BY JOHN BUNYAN.
I.
In this light therefore he came to the end of the valley. Now I saw in my dream, that at the end of this valley lay blood, bones, ashes, and mangled bodies of men, even of pilgrims that had gone this way formerly; and while I was musing what should be the reason, I espied a little before me a cave, where two giants, Pope and Pagan, dwelt in old time; by whose power and tyranny the men, whose bones, blood, ashes, &c., lay there, were cruelly put to death. But by this place Christian went without much danger, whereat I somewhat wondered: but I have learnt since, that Pagan has been dead many a day; and, as for the other, though he be yet alive, he is, by reason of age, and also of the many shrewd brushes that he met with in his younger days, grown so crazy and stiff in his joints, that he now can do little more than sit in his cave’s mouth, grinning at pilgrims as they go by, and biting his nails because he cannot come at them.
So I saw that Christian went on his way; yet, at the sight of the old man that sat in the mouth of the cave, he could not tell what to think; especially because he spake to him, though he could not go after him, saying, “You will never mend till more of you be burned.” But he held his peace, and set a good face on it, and so went by and caught no hurt. Then sang Christian—
“O world of wonders! (I can say no less,
That I should be preserv’d in that distress
That I have met with here! O blessed be
That hand that from it hath deliver’d me!
Dangers in darkness, devils, hell, and sin,
Did compass me, while I this vale was in:
Yea, snares, and pits, and traps, and nets did lie
My path about, that worthless silly I
Might have been catch’d, entangled, and cast down:
But since I live, let Jesus wear the crown.”
Now as Christian went on his way he came to a little ascent, which was cast up on purpose that pilgrims might see before them. Up there, therefore, Christian went; and looking forward he saw Faithful before him upon his journey. Then said Christian aloud, “Ho ho, so ho! stay, and I will be your companion.” At that Faithful looked behind him; to whom Christian cried, “Stay, stay, till I come to you”; but Faithful answered, “No, I am upon my life, and the avenger of blood is behind me.”
At this Christian was somewhat moved, and putting to all his strength he quickly got up with Faithful, and did also overrun him; so the last was first. Then did Christian vain-gloriously smile, because he had gotten the start of his brother: but not taking good heed to his feet, he suddenly stumbled and fell, and could not rise again until Faithful come up to help him.
Then I saw in my dream they went very lovingly on together, and had sweet discourse of all things that had happened to them in their pilgrimage: and thus Christian began:—My honoured and well-beloved brother Faithful, I am glad that I have overtaken you; and that God has so tempered our spirits that we can talk as companions in this so pleasant a path. Faith—I had thought, dear friend, to have had your company quite from our town, but you did get the start of me: wherefore I was forced to come thus much of the way alone.
Christian—How long did you stay in the City of Destruction, before you set out after me on your pilgrimage? Faith—Till I could stay no longer; for there was great talk presently after you were gone out, that our city would in a short time with fire from heaven be burned down to the ground.
Christian—What! did your neighbours talk so? Faith—Yet, it was for a while in everybody’s mouth.
Christian—What! and did no more of them but you come out to escape the danger? Faith—Though there was, as I said, a great talk thereabout, yet I do not think they did firmly believe it. For in the heat of the discourse I heard some of them deridingly speak of you, and your desperate journey, for so they called this your pilgrimage. But I did believe it, and do still, that the end of our city will be with fire and brimestone from above; and therefore I have made my escape.
Christian—Did you hear no talk of neighbour Pliable? Faith—Yes, Christian, I heard that he followed you till he came at the Slough of Despond; where, as some said, he fell in; but he would not be known to have so done: but I am sure he was soundly bedaubed with that kind of dirt.
Christian—And what said the neighbours to him? Faith—He hath since his going back been had greatly in derision, and that among all sorts of people; some do mock and despise him, and scarce will any set him on work. He is now seven time worse than if he had never gone out of the city.
Christian—But why should they be so set against him, since they also despised the way that he forsook? Faith—Oh, they say, “Hang him: he is a turn-coat; he is not true to his profession.” I think God has stirred up even his enemies to hiss at him, and make him a proverb, because he hath forsaken the way.
Christian—Had you no talk with him before you came out? Faith—I met him once in the streets, but he leered away on the other side, as one ashamed of what he had done: so I spake not to him.
Christian—Well, at my first setting out I had hopes of that man; but now I fear he will perish in the overthrow of the city: for “it hath happened to him according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” Faith—They are my fears of him too: but who can hinder that which will be?—“Pilgrim’s Progress.”