perfect view thereof. It was builded of
pearls and precious stones, also the streets thereof were paved with
gold; so that, by reason of the natural glory of the city, and the
reflection of the sunbeams upon it, Christian with desire fell sick;
Hopeful also had a fit or two of the same disease: wherefore here they
lay by it awhile, crying out because of their pangs, "If you see my
Beloved, tell him that I am sick of love."

But, being a little strengthened, and better able to bear their
sickness, they walked on their way, and came yet nearer and nearer,
where were orchards, vineyards, and gardens, and their gates opened into
the highway. Now, as they came up to these places behold the gardener
stood in the way; to whom the pilgrims said, Whose goodly vineyards and
gardens are these? He answered, They are the King's, and are planted
here for his own delights, and also for the solace of pilgrims. So the
gardener had them into the vineyards, and bid them refresh themselves
with the dainties. He also showed them there the King's walks and the
arbors where he delighteth to be: and here they tarried and slept.

Now, I beheld in my dream that they talked more in their sleep at this
time than ever they did in all their journey, and being in a muse
thereabout, the gardener said even to me, Wherefore musest thou at the
matter: it is the nature of the fruit of the grapes of these vineyards
"to go down so sweetly as to cause the lips of them that are asleep to
speak."

So I saw that when they awoke they addressed themselves to go up to the
city. But, as I said, the reflection of the sun upon the city--for the
city was pure gold--was so extremely glorious that they could not as yet
with open face behold it, but through an instrument made for that
purpose. So I saw, that as they went on, there met them two men in
raiment that shone like gold, also their faces shone as the light.

These men asked the pilgrims whence they came; and they told them. They
also asked them where they had lodged, what difficulties and dangers,
what comforts and pleasures, they had met in the way; and they told
them. Then said the men that met them, You have but two difficulties
more to meet with, and then you are in the city.

Christian then and his companion asked the men to go along with them: so
they told them that they would: But, said they, you must obtain it by
your own faith. So I saw in my dream that they went on together till
they came in sigh