CHAPTER XXVIII
THE PILGRIM BEGINS TO DESPAIR AND TO QUARREL WITH HIS GUIDES
(Sapientiæ apex, desperatio de rebus mundi.)
Now, was I afeard, seeing that nowhere in the world, not even in this castle, is there any enjoyment that the mind can grasp safely, bravely, and entirely. And this thought caused me to feel more and more gloomy, and Falsehood, my guide, though he tried all means, could not drive it from me. Indeed, I exclaimed: "Oh! on my misery! Shall I, then, never find any enjoyment in this wretched world? Alas! everything is everywhere full of violence and anxiety!" Then the interpreter says: "Whose fault, then, is this, except thine own? thou loathsome, peevish one, who art disgusted with all that ought to please thee. Behold the others, how each one in his estate is gay and of good cheer, finding sufficient sweetness in his pursuits." "Either," quoth I, "all these are mad, or they lie; for that they enjoy true happiness is impossible." "Become thou, then, mad too, that thou mayest relieve thy anxiety." I answered: "I know not how to achieve this; thou knowest that I have looked at many
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