As I was thus contemplating my happiness, and was come within as it were a bow-shot of the house, we were to go down into a valley; which we did:  and in the bottom of the valley, glided along a small river, and I looked about to see a bridge to go over it, but could see none; at which I wondered; but on we went till we came to the river side; then I asked my guide where the bridge was.  Truly, he told me, there was none, but we must go through it, and so must all that go into that house.

[Illustration:  Upon which I awaked my guide, and told him my mind, and paid him what I had agreed for, and advised him never to serve any poor soul as he had done me.]

I was a little troubled within myself; but he told me he had been through it, and there was no danger at all.  With that I began to think within myself, have I taken all these pains, and shall I give over for so small a matter as this?  What would I have gone through, when in my father’s house, to attain to the knowledge of the house of God, and a possession therein?  Not water, nor verily fire would have stopped me then, if I had so fair a prospect of it as I now have.

I told my guide if he pleased to go before, I would follow him:  so in he went, and I after him; but when I came at the middle, there it was so deep that the water went over my head, but I made shift to keep my feet to the ground, and got well on the other side; and my guide and I went up together very pleasantly.  When we came to the top of the hill, there was a wide plain, and in the middle thereof the house stood.  So we went apace and drew near to it; and there I saw a very stately porch at the west end of the house, and at the door stood a strong tall porter, to whom my guide spake, and said to him on this wise:—­“This young man hath long had a desire to be entertained in the house of God; thereupon I have conducted him hither.”  The porter asked him which way I came thither; he said, through the river:  and I do not remember he asked me any more questions, but bid me welcome, and led me into the house, my guide going in with me, through many turnings and windings into a great hall.  Mine eyes went to and fro as I went about the house; and in the great hall, there I saw many people, who bade me welcome, but none knew the anguish of my soul; for I began to question whether I was not again beguiled:  for I found the house foul and dirty, in almost every part, and so belined with spiders and cobwebs, that I thought in myself it had never been swept clean since it was built.  And some things I met withal that displeased me yet worse, as ye shall hear; howbeit, a good bed was provided for me to rest upon if I could; and I having little stomach, after I saw how it was made ready, went to bed, and disposed myself to sleep as I could.  But, alas! sleep departed from me, and my spirits were grievously vexed, and my cogitations were many and grievous.  Sometimes I thought of the paintings without, and how that suited not with the dirtiness that was within; and, if I was deceived, what course I should take.