Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/294

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The Pilgrim's Progress.

under a heap of stones), and down to the road and to their companions they cares, and showed them what they had done. Now, when Feeble-mind and Ready-to-halt saw that it was, the head of Giant Despair indeed, they were very jocund and merry. Now Christiana, if need was, could play upon the viol, and her daughter Mercy upon the lute; so since they were so merry disposed, she played them a lesson, and Ready-to-halt would dance. So he took Despondency's daughter, Much—afraid, by the hand, and to dancing they went in the road. True, he could not dance without one crutch in his hand, but, I promise you, he footed it well: also the girl was to be commended, for she answered the music handsomely.

As for Mr. Despondenoy, the music was not so much to him; he was for feeding rather than dancing, for that he was almost starved. So Christiana gave him some of her bottle of spirits for present relief, and then prepared him something to eat; and in a little time the old gentleman came to himself, and began to be finely revived.

Now I saw in my dream, when all these things were finished, Mr. Great-heart took the head of Giant Despair, and set it upon a pole by the highway side, right over against the pillar that Christian erected for a caution to pilgrims that came after, to take heed of entering into his grounds.

Then he writ under it, upon a marble stone, these verses following:—

This is the head of him whose name only
In former times did pilgrims terrify.
His castle's down; and Diffidence, his wife,
Brave Mr. Great-heart has bereft of life.
Despondency, his daughter Much-afraid,
Great-heart for them also the man has played.
Who hereof doubts, if he'll but cast his eye
Up hither may his samples satisfy.
This head also, When doubting cripples dance,
Doth show from fears they have deliverance.

When these men had thus bravely showed themselves against, Doubting Castle, and had slain Giant Despair, they