d he awoke them.

"Get up quickly," said he, "and tell us your dreams."

"My friends," answered the first, "I have had a very marvellous vision.
A golden ladder reached up to heaven, by which angels ascended and
descended. They took my soul from my body, and conveyed it to that
blessed place where I beheld the Holy Trinity; and where I felt such an
overflow of joy, as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard. This is my dream."

"And I," said the second, "beheld the devils with iron instruments, by
which they dragged my soul from the body, and plunging it into hell
flames, most grievously tormented me, saying, 'As long as God reigns in
heaven this will be your portion.'"

"Now then," said the third, who had eaten the bread, "hear my dream. It
appeared as if an angel came and addressed me in the following manner:
'My friend, would you see what is become of your companions?' I answered,
'Yes, Lord. We have but one loaf among us, and I fear that they have run
off with it.' 'You are mistaken,' he rejoined, 'it lies beside us;
follow me.' He immediately led me to the gate of heaven, and by his
command I put in my head and saw you; and I thought that you were
snatched up into heaven and sat upon a throne of gold, while rich
wines and delicate meats stood around you. Then said the angel, 'Your
companion, you see, has an abundance of good things, and dwells in all
pleasures. There he will remain for ever; for he has entered a celestial
kingdom, and cannot return. Come now where your other associate is
placed.' I followed, and he led me to hell-gates, where I beheld you in
torment, as you just now said. Yet they furnished you, even there, with
bread and wine in abundance. I expressed my sorrow at seeing you in
misery, and you replied, 'As long as God reigns in heaven here I must
remain, for I have merited it. Do you then rise up quickly, and eat all
the bread, since you will see neither me nor my companion again.' I
complied with your wishes; arose, and ate the bread."

XVIII.--LOWER THAN THE BEASTS.

In the reign of a certain king there lived a proud and oppressive
seneschal. Now near the royal palace was a forest well stocked with
game; and by the direction of this person various pits were dug there,
and covered with leaves, for the purpose of entrapping the beasts. It
happened that the seneschal himself went into this forest, and with much
exaltation of heart exclaimed internally, "Lives there a being in the
empire more