Then after ordering all to be locked up in their lairs, and punishing and dismissing the officers whose carelessness had allowed them to break loose, Lucifer and his counsellors returned to the court, and sat once more upon the fiery thrones, according to their rank; and when silence had been obtained, and the court cleared, a burly, lob-shouldered devil threw down at the bar a fresh load of prisoners. “Is this the way to Paradise?” asked one (for they had no idea where they were). “Or if this be Purgatory,” said another, “I have a dispensation under the Pope’s own signet to pass straight on to Paradise, without a moment’s delay anywhere; wherefore show us the way, or by the Pope’s toe, we will have him punish you.” “Ha ha,” laughed a thousand demons, and Lucifer himself opened his tusked jaws some half a yard in scornful laughter. At which the new comers were sore amazed. “Look ye,” said one, “if we have missed our way in the dark, we will pay for guidance.” “Ha ha,” cried Lucifer, “ye shall not hence till ye have paid the uttermost farthing.” But on searching them it was found that they had one and all left their trouser behind. “Ye went past Paradise on the left above those mountains there,” said the Evil One, “and although it is easy to descend hither, to return is next to impossible, so dark and intricate is the country, so many steep ascents of flaming iron are there on the way, and huge imminent rocks, overhanging glaciers of insurmountable ice, and here and there, a headlong cataract, all too difficult to clamber over, if ye have not nails as long as a devil’s. Ho there! convey these blockheads to our paradise to their companions.” Just then I heard voices drawing nigh, swearing and cursing fearfully. “Fiends’ blood! a myriad devils seize me if ever I go!” and immediately the noisy crew were cast down before the court. “There,” exclaimed the steed that bore them, “there is fuel with the best in hell.” “What are they?” asked Lucifer. “Past masters in the gentle art of swearing and cursing,” said he, “who knew the language of hell as well as we do.” “A lie to your face, i’ the devil’s name!” cried one. “Sirrah! wilt take my name in vain?” said the Evil One. “Ho, seize them and hook them by their tongues, to that burning precipice, and be at hand to serve them; if on one devil they call, or on a thousand, they shall have their fill.”