222 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

Mer. But could they persuade any to be of their opinion?

Great. Yes, they turned several out of the way. ‘There was Slow-pace that they
persuaded to do as they. They also prevailed with one Short-wind, with one No-
heart, with one Linger-after-lust, and with one Sleepy-head, and with a young woman
—her name was Dull—to turn out of the way and become as they. Besides, they
brought up an ill report of your Lord, persuading others that He was a hard task-
master. ‘They also brought up an evil report of the good land, saying it was not half
so good as some pretended it was. Tiey also began to vilify His servants, and to
count the very best of them meddlesome, troublesome busybodies. Further, they
would call the bread of God, husks; the comforts of His children, fancies; the travel
labor of pilgrims, things to no purpose.

Cur. “ Nay,” said Christiana, “if they were such, they never shall be bewailed by
me: they have but what they deserve; and J think it is well that they hang so near
the highway, that others may see and take warning. But had it not been well if their
crimes had been engraven on some plate of iron or brass, and left here, where they
did their mischiefs, for a caution to other bad men?”

Gruat. So it is, as you well may perceive, if you will go a little to the wall.

Mer. No, no: let them hang, and their names rot, and their crimes live for ever
against them. I think it a high favor that they were hanged afore we came hither;
who knows, else, what they might have done to such poor women as we are?

Then she turned it into a song, saying:

“Now, then, you three, hang there, and be a sign
To all that shall against the truth combine ;
And let him that comes after fear this end,

If unto pilgrims he is not a friend.

And thou, my soul, of all such men beware
That unto holiness opposers are.”’

Thus they went on till they came at the foot of the Hill Difficulty, where again
their good friend Mr. Great-heart took an oceasion to tell them of what happened
there when Christian himself went by. So he had them first to the spring, “ Lo,”
saith he, “this is the spring that Christian drank of before he went up this hill: and
then it was clear and good; but now it is dirty with the feet of some that are not
desirous that pilgrims here should quench their thirst.”*  Thereat Mercy said, “ And
why so envious, trow?” But said their guide, “It will do if taken up and put into a
vessel that is sweet and good; for then the dirt will sink to the bottom, and the
water come out by itself more clear.” Thus, therefore, Christiana and her com-