go, nor whether I should want
them, if ever I was so happy as to attain what I aimed at; nor whether
the fashions would suit the place I was going to. So I threw away
some, and anon other some, till none was left but what I wore.

[Illustration: Going up that mountain, I found it very hard getting
up.]

Thus, following my guide, I at last got up to the top of this
mountain, where I saw another yet higher; I also saw a man that asked
me whither I was going? I told him I could not well tell, but would
tell whither I desired to go. He asked, whither? I said, to the house
of God. He told me it was the way; but he thought I should never
get there. I asked him, why? "Why," quoth he, "there are in yonder
mountain so many vipers, adders, and serpents, and such venomous
beasts, that they devour many people that are going that way. For my
part," he said, "I also was going, but was so affrighted with those
venomous serpents, that I was forced to turn back, and so would have
you." I answered him, friend, I have for a pretty while taken yonder
light to be my guide, and it hath directed me along this way, and I
see it doth not leave me; look, dost thou see it there before me? He
answered, "Yes, I see it." Well, said I, I have heard by travellers,
that if a man have fire or light, the venomous beasts cannot hurt him;
and I intend to quicken my pace a little, and keep as close to the
light as I can. Come, go along with me and venture it. He said it was
true, he had heard that fire would preserve from them, but he thought
light would not; however, for his part he would not venture his sweet
life amongst them; if I would I might; he wished me well, and so we
parted.

I then made haste, and got pretty near the light, and up I went the
second mountain; and when I came almost to the top of it, I saw many
serpents' dens and vipers' holes, both on the right hand and on the
left; and the venomous beasts drew near me, and hissed at me, and I
began to be in great fear, and trembled exceedingly. But many times,
when they were ready to sting me, the light would step in, or appear
betwixt me and them, and they were affrighted, and ran away into their
holes and dens.

[Illustration: I saw many serpents' dens and vipers' holes, both on
the right hand and on the left: and the venomous beasts drew near
me, and hissed at me, and I began to be in great fear, and trembled
exceedingly.]

Oh! when I perceived this, how did my heart leap for joy with