 now came to the banks of the great river Cocytus, where we quitted our
vehicle, and past the water in a boat, after which we were obliged to travel on
foot the rest of our journey; and now we met, for the first time, several
passengers travelling to the world we had left, who informed us they were souls
going into the flesh.
    The two first we met were walking arm-in-arm, in very close and friendly
conference; they informed us that one of them was intended for a duke, and the
other for a hackney-coachman. As we had not yet arrived at the place where we
were to deposit our passions, we were all surprized at the familiarity which
subsisted between persons of such different degrees; nor could the grave lady
help expressing her astonishment at it. The future coachman then replied, with a
laugh, that they had exchanged lots; for that the duke had with his dukedom
drawn a shrew for a wife, and the coachman only a single state.
    As we proceeded on our journey we met a solemn spirit walking alone with
great gravity in his countenance: our curiosity invited us, notwithstanding his
reserve, to ask what lot he had drawn. He answered, with a smile, he was to have
the reputation of a wise man with £ 100,000 in his pocket, and was practising
the solemnity which he was to act in the other world.
    A little farther we met a company of very merry spirits, whom we imagined by
their mirth to have drawn some mighty lot, but, on enquiry, they informed us
they were to be beggars.
    The farther we advanced, the greater numbers we met; and now we discovered
two large roads leading different ways, and of very different appearance; the
one all craggy with rocks, full as it seemed of boggy grounds, and everywhere
beset with briars, so that it was impossible to pass through it without the
utmost danger and difficulty; the other, the most delightful imaginable, leading
through the most verdant meadows, painted and perfumed with all kinds of
beautiful flowers; in short, the most wanton imagination could imagine nothing
more lovely. Notwithstanding which, we were surprized to see great numbers
crowding into the former, and only one or two solitary spirits chusing the
latter. On enquiry, we were acquainted that the bad road was the way to
greatness, and the other to goodness. When we expressed our surprize at the
preference given to the former we were acquainted that it was chosen for the
sake of the music of drums and trumpets, and the perpetual acclamations of
