"To the right-about, Mr.Duke," cried Minos, "you are infinitely too great a man for Elysium;" and then, giving him a kick on the b--ch, he addressed himself to a spirit who, with fear and trembling, begged he might not go to the bottomless pit: he said he hoped Minos would consider that, though he had gone astray, he had suffered for it--that it was necessity which drove him to the robbery of eighteenpence, which he had committed, and for which he was hanged--that he had done some good actions in his life--that he had supported an aged parent with his labor--that he had been a very tender husband and a kind father--and that he had ruined himself by being bail for his friend.

At which words the gate opened, and Minos bade him enter, giving him a slap on the back as he passed by him.

A great number of spirits now came forwards, who all declared they had the same claim, and that the captain should speak for them.
He acquainted the judge that they had been all slain in the service of their country.

Minos was going to admit them, but had the curiosity to ask who had been the invader, in order, as he said, to prepare the back gate for him.

The captain answered they had been the invaders themselves--that they had entered the enemy's country, and burned and plundered several cities.