CHAPTER XXVII
(Fama ferme vulgi Opinione constat.)
"Besides," the interpreter further said, "the Lady Fortuna can also honour by immortality those who bear themselves well in the world, or whose merits deserve such a reward." "How, then, is this?" quoth I. "That is, indeed, a glorious thing to become immortal! Show it me, then." And Searchall bids me turn round, and shows me a yet higher hall or balcony that projected to westward from the palace; it was also uncovered, and from the lower hall steps led up to it. At the foot of the steps there was a small door, at which sat one who had eyes and ears all over his body, so that it was monstrous (they called him Censuram vulgi, Judgeall). To him each one who wished to enter the hall of glory had to declare his name, and also to show all the things through which he hoped to be worthy of immortality, and hand them over for examination. Now, when in the man's deeds there was something singular and unusual, be it good or bad, they allowed him to go upward; if not, he was left below. Now, those that arrived at that gate were mostly of the estates of rulers, warriors, scholars; a few only were theologians, tradesmen, husbandmen.
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