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The Pilgrim's Progress: Giant

As for Christian, He that overrules all things released him from prison, so that he went on his way in company with one Hopeful, who had followed him from that town. Soon they came to a great fortress called Doubting Castle, the owner of which was Giant Despair, who took them prisoners. Now Giant Despair had to his wife a woman named Diffidence. So when he was gone to bed he told her what he had done, to wit that he had taken a couple of prisoners, and asked her what he should do with them. Her counsel was that he should advise them to make away with themselves. So when morning was come he goes to them with a very surly manner, telling them that, as they were never like to get out of his dungeon, they should end themselves with knife, halter, or poison. When they desired him to let them go he looked very ugly upon them, and, rushing at them, had doubtless made an end to them himself, but that he fell in a fit to which he was subject, and lost the use of his hand. Thus escaping from Giant Despair, they came to the Delectable Mountains, where met them certain shepherds, Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere, who took them by the hand and led them to their tents. Also did they lead them forth to the top of a hill called Clear, from the which they might spy the Celestial Gate through a perspective glass.

Then I saw in my dream that Christian and Hopeful, going down the mountains, and passing through the country of Conceit, got over to a land called the Enchanted Ground, and thus into the country of Beulah, whose air was sweet. Their way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there, listening to the singing of birds and seeing the flowers appear in the earth. Here they had a distant view of the City of Zion, which was built of pearls and precious stones, and the street paved with gold. Also I saw that as they went on there met them two men in raiment that shone. "You have but two difficulties more to meet," said they, "and then you are in the City." Now I further saw that betwixt them and the gate was the River of Death. There was no bridge to go over it, and the river was deep. At sight thereof the pilgrims were much stunned, asking if there was no other way. Being told there was none, they addressed themselves to the water.

Having entered it, Christian began to sink; but Hopeful cried, "Be of good cheer, my brother; I feel the bottom." But as for Christian, a great darkness and horror fell upon him, in which he was troubled by hobgoblins and evil spirits. Hopeful, therefore, had much ado to keep his friend's head above water, repeating to him the words of the roll, "When thou passest through the waters I will be with you." Thus after much struggle they got over. Now the City stood on a mighty hill; but up that hill the pilgrims went with ease because they had two Shining Ones to lead them. Also had they left their mortal garments behind them in the flood. "You are going now," said the Shining Ones, as they climbed, "to the Paradise of God, wherein you shall see the Tree of Life and eat of the fruits thereof." And while they were drawing toward the gate behold a company of the Heavenly Host came out to meet them, some before, some behind, and some on the right and left, continually sounding as they went with melodious noises, so that the sight was as if Heaven itself had come down to meet them.

Now I saw in my dream that these two pilgrims went in at the gate, and, lo! as they entered, they were transfigured, and had raiment given them that shone like gold. There were also that met them with harps and crowns, and all the bells in the City rang for mirth, while it was said, "Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." Now just as the gates were open to let the men in I looked in after them, and behold the City shone like the sun. In the streets walked many men with crowns on their heads, and golden harps to sing praises withal. After that they shut up the gates, which, when I had seen it, I wished myself among the Redeemed.