THE
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
Part
II
Section
8
Valiant-for-Truth's-Victory
- his talk with Great- Heart - the Enchanted Ground - Heedless and
Too-bold - Mr. Stand-fast - Madam Bubble's temptations - the
land of Beulah - Christiana summoned - her parting addresses - she passes
the River - she is followed by Ready-to-halt, Feeble-mind, Despondency and
his daughter, Honest, Valiant, Steadfast - Author's Farewell
THE ENCHANTED
GROUND
By this time they
were got to the Enchanted Ground, where the air naturally tended to make one
drowsy. And that place was all grown over with briers and thorns, excepting
here and there; where was an enchanted arbour, upon which, if a man sits, or
in which, if a man sleeps, 'tis a question, say some, whether ever they
shall rise or wake again in this world. Over this forest, therefore, they
went, both one with another. Mr. GREAT-HEART went before, for that he was
the guide; and Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, he came behind, being there a
guard--for fear lest peradventure some fiend, or dragon, or giant, or thief,
should fall upon their rear, and so do mischief. They went on here each man
with his sword drawn in his hand; for they knew it was a dangerous place.
Also they cheered up one another as well as they could. FEEBLE-MIND, Mr.
GREAT-HEART commanded should come up after him; and Mr. DESPONDENCY was
under the eye of Mr. VALIANT.
Now they had not gone far, but a great mist
and a darkness fell upon them all; so that they could scarce, for a great
while, see one another. Wherefore they were forced for some time to feel for
one another by words; for they walked not by sight.
Any one must think that here was but sorry
going for the best of them all; but how much worse for the women and
children, who both of feet and heart were but tender. Yet so it was, that,
through the encouraging words of him that led in the front, and of him that
brought them up behind, they made a pretty good shift to move along.
The way also was here very wearisome
through dirt and slabbiness. Nor was there on all this ground so much as one
inn or victualling house, therein to refresh the feebler sort. Here,
therefore, was grunting, and puffing, and sighing: while one tumbles over a
bush, another sticks fast in the dirt; and the children, some of them, lost
their shoes in the mire. While one cries out, "I am down;" and
another, "Ho! where are you?" and a third, "The bushes have
got such fast hold on me, I think I cannot get away from them."
Then they came at an arbour, warm, and
promising much refreshing to the pilgrims; for it was finely wrought
abovehead, beautified with greens, furnished with benches and settles. It
also had in it a soft couch whereon the weary might lean. This, you must
think, all things considered, was tempting; for the pilgrims already began
to be foiled with the badness of the way: but there was not one of them that
made so much as a motion to stop there. Yea, for aught I could perceive,
they continually gave so good heed to the advice of their guide; and he did
so faithfully tell them of dangers, and of the nature of dangers when they
were at them, that usually, when they were nearest to them, they did most
pluck up their spirits, and hearten one another to deny the flesh. This
arbour was called the Slothful's Friend; on purpose to allure, if it might
be, some of the pilgrims there, to take up their rest when weary.
I saw then in my dream, that they went on in this their solitary ground,
till they came to a place at which a man is apt to lose his way. Now, though
when it was light, their guide could well enough tell how to miss those ways
that led wrong, yet, in the dark, he was put to a stand; but he had in his
pocket a map of all ways leading to or from the Celestial City: wherefore he
struck a light (for he never goes also without his tinderbox), and took a
view of his book or map, which bade him be careful in that place to turn to
the right hand way. And had he not here been careful to look in his map,
they had, in all probability, been smothered in the mud; for just a little
way before them, and that at the end of the cleanest way too, was a
pit--none knows how deep--full of nothing but mud, there made on purpose to
destroy the pilgrims in.
Then thought I with myself, who that goes
on pilgrimage, but would have one of these maps about him; that he may look,
when he is at a stand, which is the way he must take.
They went on then in this Enchanted Ground,
till they came to where was another arbour; and it was built by the highway
side. And in that arbour there lay two men whose names were HEEDLESS and
TOO-BOLD. These two went thus far on pilgrimage; but here, being wearied
with their journey, they sat down to rest themselves, and so fell fast
asleep. When the pilgrims saw them, they stood still and shook their heads;
for they knew that the sleepers were in a pitiful case. Then they consulted
what to do: whether to go on and leave them in their sleep, or to step to
them and try to awake them. So they concluded to go to them and wake
them--that is, if they could; but with this caution, namely, to take heed
that they themselves did not sit down, nor embrace the offered benefit of
that arbour.
So they went in and spake to the men, and
called each by his name (for the guide, it seems, did know them); but there
was no voice or answer. Then the guide did shake them, and do what he could
to disturb them. Then said one of them, "I will pay you when I take my
money;" at which the guide shook his head. "I will fight so long
as I can hold my sword in my hand," said the other. At that, one of the
children laughed.
Then said CHRISTIANA, "What is the
meaning of this?" The guide said, "They talk in their sleep. If
you strike them, beat them, or whatever else you do to them, they will
answer you after this fashion; or as one of them said in old time, when the
waves of the sea did beat upon him, and he slept as one upon the mast of a
ship, 'When I awake, I will seek it again'.
"Yea,
thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that
lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and
I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when
shall I awake? I will seek it yet again." Proverbs 23:34, 35
You know, when men talk in their sleep,
they say anything; but their words are not governed either by faith or
reason. There is an incoherency in their words now, as there was before,
betwixt their going on pilgrimage and sitting down here. This, then, is the
mischief on't; when heedless ones go on pilgrimage, 'tis 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 stands 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 when so like to be weary as when 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 happen to them as it has done to these
that, as you see, are fallen asleep, and none can wake 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.
"We
have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take
heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and
the day star arise in your hearts:" 2 Peter 1:19
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 loves pilgrims, to make their way more
comfortable. So by that they had gone a little farther, 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; only now they could see one another better, and 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, as
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, "So ho,
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 as
soon as Mr. HONEST saw him, he said, "I know this man." Then said
Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Prithee, who is it?" "'Tis one,"
said he, "that comes from whereabouts I dwelt; his name is STANDFAST;
he is certainly a right good pilgrim."
How Standfast Resisted Temptation in
the Enchanted Ground
So they came up
one to another; and presently STANDFAST said to old HONEST.
Standfast.
"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 I," said the other, "that I espied you upon
your knees." Then Mr. STANDFAST 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; and 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, 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 fears always.'"
Valiant.
Well, but brother, I pray thee tell us what was it that was the cause for
thy being upon thy knees, even now? Was it for that some special mercy laid
obligations upon thee, or how?
Standfast.
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 road the road in this
place was; and how many that had come even thus far on pilgrimage, had here
been stopped, and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of the death
with which this place destroys men. Those that die here, die of no violent
distemper; the death which such die is not grievous to them. For he that
goes away in a sleep, begins that journey with desire and pleasure. Yea,
such acquiesce in the will of that disease.
Honest.
Then Mr. HONEST, interrupting of him, said, "Did you see the two men
asleep in the arbour?"
Standfast. Aye,
aye, I saw HEEDLESS and TOO-BOLD there; and for aught I know, there they
will lie till they rot.
"The
memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall
rot." Proverbs 10:7
But let me go on in my tale. As I was thus
musing, as I said, there was one in very pleasant attire, but old, that
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 a-weary and sleepy; I
am also as poor as an owlet--and that perhaps the witch knew. Well, I
repulsed her once or 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 "Madame BUBBLE." This set me further from her; but she
still followed me with enticements. 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 my great deliverance; for I verily believe
she intended no good, but rather sought to make stop of me in my journey.
Honest.
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.
Standfast.
Perhaps you have done both.
Honest.
Madame BUBBLE! Is she not a tall, comely dame, something of a swarthy
complexion?
Standfast. Right, you hit it; she is just such an one.
Honest.
Doth she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the end of a
sentence?
Standfast. You fall right upon it again; for these are her very
actions.
Honest.
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?
Standfast.
'Tis just so. Had she stood by all this while, you could not more amply have
set her forth before me, nor have better described her features.
Honest.
Then he that drew her picture was a good limner; and he that wrote of her
said true.
Great-heart. 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 lay their eyes upon her beauty, are counted the enemies of
God.
"Ye
adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is
enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God." James 4:4
"Love
not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15
This is she that maintains in their
splendour all those that are the enemies of pilgrims. Yea, this is she that
has bought off many a man from a pilgrim's life. She is a great gossiper;
she is always, both she and her daughters, at one pilgrim's heels or
other--now commending, and then preferring the excellences of this life. She
is a bold and impudent slut; she will talk with any man. She always laughs
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 loves banqueting and feasting mainly well; she is always at one
full table or another. She has given it out in some places that she is a
goddess; and therefore some do worship her. She has her times and open
places of cheating; and she will say and avow it, that none can show a good
comparable to hers. She promises to dwell with children's children, if they
will but love and make much of her. She will cast out of her purse gold like
dust, in some places and to some persons. She loves to be sought after;
spoken well of; and to lie in the bosoms of men. She is never weary of
commending her commodities; and she loves them most that think best of her.
She will promise to some, crowns and kingdoms, if they will but take her
advice; yet many has she brought to the halter, and ten thousand times more
to hell.
Standfast.
"Oh," said STANDFAST, "what a mercy is it that I did resist
her! for whither might she have drawn me?"
Great-heart.
Whither! nay, none but God knows--whither. But in general, to be sure, she
would have drawn thee "into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown
men in destruction and perdition".
"But
they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition." 1 Timothy 6:9
'Twas she that set Absalom against his
father; and Jeroboam against his master. 'Twas she that persuaded Judas to
sell his Lord; and that prevailed with DEMAS to forsake the godly pilgrim's
life: none can tell of the mischief that she doth. She makes variance
betwixt rulers and subjects; betwixt parents and children; 'twixt neighbour
and neighbour; 'twixt a man and his wife; 'twixt a man and himself; 'twixt
the flesh and the heart.
Wherefore, good Master STANDFAST, be as
your name is; and when you have done all, stand!
At this discourse, there was among the pilgrims a mixture of joy and
trembling; but at length they brake out and sang:
"What danger is the pilgrim in!
How many are his foes!
How many ways there are to sin,
No living mortal knows!
Some of the ditch shy are, yet can
Lie tumbling on the mire:
Some, though they shun the frying pan,
Do leap into the fire."
The
Pilgrim's Progress - the Land of Beulah
The
Pilgrim's Progress - Contents
