Inthislight, therefore, , Isawinmydreamthatattheendofthevalleylayblood, bones, ashes, andmangledbodiesofmen, evenofpilgrimsthathadgonethiswayformerly; and, whileIwasmusingwhatshouldbethereason, Iespiedalittlebeforemeacave, wheretwogiants, POPEandPAGAN, dweltinoldtime; bywhosepowerandtyranny, themenwhosebones, blood, ashes, etc., laythere, , whereatIsomewhatwondered; butIhavelearntsince, thatPaganhasbeendeadmanyaday; and, asfortheother, thoughhebeyetalive, heis, byreasonofage, alsoofthemanyshrewdbrushesthathemetwithinhisyoungerdays, grownsocrazyandstiffinhisjoints, thathecannowdolittlemorethansitinhiscave'smouth, grinningatpilgrimsastheygoby, andbitinghisnailsbecausehecannotcometothem.
SoIsawthatChristianwentonhisway; yet, atthesightoftheoldmanthatsatatthemouthofthecave, hecouldnottellwhattothink, especiallybecausehespoketohim, thoughhecouldnotgoafterhim, saying, "Youwillnevermendtillmoreofyoubeburned." Butheheldhispeace, andsetagoodfaceonit, :
"O, worldofwonders (Icansaynoless),
ThatIshouldbepreservedinthatdistress
ThatIhavemetwithhere! Oh, blessedbe
Thathandthatfromithathdeliveredme!
Dangersindarkness, devils, hell, andsin,
Didcompassme, whileIthisvalewasin;
Yes, snares, andpits, andtraps, andnetsdidlie
Mypathabout, thatworthless, sillyI
Mighthavebeencatched, entangled, andcastdown;
But, sinceIlive, letJesuswearthecrown."
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