The poetical effusion entitled "Prison Meditations" does not in any way rise above the prosaic level of its predecessors. But it can be read with less weariness from the picture it presents of Bunyan's prison life, and of the courageous faith which sustained him. Some unnamed friend, it would appear, fearing he might flinch, had written him a letter counselling him to keep "his head above the flood." Bunyan replied in seventy stanzas in ballad measure, thanking his correspondent for his good advice, of which he confesses he stood in need, and which he takes it kindly of him to send, even though his feet stand upon Mount Zion, and the gaol is to him like a hill from which he could see beyond this world, and take his fill of the blessedness of that which remains for the Christian. Though in bonds his mind is free, and can wander where it will. "For though men keep my outward man Within their locks and bars, Yet by the faith of Christ, I can Mount higher than the stars." Meanwhile his captivity is sweetened by the thought of what it was that brought him there:-- "I here am very much refreshed To think, when I was out, I preached life, and peace, and rest, To sinners round about. My business then was souls to save By preaching grace and faith, Of which the comfort now I have And have it shall till death. That was the work I was about When hands on me they laid. 'Twas this for which they plucked me out And vilely to me said, 'You heretic, deceiver, come, To prison you must go, You preach abroad, and keep not home, You are the Church's foe.' Wherefore to prison they me sent, Where to this day I lie, And can with very much content For my profession die. The prison very sweet to me Hath been since I came here, And so would also hanging be If God would there appear. To them that here for evil lie The place is comfortless; But not to me, because that I Lie here for righteousness. The truth and I were both here cast Together, and we do Lie arm in arm, and so hold fast Each other, this is true. Who now dare say we throw away Our goods or liberty, When God's most holy Word doth say We gain thus much thereby?"