THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. THE ELEVENTH BOOK. CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL REACH THE ENCHANTED GROUND, WHICH THEY PASS OVER IN HOPEFUL RIENCE SAFETY EXPE NARRATES HIS CONVERSION AND THEY ARRIVE AT THE CHARMING COUNTRY OF BEULAH PROSPECT OF THE CELESTIAL CITY. WITH hopes of glory now their songs abound When, presently, they reach th' Enchanted Ground.* The narrow way with caution due they keep, But Hopeful found himself inclin'd to sleep, Some drowsy property the air possess'd, Which strangely prompted men to wish for rest. 'Christian,' said he, your company I prize, เ 6 But find I cannot open keep my eyes; 'Let us lie down and rest, while here we can, For sleep is pleasant to a labouring man.' * By the Enchanted Ground, the author seems to intend such a state of prosperity and ease, as may incline the Christian to slumber, and neglect the concerns of the soul and eternity. Innumerable facts concur to prove how extremely dangerous such a state is to professors of religion. Happy are they who enjoy the counsel and faithful admonitions of a Christian friend; for, indeed, two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour.-Eccl. iv. 9. 66 'By no means,' answer'd Christian, "if we do, "Some mischief sure will come to me or you. "For still, methinks, the shepherds' words I hear"You pass the Enchanted Ground, O sleep not there! "Shake off dull sloth; resist the sleepy air, "And let us sober be, and watch to prayer." Thank you, good brother, thank you,' Hopeful 'Your salutary counsel much I prize. 6 Alone, unto what danger had I run, 'But two, I see, are better far than one, Now then, lest drowsiness prevail again, [cries, 'Let good discourse the moments entertain. 'What subject,' Hopeful adds, shall we discuss?— 'Let us begin, where God began with us. 6 'Too long,' said he, 'I tarried in the Fair, Delighting in the follies practis'd there: I first began to think about my state, • When pious Faithful met his cruel fate. 6 6 'Or, if at night, I heard the tolling bell, 'My dismal thoughts would run on death and hell. 'If sudden death was mention'd, then thought I, 'What will become of me, if I should die? 6 'Well then,' said I, I must reform my life, 'If all were good, and all that good should last, My heart was fill'd with joy, my eyes with tears, 'And Jesus banish'd all my doubts and fears.' Thus sweet discourse beguil'd the tedious way, Which long across the ground Enchanted lay. This danger past, the country now before The beauteous face of happy Eden bore. The cheerful birds were always singing there— Unwith'ring flow'rs perfum'd the wholesome air. |