Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/226

222 And how good is the Prince of pilgrims, to provide such resting-places for them! Of this arbour I have heard much, hut I never saw it before. But there let us beware of sleeping; for, as I have heard, that cost poor Christian dear.

Then said Mr. Great-heart to the little ones, Come, my pretty boys, how do you do? What think you now of going on pilgrimage? Sir, said the least, I was almost heat out of heart; but I thank you for lending me a hand in my need. And I remember now what my mother hath told me, namely, that the way to heaven is as a ladder, and the way to hell is as down a hill. But I had rather go up the ladder to life than down the hill to death.

Then said Mercy, But the proverb is, "To go down the hill is easy." But James said (for that was his name), The day is coming when, in my opinion, going down; the hill will be the hardest of all. 'Tis a good boy, said his master; thou hast given her a right answer. Then Mercy smiled, but the little boy did blush.

Come, said Christiana, will you eat a bit, a little to sweeten your months, while you sit here to rest your lens? For I have here a piece of pomegranate, which Mr. Interpreter put into my hand just when, I came out of his door; he gave me also a piece of an honeycomb, and a little bottle of spirits.

I thought he gave you something, said Mercy, because he called you aside.

Yes, so he did, said the other. But, said Christiana, it shall he still as, I said it should when at first we came from home; thou shalt be a sharer in all the good that I have, because thou so, willingly didst become my companion.

Then she gave to them, and they did eat, both Mercy and the boys. And, said Christiana to Mr. Great-heart, Sir; will you do as we? But he answered, You are, going on pilgrimage and presently I shall return. Much good may what you have do to you! At home I eat the same every day.

Now when they had, eaten and drunk, and had chatted a