76 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

“are we come out to accompany thee down the hill.” So he began to go down, but
very warily ; yet he caught a slip or two.

Then I saw in my dream that these good companions, when Christian was gone down
to the bottom of the hill, gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a cluster of

raisins ; and then he went his way.

 

CHAPTER IV.

UT now, in this Valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it; for he
had gone but a little way before he espied a foul fiend coming over the field to
meet him: his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to
cast in his mind whether to go back or to stand his ground. But he considered

again that he had no armor for his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back

to him might give him greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts;
therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground ; for, thought he, had I no
more in mine eye than the saving of my life, it would be the best way to stand.

So he went on, and Apollyon met him. Now, the monster was hideous to behold:
he was clothed with scales like a fish, and they are his pride; he had wings like a
dragon, and feet like a bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke; and his mouth
was as the mouth of a lion. When he was come up to Christian, he beheld him with
a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question with him:

Apottyon. Whence come you, and whither are you bound ?

Curis. I am come from the City of Destruction, which is the place of all evil, and
am going to the City of Zion.

Avot. By this I perceive that thou art one of my subjects; for all that country is
mine, and I am the prince and god of it. How is it, then, that thou hast run away
from thy king? Were it not that I hope that thou mayest do me more service, I would

 

strike thee now at one blow to the ground.

Curis. [ was indeed born in your dominions; but your service was hard, and your
wages such asa man could not live on; for the wages of sin is death ; * therefore, when
I was come to years, I did as other considerate persons do, look out, if perhaps I might
mend myself.

Avot. There is no prince that will thus lightly lose his subjects, neither will I as yet