292 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

‘Behold, how fitly are the stages set,
For their relief that pilgrims are become,
And how they us receive without one let,
That make the other life our mark and home!

‘ What novelties they have, to us they give,
That we, though pilgrims, joyful lives may live;
They do upon us, too, such things bestow,

That show we pilgrims are, where’er we go.”’

When they were gone from the shepherds, they quickly came to the place where
Christian met with one Turn-away, that dwelt in the town of Apostasy. Wherefore
of him Mr. Great-heart, their guide, did now put them in mind, saying, ‘ This is the
place where Christian met with one Turn-away, who carried with him the character
of his rebellion at his back. And this I have to say concerning this man: he would
hearken to no counsel, but, once falling, persuasion could not stop him. When he
came to the place where the Cross and the sepulchre were, he did meet with one that
bid him look there; but he gnashed with his teeth, and stamped, and said he was
resolved to go back to his own town. Before he came to the gate, he met with
Kyangelist, who offered to lay hands on him, to turn him into the way again. But
this Turn-away resisted him; and having done much despite unto him, he got away
over the wall, and so escaped his hand.” ™

Then they went on; and just at the place where Little-Faith formerly was robbed,
there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all bloody. Then said Mr.
Great-heart, “Who art thou?” The man made answer, saying, “I am one whose
name is Valiant-for-truth. Iam a pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now,
as I was in my way, there were three men did beset me, and propounded unto me
these three things: 1. Whether I would become one of them?™* 2, Or go back from
whence I came? 3. Or die upon the place? To the first I answered, I had been a
true man a long season, and therefore it could not be expected that I should now cast
in my lot with thieves. Then they demanded what I should say to the second. So I
told them that the place from whence I came, had I not found incommodity there,
I had not forsaken at all; but, finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very
unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the
third. And I told them my life cost more dear far than that I should lightly give it
away. Besides you have nothing to do thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at
your peril be it if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, Wild-head, Inconsiderate,
and Pragmatic, drew upon me, and I also drew upon them. So we fell to it, one
against three, for the space of above three hours. They have left upon me, as you