78 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

thou shouldst have stayed till thy Prince had taken it off Thou didst sinfully sleep,
and lose thy choice things. Thou wast almost persuaded to go back at the sight of the
lions. And when thou talkest of thy journey, and of what thou hast seen and heard,
thou art inwardly desirous of vain-glory in all that thou sayest or doest.

Curis. All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince
whom I serve and honor is merciful and ready to forgive. But besides, these infirmi-
ties possessed me in thy own country ; for there I sucked them in, and I have groaned
under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince.

Apot. Then Apollyon broke out into a grievous rage, saying, “I am an enemy to
this Prince; I hate His person, His laws, and people. I am come out on purpose to
withstand thee.”

Curis. Apollyon, beware what you do, for I am in the King’s highway, the way of
holiness : therefore take heed to yourself,

Avot. Then Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and said,
“Tam void of fear in this matter. Prepare thyself to die; for I swear by my infernal
den, that thou shalt go no farther: here will I spill thy soul.” And, with that, he threw
a flaming dart at his breast; but Christian held a shield in his hand, with which he
caught it, and so prevented the danger of that.

Then did Christian draw, for he saw it was time to bestir him; and Apollyon as
fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail, by the which, notwithstanding all
that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and
foot. This made Christian give a little back; Apollyon, therefore, followed his work
amain, and Christian again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This
sore combat lasted for above half a day, even till Christian was almost quite spent.
For you must know that Christian, by reason of his wounds, must needs grow weaker
and weaker.

Then Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and,
wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and, with that, Christian’s sword flew out
of his hand. Then said Apollyon, “I am sure of thee now.” And, with that, he had
almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to despair of life. But, as God
would have it, while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end
of this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword, and caught it,

eccrine

saying, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall I shall arise;
with that, gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received
his mortal wound. Christian, perceiving that, made at him again, saying, “ Nay, in

all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” ” And,