12

TIMOROUS DIS BADES HER FROM IT.

him. O that my soul was with him! He dwelleth in the presence of the King of the country; he sits and eats with him at his table; he is become a companion of immortals, and has a house now given him to dwell in, to which the best palaces on earth, if compared, seem to me but as a dunghill'. The Prince of the palace has also sent for me, with promises of entertainment, if I shall come to him; his messenger was here even now, and brought me a letter, which invites me to come. And with that she plucked out her letter, and read it, and said to them, What now will you say to this?

TIM. Oh, the madness that has possessed thee and thy husband! to run yourselves upon such difficulties! You have heard, I am sure, what your husband did meet with, even in a manner, at the first step that he took on his way, as our neighbour OBSTINATE can yet testify, for he went along with him; yea, and PLIABLE too, until they, like wise men, were afraid to go any further". further. We also heard, over and above, how he met with the lions, APOLLYON, the SHADOW OF DEATH, and many other things. Nor is the danger that he met with at VANITY-FAIR to be for gotten by thee. For if he, though a man, was so hard put to it, what canst thou, being but a poor woman, do? Consider also, that these four sweet babes are thy children, thy flesh and thy bones. Therefore though thou shouldst be so rash as to cast away thyself; for the sake of the fruit of thy body, keep them at home.

yet

MERCY INCLINES TO ACCOMPANY HER.

13

But CHRISTIANA said unto her, Tempt me not, my neighbour: I have now a price put into my hand to get a gain, and I should be a fool of the greatest sort, if I should have no heart to strike in with the opportunity. And for that you tell me of all these troubles that I am like to meet with in the way, they are so far from being to me a discouragement, that they show I am in the right. The bitter must come before the sweet, and that also will make the sweet the Wherefore since you came not to my house in God's name, as I said, I pray you be gone, and do not disquiet me further.

sweeter.

Then TIMOROUS also reviled her, and said to her fellow, 'Come, neighbour MERCY, let us leave her in ⚫ her own hands, since she scorns our counsel and company.' But MERCY was at a stand, and could not so readily comply with her neighbour; and that for a two-fold reason-1st. Her bowels yearned over CHRISTIANA. So she said within herself, If my neighbour 'will needs be gone, I will go a little way with her, ' and help her.'-2dly. Her bowels yearned over her own soul; for what CHRISTIANA had said, had taken some hold upon her mind. Wherefore she said within herself again, I will yet have more talk with

this CHRISTIANA; and, if I find truth and life in 'what she shall say, myself with my heart shall also 'go with her.' Wherefore MERCY began thus to reply to her neighbour TIMOROUS.

MER. Neighbour, I did indeed come with you to see CHRISTIANA this morning; and, since she is, as you see, a taking her last farewel of the country, I

14

TIMOROUS RETURNS HOME,

think to walk this sun-shiny morning a little with her, to help her on her way.-But she told her not of her second reason, but kept it to herself.

TIM. Well, I see you have a mind to go a fooling too; but take heed in time, and be wise; while we are out of danger, we are out; but, when we are in, we are in. So Mrs. TIMOROUS returned to her house, and CHRISTIANA betook herself to her journey. But, when TIMOROUS was got home to her house, she sends for some of her neighbours, to wit, Mrs. BAT'sEYES, Mrs. INCONSIDERATE, Mrs. LIGHT-MIND, and Mrs. KNOW-NOTHING. So, when they were come to her house, she falls to telling of the story of CHRISTIANA, and of her intended journey. And thus she began her tale-

Neighbours, having but little to do this morning, I went to give CHRISTIANA a visit; and, when I came at the door, I knocked, as you know it is our custom: and she answered, 'If you come in God's name, come in.' So in I went, thinking all was well: but, when I came in, I found her preparing herself to depart the town; she, and also her children. So I asked her, what was her meaning by that? And she told me in short, that she was now of a mind to go on pilgrimage, as did her husband. She told me also a dream that she had, and how the King of the country where her husband was had sent her an inviting letter to come thither.

Then said Mrs. KNOW-NOTHING, And what do you think she will go?

Tiм. Ay, go she will, whatever come on't; and methinks I know it by this; for that which was my

AND TALKS WITH HER NEIGHBOURS OF CHRISTIANA. 15

great argument to persuade her to stay at home (to wit, the troubles she was like to meet with in the way,) is one great argument with her, to put her forward on her journey. For she told me in so many words, The bitter goes before the sweet: yea, and forasmuch it doth, it makes the sweet the sweeter.'

as

Mrs. BAT'S-EYES. Oh this blind and foolish woman; and will she not take warning by her husband's afflictions? For my part, I see, if he were here again, he would rest him content in a whole skin, and never run so many hazards for nothing.

Mrs. INCONSIDERATE also replied, saying, Away with such fantastical fools from the town: a good riddance, for my part, I say of her; should she stay where she dwells, and retain this mind, who could live quietly by her? for she will either be dumpish or unneighbourly, to talk of such matters as no wise body can abide: wherefore for my part, I shall never be sorry for her departure; let her go, and let better come in her room: it was never a good world since these whimsical fools dwelt in it.

Then Mrs. LIGHT-MIND added as followeth : Come, put this kind of talk away. I was yesterday at Madam WANTON'S', where we were as merry as the maids. For who do you think should be there, but I and Mrs. LOVE-THE-FLESH, and three or four more, with Mr. LECHERY, Mrs. FILTH, and some others: so there we had music and dancing, and what else was meet to fill up the pleasure. And, I dare say, my

1 P. i. p. 75, 76.

4

16 CHRISTIANA PERSUADES MERCY TO GO WITH HER.

lady herself is an admirable well-bred gentlewoman, and Mr. LECHERY is as pretty a fellow.

By this time CHRISTIANA was got on her way, and MERCY went along with her: so as they went, her children being there also, CHRISTIANA began to discourse. And, MERCY,' said CHRISTIANA,

⚫ take this as an unexpected favour, that thou shouldst set foot out of doors with me to accompany me a little in my way.'

Then said young MERCY, (for she was but young,) If I thought it would be to purpose to go with you, I would never go near the town.

Well, MERCY, said CHRISTIANA, cast in thy lot with me, I well know what will be the end of our pilgrimage: my husband is where he would not but be for all the gold in the SPANISH mines. Nor shalt thou be rejected, though thou goest but upon my invitation. The King, who hath sent for me and my children, is one that delighteth in mercy. Besides, if thou wilt,

I will hire thee, and thou shalt go along with me as
my servant.
Yet we will have all things in common

betwixt thee and me: only go along with me.

MER. But how shall I be ascertained that I also shall be entertained? Had I this hope from one that can tell, I would make no stick at all, but would go, being helped by him that can help, though the way was never so tedious.

CHR. Well, loving MERCY, I will tell thee what thou shalt do; go with me to the WICKET-GATE, and there I will further enquire for thee; and, if there thou shalt not meet with encouragement, I will be