Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/98

abuse them, and to let them in their journey, except it was for that, when one asked them what they would buy, they said they would buy the truth. But they that were appointed to examine them did not believe them to be any other than bedlams and mad, else such as came to put all things into a, confusion in the fair. Therefore they took them and beat them, and besmeared them with dirt, and then put them into the cage, that they might be made a spectacle to all the men of the fair. There, therefore, they lay for some time, and were made the objects of any man's sport, or malice, or revenge; the great one of the fair laughing still at all that befell them. But the men being patient, and "not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing," and giving good words for bad, and kindness for injuries done, some men in the fair that were more observing; and prejudiced than the rest, began to cheek: and blame the, baser sort for their continual abuses done by them to the men. They therefore, in angry manner, let fly at them again, counting them bad as the men in the cage, and telling them that they seemed confederates, and should be made partakers of their misfortunes. The others replied, that for aught they could see, the men were quiet and,sober, and intended nobody any harm; and that there were many that traded in their fair that were more worthy to be put into the cage, yea, and pillory too, than, were the men that they had abused. Thus, after divers words had passed on both sides (the men behaving themselves all the while very wisely and soberly before them), they fell to some blows, and did harm; one to another. Then were these two poor men brought, before their examiners again, and were charged as being guilty of the late hubbub that had been in, the fair, So, they beat them pitifully, and hanged irons upon them, and led them; in chains up and down the fair, for an example and terror to others, lest any should speak in