they had slept
their sleep never so soundly. Here also all the noise of them that
walked the streets was, More pilgrims are come to town. And another
would answer, saying, And so many went over the water, and were let in
at the golden gates to-day. They would cry again, There is now a
legion of shining ones just come to town, by which we know that there
are more pilgrims upon the road; for here {36} they come to wait for
them, and to comfort them after all their sorrow. Then the pilgrims
got up and walked to and fro; but how were their ears now filled with
heavenly noises, and their eyes delighted with celestial visions! In
this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelt nothing,
tasted nothing, that was offensive to their stomach or mind; only when
they tasted of the water of the river, over which they were to go, they
thought that tasted a little bitterish to the palate, but it proved
sweeter when 'twas down.

In this place there was a record kept of the names of them that had
been pilgrims of old, and a history of all the famous acts that they
had done. It was here also much discoursed, how the river to some has
had its flowings, and what ebbings it has had while others have gone
over. It has been in a manner dry for some, while it has overflowed
its banks for others.

In this place, the children of the town would go into the King's
gardens, and gather nosegays for the pilgrims, and bring them to them
with much affection. Here also grew camphor, with spikenard, and
saffron, calamus, and cinnamon, with all its trees of frankincense,
myrrh, and aloes, with all chief spices. With these the pilgrims'
chambers were perfumed while they stayed here; and with these were
their bodies anointed, to prepare them to go over the river when the
time appointed was come.

Now while they lay here and waited for the good hour, there was a noise
in the town that there was a post come from the Celestial City with
matter of great importance to one Christiana, the wife of Christian the
{37} pilgrim. So inquiry was made for her, and the house was found out
where she was, so the post presented her with a letter; the contents
whereof was, Hail, good woman, I bring thee tidings that the Master
calleth for thee, and expecteth that thou should stand in His presence,
in clothes of immortality, within this ten days.

When he had read this letter to her, he gave her therewith a sure token
that he was a true messenger,