Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/162

158 reflection of the sunbeams upon it, Christian With desire fell sick. Hopeful also had a fit or two of the same disease. Wherefore here they lay by it a While, crying out because of their pangs, "If ye see my Beloved, tell him that I am sick of love."

But being a little strengthened, and better able to bear their sickness, they walked on their Way, and came yet nearer and nearer, Where were orchards, Vineyards, and gardens, and their gates opened into the highway. Now, as they came up to these places, behold the gardener stood in the way; to Whom the pilgrims said, Whose goodly vineyards and gardens are these? He answered, They are the King's, and are planted here for his own delights, and also for the solace of pilgrims. So the gardener had them into the vineyards, and hid them refresh themselves with the dainties (Deut. xxiii. 24); he also showed them there the King's walks, and the arbours Where he delighted to be: and here they tarried and slept.

Now I beheld in my dream that they talked more in their sleep at: this time than ever they did in all their journey; and being in a muse there about, the gardener said even to me, Wherefore musest thou at the matter? it is the nature of the fruit of the grapes of these vineyards to go down so sweetly as to cause the lips of them that are asleep to speak."

So I saw that when they awoke they addressed themselves to go up to the city. But, as I said, the reflection of the sun upon the city (for the city was pure gold—Rev. xxi. 18; 2 Cor. iii. 18) was so extremely glorious, that they could not, as yet, with open face behold it, but through an instrument made for that purpose. So I saw that, as they went on, there: met them two men in raiment that shone like gold, also their faces shone as the light.

These men asked the pilgrims whence they came; and they told them; They also asked them where they had lodge, what difficulties and dangers, what comforts and