Christian: Did you meet with no other assault as you
came?
Faithful: When I
came to the foot of the hill called Difficulty, I met with a very aged man, who
asked me what I was, and whither bound. I told him that I was a pilgrim, going
to the Celestial City. Then said the old man, Thou lookest like an honest
fellow; wilt thou be content to dwell with me for the wages that I shall give
thee? Then I asked his name, and where he dwelt? He said his name was Adam the
First, and that he dwelt in the town of Deceit. I asked him then what was his work,
and what the wages that he would give. He told me that his work was many
delights; and his wages, that I should be his heir at last. I further asked
him, what house he kept, and what other servants he had. So he told me that his
house was maintained with all the dainties of the world, and that his servants
were those of his own begetting. Then I asked how many children he had. He said
that he had but three daughters, the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes,
and the Pride of Life, and that I should marry them if I
would. Then I asked, how long time he would have me live with him; And he told
me, as long as he lived himself.
Christian: Well,
and what conclusion came the old man and you to at last?
Faithful: Why, at
first I found myself somewhat inclinable to go with the man, for I thought he
spake very fair; but looking in his forehead, as I talked with him, I saw there
written, “Put off the old man with his deeds.”
Christian: And
how then?
Faithful: Then it
came burning hot into my mind, that, whatever he said, and however he
flattered, when he got me home to his house he would sell me for a slave. So I
bid him forbear to talk, for I would not come near the door of his house. Then
he reviled me, and told me that he would send such a one after me that should
make my way bitter to my soul. So I turned to go away from him; but just as I
turned myself to go thence, I felt him take hold of my flesh, and give me such
a deadly twitch back, that I thought he had pulled part of me after himself:
this made me cry, “O wretched man.” So I went on my way
up the hill.
Now, when I had
got above half-way up, I looked behind me, and saw one coming after me, swift
as the wind; so he overtook me just about the place where the settle stands.
Christian: Just
there, said Christian, did I sit down to rest me; but being overcome with
sleep, I there lost this roll out of my bosom.
Faithful: But,
good brother, hear me out. So soon as the man overtook me, it was but a word
and a blow; for down he knocked me, and laid me for dead. But when I was a
little come to myself again I asked him wherefore he served me so. He said
because of my secret inclining to Adam the First. And with that he struck me
another deadly blow on the breast, and beat me down backward; so I lay at his
foot as dead as before. So when I came to myself again I cried him mercy: but
he said, I know not how to show mercy; and with that he knocked me down again.
He had doubtless made an end of me, but that one came by and bid him forbear.
Christian: Who
was that that bid him forbear?
Faithful: I did
not know him at first: but as he went by, I perceived the holes in his hands
and in his side: Then I concluded that he was our Lord. So I went up the hill.
Christian: That
man that overtook you was Moses. He spareth none; neither knoweth he how to
shew mercy to those that transgress the law.
Faithful: I know
it very well; it was not the first time that he has met with me. ‘Twas he that
came to me when I dwelt securely at home, and that told me he would burn my
house over my head if I stayed there.
Christian: But
did you not see the house that stood there on the top of the hill, on the side
of which Moses met you?
Faithful: Yes,
and the lions too, before I came at it. But, for the lions, I think they were
asleep, for it was about noon; and because I had so much of the day before me,
I passed by the Porter, and came down the hill.
Christian: He
told me, indeed, that he saw you go by; but I wish you had called at the house,
for they would have showed you so many rarities that you would scarce have forgot
them to the day of your death. But pray tell me, Did you meet nobody in the
Valley of Humility?
Faithful: Yes, I
met with one Discontent, who would willingly have persuaded me to go back again
with him: his reason was, for that the valley was altogether without honor. He
told me, moreover, that to go there was the way to disoblige all my friends, as
Pride, Arrogancy, Self-Conceit, Worldly Glory, with others, who he knew, as he
said, would be very much offended if I made such a fool of myself as to wade
through this valley.
Christian: Well,
and how did you answer him?
Faithful: I told
him, that although all these that he named, might claim a kindred of me, and
that rightly, (for indeed they were my relations according to the flesh,) yet
since I became a pilgrim they have disowned me, and I also have rejected them;
and therefore they were to me now no more than if they had never been of my
lineage. I told him, moreover, that as to this valley, he had quite
misrepresented the thing; for before honor is humility, and a haughty spirit
before a fall. Therefore, said I, I had rather go through this valley to the
honor that was so accounted by the wisest, than choose that which he esteemed
most worthy of our affections.
