Then they assayed to look, but the remembrance of that last thing that the Shepherds had shewed them, made their hands shake, by means of which impediment they could not look steddily through the Glass; yet they thought they saw something like the Gate, and also some of the Glory of the place.  Then they went away.

THE PILGRIMS WANDER FROM THE WAY

By John Bunyan

Christian and Hopeful went then till they came at a place where they saw a way put itself into their way, and seemed withal to lie as straight as the way which they should go:  and here they knew not which of the two to take, for both seemed straight before them; therefore here they stood still to consider.  And as they were thinking about the way, behold a man black of flesh, but covered with a very light Robe, came to them, and asked them why they stood there?  They answered they were going to the Coelestial City, but knew not which of these ways to take.  Follow me, said the man, it is thither that I am going.  So they followed him in the way that but now came into the road, which by degrees turned, and turned them so from the City that they desired to go to, that in little time their faces were turned away from it:  yet they followed him.  But by-and-by, before they were aware, he led them both within the compass of a Net, in which they were both so intangled, that they knew not what to do; and with that the white Robe fell off the black man’s back:  then they saw where they were.  Wherefore there they lay crying some time, for they could not get themselves out.

Chr. Then said Christian to his fellow, Now do I see myself in an errour.  Did not the Shepherds bid us beware of the Flatterers?  As is the saying of the Wise man, so we have found it this day, A man that flattereth his Neighbour, spreadeth a Net for his feet.

Hope. They also gave us a Note of directions about the way, for our more sure finding thereof; but therein we have also forgotten to read, and have not kept ourselves from the Paths of the Destroyer.  Here David was wiser than wee; for saith he, Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the Paths of the Destroyer.  Thus they lay bewailing themselves in the Net.  At last they espied a Shining One coming towards them with a Whip of small cord in his hand.  When he was come to the place where they were, he asked them whence they came? and what they did there?  They told him that they were poor Pilgrims going to Sion, but were led out of their way by a black man, cloathed in white, who bid us, said they, follow him, for he was going thither too.  Then said he with the Whip, It is Flatterer, a false Apostle, that hath transformed himself into an Angel of Light.  So he rent the Net, and let the men out.  Then said he to them, Follow me, that I may set you in your way again:  so he led them back to the way which they had left to follow the Flatterer.  Then