THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS, PART IL

CHAPTER IL

Courteous ComPaNnions,—

OME time since, to tell you my dream that I had of Christian the Pilgrim, and
of his dangerous journey towards the Celestial Country, was pleasant to me and
profitable to you. I told you then, also, what I saw concerning his wife ana
children, and how unwilling they were to go with him on pilgrimage, insomuch

that he was forced to go on his progress without them; for he durst not run the danger
of that destruction which he feared would come by staying with them in the City of
Destruction ; wherefore, as I then showed you, he left them and departed.

Now, it hath so happened, through the multiplicity of business, that I have been
much hindered and kept back from my wonted travels into those parts whence he
went, and so could not, till now, obtain an opportunity to make further inquiry after
those whom he left behind, that I might give you an account of them. But, having
had some concerns that way of late, I went down again thitherward. Now, having
taken up my lodgings in a wood about a mile off the place, as I slept I dreamed
again.

And as I was in my dream, behold, an aged geatleman came by where I lay; and,
because he was to go some part of the way that I was travelling, methought I got up
and went with him. So, as we walked, and as travellers usually do, I was as if we fell
into discourse ; and our talk happened to be about Christian and his travels; for thus
I began with the old man:

“Sir,” said I, “what town is that there below, that lieth on the left hand of our
way?”

Then said Mr. Sagacity (for that was his name), “It is the City of Destruction; a
populous place, but possessed with a very ill-conditioned and idle sort of people.”

“T thought that was that city,” quoth I: “I went once myself through that town,
and therefore know that this report you give of it is true.”

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