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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.

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.