470 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

which when they did, some from above looked over the gate, to wit, Enoch, Moses,
and Elijah, etc., to whom it was said, “These pilgrims are come from the City of
Destruction, for the love that they bear to the King of this place.” And then the
pilgrims gave in unto them each man his certificate, which they had received in the
beginning; those therefore were carried in to the King, who, when He had read them,
said, “ Where are the men?” To whom it was answered, “They are standing without
the gate.” The King then commanded to open the gate, “ that the righteous nation,”
said He, “ which keepeth the truth, may enter in.”

Now, I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate; and lo! as they
entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold.
There were also that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them—the
harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honor. Then I heard in my
dream that all the bells in the City rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them,
“Enter ye into the joy of your Lord.”*’ I also heard the men themselves, that they
sang with a loud voice, saying, “ Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto
Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever!”

Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them, and
behold, the City shone like the sun; the streets also were paved with gold; and in
them walked many men with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden
harps to sing praises withal.

There were also of them that had wings, and they answered one another without
intermission, saying, “ Holy, holy, holy is the Lord!”** And, after that, they shut
up the gates; which when I had seen, I wished myself among them.

Now while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look back, and
saw Ignorance come. up to the river-side; but he soon got over, and that without half
the difficulty which the other two men met with. For it happened that there was
then in the place one Vain-Hope, a ferryman, that with his boat helped him over; so
he, as the others I saw, did ascend the hill, to come up to the gate; only he came alone,
neither did any man meet him with the least encouragement. When he was come up
to the gate, he looked up to the writing that was above, and then began to knock,
supposing that entrance should have been quickly administered to him; but he was
asked by the men that looked over the top of the gate, “ Whence came you? and what
would you have?” He answered, “I have ate and drank in the presence of the King,’
and He has taught in our streets.” Then they asked him for his certificate, that they
might go in and show it to the King: so he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found
none. Then said they, “ Have you none?” But the man answered never a word.