Chr. Do you not remember that one of the Shepherds bid us to beware of the Enchanted Ground?  He meant by that, that we should beware of sleeping:  wherefore, “let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”

Hope. I acknowledge myself in a fault; and had I been here alone, I had by sleeping run the danger of death.  I see it is true that the wise man saith, “Two are better than one.”  Hitherto hath thy company been my mercy; and thou shalt have a good reward for thy labor.

Now then, said Christian, to prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.

With all my heart, said the other.

Now I saw in my dream, that the pilgrims were got over the Enchanted Ground, and entering into the country of Beulah; whose air was very sweet and pleasant; the way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there for a season.  Yea, here they heard continually the singing of birds, and saw every day the flowers appear in the earth, and heard the voice of the turtle in the land.  In this country the sun shineth night and day; wherefore this was beyond the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and also out of the reach of Giant Despair; neither could they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle.  Here they were within sight of the city they were going to; also here met them some of the inhabitants thereof; for in this land the Shining Ones commonly walked, because it was upon the borders of heaven.  In this land also the contract between the Bride and the Bridegroom was renewed; yea, here, “as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so doth their God rejoice over them.”  Here they had no want of corn and wine; for in this place they met with abundance of what they had sought for in all their pilgrimages.  Here they heard voices from out of the city, loud voices, saying, “Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold thy salvation cometh!  Behold, His reward is with him!” Here all the inhabitants of the country called them “the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, sought out,” etc.

Now, as they walked in this land, they had more rejoicing than in parts more remote from the kingdom to which they are bound; and drawing near to the city, they had yet a more 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.