Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/233

Rh which one sat, and he said to me, Welcome, daughter. The place looked bright and twinkling, like the stairs, or rather like the sun, and I thought that I saw your husband there. So I awoke from my dream. But did I laugh?

Chr. Laugh! ay, and well you might, to see yourself so well. For you must give me leave to tell you, that I believe it was a good dream; and that, as you have begun to ﬁnd the first part true, so you shall find the second at last. "God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not; in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed." (Job xxxiii. 14–16.) We need not, when a-bed, to lie awake to talk with God; he can Visit us while we sleep, and cause us then to hear his voice. Our heart oftentimes wakes while we sleep; and God can speak to that, either by words, by proverbs, or by signs and similitudes, as well if one was awake.

Mer. Well, I am glad of my dream, for I hone ere long to see it fulfilled, to the making me laugh again.

Chr. I think it is now time to rise, and to know what we must do.

Mer. Pray, if they invite us to stay awhile, let us willingly accept of the offer. I am the more willing to stay awhile here, to grow better acquainted with these maids: methinks Prudence, Piety, and Charity have very comely and sober countenances.

Chr. We shall see what they will do.

So when they were up and ready, they came down, and they asked one another of their rest, and if it was comfortable or not.

Very good, said Mercy; it was one of the best night's lodgings that ever I had in my life.

Then said Prudence and Piety, If you will be persuaded to stay here awhile, you shall have what the house afford.

Ay, and that with a very good will, said Charity.

So they consented, and stayed there about a month or