The Pilgrim's Progress - Part Two
The Author's Way of Sending Forth His Second Part
of the Pilgrim | 1 | 2 | 3
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
8 | 9 | 10 | 11
| 12 | 13 | 14
| 15 | 16 | 17
| 18 | 19 | 20
| 21 | 22 | 23
| 24 | 25 | 26
Back to Pilgrim's Homepage
Supper with the Interpreter
Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on the board. So they
sat down, and did eat, when one had given thanks. And the INTERPRETER did usually
entertain those that lodged with him with music at meals; so the minstrels played.
There was also one that did sing; and a very fine voice he had.
His song was this:
"The Lord is only my support
And he that doth me feed:
How can I, then want anything
Where of I stand in need?.
When the song and music were ended, the INTERPRETER asked CHRISTIANA what it was
that at first did move her to betake herself to a pilgrim's life?
CHRISTIANA answered, "First the loss of my husband came into my mind, at which
I was heartily grieved; but all that was but natural affection. Then, after that,
came the troubles and pilgrimage of my husband into my mind; and also how like a
churl I had carried it to him as to that. So guilt took hold of my mind, and would
have drawn me into the pond; but that opportunely I had a dream of the wellbeing
of my husband, and a letter sent me by the King of that country where my husband
dwells, to come to him. The dream and the letter together so wrought upon my mind,
that they forced me to this way."
Inter. But met you with no opposition afore you set out of doors?
Chris. Yes; a neighbour of mine, one Mrs. TIMOROUS (she was akin to him that
would have persuaded my husband to go back for fear of the lions). She all-to-befooled
me for--as she called it--my intended desperate adventure. She also urged what she
could to dishearten me to it,--the hardship and troubles that my husband met with
in the way, but all this I got over pretty well. But a dream that I had, of two ill
looking ones, that I thought did plot how to make me miscarry in my journey, that
hath troubled me much; yea, it still runs in my mind, and makes me afraid of everyone
that I meet, lest they should meet me to do me a mischief, and to turn me out of
the way. Yea, I may tell my lord, though I would not have everybody know it, that
between this and the gate by which we got into the way, we were both so sorely assaulted,
that we were made to cry out "murder": and the two that made this assault
upon us were like the two that I saw in my dream.
Inter. Then said the INTERPRETER, "Thy beginning is good; thy latter
end shall greatly increase." So he addressed himself to MERCY, and said unto
her, "And what moved thee to come hither, sweetheart?"
Then MERCY blushed and trembled; and for awhile continued silent.
Inter. Then said he, "Be not afraid; only believe, and speak thy mind."
Mer. So she began, and said, "Truly, sir, my want of experience is that
that makes me covet to be in silence; and that also that fills me with fears of coming
short at last. I cannot tell of visions and dreams, as my friend CHRISTIANA can;
nor know I what it is to mourn for my refusing of the counsel of those that were
good relations."
Inter. What was it, then, dear heart, that hath prevailed with thee to do
as thou hast done?
Mer. Why, when our friend here was packing up to be gone from our town, I
and another went accidentally to see her; so we knocked at the door and went in.
When we were within, and seeing what she was doing, we asked what was her meaning.
She said she was sent for to go to her husband; and then she up and told us how she
had seen him in a dream, dwelling in a curious place among immortals, wearing a crown,
playing upon a harp, eating and drinking at his Prince's table, and singing praises
to him for bringing him thither, etc. Now, methought while she was telling these
things unto us, my heart burned within me; and I said in my heart, if this be true,
I will leave my father and my mother, and the land of my nativity, and will, if I
may, go along with CHRISTIANA.
So I asked her further of the truth of these things, and if she would let me go with
her; for I saw now that there was no dwelling, but with the danger of ruin, any longer
in our town. But yet I came away with a heavy heart; not for that I was unwilling
to come away, but for that so many of my relations were left behind. And I am come
with all the desire of my heart; and will go, if I may, with CHRISTIANA unto her
husband and his King.
Inter. Thy setting out is good; for thou hast given credit to the truth. Thou
art a Ruth; who did, for the love that she bore to Naomi, and to the Lord her God,
leave father and mother, and the land of her nativity, to come out, and go with a
people that she knew not heretofore. "The Lord recompense thy work; and a full
reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to
truth".
"And Boaz answered and said unto her, It
hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the
death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother,
and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of
Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
~ Ruth 2:11, 12 ~
Now supper was ended, and preparation was made for bed; the women were laid singly
alone, and the boys by themselves. Now when MERCY was in bed, she could not sleep
for joy, for that now her doubts of missing at last were removed farther from her
than ever they were before; so she lay blessing and praising God, who had had such
favour for her.
Cleaned, Sealed and Clothed
In the morning they arose with the sun, and prepared themselves for their departure;
but the INTERPRETER would have them tarry awhile, "For," said he, "you
must orderly go from hence." Then said he to the damsel that at first opened
unto them, "Take them, and have them into the garden to the bath; and there
wash them, and make them clean from the soil which they have gathered by travelling."
Then INNOCENT, the damsel, took them, and had them into the garden, and brought them
to the bath; so she told them that there they must wash and be clean, for so her
master would have the women to do that called at his house as they were going on
pilgrimage. Then they went in and washed, yea, they and the boys and all; and they
came out of that bath, not only sweet and clean, but also much enlivened and strengthened
in their joints: so when they came in, they looked fairer a deal than when they went
out to the washing.
When they were returned out of the garden from the bath, the INTERPRETER took them,
and looked upon them, and said unto them, "Fair as the moon." Then he called
for the seal wherewith they used to be sealed that were washed in his bath. So the
seal was brought, and he set his mark upon them, that they might be known in the
places whither they were yet to go. Now the seal was the contents and sum of the
Passover which the children of Israel did eat when they came out from the land of
Egypt,
"And thou shalt shew thy son in that day,
saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when
I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand,
and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for
with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt therefore
keep this ordinance in his season from year to year."
~ Exodus 13:8-10 ~
and the mark was set between their eyes. This seal greatly added to their beauty,
for it was an ornament to their faces; it also added to their gravity, and made their
countenances more like those of angels.
Then said the INTERPRETER again to the damsel that waited upon these women, "Go
into the vestry, and fetch out garments for these people." So she went, and
fetched out white raiment, and laid it down before him; so he commanded them to put
it on. It was fine linen, white and clean. When the women were thus adorned, they
seemed to be a terror one to the other; for that they could not see that glory each
one on herself which they could see in each other. Now therefore, they began to esteem
each other better than themselves; "For you are fairer than I am," said
one; "And you are more comely than I am," said another. The children also
stood amazed to see into what fashion they were brought.
The INTERPRETER then called for a manservant of his, one GREAT-HEART, and bade him
take sword, and helmet, and shield. "And take these my daughters," said
he, "and conduct them to the house called Beautiful, at which place they will
rest next." So he took his weapons, and went before them; and the INTERPRETER
said, "God speed!" Those also that belonged to the family sent them away
with many a good wish; so they went on their way, and sung:
"This place has been our second stage:
Here we have heard and seen
Those good things that, from age to age,
To others hid have been.
The Dunghill raker, Spider, Hen,
The Chicken, too, to me
Hath taught a lesson: let me then
Conformed to it be.
The Butcher, Garden, and the Field,
The Robin, and his bait--
Also the Rotten Tree--doth yield
Me argument of weight:
To move me for to watch and pray;
To strive to be sincere;
To take my cross up day by day,
And serve the Lord with fear."
The Pilgrim's Progress - Part Two
The Author's Way of Sending Forth His Second Part
of the Pilgrim | 1 | 2 | 3
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
8 | 9 | 10 | 11
| 12 | 13 | 14
| 15 | 16 | 17
| 18 | 19 | 20
| 21 | 22 | 23
| 24 | 25 | 26
Back to Pilgrim's Homepage