Here I have seen things rare and profitable; Things pleasant, dreadful, things to make me stable In what I have began to take in hand; Then let me think on them, and understand Wherefore they shew'd me was, and let me be Thankful, O good Interpreter, to thee. AT THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL _By John Bunyan_ Behold there was a very stately Palace before him, the name of which was _Beautiful_; and it stood just by the High-way side. So I saw in my Dream that he made haste and went forward, that if possible he might get Lodging there. Now before he had gone far, he entered into a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong off of the Porter's lodge; and looking very narrowly before him as he went, he espied two Lions in the way. Now, thought he, I see the dangers that _Mistrust_ and _Timorus_ were driven back by. (The Lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.) Then he was afraid, and thought also himself to go back after them, for he thought nothing but death was before him: But the Porter at the lodge, whose name is _Watchful_, perceiving that _Christian_ made a halt as if he would go back, cried unto him, saying, Is thy strength so small? Fear not the Lions, for they are chained, and are placed there for trial of faith where it is, and for discovery of those that have none. Keep in the midst of the Path, and no hurt shall come unto thee. Then I saw that he went on, trembling for fear of the Lions, but taking good heed to the directions of the Porter; he heard them roar, but they did him no harm. Then he clapt his hands, and went on till he came and stood before the Gate where the Porter was. Then said _Christian_ to the Porter, Sir, what House is this? and may I lodge here to-night? The Porter answered, This House was built by the Lord of the Hill, and he built it for the relief and security of Pilgrims. The Porter also asked whence he was, and whither he was going? _Chr._ I am come from the City of _Destruction_, and am going to Mount _Zion_; but because the Sun is now set, I desire, if I may, to lodge here to-night. _Por._ What is your name? _Chr._ My name is now _Christian_, but my name at the first was _Graceless;_ I came of the race of _Japhet_, whom God will perswade to dwell in the Tents of _Shem_. _Por._ But how doth it happen that you come so late? The Sun is set. _Chr._ I had been here sooner, but that, wretched man that I am! I slept in the _Arbour_ that stands on the Hillside; nay, I had notwithstanding that been here much sooner, but that in my sleep I lost my Evidence, and came without it to the brow of the Hill; and then feeling for it, and finding it not, I was forced with sorrow of heart to go back to the place where I slept my sleep, where I found it, and now I am come.