296 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

Vatrant. But, now you are upon that, pray let me hear your opinion about it. Some
make a question whether we shall know one another when we are there.

Great. Do they think they shall know themselves, then? or that they shall rejoice
to see themselves in that bliss? And if they think they shall know and do this, why not
know others, and rejoice in their welfare also? Again, since relations are our second
self, though that state will be dissolved there, yet why may it not be rationally con-
cluded that we shall be more glad to see them there than to see they are wanting?

‘Variant. Well, I perceive whereabouts you are as to this. Have you any more
things to ask me about my beginning to come on pilgrimage ?

Great. Yes. Were your father and mother willing that you should become a pilgrim?

Variant. Oh, no; they used all means imaginable to persuade me to stay at home.

Great. Why, what could they say against it?

Vatrant. They said it was an idle life; and, if I myself were not inclined to sloth
and laziness, I would never countenance a pilgrim’s condition.

Great. And what did they say else? .

Vartan. Why, they told me that it was a dangerous way: “ Yea, the most danger-
ous way in the world,” said they, “is that which the pilgrims go.”

Great. Did they show you wherein this way is so dangerous?

Variant. Yes; and that in many particulars.

Great. Name some of them.

Vattant. They told me of the Slough of Despond, where Christian was well- nigh
smothered. They told me that there were archers standing ready in Beelzebub’s.
castle to shoot them who should knock at the wicket- gate for entrance. They told
me also of the wood and dark mountains; of the Hill Difficulty ; of the lions; and
also of the three giants, Bloody-man, Maul, and Slay-good. They said moreover that
there was a foul fiend haunted the Valley of Humiliation, and that Christian was by
him almost bereft of life. ‘“ Besides,” said they, “you must go over the Valley of the
Shadow of Death, where the hobgoblins are, where the light is darkness, where the-
way is full of snares, pits, traps, and gins.” They told me also of Giant Despair, of
Doubting Castle, and of the ruin that the pilgrims met with there. Fur ther, they said
I must go over the Enchanted Ground, which was dangerous; and that, after all this,
I should find a river, over which I should find no bridge, and that that river did lie
betwixt me and the Celestial Country.

Great. And was this all?

Vaxrant. No. They also told me that this way was full of deceivers, and of persons.
that laid wait there to turn good men out of the path.