In all that rowme was nothing to be seene, xxx But huge great yron chests and coffers strong, All bard with double bends, that none could weene Them to efforce by violence or wrong; On euery side they placed were along. But all the ground with sculs was scattered, And dead mens bones, which round about were flong, Whose liues, it seemed, whilome there were shed, And their vile carcases now left vnburied. They forward passe, ne _Guyon_ yet spoke[668] word, xxxi Till that they came vnto an yron dore, Which to them opened of his[669] owne accord, And shewd of richesse such exceeding store, As eye of man did neuer see before; Ne euer could within one place be found, Though all the wealth, which is, or was of yore, Could gathered be through all the world around, And that aboue were added to that vnder ground. The charge thereof vnto a couetous Spright xxxii Commaunded was, who thereby did attend, And warily awaited day and night, From other couetous feends it to defend, Who it to rob and ransacke did intend. Then _Mammon_[670] turning to that warriour, said; Loe here the worldes blis, loe here the end, To which all men do ayme, rich to be made: Such grace now to be happy, is before thee laid. Certes (said he) I n’ill thine offred grace, xxxiii Ne to be made so happy do intend: Another blis before mine eyes I place, Another happinesse, another end. To them, that list, these base regardes I lend: But I in armes, and in atchieuements braue, Do rather choose my flitting houres to spend, And to be Lord of those, that riches haue, Then them to haue my selfe, and be their seruile sclaue[671]. Thereat the feend his gnashing teeth did grate, xxxiv And grieu’d, so long to lacke his greedy pray; For well he weened, that so glorious bayte Would tempt his guest, to take thereof assay: Had he so doen, he had him snatcht away, More light then Culuer in the Faulcons fist. Eternall God thee saue from such decay. But whenas _Mammon_ saw his purpose mist, Him to entrap vnwares another way he wist. Thence forward he him led, and shortly brought xxxv Vnto another rowme, whose dore forthright, To him did open, as it had beene taught: Therein an hundred raunges weren pight, And hundred fornaces all burning bright; By euery fornace many feends did bide, Deformed creatures, horrible in sight, And euery feend his busie paines applide, To melt the golden metall, ready to be tride.