The gates of hell are open night and day; Smooth the descent, and
easy is the way; But to return, and view the cheerful skies, In this
the task and mighty labor dies.
-- Dryden
By this time, like one who had set out on his way by nigh and travelled
through a region of smooth or idle dreams, our history now arrives
on the confines, where daylight and truth meet us with a clear dawn,
representing to our view, though at a far distance, true colours and
shapes....
