CHRISTIAN MEETS DISCRETION. 67

Curis. I am come from the City of Destructio..,and am going to Mount Zion; but,
because the sun is now set, I desire, if I may, to lodge here to-night.

Port. What is your name?

Curis. My name is now Christian, but my name at the first was Graceless. T came
of the race of Japhet, whom God will persuade to dwel! in the tents of Shem."

Port. But how doth it happen that you come go late? The sun is sct.

Curis. I had been here gooner, but that, wretched man that T ain, Esiept in the
arbor that stands on the hill-side. Nay, I had, notwithstanding that, been here much
sooner, but that in my sleep I lost my evidence, and came without it to the brow of
the hill; and then, feeling for it and finding it not, I was forced with sorrow of heart
to go back to the place where I slept my sleep, where I found it; and now I am come.

Porr. Well, I will call out one of the virgins of this place, who will, if she likes
your talk, bring you in to the rest of the family, according to the rules of the house.

So Watchful the Porter rang a bell, at the sound of which came out of the door of
the house a grave and beautiful damsel, named Discretion, and asked why she was
called.

The Porter answered, “This man is on a journey from the City of Destruction to
Mount Zion; but, being weary and benighted, he asked me if he might lodge here to-
night: so I told him I would eall for thee, who, after discourse had with him, mayest
dlo as seemeth thee good, even according to the law of the house.”

Then she asked him whence he was, and whither he was going; and he told her.
She asked him also how he got into the way ; and he told her. Then she asked him
what he had seen and met with on the way; and he told her. And at last she asked
his name. So he said, “It is Christian ; and I have so much the more a desire to lodge
here to-night, because, by what I perceive, this place was built by the Lord of the hill
for the relief and security of pilgrims.” So she smiled, but the water stood in her eyes;
and, after a little pause, she said, “T will call forth two or three of my family.” So she
ran to the door, and called out Prudence, Piety, and Charity, who, after a little more
discourse with him, had him in to the family ; and many of them, mectin g him at the
threshold of the house, said, “ Come in, thou blessed of the Lord: this house was built
by the Lord of the hill on purpose to entertain such pilgrims in.” Then he bowed his
nead, and followed them into the house. So, when he was come in and sat down, they
gave him something to drink, and consented togethe., that, until supper was ready,
some of them should have some particular discourse with Christian, for the best im-
provement of time ; and they appointed Piety, Prudence, and Charity to discourse with
him ; and thus they began :