And as for rest, where is it, and who hath
obtained it? If a man is of high degree, adulation and envy almost kill
him; if poor, everybody is ready to trample and despise him. If one
would prosper, he must set his mind upon being an intriguer; if one would
gain respect, let him be a boaster or braggart; if one would be godly,
and attend church and approach the altar, he is dubbed a hypocrite, if he
abstain from doing so, he becomes at once an antichrist or a heretic; if
he is light-hearted, he is called a scoffer, if silent, a morose cur; if
he practises honesty, he is but a good-for-nothing fool; if well dressed,
he is proud, if not, he is a pig; if gentle of speech, he is double-faced
and a rogue, whom none can fathom; if rough, he is an arrogant and
froward devil. This is the world you make so much of, and pray you take
my share of it and welcome," and at the word he shook himself free of
them all, and away he sped boldly to the narrow gate, and spite of all,
pushing onwards he entered, and we too at his heels. Upon the
battlements on either side of the gate were many men dressed in black,
encouraging the man and applauding him.
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