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"Behold they saw, as they thought, a man upon his knees, with hands and eyes lifted up."

Page 422.

Why he was on his knees.

'with my heart was glad at the sight.'
'did you think?' said STANDFAST.
old HONEST,' what should I think!

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Why, what
Think!' said
I thought

we had an honest man upon the road, therefore 'should have his company by and by.' 'If you

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thought not amiss, how happy am I; but, if I be 'not as I should, 'tis I alone must bear it.' 'That is true' said the other: but your fear doth further 'confirm me, that things are right betwixt the 'PRINCE of Pilgrims and your soul: for he said, "Blessed is the man that feareth always."

VAL. Well, but brother, I pray thee tell us, what was it that was the cause of thy being upon thy knees even now? Was it for some obligations laid by special mercies upon thee, or how?

ST. Why, we are, as you see, upon the EN CHANTED GROUND; and as I was coming along, I was musing with myself of what a dangerous nature the road in this place was; and how many, that had come even thus far on pilgrimage, had here been stopt and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of death, with which this place destroyed men. Those that die here, die of no violent distemper the death which such do die, is not grievous to them; for he that goeth away in a sleep, begins that journey with desire and pleasure: yea, such acquiesce in the will of that disease.

Then Mr. HONEST interrupting of him, said,
Did you see the two men asleep in the Arbour?'
ST. Ay, ay, I saw HEEDLESS and also Too-BOLD

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there; and, for

Attacked by madam BUBBLE.

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aught I know, there they will lie until they rot; but let me go on with my tale.— As I was thus musing, as I said, there was one in pleasant attire, but old, who presented herself unto me, and offered me three things, to wit, her body, her purse, and her bed. Now the truth is, I was both weary and sleepy: I am also as poor as an owlet, and that perhaps the witch knew. Well, I repulsed her once and twice; but she put by my repulses and smiled. Then I began to be angry; but she mattered that nothing at all. Then she made offers again, and said, If I would be ruled 'by her, she would make me great and happy; for,' said she,' I am the mistress of the world, and men ' are made happy by me.' Then I asked her name, and she told me it was Madam BUBBLE. This set me further from her; but she still followed me with inticements. Then I betook me, as you see, to my knees, and with hands lifted up, and cries, I prayed to him that had said he would help. So just as you came up, the gentlewoman went her way. Then I continued to give thanks for this great deliverance; for I verily believe she intended no good, but rather sought to make a stop of me in my journey.

HON. Without doubt her designs were bad. But stay, now you talk of her, methinks I either have seen her, or have read some story of her.

The memory of the just is blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot. Prov. x. 7.

Her character.

ST. Perhaps you have done both.

HON. Madam BUBBLE! Is she not a tall, comely dame, something of a swarthy complexion?

ST. Right, you hit it, she is just such an one. HON. Doth she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the end of every sentence.

ST. You fall right upon it again, for these are her very actions.

HON. Doth she not wear a great purse by her side? and is not her hand often in it fingering her money, as if that was her heart's delight?

ST. 'Tis just so had she stood by all this while, you could not more amply have set her forth before me, and have better described her features.

HON. Then he that drew her picture was a good limner, and he that wrote of her said true.

GR.-H. This woman is a witch; and it is by virtue of her sorceries, that this ground is enchanted: whoever doth lay their head down in her lap, had as good lay it down upon the block over which the axe doth hang: and whoever lays their eyes upon her beauty, are counted the enemies of GOD.* This is she that maintaineth in their splendour all those that are the enemies of Pilgrims; yea, this is she that hath bought off many a man from a pilgrim's life. She is a great gossiper she is always, both she and her daughters, at one Pilgrim's heels or another, now commending,

* Ye adulterers and adultresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 1 James iv. 4. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John ii. 15.

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