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PART II.
THE EIGHTH STAGE.
Valiant-for-Truth's-Victory - his talk
with Great- Heart - the Enchanted Ground - Heedless and Too-bold - Mr.
Stand-fast - Madam Bubble's temptations - the land of Beulah - Christiana
summoned - her parting addresses - she passes the River - she is followed by
Ready-to-halt, Feeble-mind, Despondency and his daughter, Honest, Valiant,
Steadfast - Author's Farewell
Valiant-for-Truth's-Victory
hen they were gone from the shepherds,
they quickly came to the place where CHRISTIAN met with one TURN-AWAY, that
dwelt in the town of Apostasy. Wherefore of him Mr. GREAT-HEART their guide did
now put them in mind; saying, "This is the place where CHRISTIAN met with one
TURN-AWAY, who carried with him the character of his rebellion at his back. And
this I have to say concerning this man: He would hearken to no counsel; but once
a-falling, persuasion could not stop him.
When he came to the place where the cross and the sepulchre
was, he did meet with one that bade him look there; but he gnashed with his
teeth, and stamped, and said he was resolved to go back to his own town. Before
he came to the gate, he met with EVANGELIST, who offered to lay hands on him, to
turn him into the way again. But this TURN-AWAY resisted him; and having done
much despite unto him, he got away over the wall, and so escaped his
hand."
Then they went on; and just at the place where LITTLE-FAITH
formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all
bloody. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "What art thou?" The man made answer, saying,
"I am one whose name is VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH. I am a pilgrim, and am going to the
Celestial City. Now as I was in my way, there three men did beset me, and
propounded unto me these three things:
"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:" Proverbs 1:10-14
Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told
them that the place from whence I came, had I not found incommodity there, I had
not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very
unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said
to the third; and I told them my life cost more dear far, than that I should
lightly give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do thus to put things to my
choice; wherefore at your peril be it if you meddle. Then these three, to wit,
WILD-HEAD, INCONSIDERATE, and PRAGMATIC, drew upon me; and I also drew upon
them.
"So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three
hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valour;
and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just now gone. I
suppose they might, as the saying is, hear your horse dash; and so they betook
them to flight."
Great-heart. But here were great odds, three
against one!
Valiant. "'Tis true; but little and more are
nothing to him that has the truth on his side. 'Though a host should encamp
against me,' said one, 'my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against
me, in this will I be confident,' etc.
Besides," said he, "I have read in some records, that one
man has fought an army; and how many did Samson slay with the jawbone of an
ass?"
Great-heart. Then said the guide, "Why did you not cry out, that some might have come
in for your succour."
Valiant. So I did, to my King,--who I knew
could hear, and afford invisible help; and that was sufficient for
me.
Great-heart. Then said GREAT-HEART to Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Thou hast worthily
behaved thyself: let me see thy sword." So he showed it him.
When he had
taken it in his hand, and looked thereon awhile, he said, "Ah, it is a right
Jerusalem blade!"
Valiant. It is so, Let a man have one of these
blades, with a hand to wield it, and skill to use it, and he may venture upon an
angel with it. He need not fear its holding, if he can but tell how to lay on.
Its edges will never blunt. It will cut flesh, and bones, and soul, and spirit,
and all.
Great-heart. But you fought a great while, I
wonder you were not weary.
Valiant. I fought till my sword did cleave to
my hand;
and when they were joined together, as if a sword grew out
of my arm, and when the blood ran through my fingers, then I fought with most
courage.
Great-heart. Thou hast done well; thou hast
resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Thou shall abide by us: come in, and
go out with us; for we are thy companions.
Then they took him and washed
his wounds, and gave him of what they had to refresh him; and so they went on
together. Now as they went on, because Mr. GREAT-HEART was delighted in him (for
he loved one greatly that he found to be a man of his hands), and because there
were with his company them that were feeble and weak, therefore he questioned
him about many things; as first, "What countryman he was?"
Valiant. I am of Darkland for
there I was born; and there my father and mother are still.
Great-heart. "Darkland," said
the guide; "doth not that lie upon the same coast with the city of
Destruction?"
Valiant. Yes, it doth. Now that which caused
me to come on pilgrimage was this: We had one Mr. TELL-TRUE come into our parts,
and he told it about what CHRISTIAN had done, that went from the city of
Destruction; namely, how he had forsaken his wife and children, and had betaken
himself to a pilgrim's life. It was also confidently reported how he had killed
a serpent that did come out to resist him in his journey; and how he got through
to whither he intended. It was also told what welcome he had at all his Lord's
lodgings; especially when he came to the gates of the Celestial City. "For
there," said the man, "he was received with sound of trumpet by a company of
shining ones." He told it also how all the bells in the City did ring for joy at
his reception; and what golden garments he was clothed with; with many other
things that now I shall forbear to relate. In a word, that man so told the story
of CHRISTIAN and his travels, that my heart fell into a burning haste to be gone
after him; nor could father or mother stay me: so I got from them, and am come
thus far on my way.
Great-heart. You came in at the gate, did you
not?
Valiant. Yes, yes; for the same man also told us that all would be nothing, if we
did not begin to enter this way at the gate.
Great-heart. "Look you," said the guide to
CHRISTIANA, "the pilgrimage of your husband, and what he has gotten thereby, is
spread abroad far and near."
Valiant. Why, is this CHRISTIAN'S
wife?
Great-heart. Yes, that it is; and these are also her four sons.
Valiant. What! and going on
pilgrimage too?
Great-heart. Yes, verily; they are following
after.
Valiant. It gladdens me at heart! Good man! How joyful will he be when he shall
see them that would not go with him, yet to enter in after him at the gates into
the City.
Great-heart. Without doubt it will be a
comfort to him; for next to the joy of seeing himself there, it will be a joy to
meet there his wife and his children.
Valiant. But now you are upon that, pray let
me hear your opinion about it. Some make a question whether we shall know one
another when we are there.
Great-heart. Do they think they shall know
themselves, then? or that they shall rejoice to see themselves in that bliss?
And if they think they shall know and do these, why not know others, and rejoice
in their welfare also? Again, since relations are our second self, though that
state will be dissolved there, yet why may it not be rationally concluded, that
we shall be more glad to see them there, than to see they are
wanting?
Valiant. Well, I perceive whereabouts you are as to this. Have you any more
things to ask me about my beginning to come on pilgrimage?
Great-heart. Yes; were your
father and mother willing that you should become a pilgrim?
Valiant. Oh no; they used all
means imaginable to persuade me to stay at home.
Great-heart. Why, what could
they say against it?
Valiant. They said it was an idle life; and if
I myself were not inclined to sloth and laziness, I would never countenance a
pilgrim's condition.
Great-heart. And what did they say
else?
Valiant. Why, they told me that it was a dangerous way; "yea, the most dangerous
way in the world," said they, "is that which the pilgrims
go."
Great-heart. Did they show wherein this way is so dangerous?
Valiant. Yes; and that in many
particulars.
Great-heart. Name some of
them.
Valiant. They told me of the Slough of Despond, where CHRISTIAN was well nigh
smothered. They told me that there were archers standing ready in Beelzebub
Castle to shoot them that should knock at the wicket gate for entrance. They
told me also of the wood and dark mountains; of the hill Difficulty; of the
lions; and also of the three giants, BLOODY-MAN, MAUL, and SLAY-GOOD. They said,
moreover, that there was a foul fiend haunted the Valley of Humiliation, and
that CHRISTIAN was by him almost bereft of life. "Besides," said they, "you must
go over the Valley of the Shadow of Death, where the hobgoblins are; where the
light is darkness; where the way is full of snares, pits, traps, and gins." They
told me also of Giant DESPAIR; of Doubting Castle; and of the ruins that the
pilgrims met with there. Further, they said, I must go over the Enchanted
Ground, which was dangerous. And that, after all this, I should find a river,
over which I should find no bridge; and that that river did lie betwixt. me and
the Celestial Country.
Great-heart. And was this
all?
Valiant. No: they also told me that this way was full of deceivers; and of
persons that laid await there to turn good men out of the
path.
Great-heart. But how did they make that out?
Valiant. They told me that Mr. WORLDLY-WISEMAN
did there lie in wait to deceive. They also said that there was FORMALITY and
HYPOCRISY continually on the road. They said also that BY-ENDS, TALKATIVE, or
DEMAS, would go near to gather me up; that FLATTERER would catch me in his net;
or that, with green-headed IGNORANCE, I would presume to go on to the gate, from
whence he always was sent back to the hole that was in the side of the hill, and
made to go the by-way to hell.
Great-heart. I promise you this was enough to
discourage. But did they make an end here?
Valiant. No; stay. They told me also of many
that had tried that way of old; and that had gone a great way therein, to see if
they could find something of the glory there that so many had so much talked of
from time to time; and how they came back again, and befooled themselves for
setting a foot out of doors in that path, to the satisfaction of all the
country. And they named several that did so; as OBSTINATE and PLIABLE; MISTRUST
and TIMOROUS;--TURN-AWAY, and old ATHEIST; with several more, who, they said,
had, some of them, gone far to see if they could find, but not one of them found
so much advantage by going as amounted to the weight of a
feather.
Great-heart. Said they anything more to
discourage you?
Valiant. Yes; they told me of one Mr. FEARING,
who was a pilgrim, and how he found this way so solitary, that he never had a
comfortable hour therein; also that Mr. DESPONDENCY had like to have been
starved therein; yea, and also--which I had almost forgot--that CHRISTIAN
himself, about whom there has been such a noise, after all his ventures for a
celestial crown, was certainly drowned in the Black River, and never went a foot
farther; however, it was smothered up.
Great-heart. And did none of these things
discourage you?
Valiant. No; they seemed but as so many
nothings to me.
Great-heart. How came that
about?
Valiant. Why, I still believed what Mr. TELL-TRUE had said; and that carried me
beyond them all.
Great-heart. Then this was your victory, even
your faith.
Valiant. It was so: I believed, and therefore came out, got into the way, fought
all that set themselves against me; and, by believing, am come to this
place.
"Who would true valour see,
Let him come
hither:
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather.
There's no
discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be
a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but
themselves confound--
His strength the more is.
No lion can him
fright:
He'll with a giant fight;
But he will have a right
To be a
pilgrim.
Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit:
He knows he
at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, fly away!
He'll fear not
what men say;
He'll labour night and day
To be a pilgrim."
Overcoming the Enchanted Ground
y this time they were got to the Enchanted
Ground, where the air naturally tended to make one drowsy. And that place was
all grown over with briers and thorns, excepting here and there; where was an
enchanted arbour, upon which, if a man sits, or in which, if a man sleeps, 'tis
a question, say some, whether ever they shall rise or wake again in this world.
Over this forest, therefore, they went, both one with another. Mr. GREAT-HEART
went before, for that he was the guide; and Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, he came
behind, being there a guard--for fear lest peradventure some fiend, or dragon,
or giant, or thief, should fall upon their rear, and so do mischief. They went
on here each man with his sword drawn in his hand; for they knew it was a
dangerous place. Also they cheered up one another as well as they could.
FEEBLE-MIND, Mr. GREAT-HEART commanded should come up after him; and Mr.
DESPONDENCY was under the eye of Mr. VALIANT.
Now they had not gone far,
but a great mist and a darkness fell upon them all; so that they could scarce,
for a great while, see one another. Wherefore they were forced for some time to
feel for one another by words; for they walked not by sight.
Any one must
think that here was but sorry going for the best of them all; but how much worse
for the women and children, who both of feet and heart were but tender. Yet so
it was, that, through the encouraging words of him that led in the front, and of
him that brought them up behind, they made a pretty good shift to move
along.
The way also was here very wearisome through dirt and slabbiness.
Nor was there on all this ground so much as one inn or victualling house,
therein to refresh the feebler sort. Here, therefore, was grunting, and puffing,
and sighing: while one tumbles over a bush, another sticks fast in the dirt; and
the children, some of them, lost their shoes in the mire. While one cries out,
"I am down;" and another, "Ho! where are you?" and a third, "The bushes have got
such fast hold on me, I think I cannot get away from them."
Then they
came at an arbour, warm, and promising much refreshing to the pilgrims; for it
was finely wrought abovehead, beautified with greens, furnished with benches and
settles. It also had in it a soft couch whereon the weary might lean. This, you
must think, all things considered, was tempting; for the pilgrims already began
to be foiled with the badness of the way: but there was not one of them that
made so much as a motion to stop there. Yea, for aught I could perceive, they
continually gave so good heed to the advice of their guide; and he did so
faithfully tell them of dangers, and of the nature of dangers when they were at
them, that usually, when they were nearest to them, they did most pluck up their
spirits, and hearten one another to deny the flesh. This arbour was called the
Slothful's Friend; on purpose to allure, if it might be, some of the pilgrims
there, to take up their rest when weary.
I saw then in my dream, that
they went on in this their solitary ground, till they came to a place at which a
man is apt to lose his way. Now, though when it was light, their guide could
well enough tell how to miss those ways that led wrong, yet, in the dark, he was
put to a stand; but he had in his pocket a map of all ways leading to or from
the Celestial City: wherefore he struck a light (for he never goes also without
his tinderbox), and took a view of his book or map, which bade him be careful in
that place to turn to the right hand way. And had he not here been careful to
look in his map, they had, in all probability, been smothered in the mud; for
just a little way before them, and that at the end of the cleanest way too, was
a pit--none knows how deep--full of nothing but mud, there made on purpose to
destroy the pilgrims in.
Then thought I with myself, who that goes on
pilgrimage, but would have one of these maps about him; that he may look, when
he is at a stand, which is the way he must take.
They went on then in
this Enchanted Ground, till they came to where was another arbour; and it was
built by the highway side. And in that arbour there lay two men whose names were
HEEDLESS and TOO-BOLD. These two went thus far on pilgrimage; but here, being
wearied with their journey, they sat down to rest themselves, and so fell fast
asleep. When the pilgrims saw them, they stood still and shook their heads; for
they knew that the sleepers were in a pitiful case. Then they consulted what to
do: whether to go on and leave them in their sleep, or to step to them and try
to awake them. So they concluded to go to them and wake them--that is, if they
could; but with this caution, namely, to take heed that they themselves did not
sit down, nor embrace the offered benefit of that arbour.
So they went in
and spake to the men, and called each by his name (for the guide, it seems, did
know them); but there was no voice or answer. Then the guide did shake them, and
do what he could to disturb them. Then said one of them, "I will pay you when I
take my money;" at which the guide shook his head. "I will fight so long as I
can hold my sword in my hand," said the other. At that, one of the children
laughed.
Then said CHRISTIANA, "What is the meaning of this?" The guide
said, "They talk in their sleep. If you strike them, beat them, or whatever else
you do to them, they will answer you after this fashion; or as one of them said
in old time, when the waves of the sea did beat upon him, and he slept as one
upon the mast of a ship, 'When I awake, I will seek it again'.
You know, when men talk in their sleep, they say anything;
but their words are not governed either by faith or reason. There is an
incoherency in their words now, as there was before, betwixt their going on
pilgrimage and sitting down here. This, then, is the mischief on't; when
heedless ones go on pilgrimage, 'tis twenty to one but they are served thus. For
this Enchanted Ground is one of the last refuges that the enemy to pilgrims has:
wherefore it is, as you see, placed almost at the end of the way; and so it
stands against us with the more advantage. For when, thinks the enemy, will
these fools be so desirous to sit down as when they are weary? and when so like
to be weary as when almost at their journey's end? Therefore it is, I say, that
the Enchanted Ground is placed so nigh to the land Beulah, and so near the end
of their race. Wherefore let pilgrims look to themselves; lest it happen to them
as it has done to these that, as you see, are fallen asleep, and none can wake
them."
Then the pilgrims desired with trembling to go forward; only they
prayed their guide to strike a light, that they might go the rest of their way
by the help of the light of a lantern.
So he struck a light; and they went by the help of that
through the rest of this way, though the darkness was very great.
But the
children began to be sorely weary; and they cried out unto him that loves
pilgrims, to make their way more comfortable. So by that they had gone a little
farther, a wind arose that drove away the fog; so the air became more
clear.
Yet they were not off, by much, of the Enchanted Ground; only now
they could see one another better, and the way wherein they should
walk.
Now, when they were almost at the end of this ground, they
perceived that a little before them was a solemn noise, as of one that was much
concerned. So they went on and looked before them; and behold, they saw, as they
thought, a man upon his knees, with hands and eyes lifted up, and speaking, as
they thought, earnestly to One that was above. They drew nigh, but could not
tell what he said; so they went softly till he had done. When he had done, he
got up, and began to run towards the Celestial City. Then Mr. GREAT-HEART called
after him, saying, "So ho, friend! let us have your company, if you go, as I
suppose you do, to the Celestial City." So the man stopped; and they came up to
him. But as soon as Mr. HONEST saw him, he said, "I know this man." Then said
Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Prithee, who is it?" "'Tis one," said he, "that comes
from whereabouts I dwelt; his name is STANDFAST; he is certainly a right good
pilgrim."
How Standfast Resisted Temptation
in the Enchanted Ground
o they came up one to another; and presently
STANDFAST said to old HONEST.
Standfast. "Ho, Father HONEST, are you there?"
"Ay," said he, "that I am, as sure as you are there." "Right glad am I," said
Mr. STANDFAST, "that I have found you on this road." "And as glad am I," said
the other, "that I espied you upon your knees." Then Mr. STANDFAST blushed, and
said, "But why; did you see me?" "Yes, that I did," quoth the other; "and with
my heart was glad at the sight." "Why, what did you think?" said STANDFAST.
"Think," said old HONEST, "what should I think? I thought we had an honest man
upon the road; and therefore should have his company by and by." "If you thought
not amiss, how happy am I! But if I be not as I should, I alone must bear it."
"That is true," said the other; "but your fear doth further confirm me that
things are right betwixt the Prince of pilgrims and your soul. For he saith,
'Blessed is the man that fears always.'"
Valiant. Well, but brother, I pray thee tell
us what was it that was the cause for thy being upon thy knees, even now? Was it
for that some special mercy laid obligations upon thee, or
how?
Standfast. Why, we are, as you see, upon the Enchanted Ground; and as I was coming
along, I was musing with myself of what a dangerous road the road in this place
was; and how many that had come even thus far on pilgrimage, had here been
stopped, and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of the death with
which this place destroys men. Those that die here, die of no violent distemper;
the death which such die is not grievous to them. For he that goes away in a
sleep, begins that journey with desire and pleasure. Yea, such acquiesce in the
will of that disease.
Honest. Then Mr. HONEST, interrupting of him,
said, "Did you see the two men asleep in the arbour?"
Standfast.Aye,aye, I saw
HEEDLESS and TOO-BOLD there; and for aught I know, there they will lie till they
rot.
But let me go on in my tale. As I was thus musing, as I
said, there was one in very pleasant attire, but old, that presented herself
unto me; and offered me three things: to wit, her body, her purse, and her bed.
Now the truth is, I was both a-weary and sleepy; I am also as poor as an
owlet--and that perhaps the witch knew. Well, I repulsed her once or twice; but
she put by my repulses, and smiled. Then I began to be angry; but she mattered
that nothing at all. Then she made offers again; and said, "If I would be ruled
by her, she would make me great and happy. For," said she, "I am the mistress of
the world; and men are made happy by me." Then I asked her name; and she told me
it was "Madame BUBBLE." This set me further from her; but she still followed me
with enticements. Then I betook me, as you see, to my knees; and with hands
lifted up, and cries, I prayed to him that had said he would help. So just as
you came up, the gentlewoman went her way. Then I continued to give thanks for
this my great deliverance; for I verily believe she intended no good, but rather
sought to make stop of me in my journey.
Honest. Without doubt her designs were bad.
But stay, now you talk of her, methinks I either have seen her, or have read
some story of her.
Standfast. Perhaps you have done
both.
Honest. Madame BUBBLE! Is she not a tall, comely dame, something of a swarthy
complexion?
Standfast. Right, you hit it; she is just such
an one.
Honest. Doth she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the end of a
sentence?
Standfast. You fall right upon it again; for these are her very
actions.
Honest. Doth she not wear a great purse by her side; and is not her hand often
in it, fingering her money as if that was her heart's
delight?
Standfast. 'Tis just so. Had she stood by all this while, you could not more amply
have set her forth before me, nor have better described her
features.
Honest. Then he that drew her picture was a good limner; and he that wrote of
her said true.
Great-heart. This woman is a witch; and it is
by virtue of her sorceries that this ground is enchanted. Whoever doth lay their
head down in her lap, had as good lay it down upon that block over which the axe
doth hang; and whoever lay their eyes upon her beauty, are counted the enemies
of God.
This is she that maintains in their splendour all those that
are the enemies of pilgrims. Yea, this is she that has bought off many a man
from a pilgrim's life. She is a great gossiper; she is always, both she and her
daughters, at one pilgrim's heels or other--now commending, and then preferring
the excellences of this life. She is a bold and impudent slut; she will talk
with any man. She always laughs poor pilgrims to scorn; but highly commends the
rich. If there be one cunning to get money in a place, she will speak well of
him from house to house. She loves banqueting and feasting mainly well; she is
always at one full table or another. She has given it out in some places that
she is a goddess; and therefore some do worship her. She has her times and open
places of cheating; and she will say and avow it, that none can show a good
comparable to hers. She promises to dwell with children's children, if they will
but love and make much of her. She will cast out of her purse gold like dust, in
some places and to some persons. She loves to be sought after; spoken well of;
and to lie in the bosoms of men. She is never weary of commending her
commodities; and she loves them most that think best of her. She will promise to
some, crowns and kingdoms, if they will but take her advice; yet many has she
brought to the halter, and ten thousand times more to hell.
Standfast. "Oh," said STANDFAST,
"what a mercy is it that I did resist her! for whither might she have drawn
me?"
Great-heart. Whither! nay, none but God knows--whither. But in general, to be sure,
she would have drawn thee "into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men
in destruction and perdition".
'Twas she that set Absalom against his father; and Jeroboam
against his master. 'Twas she that persuaded Judas to sell his Lord; and that
prevailed with DEMAS to forsake the godly pilgrim's life: none can tell of the
mischief that she doth. She makes variance betwixt rulers and subjects; betwixt
parents and children; 'twixt neighbour and neighbour; 'twixt a man and his wife;
'twixt a man and himself; 'twixt the flesh and the heart.
Wherefore, good
Master STANDFAST, be as your name is; and when you have done all,
stand!
At this discourse, there was among the pilgrims a mixture of joy
and trembling; but at length they brake out and sang:
"What danger is the pilgrim in!
How many are
his foes!
How many ways there are to sin,
No living mortal knows!
Some
of the ditch shy are, yet can
Lie tumbling on the mire:
Some, though they
shun the frying pan,
Do leap into the fire."
Refreshment in the Land of Beulah
fter this I beheld until they were come unto the
land of Beulah, where the sun shines night and day. Here, because they were
weary, they betook themselves awhile to rest. And because this country was
common for pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards that were here
belonged to the King of the Celestial Country, therefore they were licensed to
make bold with any of his things.
But a little while soon refreshed them
here; for the bells did so ring, and the trumpets continually sound so
melodiously, that they could not sleep: and yet they received as much refreshing
as if they had slept their sleep never so soundly. Here also all the noise of
them that walked the streets was, "More pilgrims are come to town." And another
would answer, saying, "And so many went over the water, and were let in at the
golden gates today." They would cry again, "There is now a legion of shining
ones just come to town, by which we know that there are more pilgrims upon the
road; for here they come to wait for them, and to comfort them after all their
sorrow." Then the pilgrims got up and walked to and fro; but how were their ears
now filled with heavenly noises, and their eyes delighted with celestial
visions! In this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelt
nothing, tasted nothing, that was offensive to their stomach or mind; only when
they tasted of the water of the river over which they were to go, they thought
that tasted a little bitterish to the palate, but it proved sweeter when 'twas
down.
In this place there was a record kept of the names of them that had
been pilgrims of old; and a history of all the famous acts that they had done.
It was here also much discoursed, how the river to some had had its flowings;
and what ebbings it had had while others have gone over. It has been in a manner
dry for some; while it has overflowed its banks for others.
In this
place, the children of the town would go into the King's gardens, and gather
nosegays for the pilgrims, and bring them to them with much affection. Here also
grew camphor, with spikenard, and saffron, calamus, and cinnamon, with all its
trees of frankincense, myrrh, and aloes, with all chief spices. With these the
pilgrims' chambers were perfumed while they stayed here; and with these were
their bodies anointed, to prepare them to go over the river when the time
appointed was come.
Now, while they lay here, and waited for the good
hour, there was a noise in the town that there was a post come from the
Celestial City, with matter of great importance to one CHRISTIANA, the wife of
CHRISTIAN the pilgrim. So inquiry was made for her, and the house was found out
where she was; so the post presented her with a letter, the contents whereof
were, "Hail, good woman, I bring thee tidings that the Master calleth for thee,
and expecteth that thou shouldest stand in his presence, in clothes of
immortality, within this ten days."
Christiana is Summonedhen he had read this letter to her, he gave her
therewith a sure token that he was a true messenger, and was come to bid her
make haste to be gone. The token was an arrow with a point, sharpened with love,
let easily into her heart; which by degrees wrought so effectually with her,
that at the time appointed she must be gone.
When CHRISTIANA saw that her
time was come, and that she was the first of this company that was to go over,
she called for Mr. GREAT-HEART, her guide, and told him how matters were. So he
told her he was heartily glad of the news; and could have been glad had the post
come for him. Then she bade that he should give advice how all things should be
prepared for her journey.
So he told her: saying, "Thus and thus it must
be; and we that survive will accompany you to the riverside."
Then she
called for her children, and gave them her blessing; and told them that she yet
read with comfort the mark that was set in their foreheads; and was glad to see
them with her there; and that they had kept their garments so white. Lastly, she
bequeathed to the poor that little she had; and commanded her sons and daughters
to be ready against the messenger should come for them.
When she had
spoken these words to her guide and to her children, she called for Mr.
VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH; and said unto him, "Sir, you have in all places showed
yourself true hearted: be faithful unto death, and my King will give you a crown
of life. I would also entreat you to have an eye to my children; and if at any
time you see them faint, speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my sons'
wives, they have been faithful; and a fulfilling of the promise upon them will
be their end." But she gave Mr. STANDFAST a ring.
Then she called for old
Mr. HONEST; and said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile."
Then said he, "I wish you a fair day when you set out for Mount Zion; and shall
be glad to see that you go over the river dry shod." But she answered, "Come
wet, come dry, I long to be gone; for however the weather is in my journey, I
shall have time enough when I come there to sit down and rest me, and dry
me."
Then came in that good man, Mr. READY-TO-HALT, to see her. So she
said to him, "Thy travel hither has been with difficulty; but that will make thy
rest the sweeter. But watch, and be ready! for at an hour when you think not the
messenger may come."
After him came in Mr. DESPONDENCY, and his daughter
MUCH-AFRAID; to whom she said, "You ought with thankfulness for ever to remember
your deliverance from the hands of Giant DESPAIR, and out of Doubting Castle.
The effect of that mercy is, that you are brought with safety hither. Be ye
watchful, and cast away fear; be sober, and hope to the end."
Then she
said to Mr. FEEBLE-MIND, "Thou wast delivered from the mouth of Giant SLAY-GOOD,
that thou mightest live in the light of the living for ever, and see thy King
with comfort. Only I advise thee to repent thee of thy aptness to fear and doubt
of his goodness, before he sends for thee; lest thou shouldest, when he comes,
be forced to stand before him for that fault with blushing."
Now the day
drew on that CHRISTIANA must be gone. So the road was full of people to see her
take her journey. But behold, all the banks beyond the river were full of horses
and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the City gate.
So she came forth, and entered the river with a beckon of farewell to those that
followed her to the riverside. The last word she was heard to say here was, "I
come, Lord, to be with Thee, and bless Thee!"
So her children and friends
returned to their place; for that those that waited for CHRISTIANA had carried
her out of their sight. So she went and called, and entered in at the gate with
all the ceremonies of joy that her husband CHRISTIAN had done before
her.
At her departure her children wept; but Mr. GREAT-HEART and Mr.
VALIANT played upon the well-tuned cymbal and harp for joy. So all departed to
their respective places.
Through the River One by One
n process of time there came a post to the town
again; and his business was with Mr. READY-TO-HALT. So he inquired him out, and
said to him, "I am come to thee in the name of him whom thou hast loved and
followed, though upon crutches. And my message is to tell thee, that he expects
thee at his table to sup with him in his Kingdom the next day after Easter.
Wherefore prepare thyself for this journey."
Then he also gave him a
token that he was a true messenger; saying, "I have broken thy golden bowl, and
loosed thy silver cord".
After this, Mr. READY-TO-HALT called for his fellow
pilgrims, and told them, saying, "I am sent for; and God shall surely visit you
also." So he desired Mr. VALIANT to make his will. And because he had nothing to
bequeath to them that should survive him, but his crutches and his good wishes;
therefore thus he said: "These crutches I bequeath to my son that shall tread in
my steps; with a hundred warm wishes that he may prove better than I have
done."
Then he thanked Mr. GREAT-HEART for his conduct and kindness; and
so addressed himself to his journey. When he came at the brink of the river, he
said, "Now I shall have no more need of these crutches; since yonder are
chariots and horses for me to ride on." The last words he was heard to say were,
"Welcome, life!" So he went his way.
After this Mr. FEEBLE-MIND had
tidings brought him that the post sounded his horn at his chamber door. Then he
came in and told him, saying, "I am come to tell thee that thy Master has need
of thee; and that in very little time thou must behold his face in brightness.
And take this as a token of the truth of my message: 'Those that look out at the
windows shall be darkened".
Then Mr. FEEBLE-MIND called for his friends; and told them
what errand had been brought unto him, and what token he had received of the
truth of the message. Then he said, "Since I have nothing to bequeath to any, to
what purpose should I make a will? As for my feeble mind, that I will leave
behind me; for that I have no need of in the place whither I go; nor is it worth
bestowing upon the poorest pilgrim: wherefore, when I am gone, I desire that
you, Mr. VALIANT, would bury it in a dunghill. This done, and the day being come
in which he was to depart, he entered the river as the rest. His last words
were, "Hold out, faith and patience !" So he went over to the other
side.
When many days had passed away, Mr. DESPONDENCY was sent for. For a
post was come, and brought this message to him: "Trembling man, these are to
summon thee to be ready with the King by the next Lord's day, to shout for joy
for thy deliverance from all thy doubtings."
And said the messenger,
"That my message is true, take this for a proof." So he gave him the grasshopper
to be a burden unto him.
Now Mr. DESPONDENCY'S daughter, whose name was MUCH-AFRAID,
said, when she heard what was done, that she would go with her father. Then Mr.
DESPONDENCY said to his friends, "Myself and my daughter, you know what we have
been; and how troublesomely we have behaved ourselves in every company. My will
and my daughter's is, that our desponds and slavish fears be by no man ever
received from the day of our departure for ever; for I know that after my death,
they will offer themselves to others. For, to be plain with you, they are
ghosts; the which we entertained when we first began to be pilgrims, and could
never shake them off after. And they will walk about, and seek entertainment of
the pilgrims: but for our sakes shut ye the doors upon them."
When the
time was come for them to depart, they went to the brink of the river. The last
words of Mr. DESPONDENCY were, "Farewell, night! welcome, day!" His daughter
went through the river singing; but none could understand what she
said.
Then it came to pass, awhile after, that there was a post in the
town that inquired for Mr. HONEST. So he came to the house where he was, and
delivered to his hand these lines:-- "Thou art commanded to be ready against
this day seven nights, to present thyself before thy Lord at his Father's house.
And for a token that my message is true, 'all the daughters of musick shall be
brought low'".
Then Mr. HONEST called for his friends; and said unto them,
"I die; but shall make no will. As for my honesty, it shall go with me: let him
that comes after be told of this." When the day that he was to be gone was come,
he addressed himself to go over the river. Now the river at that time overflowed
the banks in some places. But Mr. HONEST, in his lifetime, had spoken to one
GOOD-CONSCIENCE to meet him there; the which he also did, and lent him his hand,
and so helped him over. The last words of Mr. HONEST were, "Grace reigns." So he
left the world.
After this it was noised abroad that Mr.
VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH was taken with a summons by the same post as the other; and
had this for a token that the summons was true, that his pitcher was broken at
the fountain.
When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told
them of it. Then said he, "I am going to my Father's; and though with great
difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have
been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my
pilgrimage; and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars
I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought his battles who now
will be my Rewarder." When the day that he must go hence was come, many
accompanied him to the riverside; into which as he went he said, "Death, where
is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave, where is thy
victory?" So he passed over; and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other
side.
Then there came forth a summons for Mr. STANDFAST (this Mr.
STANDFAST was he that the rest of the pilgrims found upon his knees in the
Enchanted Ground); for the post brought it him open in his hands. The contents
whereof were, that he must prepare for a change of life; for his Master was not
willing that he should be so far from him any longer. At this Mr. STANDFAST was
put into a muse; "Nay," said the messenger, "you need not doubt the truth of my
message; for here is a token of the truth thereof: thy wheel is broken at the
cistern".
Then he called to him Mr. GREAT-HEART, who was their guide;
and said unto him, "Sir, although it was not my hap to be much in your good
company in the days of my pilgrimage, yet, since the time I knew you, you have
been profitable to me. When I came from home, I left behind me a wife and five
small children. Let me entreat you at your return (for I know that you will go,
and return to your Master's house, in hopes that you may yet be a conductor to
more of the holy pilgrims), that you send to my family; and let them be
acquainted with all that hath and shall happen unto me. Tell them, moreover, of
my happy arrival at this place; and of the present blessed condition that I am
in. Tell them also of CHRISTIAN and CHRISTIANA his wife; and how she and her
children came after her husband. Tell them also of what a happy end she made,
and whither she is gone. I have little or nothing to send to my family, except
it be prayers and tears for them; of which it will suffice if thou acquaint
them, if peradventure they may prevail." When Mr. STANDFAST had thus set things
in order, and the time being come for him to haste him away, he also went down
to the river. Now there was a great calm at that time in the river; wherefore
Mr. STANDFAST, when he was about half way in, he stood awhile, and talked to his
companions that had waited upon him thither. And he said:
"This river has
been a terror to many; yea, the thoughts of it also have often frightened me.
But now, methinks I stand easy; my foot is fixed upon that upon which the feet
of the priests that bore the ark of the covenant stood, while Israel went over
this Jordan.
The waters, indeed, are to the palate bitter, and to the
stomach cold; yet the thoughts of what I am going to, and of the conduct that
waits for me on the other side, doth lie as a glowing coal at my
heart.
"I see myself now at the end of my journey; my toilsome days are
ended. I am going now to see that head that was crowned with thorns, and that
face that was spit upon for me.
"I have formerly lived by hearsay and
faith; but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with him in whose
company I delight myself.
"I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of; and
wherever I have seen the print of his shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to
set my foot too.
"His name has been to me as a civet box, yea, sweeter
than all perfumes. His voice to me has been most sweet; and his countenance I
have more desired than they that have most desired the light of the sun. His
Word I did use to gather for my food, and for antidotes against my fainting. He
has held me, and I have kept me from mine iniquities; yea, my steps hath he
strengthened in his way."
Now while he was thus in discourse, his
countenance changed; his strong man bowed under him; and after he had said,
"Take me, for I came unto Thee!" he ceased to be seen of them.
But
glorious it was to see how the open region was filled with horses and chariots;
with trumpeters and pipers; with singers and players on stringed instruments--to
welcome the pilgrims as they went up, and followed one another in at the
beautiful gate of the City.
As for CHRISTIAN'S children, the four boys
that CHRISTIANA brought with her, with their wives and children, I did not stay
where I was till they were gone over. Also, since I came away, I heard one say,
that they were yet alive; and so would be for the increase of the Church in that
place where they were for a time.
Shall it be my lot to go that way
again, I may give those that desire it an account of what I here am silent
about; meantime, I bid my reader
ADIEU!
THE END.
STAGES.
