CHAPTER XXX
HOW THE PILGRIM WAS IMPEACHED IN THE PALACE OF WISDOM
(The Pilgrim is placed before the Queen of Worldly Wisdom.)
Then they lead me into a large hall, within which a wondrous lightness streamed towards me. It did not proceed from any of the many windows, but rather—as I was told—from the many precious stones with which the walls were encased; and the floor was bestrewn with precious carpets that also gleamed with gold, but in the place of a ceiling there appeared to be a cloud or mist. This I could not fully examine, for my eyes were incontinently fixed on the dear queen herself, who sat on the highest place under a baldachin; and around her stood on both sides her councillors and servants, a truly glorious company. But I was terrified by this splendour, and yet more so when the queen's ladies, one after the other, began to look at me. Then Impudence spake: "Fear naught; approach more closely, that her majesty the queen may see thee. Be then valiant, but forget not modesty nor courtesy." Then he led
