Of the same
length as these immense streets, but running in a contrary direction, I
saw another street which was but narrow and mean compared with them,
though it was clean and upon higher ground than they, and leading upwards
to the east, whilst the other three led downwards northerly to the great
towers. I could no longer withhold from asking my friend's permission to
speak. "What then," said the Angel, "if thou wilt speak, listen
carefully, so that there be no need of telling thee a thing twice." "I
will, my lord, and prithee," asked I, "what castle is that, away yonder
to the north?" "That castle aloft in the sky," said he, "belongs to
Belial, prince of the power of the air, and ruler of all that vast city
below; it is called Castle Delusive: for an arch-deluder is Belial, and
it is through delusion that he is able to keep under his sway all that
thou see'st with the exception of that little bye-street yonder. He is a
powerful prince, with thousands of princes under him. What was Caesar or
Alexander the Great compared with him? What are the Turk and old Lewis
of France {7a} but his servants? Great, aye, exceedingly great is the
might, craftiness and diligence of Prince Belial and of the countless
hosts he hath in the lower region.
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