One summer’s day, the Bard ascends one of the mountains of Wales, and
gazing a long while at the beautiful scene, falls asleep. He dreams and
finds himself among the fairies, whom he approaches and requests
permission to join. They snatch him up forthwith and fly off with him
over cities and realms, lands and seas, until he begins to fear for his
life. They come to a huge castle—Castle Delusive, where an Angel of
light appears and rescues him from their hands. The Angel, after
questioning him as to himself, who he was and where he came from, bids
him go with him, and resting in the empyrean, he beholds the earth far
away beneath them. He sees an immense City made up of three streets; at
the end of which are three gates and upon each gate a tower and in each
tower a fair woman. This is the City of Destruction and its streets are
named after the daughters of Belial—Pride, Lucre and Pleasure. The Angel
tells him of the might and craftiness of Belial and the alluring witchery
of his daughters, and also of another city on higher ground—the City of
Emmanuel—whereto all may fly from Destruction. They descend and alight
in the Street of Pride amidst the ruined and desolate mansions of
absentee landlords. They see there kings, princes, and noblemen,
coquettes and fops; there is a city, too, on seven hills, and another
opposite, with a crescent on a golden banner above it, and near the gate
stands the Court of Lewis XIV. Much traffic is going on between these
courts, for the Pope, the Sultan and the King of France are rivals for
the Princesses’ hands.
They next come to the Street of Lucre, full of Spaniards, Dutchmen and
Jews, and here too, are conquerors and their soldiers, justices and their
bribers, doctors, misers, merchants and userers, shopmen, clippers,
taverners, drovers, and the like. An election of Treasurer to the
Princess is going on—stewards, money-lenders, lawyers and merchants being
candidates, and whoso was proved the richest should obtain the post. The
Bard then comes to the Street of Pleasure, where all manner of seductive
joys abound. He passes through scenes of debauchery and drunken riot,
and comes to a veritable Bedlam, where seven good fellows—a tinker, a
dyer, a smith and a miner, a chimney-sweep, a bard and a parson—are
enjoying a carousal. He beholds the Court of Belial’s second daughter,
Hypocrisy, and sees a funeral go by where all the mourners are false. A
noble lord appears, with his lady at his side, and has a talk with old
Money-bags who has lent him money on his lands—all three being apt pupils
of Hypocrisy.
The Angel then takes him to the churches of the City; and first they come
to a pagan temple where the human form, the sun and moon, and various
other objects are worshipped. Thence they come to a barn where
Dissenters imitate preaching, and to an English church where many
practise all manner of hypocrisy. The Bard then leaves the City of
Destruction and makes for the celestial City. He beholds one man part
from his friends and, refusing to be persuaded by them, hasten towards
Emmanuel’s City. The gateway is narrow and mean, while on the walls are
watchmen urging on those that are fleeing from Destruction. Groups from
the various streets arrive and claim admittance, but, being unable to
leave their sins, have to return. The Bard and his Guide enter, and
passing by the Well of Repentance come in view of the Catholic Church,
the transept of which is the Church of England, with Queen Anne enthroned
above, holding the Sword of Justice in the left hand, and the Sword of
the Spirit in the right. Suddenly there is a call to arms, the sky
darkens, and Belial himself advances against the Church, with his earthly
princes and their armies. The Pope and Lewis of France, the Turks and
Muscovites fall upon England and her German allies, but, the angels
assisting, they are vanquished; the infernal hosts, too, give way and are
hurled headlong from the sky; whereupon the Bard awakes.