FAITHFUL AND ADAM THE FIRST. 89

man!” So I went on my way up the hill. Now, when I had got about half-way
up, I looked behind me, and saw one coming after me, swift as the wind; go he over-
took me just about the place where the settle stands.

Curis. “ Just there,” said Christian, “did I sit down to rest me; but being overeome
with sleep, I there lost this roll out of my bosom.”

Farru. But, good brother, hear me out. So soon as the man overtook me, he was
but a word and a blow; for down he knocked me, and laid me for dead But, when I
was a little come to myself again, I asked him wherefore he served me so. He said,
because of my secret inclining to Adam the First. And, with that, he struck me
another deadly blow on the breast, and beat me down backwards; so I lay at his feet
as dead as before. So, when I came to myself again, I cried him mercy; but he said,

’ and, with that, he knocked me down again. He

“T know not how to show mercy ;’
had doubtless made an end of me, but that One came by, and bid him forbear.

Curis. Who was that that bid him forbear ?

Farrx. I did not know him at first; but, as He went by, I perceived the holes in
His hands and His side; then I concluded that He was our Lord. So I went up the hill.

Curis. That man that overtook you was Moses. Hespareth none, neither knoweth
he how to show mercy to those that transgress his law.

Farra. I know it very well: it was not the first time that he has met with me. It
was he that came to me when I dwelt securely at home, and that told me he wouid
burn my house over my head if I stayed there.

Curis. But did not you see the house that stood there, on the top of that hill on the
side of which Moses met you?

Farrn. Yes, and the lions too, before I came at it. But, for the lions, I think they
were asleep, for it was about noon; and because I had so much of the day before me,
I passed by the Porter, and came down the hill.

Curis. He told me, indeed, that he saw you go by; but I wished you had called at
the house, for they would have showed you so many rarities, that you would scarce
have forgot them to the day of your death. But pray tell me, did you meet nobody
in the Valley of Humility ?

Fairu. Yes, I met with one Discontent, who would willingly have persuaded me
to go back again with him: his reason was, for that the valley was altogether without
honor. He told me, moreover, that there to go was the way to disoblige all my
friends, as Pride, Arrogancy, Self-Conceii Worldly-Glory, with others, who he knew,
as he said, would be very much offended if I made such a fool of myself as to wade

through this valley.
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