The Pilgrim's Progress in Words of One Syllable

Now when Great-heart drew his sword to force a way, there came up one Giant Grim, who said in a gruff voice, What right have you to come here?

Great-heart:—These folk are on their way to The Celestial City, and this is the road they shall go, in spite of thee and the wild beasts.

Grim:—This is not their way, nor shall they go on it. I am come forth to stop them, and to that end will back the wild beasts.

Now, to say the truth, so fierce were these beasts, and so grim the looks of them that the road was grown with weeds and grass from want of use. And still Grim bade them turn, For, said he, you shall not pass.

But their guide came up, and struck so hard at him with his sword as to force him to fall back.

Giant Grim:—Will you slay me on my own ground?

Great-heart:—It is the King's high way on which we stand, and in His way it is that you have put these beasts. But these, who are in my charge, though weak, shall hold on in spite of all. And with that he dealt him a blow that brought him to the ground; so Giant Grim was slain.

Then Great-heart said, Come now with me, and you shall take no harm from the two beasts. So they went by, but shook from head to foot at the mere sight of their teeth and claws.

At length they came in sight of the lodge, to which they soon went up, but made the more haste to get there as it grew dusk. So when they were come to the gate the guide gave a knock, and the man at the lodge said in a loud voice, Who is there?

Great-heart:—It is I

Mr. Watchful:—How now, Mr. Great-heart? What has brought you here at so late an hour? Then Great-heart told him that he had come with some friends on their way to Zion.

Mr. Watchful:—Will you go in and stay till the day dawns?

Great-heart:—No, I will go back to my Lord to night.

Christiana:—Ah, Sir, I know not how we can part with you, for it is to your stout heart that we owe our lives. You have fought for us, you have taught us what is right, and your faith and your love have known no bounds.

Mercy:—O that we could have you for our guide all the rest of the way! For how can such weak folk as we are hold out in a path fraught with toils and snares, if we have no friends to take us?

James:—Pray, Sir, keep with us and help us, when the way we go is so hard to find.

Great-heart:—As my Lord wills, so must I do; if He send me to join you once more, I shall be glad to wait on you. But it was here that you were in fault at first, for when He bade me come thus far with you, if you had said, We beg of you to let him go quite through with us, He would have let me do so. But now I must go back; and so good Christiana, Mercy and my dear boys, fare ye all well.

Then did Watchful, who kept the lodge, ask Christiana whence she had come and who her friends were.

Christiana:—I come from The City of Destruction, and I was the wife of one Christian, who is dead.

Then Watchful rang the hell, as at such times he is wont, and there came to the door a maid, to whom he said: Go, make it known that Christiana, the wife of Christian, and her four boys are come on their way to The Celestial City..

So she went in and told all this. And, oh, what shouts of joy were sent forth when those words fell from her mouth! So all came with haste to Watchful; for Christiana still stood at the door.

Some of the most grave said to her, Christiana, come in, thou wife of that good man, come in, thou blest one, come in, with all that are with thee.

So she went in, and the rest with her. They then bade them sit down in a large room, where the chief of the house came to see them and to cheer his guests. Then he gave each of them a kiss. But as it was late, and Christiana and the rest were faint with the great fright they had had, they would fain have gone to rest.

Nay, said those of the house, take first some meat; for as Watchful had heard that they were on their way, a lamb had been slain for them When the meal had come to an end, and they had sung a psalm, Christiana said, If we may be so bold as to choose, let us be in that room which was Christian's when he was here.

So they took them there, but ere she went to sleep, Christiana said, I did not think when my poor Christian set off with his load on his back that I should do the same thing.

Mercy:—No, nor did you think then that you should rest in the same room as he had done.

Christiana:—And less still to see his dear face once more who was dead and gone, and to praise the Lord the King with him; and yet now I think I shall.

Mercy:—Do you not hear a noise?

Christiana:—Hark! as far as I can make out, the sounds we hear come from the lute, the pipe, and the horn.

Mercy:—Sweet sounds in the house, sweet sounds in the air, sweet sounds in the heart, for joy that we are here.

Thus did Christiana and Mercy chat, and they, then slept.

Now at dawn when they woke up, Christiana said to Mercy: What was it that made you laugh in your sleep last night? Were you in a dream?

Mercy:—Yes, and a sweet dream it was. But are you sure that I did laugh?

Christiana:—Yes, you gave a laugh as if from your heart of hearts. Do pray, Mercy, tell it to me.

Mercy:—I dreamt that I lay in some lone wood to weep and wail, for that my heart should be so hard a one. Now I had not been there long when I thought there were some who had come to hear me speak in my sleep; but I went on with my moans. At this they said with a laugh that I was a fool. Then I saw a Bright One with wings come up to me, who said, Mercy, what ails you? And when he heard the cause Of my grief, he said, Peace be to thee. He then came up to wipe off my tears and had me clad in robes of gold, and put a chain on my neck, and a crown on my head. Then he took me by the hand and said, Mercy, come this way. So he went up with me till we came to a gate, at which he gave a knock and then he took me to a throne on which one sat. The place was as bright as the stars, nay more like the sun. And I thought that I saw Christian there. So I woke from my dream. But did I laugh?

Christiana:—Laugh! Yes, and so you might, to see how well off you were! For you must give me leave to tell you, that as you find the first part true, so you will find true the last.

Mercy:—Well, I am glad of my dream, for I hope ere long to see it come to pass, so as to make me laugh once more.

Christiana:—I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we must do.

Mercy:—Pray, if they should ask us to stay, let us by all means do so; for I should much like to know more of these maids. I think Prudence, Piety, and Charity have, each of them, a most choice mien.

Christiana:—We shall see what they will do.

So they came down.

Then Prudence and Piety: If you will stay, here you shall have what the house will yield.

Charity:—Yes, and that with a good will.

So they were there some time, much to their good.

Prudence:—Christiana, I give you all praise, for you have brought your boys up well. With James I have had a long chat; he is a good boy, and has learnt much that will bring peace to his mind, while he lives on this earth, and in the world to come it will cause him to see the face of Him who sits on the throne. For my own part, I will teach all your sons. At the same time, said she to them: You must still give heed to all that Christiana can teach you, but more than all, you must read the Book of God's Word, which sent your dear sire on his way to the land of bliss.

By the time that Christiana and the rest had been in this place a week, a man, Mr. Brisk by name, came to woo Mercy, with the wish to wed her. Now Mercy was fair to look on and her mind was at all times set on work and the care of those round her. She would knit hose for the poor, and give to all those things of which they stood in need.

She will make me a good house wife, thought Brisk.

Mercy one day said to those of the house: Will you tell me what you think of Mr. Brisk?

They then told her that the young man would seem to have a great sense of the love of God, but that they had fears it did not reach his soul, which they thought did cleave too much to this world.

Nay then, said Mercy, I will look no more on him, for I will not have a clog to my soul.

Prudence:—If you go on as you have set out, and work so hard for the poor, he will soon cool.

So the next time he came, he found her at her work.

What, still at it? said he.

Mercy:—Yes.

Mr. Brisk:—How much can you earn in the day.

Mercy:—I work at these things for the good of those for whom I do them; and more than this, to do the will of Him who was slain on the cross for me.

With that his face fell, and he came no more to see her.

Prudence:—Did I not tell you that Mr. Brisk would soon flee from you? Yea, he may seem to love Mercy, but Mercy and he should not tread the same road of life side by side.

Now Matthew, the son of Christiana, fell sick, so they sent to Mr. Skill to cure him. Then said he: Tell me what he eats.

Christiana:—Well, there is no food here but what is good.

Mr. Skill:—This boy has in him a crude mass of food, which if I do not use the means to get rid of, he will die.

Samuel said to Christiana, What was it that you saw Matthew pick up and eat when we came from the gate which is at the head of this way?

Christiana:—It was some of the fruit that grows there; I chid him for it.

Skill:—I felt sure that it was some bad food; now that fruit hurts more than all, for it is the fruit from Beelzebub's grounds. Did no one warn you of it? Some fall down dead when they eat it.

Then Christiana wept and said, What shall I do for my son? Pray, Sir, try your best to cure him, let it cost what it may.

Then Skill gave strange drugs to him, which he would not take. So Christiana put one of them to the tip of her tongue. Oh, Matthew, said she, it is sweet, sweet as balm; if you love me, if you love Mercy, if you love your life, do take it!

So in time he did, and felt grief for his sin. He quite lost the pain, so that with a staff he could walk, and went from room to room to talk with Mercy, Prudence, Piety and Charity.

Christiana:—Pray, Sir, what else are these Pills good for?

Skill:—They are good for all those that go on their way to The Celestial City.

Christiana:—I pray of you to make me up a large box full of them, for if I can get these, I will take none else.

Skill:—I make no doubt that if a man will but use them as he should, he could not die. But good Christiana, these pills will be of no use if you do not give them as I have done, and that is, in a glass of grief for the sins of those who take them. So he gave some to Christiana and the rest of her boys, and to Mercy; he bade Matthew, too, keep a good look out that he ate no more green plums; then he gave them a kiss, and went his way.

Now, as they had spent some time here, they made a move to go. Then Joseph, who was Christiana's third, son, said to her: You were to send to the house of Mr. Interpreter to beg him to grant that Mr. Great-heart should go with us as our guide.

Good boy! said Christiana, I had not thought of it.

So she wrote a note, and Interpreter said to the man who brought it: Go, tell them that I will send him.

Great-heart soon came, and he said to Christiana and Mercy, My Lord has sent you some wine and burnt corn, and to the boys figs and dry grapes.

They then set off, and Prudence and Piety went with them. But first Christiana took leave of Watchful, who kept the gate, and put a small coin in his hand while she gave him her thanks for all that he had done for her and her dear boys. She then said to him, Have you seen men go by since we have been here?

Watchful:—Yes, I have, and there has been a great theft on this high way; but the thieves were caught.

Then Christiana and Mercy said they felt great fear to go on that road.

Matthew:—Fear not, as long as we have Mr. Great-heart with us to guide us.

I now saw in my dream that they went on till they came to the brow of the hill, when Piety said: O, I must go back to fetch that which I meant to give to Christiana and Mercy, and it was a list of all those things which they had seen at the house where we live. On these, said she, I beg of you to look from time to time, and call them to mind for your good.

They now went down the hill to the Vale of Humiliation. It was a steep hill, and their feet slid as they went on; but they took great care, and when they had got to the foot of it, Piety said to Christiana: This is the vale where Christian met with Apollyon and where they had that fierce fight which I know you must have heard of. But be of good cheer, as long as we have Mr. Great-heart to guide us, there is nought here that will hurt us, save those sights that spring from our own fears. And as to Apollyon, the good folk of the town, who tell us that such a thing fell out in such a place, to the hurt of such a one, think that some foul fiend haunts that place, when lo! it is from the fruit of their own ill deeds that such things do fall on them. For they that make slips must look for frights. And hence it is that this vale has so bad a name.

James:—See, there is a post with words on it, I will go and read them.

So he went, and found that these words were cut on it: Let the slips which Christian met with ere he came here, and the fights he had in this place, warn all those who come to the Vale of Humiliation.

Mr. Great-heart:—It is not so hard to go up as down this hill, and that can be said of but few hills in this part of the world. But we will leave the good man, he is at rest, and he had a brave fight with the foe; let Him who dwells on high grant that we fare no worse when our strength comes to be put to the test. This vale brings forth much fruit.

Now, as they went on, they met a boy who was clad in mean clothes and kept watch on some sheep. He had a fine fresh face, and as he sat on the bank he sang a song.

Hark, said Great-heart, to the words of that boy's song.

So they gave ear to it.

"He that is down need fear no fall, He that is low, no pride, He that is meek at all times shall Have God to be his guide."

Then said Great-heart: Do you hear him? I dare say this boy leads as gay a life as he that is clad in silk, and that he wears more of that plant which they call heart's ease.

Samuel:—Ask Great-heart in what part of this vale it was that Apollyon came to fight Christian?

Great-heart:—The fight took place at that part of the plain which has the name of Forgetful Green. And if those who go on their way, meet with a shock, it is when they lose sight of the good which they have at the hand of Him who dwells on high.

Mercy:—I think I feel as well in this place as I have done in all the rest of our way. This vale has a sweet grace, and just suits my mind; for I love to be in such a spot as this, where there are no coach wheels to make a din. Here one may think a while what he is, whence he came, and for what the King has made him; here one may muse and pray.

Just then they thought that the ground they trod on shook. But the guide bade them be of good cheer, and look well to their feet, lest by chance they should meet with some snare.

Then James felt sick, but I think the cause of it was fear, and Christiana gave him some of the wine which Mr. Interpreter had put in her hands, and three of the pills which Mr. Skill had made up, and the boy soon got well.

They then went on a while, and Christiana said, What is that thing on the road? A thing of such a shape I have not seen in all my life!

Joseph said, What is it?

A vile thing, child, a vile thing! said she.

Joseph:—But what is it like?

Christiana:—It is like—I can't tell what. Just then it was far off, now it is nigh.

Great-heart:—Well, let them that have the most fear keep close to me.

Then it went out of sight of all of them.

But they had not gone far when Mercy cast a look back, and saw a great beast come fast up to them with a loud roar.

This noise made them all quail with fright save their guide, who fell back and put the rest in front of him. But when the brute saw that Great-heart meant to fight him, he drew back and was seen no more.

Now they had not left the spot long when a great mist fell on them, so that they could not see.

What shall we do? said they.

Their guide told them not to fear, but to stand still, and see what an end he would put to this too.

Then said Christiana to Mercy: Now I see what my poor dear Christian went through; I have heard much of this place. Poor man, he went here in the dead of the night, and no one with him; but who can tell what the Valley of the Shadow of Death should mean, till they come to see it? To be here fills my breast with awe!

Great-heart: It seems now as if the earth and its bars were round us. I would not boast, but I trust we shall still make our way. Come, let us pray for light to Him that can give it.

So did they weep and pray. And as the path was now more smooth, they went straight on.

Mercy:—To be here is not so sweet as it was at The Gate, or at Mr. Interpreter's, or at the good house where we were last.

Oh, said one of the boys, it is not so bad to go through this place as it is to dwell here for all time; for aught I know we have to go this way that our last home may seem to us the more blest.

Great-heart:—Well said, Samuel; thou dost now speak like a man.

Samuel:—Why, if I do in truth get out of this place, I think I shall prize that which is light and good more than I have done all my life.

Great-heart:—We shall be out by and by.

So on they went.

Joseph:—Can we not see to the end of this vale yet?

Great-heart:—Look to your feet, for you will soon be where the snares are.

So they took good heed.

Great-heart:—Men come here and bring no guide with them; hence it is they die from the snares they meet with in the way. Poor Christian! it is strange he should have got out of this place, and been safe. But God dwelt in his soul, and he had a stout heart, of his own, or else he could not have done it.

Christiana:—I wish that there were some inn here where we could all take rest.

I Well, said Mr. Honest—one whom they had just met—there is such a place not far off.

So there they went, and the host, whose name was Gaius, said: Come in, for my house was built for none but such as you.

Great-heart:—Good Gaius, let us sup. What have you for us to eat? We have gone through great toils, and stand much in want of food.

Gaius:—It is too late for us to go out and seek food; but of such as we have you shall eat.

The meal was then spread, and near the end of the feast all sat round the board to crack nuts, when old Honest said to Gaius, Tell me what this verse means:

A man there was, and some did count him mad; The more that this man gave the more he had.

Then all the youths gave a guess as to what Gaius would say to it; so he sat still a while, and then said:

He that gives his goods to the poor, Shall have as much and ten times more.

Joseph:—I did not think, Sir, that you would have found it out.

Gaius:—Ah! I have learnt of my Lord to be kind, and I find I gain by it.

Then Samuel said in a low tone to Christiana, This is a good man's house; let us make a long stay, and why should not Matthew wed Mercy here?

When Gaius heard him say this, quoth he: With all my heart. And he gave Mercy to Matthew to wife.

By this time Christiana's son James had come of age, and Gaius gave Phebe (who was his child) to be his wife. They spent ten days at the house of Gaius, and then took their leave. But on the last day he made them a feast, of which they all ate and drank.

Great-heart:—Now, Gaius, the hour has come that we must be gone; so tell me what I owe you for this long stay at your inn, for we have been here some years.

Gaius:—At my house no one pays; for the good Samaritan told me that I was to look to him for all the cost I was put to. They now took leave of him and went on their way, when they met with all kinds of frights and fears, till they came to a place which bore the name of Vanity Fair. There they went to the house of Mr. Mnason, who said to his guests: If there be a thing that you stand in need of, do but say so, and we will do what we can to get it for you.

Well, then, said they, we should like much to see some of the good folk in this town.

So Mnason gave a stamp with his foot, at which Grace came up, and he sent her to fetch some of his friends who were in the house, and they all sat down to a meal.

Then said Mr. Mnason, as he held out his hand to point to Christiana: My friends, I have guests here who are on their way to Zion. But who do you think this is? This is the wife of Christian whom (with his friend Faithful) the men of this town did treat so ill.

Well, said they, go who would have thought to meet Christiana at this place! May The King whom you love and serve bring you where He is, in peace!

They then told her that the blood of Faithful had lain like a load on their hearts; and that since, they had burnt him no more men had been sent to the Stake at Vanity Fair. In those days, said they, good men could not walk the streets, but now they can show their heads.

Christiana and her sons and Mercy made this place their home for some years, and in course of time Mr. Mnason, who had a wife and two girls, gave his first born, whose name was Grace, to Samuel to wife, and Martha to Joseph.

Now, one day, a huge snake came out of the woods and slew some of the folk of the town. None of these were so bold as to dare to face him, but all fled when they heard that he came near, for he took off the babes by scores.

But Great-heart and the rest of the men who were at Mr. Mnason's house, made up their minds to kill this snake, and so rid the town of him. So they went forth to meet him, and at first the snake did not seem to heed them; but as they were strong men at arms, they drove him back. Then they lay in wait for him, and fell on him, till at last they knew he must die of his wounds. By this deed Mr. Great-heart and the rest won the good will of the whole town.

The time now drew near for them to go on their way. Mr. Great-heart went first as their guide; and I saw in my dream that they came to the stream on this side of The Delectable Mountains, where fine trees grew on each bank, the leaves of which were good for the health, and the fields were green all the year round; and here they might lie down and be safe. Here, too, there were folds for sheep, and a house was built in which to rear the lambs, and there was One who kept watch on them, who would take them in His arms and lay them in His breast.

Now Christiana bade the four young wives place their babes by the side of this stream, so that they might lack nought in time to come. For, said she, if they should stray or be lost, He will bring them back; He will give strength, to the sick, and here they shall not want meat, drink, or clothes. So they left their young ones to Him.

When they went to By-Path Meadow they sat on the stile to which Christian had gone with Hopeful, when Giant Despair shut the two up in Doubting Castle. They sat down to think what would be the best thing to do, now that they were so strong a force, and had such a man as Mr. Great-heart to guide them; to wit, if it would not be well to pull down Doubting Castle, and should there be poor souls shut up there who were on their way to The Celestial City, to set them free. One said this thing and one said that; at last quoth Mr. Great-heart: We are told in the book of God's Word, that we are to fight the good fight. And, I pray, with whom should we fight if not with Giant Despair? So who will go with me?

Christiana's four sons said: We will; for they were young and strong; so they left their wives and went.

When they gave their knock at the gate, Giant Despair and his wife Diffidence, came to them.

Giant Despair:—Who and what is he that is so bold as to come to the gate of Giant Despair?

Great-heart:—It is I, a guide to those who are on their way to Zion. And I charge thee to throw wide thy gates and stand forth, for I am come to slay thee and pull down thy house.

Giant Despair:—What, shall such as Great-heart make me fear? No!

So he put a cap of steel on his head, and with a breast plate of fire, and a club in his hand, he came out to fight his foes.