that they have picklocks about them, by the means of which they hope to escape. And say'st thou so, my dear, said the Giant; I will therefore search them in the morning.

Well, on Saturday about midnight they began to pray, and continued in Prayer till almost break of day.

Now, a little before it was Day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out in this passionate speech; What a Fool, quoth he, am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty? I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will I am persuaded open any lock in DoubtingPromise, opens Castle. Then said Hopeful, That's good news, good brother, pluck it out of thy bosom and try.

A Key in
Christian's

bosom called

any lock in

Doubting.
Castle.

Then Christian pulled it out of his bosom, and began to try at the dungeon door, whose bolt (as he turned the Key) gave back, and the door flew open with ease, and Christian and Hopeful both came out. Then he went to the outward door that leads into the castle-yard, and with his key opened that door also. After he went to the Iron Gate, for that must be opened too, but that lock went very hard, yet the Key did open it. Then they thrust open the gate to make their escape with speed; but that gate as it opened made such a creaking, that it waked Giant Despair, who hastily rising to pursue his prisoners, felt his limbs to fail, for his fits took him again, so that he could by no means go after them. Then they went on, and came to the King's Highway again, and so were safe, because they were out of his jurisdiction.

Now, when they were gone over the Stile, they

began to contrive with themselves what they should do at that Stile, to prevent those that should come after from falling into the hands of Giant Despair.

So they consented to erect there a pillar, and to en- A Pillar erected by grave upon the side thereof this sentence; 'Over Christian and 'this Stile is the way to Doubting-Castle, which is his fellow. 'kept by Giant Despair, who despiseth the King of 'the Cœlestial Country, and seeks to destroy his 'holy Pilgrims.' Many therefore that followed after, read what was written, and escaped the danger. This done, they sang as follows:

Out of the Way we went, and then we found
What 'twas to tread upon forbidden ground.
And let them that come after have a care,
Lest heedlessness makes them as we to fare,
Lest they for trespassing, his Pris'ners are,
Whose Castle's Doubting, and whose name's Despair.

able Moun

They went then till they came to the Delectable The Delect Mountains; which mountains belong to the Lord of tains. that Hill, of which we have spoken before; so they They are refreshed in the went up to the mountains, to behold the Gardens and mountains. Orchards, the Vineyards, and Fountains of water; where also they drank and washed themselves, and did freely eat of the vineyards. Now there was on the tops of those mountains, Shepherds feeding their Flocks, and they stood by the Highway side.

Mountains delectable they now ascend,

Where Shepherds be, which to them do commend
Alluring things, and things that Cautions are,
Pilgrims are steady kept, by Faith and Fear.

The Pilgrims therefore went to them, and leaning upon their staves, (as is common with weary Pilgrims, when they stand to talk with any by the way) they Talk with the asked, Whose Delectable Mountains are these? And Shepherds. whose be the Sheep that feed upon them?

John 10. 11.

Hos. 14. 9.

Shepherd. These mountains are Emmanuel's Land, and they are within sight of his City; and the Sheep also are his, and he laid down his Life for them. Chr. Is this the Way to the Cœlestial City? Shep. You are just in your Way.

Chr. How far is it thither ?

Shep. Too far for any, but those that shall get thither indeed.

Chr. Is the Way safe or dangerous?

Shep. Safe for those for whom it is to be safe, but Transgressors shall fall therein.

Chr. Is there in this place any Relief, for Pilgrims that are weary, and faint in the Way?

Shep. The Lord of these mountains hath given us Heb. 13. 1, 2. a Charge not to be forgetful to entertain strangers, therefore the Good of the place is even before you.

The Shepherds welcome them.

I saw also in my dream, That when the Shepherds perceived they were Way-fairing men, they also put questions to them, (to which they made answer as in other places) as, Whence came you? And how got you into the Way? And by what Means have you so persevered therein? For, but few of them that begin to come hither, do shew their face on these mountains. But when the Shepherds heard their answers, being pleased therewith, they looked very lovingly upon them, and said, Welcome to the Delectable Mountains.