Page:The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart.pdf/191



then enter another street, where on all sides I behold countless chairs, some higher and some lower. Now they called those who sat on them Sir Judge, Sir Burgomaster, Sir Official, Sir Regent, Sir Burgrave, Lord Chancellor, Lord-Lieutenant, Lord Justice, Gracious King, Prince, and so forth. And the interpreter said to me: "Now, thou hast before thee the men who deliver judgments and sentences in law-suits, punish the evil, defend the good, and maintain order in the world." "This is, indeed, a fine thing, and one that is necessary for mankind," quoth I. "But whence do they take these men?" He answered me: "Some are born to this estate; some are elected to it either by these men or by the community because they are considered the wisest of all, the most experienced, and the men best informed of law and justice." "This also is well," quoth I.

1. But at that moment it was for a short time granted me to see clearly, and I behold that some obtain these seats by purchase, others by entreaty,