Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/282

278 came by, with his crutches in his hand, and he also was going on pilgrimage. (Ps. xxxviii. 17.)

Feeble. Then said Mr. Feeble-mind to him, How camest thou hither? I was but now complaining that I had not a suitable companion, but thou art according to my wish. Welcome, welcome, good Mr. Ready-to-halt; I hope thou and I may be some help.

Ready. I shall be glad of thy company, said the other; and, good Mr. Feeble-mind, rather than we will part, since we are thus happily met, I will lend thee one of my crutches.

Feeble. Nay, answered he, though I thank thee for thy good will, I am not inclined to halt before I am lame. Howbeit, I think, when occasion is, it may help me against a dog.

Ready. If either myself or my crutches can do thee a pleasure, we are both at thy command, good Mr. Feeble-mind.

Thus therefore they went on. Mr. Great-heart and Mr. Honest went before, Christiana and her children went next, and Mr. Feeble-mind came behind, and Mr. Ready-to-halt with his crutches. Then said Mr. Honest,—

Hon. Pray, sir, now we are upon the road, tell us some profitable things of some that have gone on pilgrimage before us.

Great. With a good will. I suppose you have heard how Christian of old did meet with Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation, and also what hard work he had to go through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Also I think you cannot but have heard how Faithful; was put to it by Madam Wanton, with Adam the First, and Discontent, and Shame—four as deceitful villains as a man can meet with upon the road.

Hon. Yes, I believe I have heard of all this; but indeed good Faithful was hardest put to it with Shame: he was an unwearied one.