The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can ReadBunyan, John
Religion
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read
Bunyan, John
Christian life -- Juvenile literature; Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Juvenile literature
The words underneath the verses were, "This stage was built to punish
such upon, who, through timorousness or mistrust, shall be afraid to go
farther on pilgrimage. Also on this stage both Mistrust and Timorous
were burned through the tongue with a hot iron, for endeavoring to
hinder Christian in his journey."
Then said Mercy, "This is much like to the saying of the Beloved, 'What
shall be given unto thee, or what shall be done unto thee, thou false
tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.'"
So they went on till they came within sight of the lions. Now, Mr.
Great-heart was a strong man, so he was not afraid of a lion. But yet,
when they were come up to the place where the lions were, the boys, that
went before, were glad to cringe behind, for they were afraid of the
lions so they stepped back, and went behind.
At this their guide smiled, and said, "How now, my boys! do you love to
go before when no danger doth approach, and love to come behind so soon
as the lions appear?"
Now, as they went up, Mr. Great-heart drew his sword, with intent to
make a way for the pilgrims in spite of the lions. Then there appeared
one that, it seems, had taken upon him to back the lions; and he said to
the pilgrims' guide, "What is the cause of your coming hither?" Now, the
name of that man was Grim, or Bloody-man, because of his slaying of
pilgrims; and he was of the race of the giants.
GREAT. Then said the pilgrims' guide, "These women and children are
going on pilgrimage, and this is the way they must go; and go it they
shall, in spite of thee and the lions."
GRIM. This is not their way, neither shall they go therein. I am come
forth to withstand them, and to that end will back the lions.
[Sidenote: GREAT-HEART OVERCOMES GRIM]
Now, to say truth, by reason of the fierceness of the lions, and of the
grim carriage of him that did back them, this way had of late lain much
unoccupied, and was almost all grown over with grass.
CHR. Then said Christiana, "Though the highways have been unoccupied
heretofore, and though the travellers have been made in times past to
walk through by-paths, it must not be so now I am risen. 'Now I am risen
a mother in Israel.'"
GRIM. Then he swore by the lions, "But it should," and therefore bid
them turn aside, for they should not passage there.
But Great-heart their guide made first his approach unto Grim, and laid
so heavily at him with his sword, that he forced him to a retreat.
GRIM. Then said he that attempted to back the lions, "Will you slay me
upon mine own ground?"
GREAT. It is the King's highway that we are in, and in His way it is
that thou hast placed thy lions; but these women, and these children,
though weak, shall hold on their way in spite of thy lions.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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