290 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

Then they took them, and had them to Mount Charity, where they showed them a
man that had a bundle of cloth lying before him, out of which he cut coats and gar-
ments for the poor that stood about him; yet his bundle or roll of cloth was never
the less.

Then said they, “ What should this be?”

“This is,” said the shepherds, “to show you that he who has a heart to give of his
labor to the poor, shall never want wherewithal. He that watereth shall be watered
himself. And the cake that the widow gave to the prophet did not cause that she had
ever the less in her barrel.”

They had them also to a place where they saw one Fool, and one Want-wit, wash-
ing of an Ethiopian, with intention to make him white; but the more they washed
him the blacker he was. Then they asked the shepherds what that should mean. So
they told them, saying, “Thus shall it be with the vile person: all means used to get
such an one a good name, shall, in conclusion, tend but to make him more abominable.
Thus it was with the Pharisees, and so shall it be with all hypocrites.”

Then said Mercy, the wife of Matthew, to Christiana her mother, “ Mother, I would,
if it might be, see the hole in the hill, or that commonly called the By-way to Hell.”
So her mother brake her mind to the shepherds. Then they went to the door: it was
in the side of a hill; and they opened it, and bid Mercy hearken awhile. So she
hearkened, and heard one saying, “Cursed be my father for holding of my feet back
from the way of peace and life.” And another said, “Oh that I had been torn in
pieces before I had, to save my life, lost my soul!” And another said, “If I were to
live again, how would I deny myself rather than come to this place!” Then there
was as if the very earth groaned and quaked under the feet of this young woman for
fear; so she looked white, and came trembling away, saying, “Blessed be he and she
that are delivered from this place.”

Now, when the shepherds had shown them all these things, then they had them
back to the palace, and entertained them with what the house would afford. But
Mercy, being a young and breeding woman, longed for something that she saw there,
but was ashamed to ask. Her mother-in-law then asked her what she ailed, for she
looked as one not well. Then said Mercy, “There is a looking-glass hangs up in the
dining-room, off of which I cannot take my mind; if, therefore, I have it not, I think
I shall miscarry.” Then said her mother, “I will mention thy wants to the shepherds,
and they will not deny it thee.” But she said, “I am ashamed that these men should
know that I longed.” “Nay, my daughter,” said she, “it is no shame, but a virtue, to
long for such a thing as that.” So Mercy said, “Then, mother, if you please, ask the
shepherds if they are willing to sell it.”