246 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

than to many others whose hap and loss his was; for it is easier going up than down
this hill; and that can be said but of few hills in all these parts of the world. But we
will leave the good man: he is at rest; he also had a brave victory over his enemy.
Let Him that dwelleth above grant that we fare no worse, when we come to be tried,
than he.

“But we will come again to this Valley of Humiliation. It is the best and most
fruitful piece of ground in all these parts. It is fat ground, and, as you see, consisteth
much in meadows; and if a man was to come here in the summer-time, as we do now,
if he knew not anything before thereof, and if he also delighted himself in the sight of
his eyes, he might see that that would be delightful to him. Behold how green this
valley is, also how beautified with lilies! I have also known many laboring men that
have got good estates in this valley of Humiliation ; for ‘God resisteth the proud, but
giveth grace to the humble.’™ Indeed, it is a very fruitful soil, and doth bring forth
by handfuls. Some also have wished that the next way to their Father’s house were
here, that they might be troubled no more with either hills or mountains to go over ;
but the way is the way, and there’s an end.”

Now, as they were going along and talking, they espied a boy feeding his father’s
sheep. The boy was in very mean clothes, but of a very fresh and well-favored
countenance; and as he sat by himself he sang. “Hark,” said Mr. Great-heart, “to
what the shepherd’s boy saith.” So they hearkened, and he said:

‘*He that is down needs fear no fall
He that is low, no pride ;
He that is humble, ever shall
Have God to be his guide.

‘“*T am content with what I have
Little be it or much ;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because Thou gavest such.

‘‘ Fulness to such a burden 1s,
That go on pilgrimage;
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from age to age.”

Then said their guide, “Do you hear him? I will dare to say that this boy lives
a merrier life, and wears more of that herb called heart’s-ease in his bosom, than he
that is clad in silk and velvet. But we will proceed in our discourse.