THE

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

PART II.

COURTEOUS COMPANIONS,

OME time fince, to tell you my dream that I had of Chriffian the Pilgrim, and of his dangerous journey towards the celestial country, was pleasant to me, and profitable to you. I told you then alfo what I faw concerning his wife and children, and how unwilling they were to go with him on pilgrimage, infomuch that he was forced to go on his progress without them; for he durft not run the danger of that destruction which he feared would come, by ftaying with them in the city of Deftruction. Wherefore, as I then fhewed you, he left them and departed.

Now, it hath fo happened, through the multiplicity of bufinefs, that I have been much hindered and kept back from my wonted travels into thofe parts where he went, and fo could not, till now, obtain an opportunity to make farther inquiry after whom he left behind, that I might give you an account of them. But having had fome concerns that way of late, I went down again thitherward. Now having taken up my lodgings in a wood, about a mile off the place, as I flept, I dreamed again.

Part II. And as I was in my dream, behold an aged gentleman came by where I lay; and because he was to go fome part of the way that I was travelling, methought I got up and went with him. So as we walked, and as travellers ufually do, I was as if we fell into a difcourfe, and our talk happened to be about Chriftian and his travels; for thus I began with the old

man.

Sir, faid I, What town is that there below, that lieth on the left hand of our way ?

Then faid Mr Sagacity, for that was his name, it is the city of Detruction, a populous place, but poffeffed with a very ill conditioned and idle fort of people.

I thought that was that city, quoth I: I went once myself through that town; and therefore I know that this report you give of it is

true.

Sag. Too true; I wish I could speak truth in fpeaking better of them that dwell therein.

Well, Sir, quoth I, then I perceive you to be a well-meaning man, and fo one that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good. Pray, did you never hear what happened to a man fome time in this town, (whofe name was Chriftian,) that went on a pilgrimage up towards the higher regions?

Sag. Hear of him! Ay; and I alfo heard of the moleftations, troubles, wars, captivities, cries, groans, frights, and fears, that he met with and had in, his journey; befides, Í must tell ou all our country rings of him; there are but honfes that have heard of him and his do

well spoken of Chriftians are

when gone, though called fools while they are here.

ings but have fought after, and got the records of his pilgrimage; yea, I think, I may fay, that this hazardous journey has got many swell wifhers to his ways; for tho' when he was here, he was fool in every man's mouth, yet now he is gone, he is highly commended of all. For it is faid, he lives bravely where he is; yea, many of them that are refolved never to run his hazards, yet have their mouths water at his gains.

They may, quoth I, well think, if they think any thing that is true, that he liveth well where he is; for he now lives at, and in the fountain of life, and has what he has without labour and forrow; for there is no grief mixed therewith. But pray, what talk have the people about him?

Sag. Talk! The people talk ftrangely about him: Some fay, that he now walks in white; that he has a chain of gold about his neck, that he has a crown of gold, befet with pearts, upon his head, Rev. iii. 4. chap. vi. 11. Others say, that the fhining ones that fometimes fhewed themfelves to him in his journey, are become his com panions, and that he is as familiar with them in the place where he is, as here one neighbour is with another. Befides, it is confidently affirmed concerning him, that the king of the place where he is has bestowed upon him already a very rich and pleafant dwelling at court, and that he every day eateth and drinketh, and walketh a talketh with him, and receiveth the fmiles

favours of him who is judge of all that is there, Zech. iii. 7. Luke xiv. Moreover, it is expected of fome, that this Prince, the Lord of that country, will shortly come into these parts, and will know the reafon, if they can give any, why his neighbours fet fo little by him, and had him fo much in derifion, when they perceiv ed that he would be a pilgrim, Judges xiv. 15.

Chriftian's King will take Chriftian's part.

For they fay, that now he is fo in the affections of his prince, and cerned with the indignities that that his Sovereign is fo much conwere caft upon Chriftian, when he became a pilgrim, that he will look upon all as done to himself; and no marvel, for it was for the love that he had to his Prince that he ventured as he did.

I dare fay, quoth I, I am glad on it; I am glad for the poor man's fake, for that he now hath reft from his labour, and for that he now reaps the benefits of his tears with joy, and for that he has got beyond the gunshot of his enemies, and is out of the reach of them that hate him, Luke x. 16. Rev. xiv. 13. Pfal. cxxvi. 5, 6. I alfo am glad, for that a rumour of these things is noised abroad in this country; who can tell, but that it may work fome good effect on fome that are left behind? But, pray, Sir, while it is fresh in my mind, do you hear any thing of his wife and children? Poor hearts! I wonder in my mind what they do!

Sag. Who! Chriftiana and her fons? They are like to do as well as did Christian himself, though they all played the fool at first, and

would

would by no means be perfuaded by either the tears or intreaties of Chriftian, yet fecond thoughts have wrought wonderfully with them; fo they have packed up, and are alfo gone after him.

Good tidings. of Chriftian's wife and children.

Better and better, quoth I: But, what! wife and children, and all!

Sag. It is true, I can give you an account of the matter; for I was upon the spot at the inftant, and was thoroughly acquainted with the

whole affair.

Then, faid I, a man may report it for a truth.

Sag. You need not fear to affirm it; I mean, that they all are gone on pilgrimage, both the good woman and her four boys. And seeing we are, as I perceive, going fome confiderable way together, I will give you an account of the

whole matter.

This Chriftiana, (for that was her name,) from the day that the with her children betook themselves to a pilgrim's life, after her husband was gone over the river, and the could hear of him no more, her thoughts began to work in her mind, first, for that she had loft her hufband, and for that the loving bond of that relation was utterly broken betwixt them.

For you know, faid he to me, nature can do no lefs but entertain the living with many a heavy cogitation in the remembrance of the lofs of loving relations. This therefore of her husband did coft her many a tear. But this was not all f Christiana did also begin to confider with