Now, I beheld in my dream that they talked more in their sleep at this time than ever they did in all their journey, and being in a muse thereabout, the gardener said even to me, Wherefore musest thou at the matter:  it is the nature of the fruit of the grapes of these vineyards “to go down so sweetly as to cause the lips of them that are asleep to speak.”

So I saw that when they awoke they addressed themselves to go up to the city.  But, as I said, the reflection of the sun upon the city—­for the city was pure gold—­was so extremely glorious that they could not as yet with open face behold it, but through an instrument made for that purpose.  So I saw, that as they went on, there met them two men in raiment that shone like gold, also their faces shone as the light.

These men asked the pilgrims whence they came; and they told them.  They also asked them where they had lodged, what difficulties and dangers, what comforts and pleasures, they had met in the way; and they told them.  Then said the men that met them, You have but two difficulties more to meet with, and then you are in the city.

Christian then and his companion asked the men to go along with them:  so they told them that they would:  But, said they, you must obtain it by your own faith.  So I saw in my dream that they went on together till they came in sight of the gate.

Now I further saw, that between them and the gate was a river:  but there was no bridge to go over; and the river was very deep.  At the sight therefore of this river the pilgrims were much stunned; but the men that went with them said, You must go through or you cannot come at the gate.

The pilgrims then began to inquire if there was no other way to the gate.  To which they answered, Yes; but there hath not any, save two, to wit, Enoch and Elijah, been permitted to tread that path since the foundation of the world, nor shall until the last trumpet shall sound.  The pilgrims then, especially Christian, began to despond in their minds, and looked this way and that, but no way could be found by them by which they might escape the river.  Then they asked the men if the waters were all of a depth.  They said, No; yet they could not help them in that case; for, said they, you shall find it deeper or shallower as you believe in the King of the place.

They then addressed themselves to the water, and entering, Christian began to sink, and crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, I sink in deep waters; the billows go over my head, all his waves go over me.

Then said the other, Be of good cheer, my brother:  I feel the bottom, and it is good.  Then said Christian, Ah, my friend, “the sorrows of death have compassed me about,” I shall not see the land that flows with milk and honey.  And with that a great darkness and horror fell upon Christian, so that he could not see before him.  Also here he in a great measure lost his senses, so that he