went, and fought for above an hour, and then stood still to take wind. Slay. Then said the giant, Why are you here on my ground? Great. To revenge the blood of pilgrims, as I also told thee before. So they went to it again, and the giant made Mr. Great-heart give back; but he came up again, and, in the greatness of his mind, he let fly with assaulted and slain. such stoutness at the giant's head and The giant sides, that he made him let his weapon fall out of his hand. So he smote him, and slew him, and cut off his head, and brought it away to the inn. He also took Feeble-mind, the pilgrim, and brought him with him to his lodgings. When they were come home, they showed his head to the family, and then set it up, as they had done others before, for a terror to those that shall attempt to do as he hereafter. One Feeblemind rescued from the gi ant. 328 Feeble-mind's Then they asked Mr. Feeble-mind how he fell into his hands. Feeble. Then said the poor man, I am a sickly man, as you see; and, because Death did How Feeblemind came to usually once a day knock at my door, I be a pilgrim. thought I should never be well at home; so I betook myself to a pilgrim's life, and have travelled hither from the town of Uncertain, where I and my father were born. I am a man of no strength at all of body, nor yet of mind; but would, if I could, though I can but crawl, spend my life in the pilgrim's way. When I came at the gate that is at the head of the way, the Lord of that place did entertain me freely; neither objected he against my weakly looks, nor against my feeble mind; but gave me such things that were necessary for my journey, and bid me hope to the end. When I came to the house of the Interpreter, I received much kindness there; and because the Hill Difficulty was judged too hard for me, I was carried up that by one of his servants. Indeed, I have found much relief from pilgrims, though none were willing to go so softly as I am forced to do; yet still, as they came on, they bid me be of good cheer, and said that it was the will of their Lord that comfort should be given to the feeble-minded, and so went on their own pace (1 Thess. v. 14). When I was come up to Assault Lane, then this giant met with me, and bid me prepare for an encounter; but, alas! feeble one that I was, I had more need of a cordial. So he came up and took me. I conceited he should not kill me. Also, when he got me into his den, since I went not with him willingly, I believed I should come out alive again; for I have heard that not any pilgrim that is taken captive by violent hands, if he keeps heart-whole towards his Master, is, by the laws of Providence, to die by the hand of the enemy. Robbed I looked to be, and robbed to be sure I am; but I am, Mark this! Unexpected Favour. 329 Mark this! as you see, escaped with life; for the which I thank my King as author, and you as the means. Other brunts I also look for; but this I have resolved on, to wit, to run when I can, to go when I cannot run, and to creep when 1 cannot go. As to the main, I thank Him that loves me, I am fixed. My way is before me, my mind is beyond the river that has no bridge, though I am, as you see, but of a feeble mind. Hon. Then said old Mr. Honest, Have you not, some time ago, been acquainted with one Mr. Fearing, a pilgrim? Feeble. Acquainted with him! yes; he came from the town of Stupidity, which lieth four degrees to the northward of the City of ing Mr.Feeblemind's uncle. Destruction, and as many off of where Mr. Fear I was born; yet we were well acquainted, for indeed he was my uncle, my father's brother. He and I have been much of a temper. He was a little shorter than I, but yet we were much of a complexion. Hon. I perceive you know him, and I am apt to believe also that you were related one to another; for you have his whitely look, a cast like his with your eye, and speech is much alike. your Feeble-mind has some of Mr. Fearing's features. Feeble. Most have said so that have known us both; and, besides, what I have read in him, I have for the most part found in myself. Gaius. Come, sir, said good Gaius, be of good cheer; you are welcome to me, and to my house; Gaius com and what thou hast a mind to, call for forts him. freely; and what thou wouldest have my servants to do for thee, they will do it with a ready mind. Then said Mr. Feeble-mind, This is unexpected favour, and as the sun shining out of a very dark cloud. Did Giant Slay-good intend me this favour when he stopped me, and resolved to let me go no further? Did he in Notice to be taken of Providence. 330 Death of Not-right. tend, that after he had rifled my pockets, I should go to Gaius, mine host? Yet so it is. Now, just as Mr. Feeble-mind and Gaius were thus in talk, there comes one running, and called at the door, and told that about a mile and a half off there was one Mr. Tidings how one Not-right was slain with a thunder bolt, and Mr. Not-right, a pilgrim, struck dead upon the place where he was with a thunderbolt. Feeble-mind's comment upon it. Feeble. Alas! said Mr. Feeble-mind, is he slain? He overtook me some days before I came so far as hither, and would be my company-keeper. He also was with me when Slay-good, the giant, took me; but he was nimble of his heels, and escaped. But it seems he escaped to die, and I was taken to live. A Wedding. What, one would think, doth seek to slay outright, Hands crossed gives death to him and life to me. 331 Now, about this time, Matthew and Mercy were married; also Gaius gave his daughter Phebe to James, Matthew's brother, to wife; after which time they yet stayed about ten days at Gaius's house, spending their time and the seasons like as pilgrims used to do. The pilgrims prepare to go forward. When they were to depart, Gaius made them a feast, and they did eat and drink, and were merry. Now the hour was come that they must be gone; wherefore Mr. Greatheart called for a reckoning. But Gaius told him, that at his house it was not the custom of pilgrims to pay for their entertainment. He boarded them by the year, but looked for his pay from the good Samaritan, who had promised him, at his return, whatsoever |