ties possessed me in thy country; for there I
sucked them in, and I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and
have obtained pardon of my Prince.

_Apol._ Then Apollyon broke out into a grievous rage, saying, I am an
enemy to this Prince; I hate his person, his laws, and people; I am come
out on purpose to withstand thee.

_Chr._ Apollyon, beware what you do, for I am in the king's highway, the
way of holiness; therefore take heed to yourself.

Then Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and
said, I am void of fear in this matter. Prepare thyself to die; for I
swear by my infernal den, that thou shalt go no further; here will I
spill thy soul. And with that he threw a naming dart at his breast: but
Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so
prevented the danger of that.

Then did Christian draw, for he saw it was time to bestir him; and
Apollyon as fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail; by the
which, notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon
wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot. This made Christian give a
little back: Apollyon, therefore, followed his work amain, and Christian
again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore
combat lasted for about half a day, even till Christian was almost quite
spent. For you must know, that Christian, by reason of his wounds, must
needs grow weaker and weaker.

Then, Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to
Christian, wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that
Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, I am sure of
thee now. And with that he had almost pressed him to death; so that
Christian began to despair of life. But, as God would have it, while
Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this
good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword, and
caught it, saying, Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall I
shall arise; and with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give
back, as one that had received his mortal wound. Christian perceiving
that, made at him again, saying, Nay, in all these things we are more
than conquerors through him that loved us. And with that Apollyon spread
forth his dragon's wings, and sped him away, that Christian saw him no
more.

In this combat no man can imagine, unless he had seen and heard as I
did, what yelling and hideous