welkin to join a myriad other bright princes. Thereupon the Pope and the other earthly commanders began to slink off and become prostrate through fear, and the infernal princes to fall by the thousands. The noise of each one falling seemed to me as if a great mountain fell into the depths of the sea, and between this noise and the agitation on losing my friend, I awoke from sleep, and returned to this oppressive sod, most unwillingly, so pleasant and enjoyable it was to be a free spirit, and above all to be in such company, notwithstanding the great danger I was in. Now I had no one to comfort me save the Muse, and she was rather moody—scarcely could I get her to bray out these lines that follow:— Behold this wondrous edifice, Both heaven and earth comprising, The universe and all that is At God’s command arising— This world, with ramparts wide from pole to pole, Down from its starry, brilliant dome, E’en to the depths where angry billows roll, And beasts that through the forest roam— All things that sea and sky afford, Thy faithful subjects eke to be; A lesser heaven, a home for thee Oh! man, creation’s lord. But once that thou desired to know The ways of sin, seductive, The hellish tempter, to our woe, Became a power destructive; He cursed our earth and ruin brought on all, Yea, very nature felt the bane— Its blighted walls now totter to their fall, And soon disorder rules again. This earthly palace then at last, Unroofed, dismantled and decayed, A hideous, barren waste is laid By desolation’s blast. Behold oh, man! this glorious place In the empyrean hovering While all is but a treach’rous face Foul swamps and quagmires covering. Thy sin, that whelmed this earth in days of yore, Shall draw upon it quenchless fire With flaming torrents wildly rushing o’er— A prey to conflagration dire; If thou wouldst ’scape this dreadful fate, I pray thee counsel take from me, To Mercy’s city straightway flee For life within its gate. Behold that city’s peerless might Withstanding all oppression— Then flee thereto in thy sad plight, Be free from sin’s possession. Behold thy refuge in this dreary land Where all may find true, peaceful rest, A rock, impregnable on every hand, Where perfect love reigns ever blest; We sinful men, the way must search, And there in faith for pardon pray, And live a blissful, tranquil day Within the Holy Church. II.—THE VISION OF DEATH IN HIS NETHERMOST COURT.