princess Lucre, in despite of
Holland and all the Jews. England would have the princess Pleasure, in
despite of the Pagans. But the Pope would have the whole three, and

with better reason than all the rest together, therefore Belial has
stationed him next to them in the three streets." "And is it on this
account that there is this intercourse at present," said I. "No;" he replied,
"Belial has arranged the matter between them for some time; but at
present he has caused them to lay their heads together, how they may
best destroy the cross street yonder, which is the city of Emmanuel, and
particularly one great palace which is there, out of sheer venom at
perceiving that it is a fairer edifice than exists in all the city of Perdition.
Belial moreover has promised to those who shall accomplish its
destruction, the half of his kingdom during his life, and the whole when
he is dead. But, notwithstanding the greatness of his power and the
depth of his wiles; notwithstanding the multitude of crafty emperors,
kings, and rulers, who are beneath his banner in the vast city of
Perdition; and notwithstanding the bravery of his countless legions on
the outer side of the gates in the world below; notwithstanding all this,"
said the angel, "he shall see that it is a task above his power to perform.
Yes; however great Belial may be, he shall find that there is One
greater than he, in the little street yonder."
I was unable to hear his angelic reasons completely, from the tumbling
there was along this slippery street every hour, and I could see some
people with ladders scaling the tower, and having reached the highest
step fall headlong to the