rest themselves, and so fell fast asleep. When the Pilgrims saw them, they stood still, and shook their heads, for they knew that the sleepers were in a pitiful case. Then they consulted what to do; whether to go on, and leave them in their sleep, or to step to them, and try to awake them. So they concluded to go to them, and awake them; that is, if they could; but with this caution, namely, to take heed that they themselves did not sit down, nor embrace the offered benefit of that arbour.

TO AWAKE THEM.

THE PILGRIMS TRY So they went in, and spake to the men, and called each by his name (for the guide, it seems, did know them); but there

was no voice nor answer. Then the guide did shake them, and do what he could to disturb them. Then said one of them, I will pay you when I take my money. At which the guide shook his head. I will

fight so long as I can hold my sword in my hand, said the other. At that one of the children laughed.

L

Then said Christiana, What is the meaning of this? The guide said, They talk in their THEIR ENDEAVOUR sleep. If you strike them, beat them, IS FRUITLESS. or whatever else you do to them, they will answer you after this fashion; or, as one of them said in old time, when the waves of the sea did beat upon him, and he slept as one upon the mast of a ship: "When I awake, I will seek it again. You know, when men talk in their sleep, they say any thing; but their words are not governed either by faith or reason. There is an incoherency in their words now, as there was before, betwixt their going on Pilgrimage and sitting down here. This then is the mischief of it; when heedless ones go on pilgrimage, t'is twenty to one but they are served thus; for this Enchanted Ground is one of the last refuges that the Enemy to Pilgrims has; wherefore it is, as you see, placed almost at the end of the way, and so it standeth against us with the more advantage. For when, thinks the Enemy, will these fools be so desirous to sit down as when they are weary? and when so like to be weary as when almost at their journey's end? Therefore it is, I say, that the Enchanted Ground is placed so nigh to the land Beulah, and so near the end of their race. Wherefore let Pilgrims look to themselves, lest it happen to them as it has done to these that, as you see, are fallen asleep, and none can awake them.

Then the Pilgrims desired with trembling to go forward; only they prayed their guide to strike a 9 Prov. xxiii. 34, 35.

THE WORLD.

THE LIGHT OF light, that they might go the rest of their way by the help of the light of a lantern. So he struck a light, and they went by the help of that through the rest of this way, though the darkness was very great.

THE CHILDREN

RINESS.

But the children began to be sorely CRY FOR WEA- weary; and they cried out unto him that loveth Pilgrims, to make their way more comfortable. So, by that they had gone a little farther, a wind arose that drove away the fog; so the air became more clear.

Yet they were not off (by much) of the Enchanted Ground; only now they could see one another better, and the way wherein they should walk.

CHANTED GROUND.

Now, when they were almost at the end of this ground, they perceived that a little before them was a solemn noise, as of one that was much concerned. So STANDFAST UPON HIS they went on, and looked before KNEES ON THE EN- them; and behold they saw, as they thought, a Man upon his knees, with hands and eyes lifted up, and speaking, as they thought, earnestly to one that was above. They drew nigh, but could not tell what he said; so they went softly till he had done. When he had done, he got up, and began to run towards the Celestial City. Then Mr. Great-heart called after him, saying, Soho! friend, let us have your company, if you go, as I suppose you do, to the Celestial City. So the man stopped, and they came up to him. But as soon as Mr. Honest saw him, he said, I know this Man. Then said Mr. Valiant-for-truth, Prithee, who is it?

It is one, said

he, that comes from whereabout I dwelt; THE STORY OF his name is Stand-fast; he is certainly a STAND-FAST. right good Pilgrim.

So they came up to one another; and presently Stand-fast said to old Honest, Ho! TALK BETWIXT HIM Father Honest, are you there? Ay, AND MR. HONEST. said he, that I am, as sure as you are there. Right glad I am, said Mr. Stand-fast, that I have found you on this road. And as glad am I, said the other, that I espied you on your knees. Then Mr. Stand-fast blushed, and said, But why, did you see me? Yes, that I did, quoth the other; and, with my heart, was glad at the sight. Why, what did you think? said Stand-fast. Think! said old Honest; what should I think? I thought we had an honest man upon the road; and therefore should have his company by and by. If you thought not amiss, said Stand-fast, how happy am I! but, if I be not as I should, t' is I alone must bear it. That is true, said the other; but your fear doth farther confirm me that things are right betwixt the Prince of Pilgrims and your soul; for, he saith, "Blessed is the man that feareth always.”

AT PRAYER.

Val. Well, but, brother, I pray thee THEY FOUND HIM tell us, what was it that was the cause of thy being upon thy knees even now? that some special mercy laid obligations or how?

Was it for upon thee,

WHAT IT WAS

THAT FETCHED
HIM UPON HIS

Stand-fast. Why, we are, as you see, upon the Enchanted Ground, and, as I was coming along, I was musing with myself of what a dangerous nature the road in this place was, and how many that had come

KNEES.

even thus far on Pilgrimage had there been stopped, and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of the death with which this place destroyeth men. Those that die here die of no violent distemper: the death which such die is not grievous to them; for he that goeth away in a sleep begins that journey with desire and pleasure; yea, such acquiesce in the will of that disease.

Then Mr. Honest, interrupting him, said, Did you see the two men asleep in the arbour?

Stand-fast. Ay, ay; I saw Heedless and Too-bold there; and, for aught I know, there they will lie till they rot.2 But let me go on with my tale: As I was thus musing, as I said, there was one in very pleasant attire, but old, who presented herself to me, and offered me three things, to wit, her body, her purse, and her bed. Now, the truth is, I was both aweary and sleepy: I am also as poor as a howlet, and that perhaps the Witch knew. Well, I repulsed her once and again; but she put by my repulses, and smiled. Then I began to be angry; but she mattered that nothing at all. Then she made offers again, and said, if I would be ruled by her, she would make me great and happy; for, said she, I am the Mistress of the World, and men are made happy by me. Then I asked her

MADAM BUBBLE; OR name, and she told me it was Madam Bubble. This set me farther

THIS VAIN WORLD.

from her; but she still followed me with enticements. Then I betook me, as you saw, to my knees; and with hands lifted up, and cries, I prayed to him that had said he would help. So, just as you came up,

2 Prov. x. 7.