went forward, and went on till they came to the Delectable Mountains, where Christian and Hopeful refreshed themselves with the varieties of the place. They also acquainted them selves with the Shepherds there, who welcomed them, as they had done Christian before, unto the Delectable Mountains.
Now the Shepherds seeing so great a train follow Mr. Great-heart (for with him they were well acquainted), they said unto him, Good sir, you have got a goodly company here; pray where did you find all these?
Then Mr. Greatheart replied,—
First, here is Christiana and her train,
Her sons, and her sons' wives, who, like the wain,
Keep by the pole, and do by compass steer
From sin to grace, else they had not been here.
Next, here's old Honest come on pilgrimage;
Ready-to-halt too, who, I dare engage,
True-hearted is; and so is Feeblemind,
Who willing was not to be left behind.
Despondency, good man, is coming after,
And so also is Much-afraid his daughter.
May we have entertainment here, or must
We further go? Let's know whereon to trust.
Then said the Shepherds, This is a comfortable company. You are welcome to us; for we have for the feeble, as for the strong. Our Prince has an eye to what is done to the least of these (Matt. xxv. 40); therefore infirmity must not be a block to our entertainment. So they had them to the palace door, and then said unto them, Come in, Mr. Feeble-mind; Come in, Mr. Ready-to—halt; Come in, Mr. Despondency, and Mrs. Much-afraid his daughter. These, Mr. Great-heart, said the Shepherds to the guide, we call in by name, for that they are most subject to draw back; but as for you, and the rest that are strong, we leave you to your wonted liberty.
Then said Mr. Great-heart, This day I see that grace doth shine in your faces, and that you are my Lord's Shepherds indeed; for that you have not pushed these diseased neither with side nor shoulder, but have rather strewed
