248 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

“Tn this valley our Lord formerly had His country house: He loved much to be
here. He loved 4lso to walk these meadows, for He found the air was pleasant. Be-
sides, here a man shall be free from the noise and from the hurryings of this life. All
states are full of noise and confusion, only the Valley of Humiliation is that empty
and solitary place. Here a man shall not be so let and hindered in his contemplation
as in other places he is apt to be. This is a valley that nobody walks in but those
that love a pilgrim’s life. And though Christian had the hard hap to meet here with
Apollyon, and to enter with him into a brisk encounter, yet I must tel? you tnat iv
former times men have met with angels here,* have found pearls here, and have in
this place found the words of life.®°

“Did I say, our Lord had here in former days His country house, and that He
loved here to walk? I will add, in this place, and to the people that love to trace
these grounds, He has left a yearly revenue, to be faithfully paid them at certain
seasons, for their maintenance by the way, and for their further encouragement to go
on their pilgrimage.”

Sam. Now, as they went on, Samuel said to Mr. Great-heart, “Sir, I perceive that
in this valley my father and Apollyon had their battle; but whereabout was the fight ?
for I perceive this valley is large.”

Great. Your father had that battle with Apollyon at a place yonder before us, in a
narrow passage just beyond Forgetful Green. And, indeed, that place is the most
dangerous place in all these parts. For, if at any time the pilgrims meet with any
brunt, it is when they forget what favors they have received, and how unworthy they
are of them. This is the place also where others have been hard put to it. But more
of the place when we are come to it; for I persuade myself, that to this day there
remains either some sign of the battle, or some monument to testify that such a battle
there was fought.

Mer. Then said Mercy, “I think that I am as well in this valley as I have been
anywhere else in all our journey: the place, methinks, suits with my spirit. I love to
be in such places, where there is no rattling with coaches nor rumbling with wheels.
Methinks here one may, without much molestation, be thinking what he is, whence he
came, what he has done, and to what the King has called him. Here one may think,
and break at heart, and melt in one’s spirit, until one’s eyes becomes like the fish-pools
in Heshbon.” They that go rightly through this Valley of Baca, make it a well; the
rain that God sends down from heaven upon them that are here also filleth the pools.
This valley is that from whence also the King will give to His their vineyards; and
they that go through it shall sing, as Christian did, for all he met with Apollyon.” #