'
Then came together from all places of the den Beelzebub, Lucifer,
Apollyon, with the rest of the rabblement there, to hear what news
from Mansoul. So the letter was broken up and read, and Cerberus
he stood by. When the letter was openly read, and the contents
thereof spread into all the corners of the den, command was given
that, without let or stop, dead-man's bell should be rung for joy.
So the bell was rung, and the princes rejoiced that Mansoul was
likely to come to ruin. Now, the clapper of the bell went, 'The
town of Mansoul is coming to dwell with us: make room for the town
of Mansoul.' This bell therefore they did ring, because they did
hope that they should have Mansoul again.
Now, when they had performed this their horrible ceremony, they got
together again to consult what answer to send to their friends in
Mansoul; and some advised one thing, and some another: but at
length, because the business required haste, they left the whole
business to the prince Diabolus, judging him the most proper lord
of the place. So he drew up a letter as he thought fit, in answer
to what Mr.
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