186 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

“T daresay,” quoth I; “Iam glad on’t; Iam glad for the poor man’s sake, for
that he now has rest from his labor,’ and for that he reapeth the benefit of his tears
with joy, and for that he has got beyond gunshot of his enemies, and is out of the
reach of them that hate him." I also am glad for that a rumor of these things is
noised abroad in this country: who can tell but that it may work some good effect on
some that are left behind? But pray, sir, while it is fresh in my mind, do you
hear anything of his wife and children? Poor hearts! I wonder in my mind what
they do.”

Sac. Who? Christiana and her sons? They are like to do as well as did
Christian himself; for, though they all played the fool at first, and would by no

means be persuaded by either the tears or
entreaties of Christian, yet, second thoughts
have wrought wonderfully with them, so they
have packed up, and are also gone after
him.

“ Better and better,” quoth I: “but, what!

wife and children and all?”

Sac. It is true: I can give you an account

of the matter, for I was upon the spot at the
instant, and was thoroughly acquainted with
the whole affair.

 

 

“Then,” said I, “a man, it seems, may re-
port it for a truth?”

Sac. You need not fear to affirm it. I
mean, that they are all gone on pilgrimage,
both the good woman and her four boys.
And, being (we are, as I perceive) going

 

 

some considerable way together, I will give

“Her thoughts began to work in her mind.”

you an account of the whole matter.

This Christiana (for that was her name from the day that she, with her children,
betook themselves to a pilgrim’s life) after her husband had gone over the river, and
she could hear of him no more, her thoughts began to work in her mind. First, for
that she had lost her husband, and for that the loving bond of that relation was utterly
broken betwixt them, For you know (said he to me) nature can do no less but enter-
tain the living with many a heavy cogitation, in the remembrance of the loss of loving
relations. This, therefore, of her husband, did cost her many a tear. But this was