ds of Giant Despair. So they
consented to erect there a pillar, and to engrave upon the side thereof
this sentence: "Over this stile is the way to Doubting Castle, which is
kept by Giant Despair, who despiseth the King of the Celestial Country,
and seeks to destroy, his holy pilgrims." Many, therefore, that followed
after, read what was written, and escaped the danger. This done, they
sang as follows:

Out of the way we went, and then we found
What 'twas to tread upon forbidden ground;
And let them that come after have a care,
Lest they for trespassing, his pris'ners are,
Whose castle's Doubting, and whose name's Despair.

They then went till they came to the Delectable Mountains, which
mountains belong to the Lord of that hill of which we have spoken
before. So they went up to the mountains, to behold the gardens and
orchards, the vineyards and fountains of water; where also they drank
and washed themselves, and did freely eat of the vineyards. Now there
were on the tops of these mountains shepherds feeding their flocks, and
they stood by the highway-side. The pilgrims, therefore, went to them,
and leaning upon their staffs--as is common with weary pilgrims when
they stand to talk with any by the way--they asked, Whose Delectable
Mountains are these, and whose be the sheep that feed upon them?

_Shep._ These mountains are Immanuel's Land, and they are within sight
of his city; and the sheep also are his, and he laid down his life for
them.

_Chr._ Is this the way to the Celestial City?

_Shep._ You are just in your way.

_Chr._ How far is it thither?

_Shep._ Too far for any but those who shall get thither, indeed.

_Chr._ Is the way safe, or dangerous?

_Shep._ Safe for those for whom it is to be safe; but transgressors
shall fall therein.

_Chr._ Is there in this place any relief for pilgrims that are weary and
faint in the way?

_Shep._ The Lord of these mountains hath given us a charge not to be
forgetful to entertain strangers; therefore, the good of the place is
before you.

I saw also in my dream, that when the Shepherds perceived that they
were wayfaring men, they also put questions to them, to which they made
answer as in other places, as, Whence came you? and, How got you into
the way? and, By what means have you persevered therein? for but few of
them that begin to come hither, do show their faces on these mountains.
But when the Shepherds heard their answers, being pleased therewi