_Chr._ Well, said _Christian_, good Porter, the Lord be with thee, and add to all thy blessings much increase, for the kindness that thou hast shewed to me. Then he began to go forward; but _Discretion_, _Piety_, _Charity_, and _Prudence_ would accompany him down to the foot of the Hill. So they went on together, reiterating their former discourses, till they came to go down the Hill. Then said Christian, As it was difficult coming up, so (so far as I can see) it is dangerous going down. Yes, said _Prudence_, so it is, for it is an hard matter for a man to go down into the Valley of _Humiliation_, as thou art now, and to catch no slip by the way; therefore, said they, are we come out to accompany thee down the Hill. So he began to go down, but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two. Then I saw in my Dream that these good Companions, when _Christian_ was gone down to the bottom of the Hill, gave him a loaf of Bread, a bottle of Wine, and a cluster of Raisins; and then he went on his way. CHRISTIAN'S FIGHT WITH APOLLYON _By John Bunyan_ In this Valley of _Humiliation_, poor _Christian_ was hard put up to it; for he had gone but a little way, before he espied a foul _Fiend_ coming over the field to meet him; his name is _Apollyon_. Then did _Christian_ begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whither to go back or to stand his ground. But he considered again that he had no Armour for his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his Darts. Therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground. For, thought he, had I no more in mine eye then the saving of my life, 't would be the best way to stand. So he went on, and _Apollyon_ met him. Now the Monster was hidious to behold; he was cloathed with scales like a Fish (and they are his pride); he had wings like a Dragon, and out of his belly came Fire and Smoak; and his mouth was as the mouth of a Lion. When he was come up to _Christian_, he beheld him with a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question with him. _Apol._ Whence come you? and whither are you bound? _Chr._ I come from the City of _Destruction_, which is the place of all evil, and am going to the City of _Zion_. _Apol._ By this I perceive thou art one of my Subjects, for all that Country is mine, and I am the Prince and God of it. How is it then that thou hast run away from thy king? Were it not that I hope thou maiest do me more service, I would strike thee now at one blow to the ground. _Chr._ I was born indeed in your dominions, but your service was hard, and your wages such as a man could not live on, _for the Wages of Sin is death_; therefore when I was come to years, I did as other considerate persons do, look out, if perhaps I might mend myself.