Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/196

192 babes, are reaping the fruit and benefit of them. I hope, Mercy, that these tears of thine will not be lost; for the Truth hath said, that "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy;" and, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Ps. cxxvi. 5, 6.)

Then said Mercy,—

Now my old friend proceeded and said: But when Christiana came to the Slough of Despond, she began to be at a stand; for, said she, this is the place in which my dear husband had like to have been smothered with mud. She perceived, also, that notwithstanding the command of the King to make this place for pilgrims good, yet it was rather worse than formerly. So I asked if that was true. Yes, said the old gentleman, too true; for many there be that pretend to be the King's labourers, and say they are for mending the King's highways, and that bring dirt and dung instead of stones, and so mar, instead of mending. Here Christiana, therefore, with her boys, did make a stand. But said Mercy, Come, let us venture; only let us be wary. Then they looked Well to their steps, and made a shift to get staggeringly over.

Yet Christiana had like to have been in, and that not once or, twice. Now they had no sooner got over, but they thought