Then the _Interpreter_ took him, and led him up toward the door of the Palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a Man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a Book and his Inkhorn before him, to take the name of him that should enter therein. He saw also, that in the door-way stood many men in armour to keep it, being resolved to do the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now was _Christian_ somewhat in a muse. At last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men, _Christian_ saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, _Set down my name, Sir_: the which when he had done, he saw the man draw his Sword, and put an Helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man, not at all discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the Palace, at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within, even of the Three that walked upon the top of the Palace, saying,-- Come in, Come in; Eternal Glory thou shall win. So he went in, and was cloathed with such Garments as they. Then _Christian_ smiled, and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this. Now, said _Christian_, let me go hence. Nay stay, said the _Interpreter_, till I have shewed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very dark room, where there sat a Man in an Iron Cage. Now the Man, to look on, seemed very sad; he sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together; and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said _Christian_, What means this? At which the _Interpreter_ bid him talk with the Man. Then said _Christian_ to the Man, What art thou? The man answered, I am what I was not once. _Chr._ What wast thou once? _Man._ The Man said, I was once a fair and flourishing Professor, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others; I once was, as I thought, fair for the Coelestial City, and had then even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither. _Chr._ Well, but what art thou now? _Man._ I am now a man of _Despair_, and am shut up in it, as in this Iron Cage. I cannot get out; O _now_ I cannot. _Chr._ But how comest thou in this condition? _Man._ I left off to watch and be sober; I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the light of the Word and the goodness of God; I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the Devil, and he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me; I have so hardened my heart, that I _cannot_ repent.