James Baldwin

“ We saw hundreds of hobgoblins and dragons and satyrs. We heard the most fearful shrieks and groans. Clouds of confusion hover in the darkness. And Death spreads his wings over the whole valley."
"All these things are dreadful," said Christian, "but I see that my way lies through this very valley."
"Well," said the men, "it is not our way"; and they parted.
Then Christian went down into the valley, carrying his sword in his hand. The way was very narrow. On one side of it there was a very deep ditch; on the other there was a dangerous bog which was without bottom. ”

“ Then Greatheart walked on before them, and as he walked he talked to them about the beauty and fruitfulness of the valley.
"We need not be afraid," said he, "for here is nothing to hurt us unless we bring it upon ourselves. The Valley of Humiliation is as fruitful a place as any the crow flies over. It is fat ground, and is covered with green meadows. ”

“ Now there were on the tops of these mountains shepherds feeding their flocks, and they stood by the side of the highway. The pilgrims, therefore, as they came up, were fain to speak with them. So they stopped and rested, each leaning upon his staff, as weary pilgrims do when talking with any one on the road.
"Whose Delectable Mountains are these?" asked Christian.
The eldest of the shepherds answered, "They belong to Immanuel, the Lord of the Celestial Land, and they are within sight of his city. These sheep are also his, and he loves them." ”

“ Here one may walk in quiet, and think about things that are beautiful and true."
"Yes," answered Greatheart, "this is a valley that nobody walks in but those who love a pilgrim's life. Here one is free from noise and the hurryings of business. It was here that our Prince once loved to walk; for the meadows are very beautiful and the air is pleasant."
Soon they came to the place where Christian had fought the fiend Apollyon; and Greatheart pointed out to the boys each noted spot in that field of battle. ”

“ Then he opened a little window in the wall of the dungeon and showed them the yard of the castle. It was strown with white bones and skulls, and was indeed a dreadful place to look into.
"Do you see those bones?" said Giant Despair. "They are bones of men who were once pilgrims as you are. They trespassed upon my grounds and I tore them in pieces, just as I shall tear you when I am ready."
Then he gave them another beating and left them in a worse state than before.
"It is strange how much they can endure," he said to his wife. ”

“ But as the fiend raised his arm to fetch the last blow, Christian quickly stretched out his hand and recovered his sword. He leaped to his feet, crying, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy. When I fall, I shall arise!"
With that, he gave the fiend a deadly thrust which made him pause and start back. Then Christian gave him another stroke and another.
Apollyon saw that he had met his match. He spread his dragon wings and flew away, over the plain; and Christian saw him no more. ”

“ Then he led them into the vineyards and bade them refresh themselves with the dainty fruit that hung clustering on the vines. He showed them also the King's walks, and the pleasant arbors where he delighted to be. And here they tarried a while and slept. And sweet dreams came to them in their sleep, and they talked aloud of the joys that were in store for them. ”

“ Then answered the messenger, "Christiana, the bitter is before the sweet. You must pass through troubles, as Christian did, before you can enter the Celestial City. Follow the light which you see dimly in the distance. Go to the wicket gate. Keep to the straight and narrow way." ”

“ Timorous, and she mocked Christiana and spoke many bitter words to her. Then she turned to the other young woman and said, "Come, Mercy, let us go home. She will have her own way, and so let her suffer as she deserves."
But Mercy's kind heart was touched at the thought of parting with Christiana. So she answered Mrs. Timorous, and said, "Nay, I think I will walk a little way with her and the boys. The day is bright and fair, and I will help them to get well started on their journey." ”

“ THEN I saw in my dream that the pilgrims journeyed through many scenes. They also met with or overtook many people who like themselves were bound for the Celestial City. They stopped also at divers places, where they were entertained by friendly folk who loved the King. They toiled through rough ways; they climbed steep hills; they encountered perils not a few. But they faltered not, neither were afraid; for Greatheart went before them and was their guide. ”

“ He hurried down and opened the gate; and when he saw Greatheart standing there, he said, "How now, Mr. Greatheart? What is your business here so late at night?" For he did not see the women and children who were behind him in the darkness.
"I have brought some pilgrims," answered the guide. "They wish to lodge here and rest for a while."
"They are indeed welcome," said the porter. "But why are you so late?"
"We should have come much earlier," said Greatheart, "but we were hindered by old Giant Grim who has often waylaid pilgrims and helped the lions. ”

“ The company sat at the table, and all their talk was about the Lord of the hill—of his goodness in building the house and in furnishing it with all things necessary to the happiness of those who visited it.
"He is a great warrior," said Piety, "for he fought with the greatest enemy of our country and slew him."
"He is a lover of the poor," said Charity, "for he stripped himself of his own glory that he might relieve them of their sorrows." ”

“ So in this land the pilgrims tarried a while and solaced themselves. For the Land of Beulah is beyond the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It is also out of reach of Giant Despair, and Doubting Castle cannot so much as be seen from its hilltops. ”

“ Christiana answered, "We are pilgrims, and we have been told we would find a friendly welcome here. The day, as you see, is far spent, and we cannot well go farther to-night."
"Pray, what is your name, that I may tell it to my master?" said Innocent.
"My name is Christiana, and I am the wife of Christian, who passed this way some time ago. These four boys are his sons and mine, and this maiden is my young friend, Mercy, who is going with us on this pilgrimage." ”

“ Early the next morning Christian made ready to go forward; but the good people of the house persuaded him to tarry until the sun was higher.
"Stay," said Piety, "and if the air is clear, we will show you the Delectable Mountains."
"And where are they?" asked Christian.
"Oh, they are far, far away," answered Piety; "but they are much nearer to the Celestial City than this place is. And sometimes we have most delightful views of them." ”

“ I have come out of the Land of Conceit, and I, too, am going to the Celestial City."
"Do you think you will get into the city?" asked Christian.
"Well, I don't know," answered Ignorance. "Other good people get in, and I think I can do so."
"Why didn't you come into the highway through the wicket gate?" asked Hopeful.
"The wicket gate is a long way from our country," answered the young man. "And indeed, what is the use of a wicket gate when one can come in by way of a pleasant green lane like this?" ”

“ It was the voice of the porter, whose name was Watchful.
Christian paused and listened.
"Have courage, sir!" cried the porter. "The lions are chained, and if you will keep in the middle of the path they cannot touch you." ”

“ That is good news," said the porter. "Now come in and stay till morning."
"The pilgrims will go in," answered Greatheart, "but I must return at once to my master."
Then Christiana spoke up and thanked him. "You have been so loving and faithful, and you have fought so stoutly for us. How can we go on without you?"
"Yes," said Mercy, "we should have perished if you had not led us. Oh, that we might have your company to our journey's end!"
Then the little boy took him by the hand and said, "Oh, sir, won't you go on with us and help us? We are so weak, and the way is so rough and dangerous!" ”

“ Then answer thou, "Christiana is here." If they bid thee come in, then enter thou, With all thy boys; and then, as thou know'st how, Tell who they are, also from whence they came; Perhaps they know them by their looks or name. But, if they should not, ask them yet again If formerly they did not entertain One Christian, a Pilgrim. If they say They did, and were delighted in his way, Then let them know, that those related were Unto him; yea his wife and children are. Tell them that they have left their house and home, Are turnèd Pilgrims, seek a world to come ”

“ Then he asked him plainly,
"Do you, yourself, live in this way? And do you do those things which you say all good and true men ought to do?"
Talkative hung his head, and was slow to answer. Then he said, "I see that you are ready to find fault with every man that you meet. I do not care to talk with such people; and so I will bid you good-by."
And with that he leaped over the wall and walked away by himself across the field.
And Christian and Faithful went on together talking of the place to which they were bound, and rejoicing in the hope which filled their hearts. ”

“ The road to the Celestial City was through the midst of the town and the great fair; and so the two pilgrims must needs go that way.
As they walked they saw the places, rows, and streets where all sorts of things were bought and sold. One street was called the English Row, another the French Row, another the Italian Row, another the German Row. Every country in the world had its own place, where its own peculiar kinds of goods were sold. ”

“ So, presently, when the keeper came again by the place where they were resting, Mercy asked him, "Good sir, why do you keep that cruel dog in your yard? We are all much afraid of him."
The keeper answered, "The dog is not mine, neither is he in my yard. He belongs to the castle which you see near by, and the castle yard comes quite close to the gate. He has frightened many honest pilgrims by his barking; but he cannot get to them to harm them."
"We are glad of that," said the boys.
Then Christiana began to talk of their journey, and to inquire after the way. ”

“ So he came up and walked between the two pilgrims; and as he walked he talked.
"How pleasant it is to talk!" he said. "How delightful to talk of the history and mystery of things! A man may learn many things by talking and listening to talk. Let us talk of things heavenly or things earthly; of things past or of things to come; of things foreign or of things at home. We shall find all such discourse profitable." ”

“ Indeed, it seemed that the blood of Faithful had changed the hearts of many of the people, and pilgrims were no more annoyed in the streets.
Now while Christiana and her boys, with Mercy and Greatheart, tarried here, there came a great monster out of the woods. It slew many of the people of the town, and carried away some of the children. No man dared face this monster ”

“ That they have met with hardships in the way, That they do meet with troubles, night and day; Yea, tell them of the next, who have, Of love of pilgrimage, been stout and brave Defenders of that way, and how they still Refuse this world, to do their Father's will. ”

“ Here, also, they came to a meadow that was curiously beautified with lilies, and it was green all the year round. In this meadow they lay down and slept, for here they were safe from all harm. When they awoke, they ate of the fruit of the trees, and drank of the life-giving water. ”

“ And he told them how the mother hen cared for them and called them as she had need.
"She has a common call, when she gives them nothing," he said. "She has a special call, when she has something good for them. She has a brooding call, when she would gather them under her wings. And she has a call of alarm to warn them of danger. Even so does our King call us, his children." ”

“ They fought for their lives. They struggled long and hard.
At length Giant Despair was brought to the ground; but he was loath to give up. He fought after he was down, and he would have been up again had not Greatheart given him one final stroke with his sword, and thus ended his cruel life.
Then all went through the gate and began to demolish Doubting Castle. But this was a great task, even though Giant Despair was dead. They toiled seven days, and left not one stone upon another.
In the dungeon they found two pilgrims, whom the giant had shut up. ”

“ We would fain journey onward, through this gate, to the Celestial City."
Then the keeper took her by the hand and led her in. He also lifted the boys over the threshold and brought them through the gate. "Suffer little children to come unto me," he said, and with that, he shut the wicket.
Now all this while, Mercy stood outside, trembling and crying; neither did she venture to make herself known. When Christiana saw that the maiden had been left behind, she began to intercede for her. "I have a dear friend who is waiting outside," she said. "She is on the same errand as myself ”

“ He did not even so much as move; but he stammered, "I'll fight so long as I can hold my sword in my hand."
At this, one of the children laughed; but the guide looked sorrowful.
"What does all this mean?" asked Christiana.
"They talk in their sleep," answered Greatheart. "But no man can rouse them from this sleep. We have done what we could."
"They caught Glimpses of a Tall and Beautiful Lady"
So now all desired to go onward, lest they too should be overcome. And as the way was growing darker, they begged the guide to strike a light. ”