184 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

Sac. Too true! I wish I could speak truth in speaking better of them that dwell
therein.

“Well, sir,” quoth I, “then I perceive you to be a well-meaning man, and so one
that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good. Pray, did you never hear
what happened to a man some time ago of this town (whose name was Christian), that
went on pilgrimage up towards the higher regions? ”

Sac. Hear of him! Ay, and I also heard of the molestations, troubles, wars, cap-
tivities, cries, groans, frights and fears that he met with and had in his journey.
Besides, I must tell you all our country rings of him: there are but few houses that
have heard of him and his doings but have sought after and got the record of his
pilgrimage. Yea, I think I may say that his hazardous journey has got many well-
wishers to his ways; for though, when he was here, he was a fool in every man’s
mouth, yet now he is gone he is highly commended of all. For ’t is said he lives
bravely where he is: yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his hazards,
yet have their mouths water at his gains.

“They may,” quoth I, “well think, if they think anything that is true, that he liveth
well where he is; for he now lives at and in the Fountain of Life, and has what he
has without labor and sorrow; for there is no grief mixed therewith. But, pray, what
talk have the people about him?”

Sac. Talk! the people talk strangely about him: some say that he now walks in
white ;* that he has a chain of gold about his neck; that he has a crown of gold beset
with pearls upon his head. Others say that the Shining Ones, that sometimes showed
themselves unto him in his journey, are become his companions, and that he is as
familiar with them in the place where he is, as here one neighbor is with another.
Besides, it is confidently affirmed concerning him, that the King of the place where
he is has bestowed upon him already a very rich and pleasant dwelling at court,? and
that he every day eateth and drinketh, and walketh and talketh with Him, and
receiveth of the smiles and favors of Him that is J udge of all there.* Moreover, it is
expected of some, that his Prince, the Lord of that country, will shortly come into
tl.ese parts, and will know the reason, if they can give any, why his neighbors set so
little by him, and had him so much in derision, when they perceived that he would be a
Pilgrim." For they say, that now he is so in the affections of his Prince, and that his
Sovereign is so much concerned with the indignities that were cast upon Christian
when he became a Pilerim, that He will look upon all. as if done unto Himself;¢

and no marvel, for it was for the love that he had to his Prince that he ventured as
he did.