Chr. All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honor is merciful and ready to forgive.  But besides, these infirmities possessed me in thy country; for there I sucked them in, and I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince.

Apol. Then Apollyon broke out into a grievous rage, saying, I am an enemy to this Prince; I hate his person, his laws, and people; I am come out on purpose to withstand thee.

Chr. Apollyon, beware what you do, for I am in the king’s highway, the way of holiness; therefore take heed to yourself.

Then Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and said, I am void of fear in this matter.  Prepare thyself to die; for I swear by my infernal den, that thou shalt go no further; here will I spill thy soul.  And with that he threw a naming dart at his breast:  but Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so prevented the danger of that.

Then did Christian draw, for he saw it was time to bestir him; and Apollyon as fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail; by the which, notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot.  This made Christian give a little back:  Apollyon, therefore, followed his work amain, and Christian again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could.  This sore combat lasted for about half a day, even till Christian was almost quite spent.  For you must know, that Christian, by reason of his wounds, must needs grow weaker and weaker.

Then, Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Christian’s sword flew out of his hand.  Then said Apollyon, I am sure of thee now.  And with that he had almost pressed him to death; so that Christian began to despair of life.  But, as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall I shall arise; and with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound.  Christian perceiving that, made at him again, saying, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  And with that Apollyon spread forth his dragon’s wings, and sped him away, that Christian saw him no more.

In this combat no man can imagine, unless he had seen and heard as I did, what yelling and hideous roaring Apollyon made all the time of the fight; he spake like a dragon:  and on the other side, what sighs and groans burst from Christian’s heart.  I never saw him all the while give so much as one pleasant look, till he perceived he had wounded Apollyon with his two-edged sword; then, indeed, he did smile, and look upward; but it was the dreadfulest fight that I ever saw.