Page:John Bunyan's Dream Story.djvu/130

126 The Shining Ones talked to them on the way and told them about the beauty and the grandeur of the place. "You are now going," they said, "to the paradise of our Lord. There you shall see the tree of life and eat of its never-fading fruits. There you shall be clothed with glory and with majesty; and there you shall see the King as he is. There your friends will meet you, even those who have come before; and you shall with joy receive every one that follows into the holy place after you."

Now as they were drawing near the gate, a great company came out to meet them. And the two Shining Ones said, "These are the men that have loved our Lord and have left all for his sake. He has sent us to fetch them, and we have brought them thus far on their journey."

Then there was a great shout of welcome; and the King's trumpeters saluted them with music loud and sweet. And the great company surrounded them on every side. Some went before, some behind, and all walked on together towards the gate.

But before they came to it, they had another view of the city itself; and the pilgrims thought that they heard the bells therein ringing sweetly to welcome them.