them in marriage to everybody, he has
still never given one entirely to anybody yet. There has been a rivalry
between these three concerning them:--the Turk, who calls himself _God
upon earth_, wished for the eldest, Pride, in marriage. 'No,' said the
king of France, 'she belongs to me, as I keep all my subjects in her
street, and likewise bring many to her from England and other countries.'
Spain would have the princess Lucre, in despite of Holland and all the
Jews. England would have the princess Pleasure, in despite of the
Pagans. But the Pope would have the whole three, and with better reason
than all the rest together, therefore Belial has stationed him next to
them in the three streets." "And is it on this account that there is
this intercourse at present," said I. "No;" he replied, "Belial has
arranged the matter between them for some time; but at present he has
caused them to lay their heads together, how they may best destroy the
cross street yonder, which is the city of Emmanuel, and particularly one
great palace which is there, out of sheer venom at perceiving that it is
a fairer edifice than exists in all the city of Perdition. Belial
moreover has promised to those who shall accomplish its destruction, the
half of his kingdom during his life, and the whole when he is dead. But,
notwithstanding the greatness of his power and the depth of his wiles;
notwithstanding the multitude of crafty emperors, kings, and rulers, who
are beneath his banner in the vast city of Perdition; and notwithstanding
the bravery of his countless legions on the outer side of the gates in
the world below; notwithstanding all this," said the angel, "he shall see
that it is a task above his power to perform. Yes; however great Belial
may be, he shall find that there is One greater than he, in the little
street yonder."

I was unable to hear his angelic reasons completely, from the tumbling
there was along this slippery street every hour, and I could see some
people with ladders scaling the tower, and having reached the highest
step fall headlong to the bottom. "To what place are those fools seeking
to get?" said I. "To a place high enough," said he; "they are seeking to
break into the treasury of the princess." "I will warrant it is full
enough," said I. "It is," he replied; "and with every thing which
belongs to this street, for the purpose of being distributed amongst the
inhabitants. There you will find every species of