Then there came to him an hand, with some of the leaves of the Tree of Life, the which Christian took, and applyed to the wounds that he had received in the Battel, and was healed immediately.  He also sat down in that place to eat Bread, and to drink of the Bottle that was given him a little before; so being refreshed, he addressed himself to his Journey, with his Sword drawn in his hand; for he said, I know not but some other Enemy may be at hand.  But he met with no other affront from Apollyon quite through this Valley.

THE CASTLE OF GIANT DESPAIR

By John Bunyan

I saw then that they went on their way to a pleasant River, which David the King called the River of God, but John, the River of the Water of Life.  Now their way lay just upon the bank of the River; here therefore Christian and his Companion walked with great delight; they drank also of the water of the River, which was pleasant and enlivening to their weary spirits:  besides, on the banks of this River on either side were green Trees, that bore all manner of Fruit; and the Leaves of the Trees were good for Medicine; with the Fruit of these Trees they were also much delighted; and the Leaves they eat to prevent Surfeits, and other Diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by Travels.  On either side of the River was also a Meadow, curiously beautified with Lilies; and it was green all the year long.  In this Meadow they lay down and slept, for here they might lie down safely.  When they awoke, they gathered again of the Fruit of the Trees, and drank again of the water of the River, and then lay down again to sleep.  Thus they did several days and nights.  Then they sang,—­

  “Behold ye how these Christal streams do glide,
  (To comfort Pilgrims) by the High-way side;
  The Meadows green, besides their fragrant smell,
  Yield dainties for them:  and he that can tell
  What pleasant Fruit, yea Leaves, these Trees do yield,
  Will soon sell all, that he may buy this Field.”

So when they were disposed to go on (for they were not as yet at their Journey’s end), they eat and drank, and departed.

Now I beheld in my Dream, that they had not journied far, but the River and the way for a time parted; at which they were not a little sorry, yet they durst not go out of the way.  Now the way from the River was rough, and their feet tender by reason of their Travels; so the soul of the Pilgrims was much discouraged because of the way.  Wherefore still as they went on, they wished for better way.  Now a little before them, there was on the left hand of the road a Meadow, and a Stile to go over into it, and that Meadow is called Bypath-Meadow. Then said Christian to his fellow, If this Meadow lieth along by our way-side, let’s go over into it.  Then he went to the Stile to see, and behold a Path lay along by the way on the other side of the fence.  ’Tis according to my wish, said Christian, here is the easiest going; come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.