Part two, the fifth stage. Now I saw in my dream that they
went forward until they were come to the brow of the hill, where Piety,
bethinking herself, cried out, alas I have forgot what I intended to
bestow upon Christiana and her companions. I will go back and fetch it.
So she ran and fetched it. While she was gone, Christiana thought she
heard in a grove a little way off on the right hand, a most
curious, melodious note, with words much like these. Through all my life,
thy favor is so frankly showed to me that in Thy house for evermore
my dwelling place shall be. And listening still, she thought she heard another
answering, saying, for why the Lord, our God is good. His
mercy is for ever sure, his truth at all times firmly stood, and
shall from age to age endure. So Christiana asked Prudence who it was that
made these curious notes Song of Solomon two eleven and twelve. They are,
answered, she, our country birds they sing these notes, but seldom except
it be at the spring, when the flowers appear and the sun shines warm.
And then you may hear them all day long, I often said,
She go out to hear them. We also oftentimes keep them tame in our
house. They are very fine company for us when we are melancholy. Also
they make the woods and groves and solitary places places desirable to be in.
By this time Piety was come again, so she said to Christiana, Look
here I have brought thee a scheme of all those things that thou hast seen
at our house, upon which thou mayest look when thou find'st thyself forgetful,
and call those things again to remembrance for thy edification and comfort. Now they
began to go down the hill into the Valley of Humiliation. It was a
steep hill, and the way was slippery, but they were very careful,
so they got down pretty well. When they were down in the valley,
Piety said to Christiana, this is the place where Christian, your husband met
with the foul fiend Apollon, and where they had that dreadful fight that they
had. I know you cannot but have heard thereof, But be of good
courage. As long as you have here, mister Greatheart, to be your
guide and conductor, we hope you will fare the better. So, when
these two had committed the pilgrims unto the conduct of their guide. He went
forward, and they went after. Mister Greatheart. Then said mister Greatheart,
we need not be so afraid of this valley, for here is nothing to
hurt us unless we procure it to ourselves. It is true Christian did here
meet with Apollon, with whom he had also a sore combat, But that
fray was the fruit of those slips that he got in his going down the
hill. For they that get slips there must look for combats here. And
hence it is that this valley has got so hard a name for the common
people, when they hear that some frightful thing has befallen such an one in
such a place. Our of opinion that that place is haunted with some foul
fiend or evil spirit, when alas it is for the fruit of their doing,
that such things do befall them there, this valley of Humiliation is of
itself as fruitful a place as any. The crow flies over, and I
am persuaded if we could hit upon it, we might find somewhere hereabouts something
that might give us an account why Christian was so hardly beset in this place.
Then said James, to his mother. Lo yonderstands a pillar, and
it looks as if something was written thereon. Let us go and see what
it is. So they went and found there written Let Christian slips before he
came hither, and the battles that he met with in this place be a
warning to those that come after. Lo said their guide, did not I
tell you that there was something hereabouts that would give intimation of the reason why
Christian was so hard beset in this place. Then, turning to Christiana,
he said, no disparagement to Christian more than to any others whose hap and
lot it was. For it is easier going up than down this hill,
And that can be said but of few hills in all these parts of the
world. But we will leave the good man. He is at rest.
He also had a brave victory over his enemy. Let him grant that dwelleth
above that we fare no worse when we come be tried than he. But
we will come again. This valley of humiliation. It is the best and
most fruitful piece of ground in all those parts. It is fat ground,
and as you see, consisteth much in meadows. And if a man was
to come here in the summer time, as we do now. If he
knew not anything before thereof, and if he also delighted himself in the sight
of his eyes, he might see that which would be delightful to him.
Behold, how green this valley is, also how beautified with lilies Song of
Solomon two one. I have known many laboring men that have got good estates
in this valley of humiliation. For God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
to the humble James four six, First Peter five five. Indeed it is
a very fruitful soil, and doth bring forth by handfuls. Some also have
wished that the next way to their father's house were here, that they might
be troubled no more with either hills or mountains to go over. But there
wagh is the way, and there is an end. Now. As they
were going along and talking, they aspired a boy feeding his father's sheep.
The boy was in very mean clothes, but of a very fresh and well
favored countenance. And as he sat by himself he sung, hark said,
mister greatheart, to what the shepherd's boy saith? So they harkened as he
said, he that is thoun needs fear no. Four, he that is
low, no pride, He that is humble, ever, shall have God
to be his guide. I am content with what I have, little be
it or much, And Lord, contentment still I crave, because thou savest
such fullness to such a burden is that go on pilgrimage? Here little and
hereafter bliss is best from age to age, Then said the guide. Do
you hear him? I will dare to say that this boy lives a merrier
life and wears more of that herb called heart's ease in his bosom than he
that is clad in silk and velvet. But we will proceed in our discourse
in this valley. Our lord formerly had his country house. He loved much
to be here. He loved also to walk these meadows, for he found
the air was pleasant. Besides, here a man shall be free from the
noise and from the hurryings of this life. All states are full of noise
and confusion. Only the value of humiliation is that empty and solitary place.
Here a man shall not be so let and hindered in his contemplation as in
other places he is apt to be. This is a valley that nobody walks
in, but those that love a pilgrim's life. And though Christian had the
hard hap to meet here with a pollium and to enter with him in a
brisk encounter, yet I must tell you that in former times men have met
with angels here Joseah twelve four and five, have found pearls here Matthew thirteen
forty six, and have in this place found the words of life Proverbs eight
thirty six. Did I say our Lord had here in former days his country
house, and that he loved here to walk, I will add in this
place and to the people that love and trace these grounds, he has left
a yearly revenue to be faithfully paid them at certain seasons, for their maintenance
by their way, and for their further encouragement to go on in their pilgrimage.
Samuel. Now, as they went on, Samuel said to mister Greatheart,
Sir, I perceive that in this valley my father and Apollyon had their
battle. But whereabout was the fight? For I perceive this valley is large,
mister Greatheart, your father had the battle with a pollion at a place
yonder before us, in a narrow passage just beyond forgetful Green. And indeed
that place is the most dangerous in all these parts. For if at any
time pilgrims meet with any brunt, it is when they forget what favors they
have received, and how unworthy they are of them. This is the place
also where others have been hard put to it. But more of the place
when we are come to it. For I persuade myself that to this day
there remains either some sign of the battle or some monument to testify that such
a battle there was fought. Mercy, then said Mercy, I think I
am as well in this valley as I have been anywhere else in all our
journey. This place, methinks, suits with my spirit. I love to
be in such places where there is no rattling with coaches, nor rumbling with
wheels. Methinks, here here one may, without much molestation, be thinking
what he is, whence he came, what he has done, and to
what the King has called him. Here one may think and break at heart,
and melt in one spirit until one's eyes become as the fish pulls in
Heshban song Solomon seven. Four. They that go rightly through this valley of
Baca make it a well. The rain that God sends down from heaven upon
them that are here, also filleth the pools this valley is that from whence
also the King will give to his their vineyards, and they that go through
it shall sing, as Christian did for all he met with Apollon Psalm eighty
four five to seven Joseiah two fifteen. Mister greatheart, tis true, said
their guide. I have gone through this valley many a time, and never
was better than when here I have as been a conduct to several pilgrims,
and they have confessed the same to this man. Will I look saith the
king, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and
trembleth at my word Isaiah sixty six two. Now they were come to the
place where the aforementioned battle was fought. Then said the guide to Christiana,
her children and mercy. This is the place on this ground Christian stood,
and up there came Apollon against him. And look, and look, did
I not tell you? Here is some of your husband's blood upon these stones.
To this day? Behold also how here and there are yet to be
seen upon the place some of the shivers of Apollion's broken darts. See also,
had they did beat the ground with their feet as they fought to make
good their places against each other. How also with their biblows they did split
the very stones and pieces. Verily, Christian did here play the man,
and showed himself as stout as Hercules could had he been there, even he
himself. When Apollon was beat, he made his retreat to the next valley,
that is called the valley of the Shadow of Death, unto which we
shall come. Anon lo Yonder also stands a monument on which, as it
engravened this battle and Christian's victory to his fame throughout all ages. So because
it stood just on the wayside before them, they stepped to it and read
the writing, which word for word was this hard by. Here was a
battle fought most strange and yet most true. Christian and Apollon fought each other
to subdue the man. So bravely played the man, he made the fiend
to fly, of which a monument I stand the same to testify. When
they had passed by this place, they came upon the borders of the Shadow
of Death. This valley was longer than the other, a place also most
strangely haunted with evil things, as many are able to testify. But these
women and children went the better through it, because they had daylight, and
because mister Greatheart was their conductor. When they were entering upon this valley,
they thought they heard a groaning as of dying men, a very great groaning.
They felt also that they did hear words of lamentation spoken, as of
some in extreme torment. These things made the boys to quake. The women
also looked pale and wan but their guide bid them be of good comfort.
So they went on a little further, and they thought that they felt the
ground begin to shake under them, as if some hollow place was there.
They heard also a kind of hissing as of serpents, but nothing as yet
appeared. Then the boys are we not yet at the end of this doleful
place. But the guide also bid them be of good courage, and look
well to their feet less happily said he ye be taken in some snare.
Now James began to be sick, but I think the cause thereof was fear.
So his mother gave him some of that glass of spirits that had been
given her at their interpreter's house, and three of the pills that mister Skill
had prepared, and the boy began to revive. Thus they went on till
they came to about the middle of the valley, and then Christiana said,
methinks, I see something yonder upon the road before us, a thing of
a shape such as I have not seen. But then said Joseph, mother,
what is it? An ugly thing, child, An ugly thing,
said she. But mother, what is it like? Said he? Tis
like? I cannot tell, what, said she. And now it is
but a little way off, then said she. It is nigh. Well,
said mister greatheart. Let them that I'm most afraid, keep close to
me. So the fiend came on, and the conductor met it, but
when it was come to him, it vanished. To all their sights.
Then remembered they what had been said some time ago, Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you James four seven. They went therefore on as
being a little refreshed. But they had not gone far before Mercy, looking
behind her sore as she thought something most like a lion. And it came
at a great padding pace after and it had a hollow voice of roaring,
and at every roar it gave it made the valley echo, and all their
hearts to ache save the heart of him that was their guide. So it
came up, and mister Greatheart went behind and put the pilgrims all before him.
The lion also came on apace, and mister Greatheart addressed himself to give
him battle first Peter five, eight and nine. But when he saw that
it was determined that resistance should be made, he also drew back and came
no further. Then they went on again, and their conductor went before them,
till they came to a place where it was cast up a pit the
whole breadth of the way. And before they could be prepared to go over
that, a great mist and a darkness fell upon them, so that they
could not see. Then said the pilgrims, alas, what now shall we
do? But their guide made answer, fear not stand still and see what
an end will be put to this also, so they stayed there, because
their path was marred. They then also thought that they did here more.
Apparently the noise and rushing of the enemies, the fire also and the smoke
of the pit were much easier to be discerned. Then, said Christiana to
Mercy. Now I see what my poor husband went through. I have heard
much of this place, but I never was here before. Now, poor
man, he went here all alone in the night. He had night almost
quite through the way. Also, these fiends were busy about him, as
if they would have torn him in pieces. Many have spoken of it,
but none can tell what the valley of the Shadow of Death should mean until
they come in themselves. The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger
intermeddleth not with its joy Proverbs fourteen ten. To be here is a fearful
thing, mister greatheart. This is like doing business in great waters, or
like going down into the deep. This is like being in the heart of
the sea, and like going down to the bottoms of the mountains. Now
it seems as if the earth with its bars, were about us forever.
But let them that walk in darkness and have no light trust in the name
of the Lord, and stay upon their God Isaiah fifty ten. For my
part, as I have told you already, I have gone often through this
valley, and have been much harder put to it than now I am.
And yet you see I am alive. I would not boast for that.
I am not mine own savior, but I trust we shall have a good
deliverance. Come, let us pray for light to him that can lighten our
darkness, and that can rebuke not only these but all the satans in hell.
So they cried and prayed, and God sent light and deliverance. For
there was now no let in their way, no not there where. But
now they were stopped with a pit. Yet they were not got through the
valley. So they went on still, and met with great stinks and loathsome
smells. To the great annoyance of them. Then said Mercy to Christiana.
It is not so pleasant being here as at the gate, or at the
interpreters, or at the house where we lay last. Oh, but said
one of the boys, it is not so bad to go through here as
it is to abide here always and for all I know. One reason why
we must go this way to the house prepared for us, is that our
home might be the sweeter to us. Well, said Samuel, quoth the
guide, thou hast now spoke like a man. Why if ever I get
out here again, said the boy, I think I shall prize light and
good way better than I ever did in all my life. Then said the
guide, we shall be out by and by so on they went, and
Joseph said, cannot we see to the end of this valley as yet?
Then said the guide, look to your feet, for we shall presently be
among the snares. So they looked to their feet and went on. But
they were troubled much with the snares. Now, when they were come among
the snares, they aspired a man cast into the ditch on the left hand,
with his flesh or rent and torn. Then said the guide, that
is one heedless that was going this way. He has lain there a great
while. There was one take heed with him when he was taken and slain,
But he escaped their hands. You cannot imagine how many are killed hereabouts.
And yet men are so foolishly venturous as to set out lightly on pilgrimage
and to come without a guide. Poor Christian, it was a wonder that
he here escaped. But he was beloved of his God. Also he had
a good heart of his own, or else he could never have done it.
Now they drew towards the end of this way, and just there where
Christian had seen the cave when he went by out. Thence came forth more
a giant. This more did used to spoil young pilgrims with sophistry. And
he called great Heart by his name, and said unto him, how many
times have you been forbidden to do these things? Then said mister Greatheart,
what things? What things? Quoth the Giant? You know what things?
But I will put an end to your trade. But pray, said mister
Greatheart, before we fall to it. Let us understand, wherefore we must
fight. Now The women and dren stood trembling and knew not what to do.
Quoth the Giant, you rob the country, and rob it with the
worst of thefts. These are but generals, said mister Greatheart. Come to
particulars. Man, then said the Giant, Thou practicest the craft of a
kidnapper. Thou gatherest up women and children and carriest them into a strange country,
to the weakening of my master's kingdom. But now, great Heart replied,
I am a servant of the God of Heaven. My business is to
persuade sinners to repentance. I am commanded to do my endeavors to turn men,
women and children from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
unto God. And if this be indeed, the ground of thy quarrel.
Let us fall to it as soon as thou wilt. Then the giant came
up, and mister Greatheart went to meet him, And as he went he
drew his sword, But the yet had a club, so without more ado,
they fell to it, And at the first blow the giant struck mister
Greatheart down upon one of his knees. With that the women and children cried
out. So mister Greatheart, recovering himself, laid about him in full lusty
manner, and gave the giant a wound in his arm. Thus he fought
for the space of an hour to that height of heat that the breath came
out of the giant's nostrils as the heat doth out of a boiling cauldron.
Then they sat down to rest them, but mister Greatheart betook himself to prayer.
Also the women and children did nothing but sigh and cry all the time
that the battle did last. When they had rested them and taken breath,
they both fell to it again, and mister Greatheart, with a blow,
fetched the giant down to the ground. Nay, hold let me recover,
quoth he. So mister great Heart fairly let him get up so to it
they went again, and the giant missed but little of all, to breaking
mister Greatheart's skull with his club. Mister Greatheart, seeing that, runs to
him in the full heat of his spirit, and pierceth him under the fifth
rib. With that the giant began to faint and could hold up his club
no longer. Then mister Greatheart seconded his blow and smite the head of the
giant from his shoulders. Then the women and children rejoiced, and mister Greatheart
also praised God for the deliverance he had wrought. When this was done,
they amongst them erected a pillar and fastened the giant's head thereon, and wrote
under in letters that passengers might read. He that did wear this head was
one that pilgrims did misuse. He stopped their way. He spared none,
but did them all abuse until that eye great Heart arose the pilgrim's guide to
be. Until that I did him oppose that was their enemy. End Part
two, The fifth Stage