t the fair; so they beat them with sticks, and put
them in a cage, that they might be a sight for all the men at the fair.
Then the worse sort of folks set to pelt them with mud out of spite,
and some threw stones at them for mere sport; but Christian and Faithful
gave good words for bad, and bore all in such a meek way, that not a few
took their part. This led to blows and fights, and the blame was laid on
Christian and Faithful, who were then made to toil up and down the fair
in chains, till, faint with stripes, they were at length set with their
feet in the stocks. But they bore their griefs and woes with joy, for
they saw in them a pledge that all should be well in the end.

By and by a court sat to try them: the name of the judge was Lord
Hate-good; and the crime laid to their charge was that they had come to
Vanity Fair to spoil its trade, and stir up strife in the town; and had
won not a few men to their side, in spite of the prince of the place.

Faithful said to the Judge: I am a man of peace, and did but wage war on
Sin. As for the prince they speak of, since he is Beelzebub, I hold him
in scorn.

Those who took Faithful's part were won by the force of plain truth and
right in his words; but the judge said, Let those speak who know aught
of this man.

So three men, whose names were Envy, Superstition, and Pick-thank, stood
forth and swore to speak the truth, and tell what they knew of Faithful.
Envy said: My lord, this man cares nought for kings or laws, but seeks
to spread his own views, and to teach men what he calls faith. I heard
him say but just now that the ways of our town of Vanity are vile. And
does he not in that speak ill of us?

Then Superstition said: My lord, I know not much of this man, and have
no wish to know more, but of this I am sure, that he is a bad man, for
he says that our creeds are vain.

Pick-thank was then bid to say what he knew, and his speech ran thus:
My lord, I have known this man for a long time, and have heard him
say things that ought not to be said. He rails at our great Prince
Beelzebub, and says that if all men were of his mind, that prince should
no more hold sway here. More than this, he hath been heard to rail on
you, my lord, who are now his judge.

Then said the Judge to Faithful: Thou base man! Hast though heard what
these folk have said of thee?

Faithful.--May I speak a few words in my own cause?

Judge.--Thy just doom would be to die on the spot; still,