sounding as they went, with melodious noise, in notes on high; so that the very sight was, to them that could behold it, as if Heaven itself was come down to meet them. Thus, therefore, they walked on together; and, as they walked, ever and anon these trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their music with looks and gestures, still signify to Christian and his brother how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them. And now were these two men as it were in Heaven, before they came at it; being swallowed up with the sight of Angels, and with hearing of their melodious notes. Here also they had the City itself in view, and they thought they heard all the bells therein to ring, to welcome them thereto; but, above all, the warm and joyful thoughts that they had about their own dwelling there with such company, and that for ever and ever:-Oh! by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed! Thus they came up to the Gate.

Now, when they were come up to the Gate, there was written over it, in letters of gold,

"BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMAND

MENTS, THAT THEY MAY HAVE RIGHT TO
THE TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY ENTER IN
THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY."

Then I saw in my dream, that the Shining Men bid them call at the Gate; the which when they did, some from above looked over the Gate, to wit, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah, &c.; to whom it was said, These Pilgrims are come from the city of Destruction, for the love

Rev. xxii. 14.

that they bear to the King of this place: and then the Pilgrims gave in unto them each man his certificate, which they had received in the beginning. Those, therefore, were carried in to the King, who, when he had read them, said, Where are the men? To whom it was answered, They are standing without the Gate. The King then commanded to open the Gate, "that the righteous nation (said he) that keepeth truth may enter in." 9

Now I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the Gate; and lo! as they entered, they were transfigured, and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream that all the bells in the City rang again for joy; and that it was said unto them,

"ENTER YE INTO THE JOY OF OUR LORD."

I also heard the men themselves sing with a loud voice, saying,

"BLESSING, AND HONOUR, AND GLORY, AND

POWER BE UNTO HIM THAT SITTETH UPON
THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB, FOR
EVER AND EVER."2

Now, just as the Gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them, and behold the City shone like the sun; the streets also were paved with gold, and in them walked many men with crowns

9 Isa. xxvi. 2.

Matt. xxv. 23.

2 Rev. v. 13, 14.

upon their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal.

There were also of them that had wings; and they answered one another without intermission, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord." And after that they shut up the Gates; which, when I had seen, I wished myself among them.

UP TO THE RIVER.

Now, while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look IGNORANCE COMES back, and saw Ignorance come up to the river-side but he soon got over, and that without half the difficulty which the other two men met with. For it happened that there was then in that place one Vain-hope, a ferry-man, that with his boat helped him over:

VAIN-HOPE DOES FERRY HIM OVER.

so he, as the others, I saw, did ascend the hill to come up to the Gate; only he came alone, neither did any meet him with the least encouragement. When he was come up to the Gate, he looked up to the writing that was above, and then began to knock, supposing that entrance should have been quickly administered to him: but he was asked by the Men that looked over the top of the Gate, Whence come you? and what would you have? He answered, I have eat and drank in the presence of the King, and He has taught in our streets. Then they asked him for his certificate, that they might go in and shew it to the King. So he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then said they, Have you none? But the man answered never a word. So they told the King; but He would not come down to see him, but commanded the two Shining Ones that conducted Christian and Hope

ful to the City, to go out and take Ignorance, and bind him hand and foot, and have him away. Then they took him up, and carried him through the air, to the door that I saw in the side of the hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to Hell, even from the Gates of Heaven, as well as from the city of Destruction. So I awoke, and behold it was a dream.

CONCLUSION.

Now, Reader, I have told my Dream to thee,
See if thou canst interpret it to me,

Or to thyself, or neighbour: but take heed
Of misinterpreting; for that, instead
Of doing good, will but thyself abuse;
By misinterpreting, evil ensues.

Take heed also that thou be not extreme,
In playing with the outside of my Dream;
Nor let my figure or similitude

Put thee into a laughter or a feud.

Leave this for boys and fools; but as for thee,
Do thou the substance of my matter see.

Put by the curtains, look within the veil,
Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail.

There, if thou seekest them, such things thou'lt find,

As will be helpful to an honest mind.

What of my dross thou findest there, be bold
To throw away, but yet preserve the gold.
What if my gold be wrapped up in ore?
None throws away the apple for the core;
But if thou shalt cast all away as vain,
I know not but 'twill make me dream again.