A Journey from This World to the Next — John Shaqi
A Journey from This World to the NextFielding, Henry
General
A Journey from This World to the Next
Fielding, Henry
English fiction; Paranormal fiction; Supernatural -- Fiction
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 surprised to see great numbers crowding
into the former, and only one or two solitary spirits choosing the
latter.
On inquiry, we were acquainted that the bad road was the way to
greatness, and the other to goodness. When we expressed our surprise 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 the mob, with which those who traveled this way were
constantly saluted. We were told likewise that there were several noble
palaces to be seen, and lodged in, on this road, by those who had passed
through the difficulties of it (which indeed many were not able to
surmount), and great quantities of all sorts of treasure to be found in
it; whereas the other had little inviting more than the beauty of the
way, scarce a handsome building, save one greatly resembling a certain
house by the Bath, to be seen during that whole journey; and, lastly,
that it was thought very scandalous and mean-spirited to travel through
this, and as highly honorable and noble to pass by the other. We now
heard a violent noise, when, casting our eyes forwards, we perceived a
vast number of spirits advancing in pursuit of one whom they mocked
and insulted with all kinds of scorn. I cannot give my reader a more
adequate idea of this scene than by comparing it to an English mob
conducting a pickpocket to the water; or by supposing that an incensed
audience at a playhouse had unhappily possessed themselves of the
miserable damned poet. Some laughed, some hissed, some squalled, some
groaned, some bawled, some spit at him, some threw dirt at him. It was
impossible not to ask who or what the wretched spirit was whom they
treated in this barbarous manner; when, to our great surprise, we were
informed that it was a king: we were likewise told that this manner
of behavior was usual among the spirits to those who drew the lots of
emperors, kings, and other great men, not from envy or anger, but mere
derision and contempt of earthly grandeur; that nothing was more common
than for those who had drawn these great prizes (as to us they seemed)
to exchange them with tailors and cobblers; and that Alexander the
Great and Diogenes had formerly done so; he that was afterwards Diogenes
having originally fallen on the lot of Alexander. And now, on a sudden,
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