164 THE PILGRIMS CAUTIONED BY THEIR EXAMPLE.

"I will seek it yet 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; even as there was before, betwixt their going on pilgrimage and their sitting down here. This then is the mischief on't, when heedless ones go on pilgrimage; 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 at what time so likely for to be weary, as when they are 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 happens 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 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".

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

THEY FIND STANDFAST ON HIS KNEES.

165

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, but only now they could see one another better, and also the way wherein they should walk.

Now when they were almost at the end of this ground, they perceived, that a little before them. was a solemn noise 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, if you go, as I suppose you do, to the celestial city.' So the man stopped, and they came up to him: but so soon as Mr. HONEST saw him, he said, I know this man.' Then said Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH,

6

Pr'ythee,

• who is it?' ''Tis one,' said he, that comes from whereabouts I dwelt: his name is STANDFAST; he is certainly a right good pilgrim.'

So they came up to one another; and presently STANDFAST 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. STANDFAST, that I have found you on • this road.' And as glad am that I spied you on your knees.'

Rrr

I,' said the other,

Then Mr. STAND

166 THE REASON OF HIS BEING FOUND IN THAT POSTURE

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 STANDFAST.

Think!' said old

HONEST, what should I think? I thought we had an honest man upon the road, therefore should have his company by-and-by.' If you thought not amiss, how happy am I; but, if I be not as I should, ''tis 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 he saith, "Blessed is the man that "feareth always."

VAL. 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 some obligations laid by special mercies upon thee, or how?

ST. 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 even thus far on pilgrimage, had here been stopt and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of death, with which this place destroyeth Those that die here, die of no violent distemper: the death which such do 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.

men.

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

MADAM BUBBLE HAVING MET WITH HIM.

167

Sr. Ay, ay, I saw HEEDLESS and also TooBOLD there; and, for aught I know, that there they will lie until they rot': but let me go on with my tale.As I was thus musing, as I said, there was one in pleasant attire, but old, who presented herself unto me, and offered me three things; to wit, her body, her purse, and her bed. Now the truth is, I was both weary and sleepy: I am also as poor as an owlet, and that perhaps the witch knew. Well, I repulsed her once and twice; 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 name, and she told me it was Madam BUBBLE. This set me further from her; but she still followed me with inticements. Then I betook me, as you see, 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, the gentlewoman went her way. Then I continued to give thanks for this great. deliverance; for I verily believe she intended no good, but rather sought to make a stop of me in my journey.

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.

Sr. Perhaps you have done both.

HON. Madam BUBBLE! Is she not a tall, comely dame, something of a swarthy complexion?

1 Prov. x. 7.

168

GREAT-HEART'S ACCOUNT OF MADAM BUBBLE,

Sr. Right, you hit it, she is just such an one. HON. Doth she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the end of every sentence.

Sr. 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. 'Tis just so: had she stood by all this while, you could not more amply have set her forth before me, and have better described her features.

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

GR.-H. 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 upon that block over which the axe doth hang; and whoever lays their eyes upon her beauty, are counted the enemies of GOD'. This is she that maintaineth in their splendour all those that are the enemies of pilgrims. Yea, this is she that hath brought off many a man from a pilgrim's life. She is a great gossipper; she is always, both she and her daughters, at one pilgrim's heels or another, now commending, and then preferring the excellencies of this life. She is a bold and impudent slut; she will talk with any She always laugheth poor pilgrims to scorn; but highly commends the rich. If there be one cunning to get money in a place, she will speak well of him from house to house; she loveth banqueting

man.