The Pilgrim's Progress
THE FIFTH STAGE
Now I saw in my dream, that they went forward until they were come to
the brow of the Hill; where Piety, bethinking herself, cried out, Alas,
I have forgot what I intended to bestow upon Christiana and her
companions: I will go back and fetch it. So she ran and fetched it.
While she was gone, Christiana thought she heard, in a grove a little
way off on the right hand, a most curious melodious note, with words
much like these:
"Through all my life thy favor is
So frankly showed to me,
That in thy House for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be."
And listening still, she thought she heard another answer it, saying,
"For why? The Lord our God is good;
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure."
So Christiana asked Prudence who it was that made those curious notes.
Song 2:11,12. They are, answered she, our country birds: they sing
these notes but seldom, except it be at the spring, when the flowers
appear, and the sun shines warm, and then you may hear them all day
long. I often, said she, go out to hear them; we also oft-times keep
them tame in our house. They are very fine company for us when we are
melancholy: also they make the woods, and groves, and solitary places,
places desirable to be in.
By this time Piety was come again. So she said to Christiana, Look
here, I have brought thee a scheme of all those things that thou hast
seen at our house, upon which thou mayest look when thou findest thyself
forgetful, and call those things again to remembrance for thy
edification and comfort.
Now they began to go down the hill into the Valley of Humiliation. It
was a steep hill, and the way was slippery; but they were very careful;
so they got down pretty well. When they were down in the valley, Piety
said to Christiana, This is the place where Christian your husband met,
with the foul fiend Apollyon, and where they had that dreadful fight
that they had: I know you cannot but have heard thereof. But be of good
courage; as long as you have here Mr. Great-Heart to be your guide and
conductor, we hope you will fare the better. So when these two had
committed the pilgrims unto the conduct of their guide, he went forward,
and they went after.
GREAT. Then said Mr. Great-Heart, We need not be so afraid of this
valley, for here is nothing to hurt us, unless we procure it to
ourselves. It is true, Christian did here meet with Apollyon, with whom
he had also a sore combat: but that fray was the fruit of those slips
that he got in his going down the hill: for they that get slips there,
must look for combats here. And hence it is, that this valley has got
so hard a name. For the common people, when they hear that some
frightful thing has befallen such an one in such a place, are of opinion
that that place is haunted with some foul fiend, or evil spirit; when,
alas! it is for the fruit of their doing, that such things do befal
them there. This Valley of Humiliation is of itself as fruitful a place
as any the crow flies over; and I am persuaded, if we could hit upon it,
we might find somewhere hereabouts something that might give us an
account why Christian was so hardly beset in this place.
Then said James to his mother, Lo, yonder stands a pillar, and it looks
as if something was written thereon; let us go and see what it is. So
they went and found there written, "Let Christian's slips, before he
came hither, and the battles that he met with in this place, be a
warning to those that come after." Lo, said their guide, did not I tell
you that there was something hereabouts that would give intimation of
the reason why Christian was so hard beset in this place? Then turning
to Christiana, he said, No disparagement to Christian more than to any
others whose hap and lot it 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 grant, that dwelleth above, that
we fare no worse, when we come 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 those 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 any thing before
thereof, and if he also delighted himself in the sight of his eyes, he
might see that which would be delightful to him. Behold how green this
valley is; also how beautified with lillies. Song 2:1. I have 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. James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5. 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 is 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 sung.
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.
I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such.
Fulness to such, a burden is,
That go on pilgrimage;
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from Age to Age."
Then said the 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.
In this valley our Lord formerly had his country-house: he loved much to
be here. He loved also to walk these meadows, for he found the air was
pleasant. Besides, 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 in a brisk encounter, yet
I must tell you, that in former times men have met with angels here,
Hos. 12:4,5, have found pearls here, Matt. 13:46, and have in this
place found the words of life. Prov. 8:36.
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 and 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 in 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 the 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 pilgrims meet with any brunt, it is when they forget what favours
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 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 become as the fish-
pools in Heshbon. Song 7:4. 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.
Psa. 84:5-7; Hos. 2:15.
GREAT. 'Tis true, said their guide; I have gone through this valley many
a time, and never was better than when here. I have also been a conduct
to several pilgrims, and they have confessed the same. "To this man
will I look," saith the King, "even to him that is poor, and of a
contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isa. 66:2.
Now they were come to the place where the aforementioned battle was
fought: Then said the guide to Christiana, her children, and Mercy, This
is the place; on this ground Christian stood, and up there came Apollyon
against him; and look. And, look, did I not
tell you? here is some of your husband's blood upon these stones to
this day: Behold, also, how here and there are yet to be seen upon the
place, some of the shivers of Apollyon's broken darts. See, also, how
they did beat the ground with their feet as they fought, to make good
their places against each other; how also with their by-blows they did
split the very stones in pieces. Verily, Christian did here play the
man, and showed himself as stout as Hercules could, had he been there,
even he himself. When Apollyon was beat, he made his retreat to the
next valley, that is called, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, unto
which we shall come anon. Lo, yonder also stands a monument, on which
is engraven this battle, and Christian's victory, to his fame,
throughout all ages: So because it stood just on the way-side before
them, they stepped to it, and read the writing, which word for word was
this:
"Hard by here was a battle fought,
Most strange, and yet most true;
Christian and Apollyon fought
Each other to subdue.
The man so bravely play'd the man,
He made the fiend to fly;
Of which a monument I stand,
The same to testify."
When they had passed by this place, they came upon the borders of the
Shadow of Death. This Valley was longer than the other; a place also
most strangely haunted with evil things, as many are able to testify:
but these women and children went the better through it, because they
had daylight, and because Mr. Great-Heart was their conductor.
When they were entering upon this valley, they thought they heard a
groaning, as of dying men; a very great groaning. They thought also
that they did hear words of lamentation, spoken as of some in extreme
torment. These things made the boys to quake; the women also looked
pale and wan; but their guide bid them be of good comfort.
So they went on a little further, and they thought that they felt the
ground begin to shake under them, as if some hollow place was there:
they heard also a kind of hissing, as of serpents, but nothing as yet
appeared. Then said the boys, Are we not yet at the end of this doleful
place? But the guide also bid them be of good courage, and look well to
their feet; lest haply, said he, you be taken in some snare.
Now James began to be sick; but I think the cause thereof was fear: so
his mother gave him some of that glass of spirits that had been given
her at the Interpreter's house, and three of the pills that Mr. Skill
had prepared, and the boy began to revive. Thus they went on till they
came to about the middle of the valley; and then Christiana said,
Methinks I see something yonder upon the road before us, a thing of a
shape such as I have not seen. Then said Joseph, Mother, what is it?
An ugly thing, child; an ugly thing, said she. But, mother, what is it
like? said he. 'Tis like I cannot tell what, said she; and now it is
but a little way off. Then said she, It is nigh.
Well, said Mr. Great-Heart, let them that are most afraid keep close to
me. So the fiend came on, and the conductor met it; but when it was
come to him, it vanished to all their sights. Then remembered they what
had been said some time ago: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you." James 4:7.
They went therefore on, as being a little refreshed. But they had not
gone far, before Mercy, looking behind her, saw, as she thought,
something most like a lion, and it came at a great padding pace after:
and it had a hollow voice of roaring; and at every roar it gave, it made
the valley echo, and all their hearts to ache, save the heart of him
that was their guide. So it came up and Mr. Great-Heart went behind,
and put the pilgrims all before him. The lion also came on apace, and
Mr. Great-Heart addressed himself to give him battle. 1 Pet. 5:8,9.
But when he saw that it was determined that resistance should be made,
he also drew back, and came no further.
Then they went on again, and their conductor went before them, till they
came to a place where was cast up a pit the whole breadth of the way;
and before they could be prepared to go over that, a great mist and a
darkness fell upon them, so that they could not see. Then said the
pilgrims, Alas! what now shall we do? But their guide made answer,
Fear not; stand still, and see what an end will be put to this also; so
they stayed there, because their path was marred. They then also
thought that they did hear more apparently the noise and rushing of the
enemies; the fire also and the smoke of the pit were much easier to be
discerned. Then said Christiana to Mercy, Now I see what my poor
husband went through. I have heard much of this place, but I never was
here before now. Poor man! he went here all alone in the night; he had
night almost quite through the way: also these fiends were busy about
him, as if they would have torn him in pieces. Many have spoken of it;
but none can tell what the Valley of the Shadow of Death should mean
until they come in themselves. The heart knoweth its own bitterness;
and a stranger intermeddleth not with its joy. Prov. 14:10. To be
here is a fearful thing.
GREAT. This is like doing business in great waters, or like going down
into the deep. This is like being in the heart of the sea, and like
going down to the bottoms of the mountains. Now it seems as if the
earth, with its bars, were about us for ever. But let them that walk in
darkness, and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay
upon their God. Isa. 50:10. For my part, as I have told you already,
I have gone often through this valley, and have been much harder put to
it than now I am: and yet you see I am alive. I would not boast, for
that I am not mine own saviour; but I trust we shall have a good
deliverance. Come, let us pray for light to Him that can lighten our
darkness, and that can rebuke not only these, but all the Satans in
hell.
So they cried and prayed, and God sent light and deliverance, for there
was now no let in their way; no, not there where but now they were
stopped with a pit. Yet they were not got through the valley. So they
went on still, and met with great stinks and loathsome smells, to the
great annoyance of them. Then said Mercy to Christiana, It is not so
pleasant being here as at the gate, or at the Interpreter's, or at the
house where we lay last.
O but, said one of the boys, it is not so bad to go through here, as it
is to abide here, always; and for aught I know, one reason why we must
go this way to the house prepared for us is, that our home might be the
sweeter to us.
Well said, Samuel, quoth the guide; thou hast now spoke like a man.
Why, if ever I get out here again, said the boy, I think I shall prize
light and good way better than I ever did in all my life. Then said the
guide, We shall be out by and by.
So on they went, and Joseph said, Cannot we see to the end of this
valley as yet? Then said the guide, Look to your feet, for we shall
presently be among the snares: so they looked to their feet, and went
on; but they were troubled much with the snares. Now, when they were
come among the snares, they espied a man cast into the ditch on the left
hand, with his flesh all rent and torn. Then said the guide, That is
one Heedless, that was going this way: he has lain there a great while.
There was one Take-Heed with him when he was taken and slain, but he
escaped their hands. You cannot imagine how many are killed hereabouts,
and yet men are so foolishly venturous as to set out lightly on
pilgrimage, and to come without a guide. Poor Christian! it was a
wonder that he here escaped; but he was beloved of his God: also he had
a good heart of his own, or else he could never have done it.
Now they drew towards the end of this way; and just there where
Christian had seen the cave when he went by, out thence came forth Maul,
a giant. This Maul did use to spoil young pilgrims with sophistry; and
he called Great-Heart by his name, and said unto him, How many times
have you been forbidden to do these things? Then said Mr. Great-Heart,
What things? What things! quoth the giant; you know what things: but I
will put an end to your trade.
But, pray, said Mr. Great-Heart, before we fall to it, let us
understand wherefore we must fight. Now the women and children stood
trembling, and knew not what to do. Quoth the giant, You rob the
country, and rob it with the worst of thefts. These are but generals,
said Mr. Great-Heart; come to particulars, man.
Then said the giant, Thou practisest the craft of a kidnapper; thou
gatherest up women and children, and carriest them into a strange
country, to the weakening of my master's kingdom. But now Great-Heart
replied, I am a servant of the God of heaven; my business is to persuade
sinners to repentance. I am commanded to do my endeavors to turn men,
women, and children, from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
unto God; and if this be indeed the ground of thy quarrel, let us fall
to it as soon as thou wilt.
Then the giant came up, and Mr. Great-Heart went to meet him; and as he
went he drew his sword, but the giant had a club. So without more ado
they fell to it, and at the first blow the giant struck Mr. Great-Heart
down upon one of his knees. With that the women and children cried out.
So Mr. Great-Heart recovering himself, laid about him in full lusty
manner, and gave the giant a wound in his arm. Thus he fought for the
space of an hour, to that height of heat that the breath came out of the
giant's nostrils as the heat doth out of a boiling cauldron.
Then they sat down to rest them; but Mr. Great-Heart betook himself to
prayer. Also the women and children did nothing but sigh and cry all
the time that the battle did last.
When they had rested them, and taken breath, they both fell to it again;
and Mr. Great-Heart, with a blow, fetched the giant down to the ground.
Nay, hold, let me recover, quoth he: so Mr. Great-Heart fairly let him
get up. So to it they went again, and the giant missed but little of
all to breaking Mr. Great-Heart's scull with his club.
Mr. Great-Heart seeing that, runs to him in the full heat of his
spirit, and pierceth him under the fifth rib. With that the giant began
to faint, and could hold up his club no longer. Then Mr. Great-Heart
seconded his blow, and smit the head of the giant from his shoulders.
Then the women and children rejoiced, and Mr. Great-Heart also praised
God for the deliverance he had wrought.
When this was done, they amongst them erected a pillar, and fastened the
giant's head thereon, and wrote under in letters that passengers might
read,
"He that did wear this head was one
That pilgrims did misuse;
He stopped their way, he spared none,
But did them all abuse;
Until that I Great-Heart arose,
The pilgrims guide to be;
Until that I did him oppose
That was their enemy."
