.--Nay, but do you come with your friend Pliable; there are
such things to be had as those I just spoke of, and more too. If you
give no heed to me, read here in this book which comes to us from God,
who could not lie.

Pliable.--Well, friend Obstinate, I think now I have come to a point;
and I mean to go with this good man, and to cast my lot in with his.
Then said he to Christian, Do you know the way to the place you speak
of?

Christian.--I am told by a man whose name is Evangelist, to do my best
to reach a gate that is in front of us, where I shall be told how to
find the way.

So they went on side by side.

Obstinate.--And I will go back to my place; I will not be one of such
vain folk.

Now I saw in my dream, that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and
Pliable set off to cross the plain, and they spoke thus as they went:--

Christian.--Well, Pliable, how do you do now? I am glad you have a mind
to go with me.

Pliable.--Come, friend Christian, since there are none but we two here,
tell me more of the things of which we go in search.

Christian.--I can find them in my heart, though I know not how to speak
of them with my tongue; but yet, since you wish to know, this book tells
us of a world that hast no bounds, and a life that has no end.

Pliable.--Well said, and what else?

Christian.--That there are crowns of light in store for us, and robes
that will make us shine like the sun.

Pliable.--This, too, is good; and what else?

Christian.--That there shall be no more care nor grief for he that owns
the place will wipe all tears from our eyes.

Pliable.--And what friends shall we find there?

Christian.--There we shall be with all the saints, in robes so bright
that our eyes will grow dim to look on them. There shall we meet those
who in this world have stood out for the faith, and have been burnt
on the stake, and thrown to wild beasts, for the love they bore to the
Lord. They will not harm us, but will greet us with love, for they all
walk in the sight of God.

Pliable.--But how shall we get to share all this?

Christian.--The Lord of that land saith, if we wish to gain that world
we shall be free to have it.

Pliable.--Well, my good friend, glad am I to hear of these thing: come
on, let us mend our pace.

Christian.--I can not go so fast as I would, for this load on my back.

Then I saw in my dream that just as they had come to an end of this
talk, they drew near to a slough that was