第 5 节
作者:雨霖铃      更新:2024-12-13 14:16      字数:9322
  who makes them; when I found her launching farther into this
  subject I resolved to put an end to my visit; and; taking my
  leave with many thanks for the favor she had done me; I returned
  to the inn; where I found my fellow…travelers just mounting into
  their vehicle。  I shook hands with my host and accompanied them
  into the coach; which immediately after proceeded on its journey。
  '8' These ladies; I believe; by their names; presided over the
  leprosy; king's…evil; and scurvy。
  CHAPTER IV
  Discourses on the road; and a description of the palace of Death。
  We were all silent for some minutes; till; being well shaken into
  our several seats; I opened my mouth first; and related what had
  happened to me after our separation in the city we had just left。
  The rest of the company; except the grave female spirit whom our
  reader may remember to have refused giving an account of the
  distemper which occasioned her dissolution; did the same。  It
  might be tedious to relate these at large; we shall therefore
  only mention a very remarkable inveteracy which the Surfeit
  declared to all the other diseases; especially to the Fever; who;
  she said; by the roguery of the porters; received acknowledgments
  from numberless passengers which were due to herself。  〃Indeed;〃
  says she; 〃those cane…headed fellows〃 (for so she called them;
  alluding; I suppose; to their ticket) 〃are constantly making such
  mistakes; there is no gratitude in those fellows; for I am sure
  they have greater obligations to me than to any other disease;
  except the Vapors。〃  These relations were no sooner over than one
  of the company informed us we were approaching to the most noble
  building he had ever beheld; and which we learned from our
  coachman was the palace of Death。  Its outside; indeed; appeared
  extremely magnificent。  Its structure was of the Gothic order;
  vast beyond imagination; the whole pile consisting of black
  marble。  Rows of immense yews form an amphitheater round it of
  such height and thickness that no ray of the sun ever perforates
  this grove; where black eternal darkness would reign was it not
  excluded by innumerable lamps which are placed in pyramids round
  the grove; so that the distant reflection they cast on the
  palace; which is plentifully gilt with gold on the outside; is
  inconceivably solemn。  To this I may add the hollow murmur of
  winds constantly heard from the grove; and the very remote sound
  of roaring waters。  Indeed; every circumstance seems to conspire
  to fill the mind with horror and consternation as we approach to
  this palace; which we had scarce time to admire before our
  vehicle stopped at the gate; and we were desired to alight in
  order to pay our respects to his most mortal majesty (this being
  the title which it seems he assumes)。  The outward court was full
  of soldiers; and; indeed; the whole very much resembled the state
  of an earthly monarch; only more magnificent。  We passed through
  several courts into a vast hall; which led to a spacious
  staircase; at the bottom of which stood two pages; with very
  grave countenances; whom I recollected afterwards to have
  formerly been very eminent undertakers; and were in reality the
  only dismal faces I saw here; for this palace; so awful and
  tremendous without; is all gay and sprightly within; so that we
  soon lost all those dismal and gloomy ideas we had contracted in
  approaching it。  Indeed; the still silence maintained among the
  guards and attendants resembled rather the stately pomp of
  eastern courts; but there was on every face such symptoms of
  content and happiness that diffused an air of cheerfulness all
  round。  We ascended the staircase and passed through many noble
  apartments whose walls were adorned with various battle…pieces in
  tapistry; and which we spent some time in observing。  These
  brought to my mind those beautiful ones I had in my lifetime seen
  at Blenheim; nor could I prevent my curiosity from inquiring
  where the Duke of Marlborough's victories were placed (for I
  think they were almost the only battles of any eminence I had
  read of which I did not meet with); when the skeleton of a
  beef…eater; shaking his head; told me a certain gentleman; one
  Lewis XIV; who had great interest with his most mortal majesty;
  had prevented any such from being hung up there。  〃Besides;〃 says
  he; 〃his majesty hath no great respect for that duke; for he
  never sent him a subject he could keep from him; nor did he ever
  get a single subject by his means but he lost 1000 others for
  him。〃  We found the presence…chamber at our entrance very full;
  and a buzz ran through it; as in all assemblies; before the
  principal figure enters; for his majesty was not yet come out。
  At the bottom of the room were two persons in close conference;
  one with a square black cap on his head; and the other with a
  robe embroidered with flames of fire。  These; I was informed;
  were a judge long since dead; and an inquisitor…general。  I
  overheard them disputing with great eagerness whether the one had
  hanged or the other burned the most。  While I was listening to
  this dispute; which seemed to be in no likelihood of a speedy
  decision; the emperor entered the room and placed himself between
  two figures; one of which was remarkable for the roughness; and
  the other for the beauty of his appearance。  These were; it
  seems; Charles XII of Sweden and Alexander of Macedon。  I was at
  too great a distance to hear any of the conversation; so could
  only satisfy my curiosity by contemplating the several personages
  present; of whose names I informed myself by a page; who looked
  as pale and meager as any court…page in the other world; but was
  somewhat more modest。  He showed me here two or three Turkish
  emperors; to whom his most mortal majesty seemed to express much
  civility。  Here were likewise several of the Roman emperors;
  among whom none seemed so much caressed as Caligula; on account;
  as the page told me; of his pious wish that he could send all the
  Romans hither at one blow。  The reader may be perhaps surprised
  that I saw no physicians here; as indeed I was myself; till
  informed that they were all departed to the city of Diseases;
  where they were busy in an experiment to purge away the
  immortality of the soul。
  It would be tedious to recollect the many individuals I saw here;
  but I cannot omit a fat figure; well dressed in the French
  fashion; who was received with extraordinary complacence by the
  emperor; and whom I imagined to be Lewis XIV himself; but the
  page acquainted me he was a celebrated French cook。  We were at
  length introduced to the royal presence; and had the honor to
  kiss hands。  His majesty asked us a few questions; not very
  material to relate; and soon after retired。  When we returned
  into the yard we found our caravan ready to set out; at which we
  all declared ourselves well pleased; for we were sufficiently
  tired with the formality of a court; notwithstanding its outward
  splendor and magnificence。
  CHAPTER V
  The travelers proceed on their journey; and meet several spirits
  who are coming into the flesh。
  We now came to the banks of the great river Cocytus; where we
  quitted our vehicle; and passed 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 traveling 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 surprised 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 L100;000 in his pocket; and was practicing 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 inquiry;
  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 utmo