They provide to be purpose to go forward, they called the whole house gone on their way. together, to give thanks to their King for sending of them such profitable guests as these. Which done, they said unto Christiana, And shall we not show thee something, as our custom is to do to Pilgrims, on which thou mayst meditate when thou art upon the way? So they took Christiana, her children, and Mercy, into the closet, and showed them one Eve's apple. of the apples that Eve ate of, and that she also did give unto her husband, and that for the eating of which they were both turned out of Paradise,* and asked her what she thought that was? Then Christiana said, It is food or poison; I know not A sight of sin is which. So they opened the matter to her, and she held up her hands, and wondered.†

amazing.

Jacob's ladder.

is taking.

Golden Anchor.

Then they had her to a place, and showed her Jacob's Ladder. Now, at that time, there were

some Angels ascending upon it. So Christiana looked and looked to see the Angels go up: so did the rest of the company. Then they were going into another place to show them something else; but James said to his mother, Pray bid them stay here a little A sight of Christ longer, for this is a curious sight. So they turned again, and stood feeding their eyes with this so pleasing a prospect. After this they had them into a place where did hang up a golden Anchor: so they bid Christiana take it down; for, said they, you shall have it with you; for 'tis of absolute necessity that you may lay hold of that within the veil, and stand steadfast, in case you should meet with turbulent weather; so they were glad thereof. Then they Of Abraham offer. took them, and had them to the Mount upon which ing up Isaac. Abraham our father offered up Isaac his son, and showed them the altar, the wood, the fire and the knife; for they remain to be seen to this very day. When they had seen it, they held up their hands, and blessed themselves, and said, Oh! what a man, for love to his Master, and for denial to himself, was Abraham! After they had showed them all these things, Prudence Prudence's virgi. took them into a dining-room, where stood a pair of excellent Virginals; so she played upon them, and turned what she had showed them into this excellent song, saying:

nals.

An Anchor you received have;

But let not these suffice,

Until with Abraham you have gave
Your best a sacrifice.

Now, about this time, one knocked at the door; Mr. Great-heart so the porter opened, and behold, Mr. Great-heart comes again. was there: but when he was come in, what joy was there! For it came now afresh again into their minds, how but a little while ago he had slain old Grim Bloody-man the giant, and had delivered them from the Lions.

from his Lord with him.

Then said Mr. Great-heart to Christiana and to He brings a token Mercy, My Lord has sent each of you a bottle of wine, and also some parched corn, together with a couple of pomegranates; he has also sent the boys some figs and raisins, to refresh you in your way.

Then they addressed themselves to their journey, and Prudence and Piety went along with them. When they came to the gate, Christiana asked the porter, if any of late went by? He said, No; only one some time since, who also told me that of late there had been a great robbery committed on the King's Highway as you go; but, said he, the thieves are taken, and will shortly be tried for their lives. Then Christiana and Mercy were afraid; but Matthew said, Mother, fear nothing as long as Mr. Great-heart is to go with us, and to be our conductor.

takes

Christiana her leave of the

porter.

Then said Christiana to the porter, Sir, I am much obliged to you for all the kindnesses that you have showed me since I came hither, and also for that you have been so loving and kind to my children. I know not how to gratify your kindness; wherefore pray, as a token of my respect to you, accept of this small mite. So she p put a gold angel in his hand; and he made her low obeisance, and The porter's bles said, "Let thy garments be always white, and let sing.

thy head want no ointment. Let Mercy live, and not die; and let not her works be few." And to the boys he said, "Do you fly youthful lusts, and follow after godliness with them that are grave and wise; so shall you put gladness into your mother's heart, and obtain praise of all that are sober-minded." So they thanked the porter, and departed.

Now I saw, in my dream, that they went forward until they were come to the brow of the hill, where Piety, bethinking herself, cried out, Alas! I have forgot what I intended to bestow upon Christiana and her companions. I will go back and fetch it: so she ran and fetched it. While she was gone, Christiana thought she heard, in

a grove a little way off on the right hand, a most curious melodious note, with words much like these :

Through all my life thy favour is

So frankly show'd to me;
That in thy house for evermore

My dwelling-place shall be.

And, listening still, she thought she heard another answer it, saying:

For why? the Lord our God is good;

His mercy is for ever sure;

His truth at all times firinly stood,

And shall from age to age endure.

So Christiana asked Prudence, Who it was that made those curious notes? They are, said she, our country birds; * they sing these notes but seldom, except it be at the spring, when the flowers appear, and the sun shines warm; and then you may hear them all day long. I often said she, go out to hear them; we also ofttimes keep them tame in our house. They are very fine company for us when we are melancholy; also they make the woods, and groves, and solitary places, places desirous to be in.

By this time Piety was come again; so she said to Christiana, Look here, I have brought thee a scheme of all Piety bestoweth something on them those things that thou hast seen at our house; upon which thou mayst look when thou findest thyself forgetful, and call those things again to remembrance for thy edification and comfort.

at parting.

Now they began to go down the hill into the Valley of Humiliation. It was a steep hill, and the way was slippery; but they were very careful; so they got down pretty well. When they were down in the Valley, Piety said to Christiana, This is the place where Christian, your husband, met with that foul fiend Apollyon, and where they had that dreadful fight that they had. I know you cannot but have heard thereof. But be of good courage; as long as you have here Mr. Great-heart to be your guide and conductor, we hope you will fare the better. So when these two had committed the Pilgrims unto the conduct of their guide, he went forward, and they went after.

Mr. Great-heart at

Then said Mr. Great-heart, We need not be so the Valley of Hu- afraid of this Valley, for here is nothing to hurt us, unless we procure it to ourselves.

miliation.

tian did here meet with Apollyon, with whom he

'Tis true, Chris

also had a sore

⚫ Cant. ii. 11, 12.

combat; but that fray was the fruit of those slips that he got in his going down the hill; for they that get slips there must look for combats here. And hence it is that this Valley has got so hard a name; for the common people, when they hear that some frightful thing has befallen such a one in such a place, are of opinion that that pla e is haunted with some foul fiend or evil spirit; when, alas! it is for the fruit of their own doing, that such things do befall them there.

This Valley of Humiliation is of itself as fruitful a place as any the crow flies over; and I am persuaded, if we could hit upon it, we might find, somewhere here abouts, something that might give

The reason why

Christian was so beset in the Valley

of Humiliation.

A pillar with an inscription on it.

us an account why Christian was so hardly beset in this place. Then said James to his mother, Lo! yonder stands a pillar, and it looks as if something was written thereon: let us go and see what it is. So they went, and found there written, "Let Christian's slips, before he came hither, and the battles that he met with in this place, be a warning to those that come after." Lo! said their guide, did not I tell you that there was something hereabouts that would give intimation of the reason why Christian was so hard beset in this place? Then turning himself to Christiana, he said, No disparagement to Christian more than to many others whose hap and lot it was; for it is easier going up than down this hill, and that can be said but of few hills in all these parts of the world. But we will leave the good man; he is at rest; he also had a brave victory over his enemy: let Him grant, that dwelleth above, that we fare no worse, when we come to be tried, than he! But we will come again to this Valley of Humiliation. It is the best and most fruitful piece of ground in all these parts. It is fat ground, and, as you see, consisteth much in meadows; and if a man was to come here in the summer-time, as we do now, if he knew not any thing before thereof, and if he also delighted himself in the sight of his eyes, he might see that which would be delightful to him. Behold how green this Valley is! also how beautified with lilies!* I have known many labouring men that have got good estates in this Valley of Humiliation.† "For God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble ;‡ for indeed it is a very fruitful soil, and doth bring forth by handfuls. Some also have wished that the next way to their Father's house were here, that they might be troubled no more with

This Valley a brave place.

Men thrive in the

Valley of Humilia

tion.

either hills or mountains to go over; but the way is the way, and there's an end.

Now, as they were going along and talking, they espied a boy feeding his father's sheep. The boy was in very mean clothes, but of a fresh a well-favoured countenance, and as he sat by himself, he sung. Hark, said Mr. Great-heart, to what the shepherd's boy saith! so they hearkened, and he said :

He that is down needs fear no fall;

He that is low no pride;

He that is humble ever shall

Have God to be his guide.

I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;

And, Lord! contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such.