MERCY’S DREAM. 231

at me, some called me fool, and some thrust me about. With that, methought I looked
up, and saw one coming with wings towards me. So he came directly to me, and said,
“Mercy, what aileth thee?” Now, when he had heard me make my complaint, he
said, “ Peace be to thee;” he also wiped mine eyes with his handkerchief, and clad me
in silver and gold He put a chain about my neck, and ear-rings in mine ears, and
a beautiful crown upon my head. Then he took me by the hand, and said, “ Merey,
come after me.” So he went up, and I followed, till we came to a golden gate. Then
he knocked; and when they within opened, the man went in, and I followed him up
to a throne upon which One sat; and He said
to me, “Welcome, daughter!” The place
looked bright and twinkling, like the stars, or
rather like the sun; and I thought that I saw
your husband there. So I awoke from my
dream. But did I laugh?

Cur. Laugh! ay, and well you might, to
see yourself so well. For you must give me
leave to tell you, that I believe it was a good
dream; and that, as you have begun to find
the first part true, so you shall find the second
at last. “God speaks once, yea, twice, yet
man perceiveth it not; in a dream, in a vision
of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon
men, in slumberings upon the bed.” We
need not, when abed, to lie awake to talk with
God: He can visit us while we sleep, and

 

 

 

 

cause us then to hear His voice. Our heart

*T went on bemoaning the hardness of my heart.”

oftentimes wakes when we sleep; and God can
speak to that, either by words, by proverbs, or by signs and similitudes, as well as if
one was awake.

Mrr. Well, Lam glad of my dream; for I hope ere long to sce it fulfilled, to the
making of me laugh again.

Cur. I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we must do.

Mer. Pray, if they invite us to stay a while, let us willingly accept of the proffer.
I am the willinger to stay a while here, to grow better acquainted with these maids.
Methinks Prudence, Piety, and Charity have very comely and sober countenances.

Cur. We shall see what they will do.