酷兔英语

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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 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



miserabledamned 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 earthlygrandeur; 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, the mockery ceased, and the king-spirit, having



obtained a hearing, began to speak as follows; for we were now

near enough to hear him distinctly:--



"GENTLEMEN,--I am justly surprised at your treating me in this

manner, since whatever lot I have drawn, I did not choose: if,



therefore, it be worthy of derision, you should compassionate me,

for it might have fallen to any of your shares. I know in how



low a light the station to which fate hath assigned me is

considered here, and that, when ambition doth not support it, it



becomes generally so intolerable, that there is scarce any other

condition for which it is not gladly exchanged: for what



portion, in the world to which we are going, is so miserable as

that of care? Should I therefore consider myself as become by



this lot essentially your superior, and of a higher order of

being than the rest of my fellow-creatures; should I foolishly



imagine myself without wisdom superior to the wise, without




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