ceived that a little before them was a solemn
noise as of one that was much concerned. So they went on and looked
before them. And behold, they saw, as they thought, a man upon his
knees, with hands and eyes lift up, and speaking, as they thought,
earnestly to one that was above. They drew nigh, but could not tell what
he said; so they went softly till he had done. When he had done, he got
up and began to run towards the Celestial City. "So-ho, friend, let us
have your company," called out the guide. At that the man stopped, and
they came up to him. "I know this man," said Mr. Honest; "his name, I
know, is Standfast, and he is certainly a right good pilgrim." Then
follows a conversation between Mr. Honest and Mr. Standfast, in which
some compliments and courtesies are exchanged, such as are worthy of such
men, met at such a time and in such a place. "Well, but, brother," said
Valiant-for-truth, "tell us, I pray thee, what was it that was the cause
of thy being upon thy knees even now? Was it for that some special mercy
laid obligations upon thee, or how?" And then Standfast tells how as he
was coming along musing with himself, Madam Bubble presented herself to
him and offered him three things. "I was both aweary and sleepy and also
as poor as a howlet, and all that the wicked witch knew. And still she
followed me with her enticements. Then I betook me, as you saw, to my
knees, and with hands lift up and cries, I prayed to Him who had said
that He would help. So just as you came up the gentlewoman went her way.
Then I continued to give thanks for my great deliverance; for I verify
believe she intended me no good, but rather sought to make stop of me in
my journey. What a mercy is it that I did resist her, for whither might
she not have drawn me?" And then, after all this discourse, there was a
mixture of joy and trembling among the pilgrims, but at last they broke
out and sang:

"What danger is the pilgrim in,
How many are his foes,
How many ways there are to sin,
No living mortal knows!"

1. "Well, as I was coming along I was musing with myself," said
Standfast. You understand what it is to come along musing with yourself,
do you not, my brethren? "I will muse on the work of Thy hands," says
the Psalmist. And again, "While I was musing the fire burned." Well,
Standfast was much given to musing, just as David was. Each several
pilgrim has his own way of occupying himself on the road;