when heedless | it? It is one, said he, who comes from is twenty to one whereabouts I dwelt. His name is Standfast; he is certainly a right good pilgrim.

then, is the mischief of it
ones go on pilgrimage, it
but they are served thus. For this Enchant-
ed 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 jour-
ney'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 them-
selves, lest it happen to them as it has done
to these, that, as you see, are fallen asleep,
and none can wake them.

Then the pilgrims desired, with trembling, to go forward; only they prayed their guide to strike a 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 (2 Pet. i. 19). But the children began to be sorely weary; and they cried out unto Him that loveth pilgrims, to make their way more comfortable. So by that they had gone a little further, 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.

So they came up one to another. And presently Stand-fast said to old Honest, Ho, father Honest! are you there? Ay, said he, that I am, as sure as you are there. Right glad am I, said Mr. Stand-fast, that I have found you on this road. And as glad am I, said the other, that I espied you upon 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, I alone must bear it. That is true, said the other; but your fear doth further confirm me that things are right betwixt the Prince of pilgrims and your soul. For, saith He, "Blessed is the man that feareth alway" (Prov. xxviii. 14).

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

Stand. 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 road the road in this place was, and how many that had come even thus far on pilgrimage had here 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.

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 they went on, and looked before 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, Stand. Ay, ay, I saw Heedless and Tooif you go, as I suppose you do, to the Celes- bold there; and for aught I know, there tial City. So the man stopped, and they they will lie till they rot (Prov. x. 7). But came up to him. But so soon as Mr. Hon- let me go on in my tale. As I was thus est saw him, he said, I know this man. Then musing, as I said, there was one in very said Mr. Valiant-for-truth, Prithee, who is pleasant attire, but old, who presented her

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

me.

self unto me, and offered me three things, to and whoever lay their eyes upon her beauty
wit, her body, her purse, and her bed. Now, are accounted the enemies of God (James iv.
the truth is, I was both aweary and sleepy; 4; 1 John ii. 15). This is she that main-
I am also as poor as an owlet, and that, per- taineth in their splendor all those that are
haps, the witch knew. Well, I repulsed her the enemies of pilgrims; yea, this is she that
once and twice; but she put by my repulses, hath bought off many a man from a pilgrim's
and smiled. Then I began to be angry; life. She is a great gossiper; she is always,
but she mattered that nothing at all. Then both she and her daughters, at one pilgrim's
she made offers again, and said, if I would heels or another, now commending and then
be ruled by her, she would make me great preferring the excellences of this life. She
and happy; for, said she, I am the mistress is a bold and impudent slut she will talk
of the world, and men are made happy by with any man. She always laugheth poor
Then I asked her name, and she told pilgrims to scorn, but highly commends the
me it was Madam Bubble. This set me fur- rich. If there be one cunning to get money
ther from her; but she still followed me in a place, she will speak well of him from
with enticements. Then I betook me, as house to house. She loveth banqueting and
you saw, to my knees, and with hands lifted feasting mainly well; she is always at one
up, and cries, I prayed to Him that had said full table or another. She has given it out
He would help. So, just as you came up, in some places that she is a goddess; and
the gentlewoman went her way. Then I therefore some do worship her. She has her
continued to give thanks for this my great times and open places of cheating; and she
deliverance; for I verily believe she intend- will say and avow it that none can show a
ed no good, but rather sought to make stop good comparable to hers. She promiseth to
of me in my journey.
dwell with children's children, if they will
but love her and make much of her. She
will cast out of her purse gold like dust, in
some places and to some persons: She loves
to be sought after, spoken well of, and to lie
in the bosoms of men. She is never weary
Hon. Madam Bubble! is she not a tall, of commending her commodities, and she
comely dame, somewhat of a swarthy com- loves them most that think best of her. She
plexion?
will promise to some crowns and kingdoms,
Stand. Right, you hit it; she is just such if they will but take her advice; yet many
hath she brought to the halter, and ten
thousand times more to hell.

Hon. Without doubt her designs were bad. But, stay, now you talk of her, methinks I either have seen her, or have read some story of her.

Stand. Perhaps you have done both.

a one.

Hon. Doth she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the end of a sentence? Stand. You fall right upon it again, for these are her very actions.

Hon. Doth she not wear a great purse by her side, and is not her hand often in it, fingering her money, as if that was her heart's delight?

Stand. It is just so; had she stood by all this while you could not more amply have set her forth before me, nor have better described her features.

Hon. Then he that drew her picture was a good limner, and he that wrote of her said true.

Great. This woman is a witch, and it is by virtue of her sorceries that this ground is enchanted. Whoever doth lay their head down in her lap, had as good lay it down on that block over which the axe doth hang;

Stand. O, said Stand-fast, what a mercy
is it that I did resist her; for whither might
she have drawn me!

Great. Whither! nay, none but God knows
whither. But in general, to be sure, she
would have drawn thee "into many foolish
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in de-
struction and perdition" (1 Tim. vi. 9). It
was she that set Absalom against his father,
and Jeroboam against his master.
It was
she that persuaded Judas to sell his Lord;
and that prevailed with Demas to forsake
the godly pilgrim's life. None can tell of
the mischief that she doth. She makes va-
riance betwixt rulers and subjects, betwixt
parents and children, betwixt neighbor and
neighbor, betwixt a man and his wife, be-
twixt a man and himself, betwixt the flesh
and the Spirit. Wherefore, good Mr. Stand-

fast, be as your name is; and "when you tasted a little bitterish to the palate; but it have done all, stand."

and we that survive will accompany you to repent thee of thine aptness to fear and the river-side.

Then she called for her children, and gave them her blessing, and told them that she yet read with comfort the mark that was set in their foreheads, and was glad to see them with her there, and that they had kept their garments so white. Lastly, she bequeathed .to the poor that little she had, and commanded her sons and daughters to be ready against the messenger should come for them. When she had spoken these words to her guide and to her children, she called for Mr. Valiant-for-truth, and said unto him, Sir, you have in all places showed yourself truehearted; be "faithful unto death," and my King will give you 66 a crown of life." I would also entreat you to have an eye to my children; and if at any time you see them faint, speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my sons' wives, they have been faithful, and a fulfilling of the promise upon them will be their end. But she gave Mr. Stand-fast a ring.

Then she called for old Mr. Honest, and said of him," Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." Then said he, I wish you a fair day when you set out for Mount Zion, and shall be glad to see that you go over the river dryshod. But she answered, Come wet, come dry, I long to be gone; for however the weather is in my journey, I shall have time enough when I come there to sit down and rest me and dry me.

doubt of his goodness before he sends for thee; lest thou shouldest, when he comes, be forced to stand before him for that fault with blushing.

Now the day drew on that Christiana must be gone. So the road was full of people to see her take her journey. But, behold, all the banks beyond the river were full of horses and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the city gate. So she came forth and entered the river, with a beckon of farewell to those that followed her to the river-side. The last words that she was heard to say here were, I come, Lord, to be with thee and bless thee.

So her children and friends returned to their place, for those that waited for Christiana had carried her out of their sight. So she went and called, and entered in at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy that her husband Christian had entered with before her.

At her departure her children wept. But Mr. Great-heart and Mr. Valiant played upon the well-tuned cymbal and harp for joy. So all departed to their respective places.

In process of time there came a post to the town again, and his business was with Mr. Ready-to-halt. So he inquired him out, and said to him, I am come to thee in the name of Him whom thou hast loved and followed, though upon crutches; and my Then came in that good man, Mr. Ready-message is to tell thee, that he expects thee to-halt, to see her. So she said to him, at his table, to sup with him in his kingThy travel hither has been with difficulty; dom, the next day after Easter; wherefore but that will make thy rest the sweeter. But prepare thyself for this journey. watch, and be ready; for at an hour when ye think not the messenger may come.

After him came in Mr. Despondency, and his daughter Much-afraid; to whom she said, You ought with thankfulness forever to remember your deliverance from the hards of Giant Despair, and out of Doubting Castle. The effect of that mercy is, that you are brought with safety hither. Be ye watchful, and cast away fear; "be sober, and hope to the end."

Then she said to Mr. Feeble-mind, Thou wast delivered from the mouth of Giant Slay-good, that thou mightest live in the light of the living forever, and see thy King with comfort; only I advise thee to

Then he also gave him a token that he was a true messenger, saying, "I have broken thy golden bowl, and loosed thy silver cord (Eccles. xii. 6).

After this Mr. Ready-to-halt called for his fellow-pilgrims, and told them, saying, I am sent for, and God shall surely visit you also. So he desired Mr. Valiant to make his will. And because he had nothing to bequeath to them that should survive him but his crutches and his good wishes, therefore thus he said, These crutches I bequeath to my son that shall tread in my steps, with an hundred warm wishes that he may prove better than I have done.

Then he thanked Mr. Great-heart for his

conduct and kindness, and so addressed him- | will offer themselves to others. For, to be self to his journey. When he came at the plain with you, they are ghosts, the which brink of the river he said, Now I shall have we entertained when we first began to be no more need of these crutches, since yonder pilgrims, and could never shake them off are chariots and horses for me to ride on. after: and they will walk about, and seek The last words he was heard to say were, entertainment of the pilgrims; but for our Welcome life! So he went his way. sakes shut ye the doors upon them.