Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/189

Rh feed thee with the fat of his house, and with the heritage of Jacob thy father.

There is Christian, thy husband that eras, with legions more, his companions, ever beholding; that face that doth minister life to beholdors; and they;r shall all be glad when they shall hear the sound of thy feet step over thy Father's threshold.

Christiana at this was greatly abashed in herself, and bowed her head to the ground. This visitor proceeded, and said, Christiana, here is also a letter for thee, which I have brought to thee from thy husband's King. So she took it, and opened it, but it smelt after the manner of the best perfume (Song i. 3); also it was written in letters of gold. The contents of the letter were these: That the King would have her to do as Christian her husband; for that was the way to come to his city, and to dwell in his presence with joy for ever. At this the good woman was quite overcome; so she cried out to her visitor, Sir, Will you carry me and my children with you, that we also may go and worship the King?

Then said the visitor, Christiana, the bitter is before the sweet. Thou must through troubles, as did he that went before thee, enter this Celestial City. Wherefore I advise thee to do as did Christian thy husband. Go to the Wicket-gate yonder, over the plain; for that stands at the head of the way up which thou must go, and I wish thee all good speed. Also I advise that thou put this letter in thy bosom; that thou read therein to thyself, and to thy children, until you have got it by heart; for it is one of the songs that thou must sing while thou art in this house of thy pilgrimage (Ps. cxix. 54): also this thou must deliver in at the farther gate.

Now I saw in my dream, that this old gentleman, as he told me the story, did himself seem to be greatly affected therewith. He moreover proceeded, and said, So Christiana called her sons together, and began thus to address herself unto them; My sons. I have, as you may perceive, been of