“Come and see,” answered Mammon. And the knight followed him, but he had done more wisely to stay behind.
Mammon led him through the depths of the wood, till they came to a secret way which was hollowed out in the earth. This they entered and followed awhile, till they came to where it opened out into a wide plain. Across the plain there was a broad highway which led to the dwelling of Pluto. On either side of this road were dreadful shapes—Pain holding an iron whip, and Strife with a bloody knife in his hand, and Revenge, and Treason, and Jealousy. Fear, also, was there, ever trembling, and seeking in vain where he might hide himself, and Sorrow, crouching in darkness, and Shame, hiding her face from every eye. So they came at last to a narrow door, which stood fast shut, with one which was yawning wide open hard by. The narrow door was the door of riches, and the wide the door of hell. This opened to Mammon of its own accord; and Sir Guyon followed him, fearing nothing. But behind the knight there followed close a monstrous fiend, watching him, that he might do him to death if he should lay a covetous hand or cast a longing eye on anything he might see; for such was the law of the place. The walls and the floor and the roof were all gold, but covered with dust and decay; and piled up on every side were huge chests of iron, bound all of them with double bands, and on the floor were the bones of dead men, who, in time past, had sought to win some spoil for themselves, and so had come by their death. But not a word did Sir Guyon speak. So they came to a great door of iron; this, too, opened to them as of its own accord, and showed such a store of wealth as could not be seen in all the world beside. Then Mammon turned to the knight and said: “See now the happiness of the world; here is that for which men strive and struggle. Lo! I lay before you all that you can desire.”
The knight answered: “I do refuse your proffered grace. I seek not to be made happy in such fashion. I set before mine eyes another happiness. I seek another end; I would spend my life in brave deeds. I desire rather to be lord of them who have riches than to have them for myself.”
Mammon gnashed his teeth to hear such an answer, for he had thought that the sight would overcome the soul of any mortal man, and that being so overcome the knight would be his prey. But not yet did he give up all hope. He led him into yet another chamber, in which were a hundred furnaces all ablaze, and at every furnace strange creatures busy at work. Some worked the bellows which raised the fire to white heat; and some scummed off the dross from the molten gold, and some stirred it with great ladles. But when they saw the shape of mortal man, they all ceased from their work, and looked at him with wondering eyes. And he was not a little dismayed to see them, so foul and hideous were they to behold.
Then Mammon spoke again: “See now what mortal eye has never seen before. You would know whence come the riches which men so fervently desire. Look, here you see their source and origin. Here is the fountain of the world’s whole wealth. Think, and change your mood, lest haply hereafter you may wish and not be able to obtain.”
Said the knight, “Mammon, once more I refuse the thing which you offer. I have all that I need; why should I ask for more? Suffer me to follow my own way.”
Great was Mammon’s wrath to hear his offers so refused, but he would try yet another temptation. He took the Knight into a very lofty, spacious chamber in which was assembled a great company of people from every nation under heaven. All of them were pressing forward with great uproar to the chamber’s upper end, where, upon a dais, was set a lofty throne. On the throne there sat a woman gorgeously attired, clad in such royal robes as never were worn by earthly prince. Right fair of face was she to behold, of such a beauty that she seemed, as it were, to make a brightness in the chamber. But the beauty was not indeed her own. It was but a pretence, cunningly devised to delude the hearts of men. In her hand she held a great chain, of which the upper end was fastened to the sky, and the lower went down into hell. All the crowd that thronged about her sought to lay hold of this same chain, hoping thereby to climb to some high estate. Some were fain to rise by the help of riches, and some by flattery, and some by help of friendship, but all thought only of themselves. And they that were high kept others down, and they that were low would not suffer others to rise; every man was against his fellow.
Then said Sir Guyon: “What means this that I see? What is this throng that crowds about the lady’s throne? And the lady, who is she?”
Mammon answered: “That fair lady about whom these people crowd is my own dear daughter. Her name is Philotime (which, being interpreted, is Love of Honour). She is the fairest woman on the earth, could you but see her in the upper air, for the darkness of the place hides her beauty. Her, if you will, you shall have to wife, that she may advance you to high dignity.”
“I thank you, sir,” said the knight, “for the honour which you design for me. But I am only mortal man, and not fit match for an immortal mate. And were it otherwise, my troth is given to another, and it would ill become a loyal knight to break his faith.”