Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/214

210 deed will do nothing for Him; Whose leaves are fair, but their hearts good for nothing, but to be tinder for the devil's tinderbox.

Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on the board; so they sat down and did eat, when one had given thanks. And the Interpreter did usually entertain those that lodged with him with music: at mails; so the minstrels played. There was also one that did sing", and a very fine voice he had. His song was this,—

When the song and music was ended, the Interpreter asked Christiana What it was that at ﬁrst did move her to betake herself to a pilgrims life. Christiana answered, First, the loss of my husband came into my mind, at which I was heartily grieved; but all that was but natural affection. Then, after that, came the troubles and pilgrimage of my husband into my mind, and also how like a churl I had carried it to him as to that. So guilt took hold of my mind, and would have drawn me into the pond, but that opportunely I had a dream of the well-being; of my husband, and a letter sent me by the King of that country where my husband dwells, to come to him. The dream and the letter together so wrought upon my mind, that they forced me to this way.

Inter. But met you with no opposition before you set out of doors?

Chr. Yes—a neighbour of mine, one Mrs. Timorous (she was akin to him that would have persuaded my husband to go back for fear of the lions). She also befooled me for, as she called it, my intended desperate adventure; she also urged What she could to dishearten me from it—the hardships and troubles that my husband met with in the way: