Page:Political history of the devil upon two sticks.pdf/15

 Zambullo, who laughed very heartily with Asmodeo.

Well, said the dæmon to the student, are you satisfied? No replied Don Cleofas; if you would satisfy me entirely, you must shew me the prison. What exquisite pleasure it will be to me, to see that wretch who made a jest of my passion. shut up there. I find that I now hate her more than before I loved her. With all my heart replied the devil, you shall always find me ready to oblige you, though it were even against my inclination and interest, so that it be for your good.

In a moment they reached the prison, where soon after the two bullies were brought and clapped into a dark dungeon. As for Thomasa, she was lodged on straw, with three or four loose women who had been taken up that day, and who on the morrow were to be carried to the place appointed for such creatures.

Now I am satisfied, said Zumbullo; I have had the pleasure of a full revenge. My friend Thomasa will not pass the night so agreeably as she expected. Let us go and pursue our observations where you please. This is a place very proper for them, answered the spirit; there are here a great number of guilty and innocent people; and it is a retirement which begins the punishment of the one, and purifies the virtues of the others. I will show you some prisoners of each kind, and tell you why they are kept in chains.

Before I enter into particulars, pray take notice of the gaolers at the entrance into these horrid places. The ancient poets placed but one Creberus at hell gates, but here is a far greater number, as you see. These gaolers are villains that have lost all sentiments of humanity. The wickedest of my brethren could hardly supply the place of one. But I find, added he, you look with horror on these rooms, where all the furniture is a wretched bed, and those frightful dungeons appear to you like so many