Second half of Part two, the sixth stage. Now the cook sent up
to signify that supper was almost ready, and sent one to lay the cloth
and the trenches, and to set the salt and bread in order. Then
said Matthew, the sight of this cloth and of this forerunner of the supper
begetteth in me a greater appetite for my food than I had before Gaius.
So let all ministering doctrines to thee in this life beget in thee a greater
desire to sit at the supper of the Great King in his kingdom. For
all preaching books and ordinances here a butt as the laying of the trenches and
the setting of salt upon the board, when compared with the feast which our
Lord will make for us when we come to his house. So supper came
up, and first a heave shoulder and a wave breast were set on the
table before them, to show that they must begin their meal with prayer and
praise to God. The heave shoulder David lifted up his heart to God with
and with the wave breast where his heart lay. He used to lean upon
his heart when he played Leviticus seven thirty two to thirty four, ten,
fourteen and fifteen Psalm twenty five one, Hebrews thirteen fifteen. These two dishes
were very fresh and good, and they all ate heartily thereof. The next
they brought up was a bottle of wine as red as blood Deuteronomy thirty two,
fourteen, Judges nine thirteen, John fifteen five. So Gaeas said to
them, drink freely. This is the true juice of the vine that makes
glad the heart of God and man. So they drank and were merry.
The next was a dish of milk, well crumbed. Gayus said, let
the boys have that that they may grow thereby first Peter two one and two.
Then they brought up, in course a dish of butter and honey.
Then said GaAs, eat freely of this, for this is good to cheer
up and strengthen your judgments and understandings. This was our lord's dish when he
was a child. Butter and honey shall he eat that he may know to
refuse the evil and choose the good Isaiah seven fifteen. Then they brought them
up a dish of apples, and they were very good tasted fruit. Then
said Matthew, May we eat apples, since it was such by and with
which the serpent beguild. Our first mother then said Gaius, Apples were they
with which we were beguiled? Yet sin not apples? Hath our souls defiled?
Apples? Forbid if eate corrupt the blood to eat such when commanded,
does us good drink of his flagons. Then thou church his dove and eat
his apples? Who art sick of love? Then said Matthew. I made
the scruple because I a while since was sick with the eating of fruit.
Gaius, forbidden fruit will make you sick, but not what our lord has
tolerated. While they were thus talking, they were presented with another dish,
and it was a dish of nuts. Song of Solomon six eleven then said
some at the table. Nuts spoil tender teeth, especially the teeth of children,
which, when Gaius heard, he said, hard techs are nuts.
I will not call them cheaters, whose shells to keep the kernel from the
eaters. Open the shells, and you shall have the meat. They here
are brought for you to crack and eat. Then were they very merry,
and sat at the table a long time, talking of many things. Then
said the old gentleman, my good landlord, while we are cracking your nuts,
if you please, do you open this riddle. A man there was,
though some did count him mad. The more he cast away the more
he had. Then they all gave good heed, wondering what good Gaius would
say. So he sat still awhile, and then thus replied, he who
bestows his goods upon the poor shall have as much again, and ten times
more. Then said Joseph, I dare say, sir, I did not
think you could have found it out, Oh, said Gaius. I have
been trained up in this way a great while. Nothing teach us like exp
sperience. I have learned of my lord to be kind, and have found
by experience that I have gained thereby. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth.
And there is that withholdeth more than its meat, but it tendeth to
poverty. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing there is that
maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches Proverbs eleven, twenty four thirteen seven.
Then Samuel whispered to Christiana, his mother, and said, mother,
this is a very good man's house, Let us stay here a good while,
and let my brother Matthew be married here to Mercy before we go any
further, the which gay Us, the host overhearing, said, with a
very good will, my child. So they stayed there more than a month,
and Mercy was given to Matthew to wife. While they here, Mercy,
as her custom was, would be making coats and garments to give to
the poor, by which she brought a very good report upon the pilgrims.
But to return again to our story, after supper, the lads desired a
bed, for they were weary with traveling. Then gay Us called to show
them their chamber, but said, Mercy, I will have them to bed.
So she had them to bed, and they slept well. But the
rest sat up all night for gay Us, and they were such suitable company
that they could not tell how to part. After much talk of their lud
themselves and their journey, Old mister Honest, he that put forth the riddle
to gay Us, began to nod, then said, great Hart, what
sir, you begin to be drowsy? Come rub up. Now here is
a riddle for you. Then said mister Honest, let us hear it.
Then replied mister greatheart, he that would kill must first be overcome. Who
live abroad wood first must die at home. Ha said mister honest. It
is a hard one, hard to expound and harder to practice. But come,
Landlord, said he, I will if you please leave my part to
you. Do you expound it? And I will hear what you say.
No, said Gayus, It was put to you, and it is expected
you should answer it. Then said the old gentleman. He first, by
grace must conquered be that sin would mortify who that he lives would convince me
unto himself must die. It is right, said Gayus. Good doctrine and
experience teach this for first, and still grace displays itself and overcomes the soul
with its glory. It is altogether without heart to oppose sin. Besides,
if sin is Satan's chords by which the soul lies bound, how should it
make resistance before it is loose from that infirmity. Secondly, nor will any
one that knows either reason or grace believe that such a man can be a
living monument of grace, that is a slave to his own corruptions. And
now it comes into my mind, I will tell you a story worth the
hearing. There were two men that went on pilgrimage. The one began when
he was young, the other when he was old. The young man had
strong corruptions to grapple with, the old man's were weak with the decays of
nature. The young man trod his steps as even as did the old one,
and was every way as light as he. Who now or which of
them had they grace as shining clearest, since both seemed to be alike,
mister Honest, the young man's doubtless. For that which makes head against the
greatest opposition gives best demonstration that it is strongest, especially when it also holdeth
pace with that which meets not with half, so much as to be sure
old age does not. Besides, I have observed that old men have blessed
themselves with this mistake, namely taking the decays of nature for a gracious conquest
over corruptions, and so have been apt to beguile themselves. Indeed, old
men that are gracious are best able to give advice to them that are young,
because they have seen most of the emptiness of things. But yet for
an old and a young man to set out both together, the young one
has the advantage of the fairest discovery of a work of grace within him,
though the old man's corruption are naturally the weakest. Thus they sat talking till
break of day. Now, when the family were up, Christiana bid her
son James that he should read a chapter, so he read fifty third of
Isaiah. When he had done, mister Honest asked why it was said that
the Savior was to come out of a dry ground, and also that he
had no form nor comeliness in him. Mister Greatheart, then, said mister
Greatheart. To the first, I answer, because the Church of the Jews
of which Christ came had then lost almost all the sap and spirit of religion.
To the second, I say, the words are spoken in the person
of unbelievers, who, because they want the eye that can see into our
Prince's heart, therefore they judge of him by the meanness of his outside,
just like those who, not knowing that precious stones, are covered over with
a homely crust when they have found one, because they know not what they
have found, cast it away again as men do a common stone. Well
said Gaius, Now you are here, and since as I know, mister
Greatheart, is good at his weapons. If you please, After we have
refreshed ourselves, we will walk into the fields to see if we can do
any good. About a mile from hence there is one sleigh good, a
giant that doth much annoy the King's highway in these parts, and I know
where about his haunts. He is master of a number of thieves. Twould
be well if we could clear these parts of him. So they consented and
went mister Greatheart with his sword, helmet and shield, and the rest with
spears and stars. When they came to the place where he was, they
found him with one feeble mind in his hand, whom his servants had brought
unto him, having taken him in the way. Now the giant was rifling
him with a purpose after that to pick his bones, for he was of
the nature of flesh eatas well. So soon as he saw mister Greatheart and
his friends at the mouth of his cave with their weapons, he demanded what
they wanted. Mister Greatheart, we want thee, for we are come to
revenge the quarrels of the many that thou hast slain of the pilgrims, when
thou hast dragged them out of the King's highway, wherefore, come out of
thy cave. So he armed himself and came out, and to battle they
went and fought for above an hour, and then stood still to take wind
slay good. Then said the giant, why are you here on my ground,
mister great Heart, to revenge the blood of pilgrims, as I told
thee before. So they went to it again, and the giant made mister
Greatheart give back. But he came up again, and in the greatness of
his mind he let fly with such stoutness at the giant's head and 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 set it up as they had done others before, for
a terror to those that should attempt to do as he Hereafter then they asked
mister feeble Mind how he fell into his hands. Mister feeble Mind then said
the poor man, I am a sickly man, as you see. And
because death did usually once a day knock at my door, I thought I
should never be well at home. So I betook myself to a pilgrim's life,
and have traveled 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 mine, 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 weekly looks,
nor against my feeble mind, but gave me such things as 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 of difficulty was judged too hard for me, I was carried up that
by one of his servants. Indeed, I have found much relief from pilgrim's
the none 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. First, the Salonians five fourteen and so went on
their own pace. When I was come 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 would not kill me. Also, when
he had 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 rob to
be sure. I am. But I have, as you see, escaped
with life for the which I thank my King as the author, and you
as the means. Other brands 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 I cannot go. As to the main,
I thank him that loved 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. Mister Honest,
then, said old mister Honest, have not you, some time ago
been acquainted with one mister Fearing a pilgrim, Mister feeble mind, acquainted with
him? Yes, he came from the town of Stupidity, which lieth four
degrees to the northward of the city of Destruction, and as many off of
where 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. Mister Honest, I perceive ye knew 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 your
speech is much alike, mister feeble mind. 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, for you are welcome to me and
to my house. What thou hast a mind to call for freely, and
what thou wouldst have my servants do for thee, they will do it with
a ready mind. Then, said mister feeble mind. This is an unexpected
favor. And as the sun shining out of a very dark cloud, did
giant slay Good intend me this favor when he stopped me and resolved to let
me go? No further did he intend that, after he had rifled my
pockets, I should go to gay Us, mine host. Yet so it
is now, just as mister feeble Mind and gay Us were thus in talk,
they came one running and called at the door and said that about a
mile and a half off there was one mister Nottwright, a pilgrim, struck
dead upon the place where he was with a thunderbolt. Mister feeble mind,
alas said mister feeble mind, is he slain? He overtook me some days
before I came so far as hither, and would be my company keeper.
He was also with me when Slaywood 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. What one would think doth seek to slay
outright oft times delivers from the saddest plight. That very providence, whose face
is death, doth offtimes to the lonely life bequeath I taken was he did
escape and flee Hans crossed, gave death to him and life to me.
Now about this time Matthew and Mercy were married. Also Gaius gave his daughter
Phoebe 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 a
pilgrims used to do. 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 mister Greatheart called for a reckoning.
But Gayze told him that at his house it was not the custom for
pilgrims to pay for the entertainment. He boarded them by the year, but
looked for his pay from the good Samaritan, who had promised him at his
return whatsoever charge he was at with them faithfully to repay him. Luke ten
thirty four and thirty five, Then said mister Greatheart, to him, mister
Greatheart, beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren and to
strangers who have borne witness to thy charity before the church, whom, if
thou yet bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do
well. Third John five and six. Then Gayze took his leave of them
all and his children, and particularly of mister feeble Mind. He also gave
him something to drink. By the way. Now, mister feeble Mind,
when they were going out of the door, made as if he intended to
linger the witch. When mister great Heart aspired, he said, come,
mister feeble mind, pray do you go along with us? I will be
your conductor, and ye shall fare as the rest. Mister feeble mind,
alas I want a suitable companion, You are all lusty and strong, But
I, as you see, am weak. I choose therefore rather to come
behind, lest by reason of my many infirmities, I should be both a
burden to myself and to you. I am, as I said, a
man of a weak and feeble mind, and shall be offended and made weak
at that which others can bear. I shall like no laughing. I shall
like no gay attire, I shall like no omprior footable questions. Nay,
I am so weak a man as to be offended with that which others have
a liberty to do. I do not yet know all the truth. I
am a very ignorant Christian man. Sometimes if I hear some rejoice in the
Lord, it troubles me because I cannot do so. Too. It is
with me as it is with a weak man among the strong, or as
with the sick man among the healthy, or as a lamp despised, so
that I know not what to do. He that is ready to slip with
his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at
ease Joe twelve five, mister Greatheart. But brother said, mister Greatheart,
I have it in commission to comfort the feeble minded and to support the weak.
You must needs go along with us. We will wait for you,
We will lend you our help. We will deny ourselves of some things,
both opinionative and practical, for your sake. We will not enter into doubtful
disputations before you. We will be made all things to you, rather than
you shall be left behind. First that Salonians five fourteen, Romans fourteen,
First Corinthians eight nine to thirteen nine twenty two. Now all this while they
were at Gaye's door. And behold, as they were thus in the heat
of their discourse, mister Ready to halt came by with his crutches in his
hand, and he also was going on pilgrimage. Mister feeble mind, then
said mister feeble Mind to him, man, how camest thou hither I was
but now complaining that I had not a suitable companion, But thou art according
to my wish. Welcome, Welcome, good, mister ready to halt.
I hope thou and I may be some help mister Reddy to halt. I
shall be glad of thy company, said the other, and good, mister
feeble Mind. Rather than we will part, since we are thus happily met,
I will lend THEE one of my crutches, mister feeble Mind. Nay,
said he, though I thank THEE for thy good will, I am
not inclined to halt before I am lame. Howbeit I think when occasion is
it may help me against a dog. Mister Reddy to halt, if either
myself or my crutches can do thee a pleasure. We are both at thy
command, good, mister feeble Mind. Thus therefore they went on, mister
Greatheart, and mister Honest went before. Christiana and her children went next,
and mister feeble Mind came behind, and mister Reddy to halt with his crutches.
Then said mister Honest, mister Honest, pray sir, now we are
upon the road, tell us some profitable things of some that have gone on
pilgrimage before us, mister Greatheart, with a good will. I suppose you
have heard how Christian of old did meet with Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation,
and also what hard work he had to go through the valley of the
shadow of death. Also, I think you cannot but have heard how Faithful
was put to it by Madame Wanton with Adam the first, with one discontent
and shame, for as deceitful villains as a man can meet with upon the
road. Mister Honest, yes, I have heard of all this, But
indeed good Faithful was hard as put to it with shame. He was an
unwearied one, mister Greatheart. Ay, for as the pilgrim well said,
he of all men had the wrong name, mister honest. But pray,
where was it that Christian and Faithful met talkative? That saying was also a
notable one, mister Greatheart. He was a confident fool, yet many follow
his ways, mister Honest, he had liked to have beguiled faithful, mister
Greatheart, Ay, but Christian put him into a way quickly to find him
out. Thus they went on till they came to the place where Evangelist met
with Christian and Faithful and prophesied to them what should befall them at Vanity Fair?
Then said their guide. Hereabouts did Christian and Faithful meet with Evangelist,
who prophesied to them of what troubles they should meet with at Vanity Fair?
Mister Honest, say you, sir, I dare say it was a hard
chapter that then he did read unto them, mister Greatheart, it was so,
But he gave them encouragement with all. But what do we talk of
them? They were a couple of lion like men. They had set their
faces like a flint. Do not you remember how undaunted they were when they
stood before the judge. Mister Honest, well, faithful, bravely suffered,
mister Greatheart, So he did, and as brave things came on for Hopeful
and some others, as the story relates, were converted by his death.
Mister Honest, well, but pray go on, for you are well acquainted
with things, mister Greatheart. Above all that Christian met with after he had
passed through Vanity fair One byens was the arch one, mister Honest Bayerns.
What was he, mister Greatheart? A very arch fellow, a downright hip
crit one that would be religious whichever way the world went, but so cunning
that he would be sure never to lose or suffer for it. He had
his mode of religion for every fresh occasion, and his wife was as good
at it as he. He would turn from opinion to opinion yea, and
plead for so doing too. But so far as I could learn, he
came to an ill end with his buy ins. Nor did I ever hear
that any of his children were ever of any esteem with any that truly feared
God. Now by this time they were come within sight of the town of
Vanity, where Vanity Fairies kept. So when they saw that they were so
near the town, they consulted with one another how they should pass through the
town, and some said one thing, and some another. At last mister
Greatheart said, I have, as you may understand, often been a conductor
of pilgrims through this town. Now I am acquainted with one mister Nason Acts
twenty one sixteen, a Cyprusian by nation, an old disciple, at whose
house we may lodge. If you think good, we will turn in there.
Content said old honest, Content said Christiana. Content said mister feeble mind.
So they said all now you must think it was even tied by that
They got to the outside of the town. But mister Greatheart knew the way
to the old man's house. So thither they came, and he called at
the door, and the old man within knew his tongue as soon as ever
he heard it, So he opened the door and they all came in.
Then said Nason, their host, how far have ye come to day?
So they said, from the house of Gaius, our friend. I promise
you, said he you have gone a good stitch. Ye may well be
weary. Sit down, So they sat down. Mister Greatheart then said they
guide, come, what ch here? Good sirs? I dare say you
are welcome to my friend, mister Nason. I also said, mister Nason,
do bid you welcome, and whatever you want, do but say and
we will do what we can to get it for you. Mister Honest.
Our great want a while since was harbor and good company, And now I
hope we have both, mister Nason. For harbor, you see what it
is. But for good company that will appear in the trial, mister Greatheart,
well said mister Greatheart. Will you have the pilgrims up until their lodging,
mister Nason, I will, said mister Nason. So he had them
to their respective places, and also showed them a very fair dining room where
they might be and sup together until the time should come to go to rest.
Now, when they were seated in their places and were a little cheery
after their journey, mister Honest asked his landlord if there was any store of
good people in the town. Mister Nason, we have a few, For
indeed they are but a few, and compared with them on the other side,
mister Honest, but how shall we do to see some of them?
For the sight of good men to them that are going on pilgrimage is like
the appearing of the moon and stars to them that are sailing upon the seas,
mister Nason. Then mister Nason stamped with his foot, and his daughter
Grace came up. So he said, unto her, Grace, go you
tell my friends, mister Contrite, mister holy Man, mister Saints, mister
dare not lie, and mister Penitent, that I have a friend or two
at my house who have a mind this evening to see them. So Grace
went to call them, and they came, and after salutation made, they
sat down together at the table. Then said mister Nason, the landlord my
neighbors, I have, as you see, a company of strangers come to
my house. They are pilgrims. They come from Afar and are going to
Mount Zion. But who quoth he? Do you think? This is pointing
his finger to Christiana. It is Christiana, the wife of Christian, the
famous pilgrim, who, with faithful his brother, was so shamefully handled in
our town. At that they stood a maid, saying, we little thought
to see Christiana when Grace came to call us. Wherefore this is a very
comfortable surprise. They then asked her of her welfare, and if these young
men were her husbands sons. And when she had told them they were they
said, the King whom you love and serve, make you as your father,
and bring you where he is in peace. Mister Honest. Then,
mister Honest, when they were all sat down, asked mister Contrite and the
rest in what posture their town was at present? Mister Contrite, you may
be sure we are full of hurry and fair. Time tis hard keeping our
hearts and spirits in good order when we are in a cumbered condition. He
that lives in such a place as this is, and has to do with
such as we have, has need of an item to caution him to take
heed every moment of the day, mister honest. But how are your neighbors
now? For quietness, mister Contrite, They are much more moderate now than
formerly. You know how Christian and faithful were used at our town. But
of late I say they have been far more moderate. I think the blood
of faithful Liethe as a load upon them till now, for since they burned
him, they have been ashamed to burn any more. In those days we
were afraid to walk the street, but now we can show our heads.
Then, the name of a professor was odious now, especially in some parts
of our town. For you, now our town is large. Religion is
counted honorable, then, said mister Contrite, to them, pray. How
fareth it with you and your pilgrimage? How stands the country affected towards you,
mister Honest? It happens to us as it happeneth to wayfaring men.
Sometimes our way is clean, sometimes foul, sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill.
We are seldom at a certainty. The wind is not always on our backs,
nor is every one a friend that we meet within the way. We
have met with some notable rubs already, and what are yet behind we know
not, But for the most part we find it true that has been talked
of old a good man must suffer trouble. Mister Contrite, you talk of
rubs. What rubs have you met with all, mister Honest? Nay,
ask mister Greatheart our guide, for he can give the best account of that.
Mister Greatheart, We have been beset three or four times already. First
Christiana and her children were beset by two ruffians, who they feared would take
away their lives. We were beset by giant, bloody man, giant mole
and giant slay Good indeed read it rather beset the last, and were beset
by him. And thus it was. After we had been some time at
the house of Gaius, mine host, and of the whole church, we
were minded upon a time to take our weapons with us and go see if
we could light upon any of those that are enemies to pilgrims, for we
heard that there was a notable one thereabouts. Now Gaius knew his haunt better
than I, because he dwelt thereabout. So we looked and looked till at
last we discerned the mouth of his cave. Then we were glad and plucked
up our spirits. So we approached up to his den, and lo,
when we came there, he had dragged by mere force into his net this
poor man, mister feeble Mind, and was about to bring him to his
end. But when he saw us, supposing as we thought, he had
another prey, he left the poor man in his hole and came out.
So we fell to it full sore, and he lustily laid about him button
co usion. He was brought down to the ground and his head cut off,
and set up by the wayside for a terror to such as should after
practice such ungodliness that I tell you the truth, here is the man himself
to affirm it, who was as a lamb taken out of the mouth of
the lion. Mister feeble Mind then, said mister feeble Mind. I found
this true to my cost and comfort to my cost when he threatened to pick
my bones every moment, and to my comfort when I saw mister Greatheart and
his friends with their weapons approach so near for my deliverance. Mister holy Man
then said mister holy Man. There are two things that they have need to
possess who go on pilgrimage, courage and an unspotted life. If they have
not courage, they can never hold on their way, and if their lives
be loose, they will make the very name of a pilgrim stink. Mister
Love Saints then, said mister Love Saints. I hope this caution is not
needful among you. But truly there are many that go upon the road who
rather declare themselves strangers to pilgrimage than strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Mister
dare not lie, then, said mister dare not lie. Tis true they
have neither the pilgrims read, nor the pilgrim's courage. They go not uprightly,
but all arrive with their feet. One shoe goeth inward, another outward,
and their hosen are out behind. Here a rag and there a rent
to the disparagement of their lord, mister Penitent. These things, said,
mister Penitent, they ought to be troubled, for nor are the pilgrims like
to have that grace put upon them and their pilgrim's progress as they desire,
until the way is cleared of such spots and blemish. Thus they sat talking
and spending the time until supper was set upon the table, unto which they
went and refreshed their weary bodies. So they went to rest. Now they
stayed in the fair a great while at the house of mister Nason, who,
in process of time gave his daughter Grace unto Samuel, Christian's son to
wife, and his daughter Martha to Joseph. This time, as I said,
that they stayed here, was long, for it was not now as
in former times. Wherefore the pilgrims grew acquainted with many of the good people
of the town and did them what service they could. Mercy, as she
was wont labored much for the poor. Wherefore their bellies and backs blessed her,
and she was there an ornament to her profession, and to say the
truth. For Grace, Phoebe, and Martha, they were all of a
very good nature and did much good in their pla. They were also,
all of them very fruitful, so that Christian's name, as was said before,
was like to live in the world. While they lay here, they
came a monster out of the woods and slew many of the people of the
town. It would also carry away their children and teach them to suck its
whelps. Now no man in the town durst so much as face this monster,
but all fled when they heard the noise of his coming. The monster
was like unto no one beast on the earth. Its body was like a
dragon, and it had seven heads and ten horns. It made great havoc
of children, and yet it was governed by a woman Revelations seventeen three.
So this monster propounded conditions to men, and such men as loved their lives
more than their souls, accepted of those conditions. So they came under Now
mister Greatheart, together with those he came to visit the pilgrims at mister Nason's
house entered into a covenant to go and engage this beast, if perhaps they
might deliver the people of this town from the pause and mouth of this so
devouring a servant. Then did mister Greatheart, mister Contrite, mister holy Man,
mister darrenot Lie, and mister Penitent, with their weapons go forth to
meet him. Now, the monster at first was very rampant and looked upon
these enemies with great disdain. But they so belabored him, being sturdy men
at arms, that they made him make a retreat. So they came home
to mister Nason's house again. The monster, you must know, had his
certain seasons to come out in and to make his attempts upon the children of
the people of the town. At these seasons did these valiant worthies watch him,
and did still continually assault him, insomuch that in process of time he
became not only wounded, but laying also. He has not made that havoc
of the townsmen's children as formerly he had done, And it is verily believed
by some that this beast will die of his wounds. This therefore made mister
Greatheart and his fellows of great fame in this town, so that many of
the people that wanted their taste of things yet had a reverent esteem and respect
for them. Upon this account, therefore it was that these pilgrims got not
much hurt here. True, there were some of the baser sort that could
see no more than a mole, nor understand any more than a beast.
These had no reverence for these men, and took no notice of their valor
and adventures. And second half of Part two, the sixth stage,