A.D. 885.] VISION OF CHARLES LE GROS. 219 straightway thought that I was myself overwhelmed in the same torments by the black monsters who kindled all kinds of fires in that valley. Trembling exceedingly, I saw by the splendour of the clue of thread one side of the valley grow lighter, where were two fountains, one of which was excessively hot, while the other was clear and tepid, and by them were two casks ; directing my steps thither by the clue of thread, and looking into the one which had the boiling water, I saw my father Louis standing in it up to his thighs. I was so grieved at the sight that I well nigh fainted, and he addressed me as follows, ' Fear not, my lord Charles ; for I know that your spirit will return again to your body. God has permitted you to come hither that you may see for what sins both I and all whom you have beheld are undergoing these punishments ; for one day I am immersed in this cask of boiling water, and the next in the cask of pleasant water ; and this, by the prayers of St. Peter and St. Eemigius, who have hitherto been the patrons of our royal race ; moreover, if you and my faithful bishops, and abbats, and the whole ecclesiastical order will speedily aid me by masses, oblations, psalmody, vigils, and almsgiving, I shall quickly be delivered from this cask of boiling water ; for my brother Lothaire and his son Louis have been delivered from these sufferings by the prayers of St. Peter and St. Remigius, and are now in the joys of Paradise ; and now,' said he, ' look behind you ;' and when I had done so I saw there two very deep casks of boiling water. ' These,' said he, ' are prepared for you, unless you amend your life and do penance for your sins.' At this I was exceedingly horrified, on which my guide, seeing my spirit so troubled, said to me, ' Follow me to the right of the beautiful valley of Paradise.' And while we were proceeding thither, I saw in the midst of a bright light my uncle Lothaire sitting among glorious kings on a stone of topaz of wonderful size, and crowned with a precious diadem. On seeing me, he immediately called me to him, kindly addressing me as follows, ' Come to me, Charles, my third successor in the Roman empire ,· I know that you have come through the place of punishment, where my brother, your father, is enduring the punishment allotted to him ; but, by God's mercy, he will very soon be delivered, as we have been, by the merits of the blessed Peter and the prayers of St.