(Falsehood disappears.)
2. Impudence immediately granted my request, saying that it was well that I should see and understand such things also. The other dissuaded me, and endeavoured to stop me; but heeding him not, I tore myself away and proceeded on my way. Then he remained there and forsook me.
(The Pilgrim beholds the Dying and Dead.The Bottomless Abyss beyond the World.)
3. Looking now about me, I behold the ways of the dying, of whom there were many; and I see a mournful thing—to wit, that all gave up the ghost with horror, lamentation, fear and trembling, knowing not what would befall them and whither they would go. Although I was afeard, yet wishing ever to acquire more knowledge, I walked through the rows of the dead to the limits of the world and of light. Here, where others, shutting their eyes, blindly cast forth their dead, I threw off the glasses of Falsehood, rubbed my eyes, and leaned forward as far as I dared. And I behold awful darkness and gloom, of which the mind of man can find neither the end nor the ground; and there was here naught but worms, frogs, serpents, scorpions, rottenness, stench, the smell of brimstone and pitch that overwhelmed body and soul, generally unspeakable horror.
