206 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

made their approach upon them, with design to prevail against them. They therefore
cried out again.

Now, they being, as I said, not far from the gate in at which they came, their
voices were heard from where they were, thither; wherefore some of the house came
out, and, knowing it was Christiana’s tongue, they made haste to her relief. But by
that they were got within sight of them, the women were in a very great scuffle: the
children also stood crying by. Then did he that came in for their relief call out to the
ruffians, saying, “ What is that thing you do? Would you make my Lord’s people to
transgress?’’ He also attempted to take them, but they did make their escape over the
wall into the garden of the man to whom the great dog belonged ; so the dog became
their protector. This Reliever then came up to the women, and asked them how they did.

So they answered, “ We thank thy Prince, pretty well, only we have been somewhat
affrighted: we thank thee also for that thou camest in to our help, otherwise we had
been overcome.”

Retrever. So, after a few more words, this Reliever said as followeth: “I marvelled
much when you were entertained at the gate above, being ye knew that ye were but
weak women, that you petitioned not the Lord for a conductor. Then might you
have avoided these troubles and dangers; for He would have granted you one.”

Cur. “ Alas!” said Christiana, “we were taken so with our present blessing, that
dangers to come were forgotten by us. Besides, who could have thought that, so near
the King’s palace, there could have lurked such naughty ones? Indeed, it had been
well for us had we asked our Lord for one; but, since our Lord knew it would be for
our profit, I wonder He sent not one along with us.”

Rev. It is not always necessary to grant things not asked for, lest, by so doing, they
become of little esteem ; but when the want of a thing is felt, it then comes under, in
the eyes of him that feels it, that estimate that properly is its due; and so, consequently,
it will be thereafter used. Had my Lord granted you a conductor, you would not
either have so bewailed that oversight of yours, in not asking for one, as now you have
occasion to do. So all things work for good, and tend to make you more wary.

Cur. Shall we go back again to my Lord, and confess our folly, and ask one?

Rex. Your confession of your folly I will present Him with. To go back again you
need not; for, in all places where you shall come, you will find no want at all; for, in
every one of my Lord’s lodgings, which He has prepared for the reception of His pil-
grims, there is sufficient to furnish them against all attempts whatsoever. But, as I
said, Me will be inquired of by them, to do it for them And ’t is a poor thing that

is not worth asking for.