Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/203

Rh of the fruit-trees that grew in that garden shot their branches over the wall; and being mellow, they that found them did gather them up, and eat of them to their hurt. So Christiana's boys (as boys are apt to do), being pleased, with the trees, and with the fruit that hung thereon, did pluck them, and began to eat, Their mother did also chide them for so doing, but still the boys went on.

Well, said she, my sons, you transgress, for that fruit is none of ours. But she did not know that it belonged to the enemy; I'll warrant you, if she had, she would have been ready to die for fear. But that passed, and they went on their way. Now by that they were gone about two bowshots from the place that led them into the way, they espied two very ill-favoured ones coming down apace to meet them. With that, Christiana, and Mercy her friend, covered themselves with their veils, end so kept on their journey; the children also went on before: so at lest they met together. Then they that came down to meet them come just up to the women, as if they would embrace them; but Christiana said, Stand back, or go peaceably as you should. Yet these two, as men that are deaf, regarded not Christiana's words, but began to lay hands upon. them. At that Christiana, waxing very wroth, Spurned at them with her feet. Mercy also, as well as she could, did what she could to shift them. Christiana again said to them, Stand heel: and be gone, for we have no money to lose, being pilgrims, as you see, and such, too, as live upon the charity of our friends.

Then said one of the two men, We make no assault upon you for money, but are come out to tell you, that if you will but grant one small request which we shell ask, we will make women of you for ever.

Now Christiana, imagining what they should mean, made answer again, We will neither hear, nor regard, nor yield to what you shall ask. We are in haste, and cannot stay; our business is a business of life and death. So again she and her