Thus, following my guide, I at last got up to the top of this mountain, where I saw another yet higher; I also saw a man that asked me whither I was going?  I told him I could not well tell, but would tell whither I desired to go.  He asked, whither?  I said, to the house of God.  He told me it was the way; but he thought I should never get there.  I asked him, why?  “Why,” quoth he, “there are in yonder mountain so many vipers, adders, and serpents, and such venomous beasts, that they devour many people that are going that way.  For my part,” he said, “I also was going, but was so affrighted with those venomous serpents, that I was forced to turn back, and so would have you.”  I answered him, friend, I have for a pretty while taken yonder light to be my guide, and it hath directed me along this way, and I see it doth not leave me; look, dost thou see it there before me?  He answered, “Yes, I see it.”  Well, said I, I have heard by travellers, that if a man have fire or light, the venomous beasts cannot hurt him; and I intend to quicken my pace a little, and keep as close to the light as I can.  Come, go along with me and venture it.  He said it was true, he had heard that fire would preserve from them, but he thought light would not; however, for his part he would not venture his sweet life amongst them; if I would I might; he wished me well, and so we parted.

I then made haste, and got pretty near the light, and up I went the second mountain; and when I came almost to the top of it, I saw many serpents’ dens and vipers’ holes, both on the right hand and on the left; and the venomous beasts drew near me, and hissed at me, and I began to be in great fear, and trembled exceedingly.  But many times, when they were ready to sting me, the light would step in, or appear betwixt me and them, and they were affrighted, and ran away into their holes and dens.

[Illustration:  I saw many serpents’ dens and vipers’ holes, both on the right hand and on the left:  and the venomous beasts drew near me, and hissed at me, and I began to be in great fear, and trembled exceedingly.]

Oh! when I perceived this, how did my heart leap for joy within me!  My joy abounded,—­my fear of the serpents abated,—­my love to my kind and tender guide increased,—­and my courage and confidence were renewed,—­and I began to believe I was in the right way to attain my desire.  So on I went, keeping my eye to the light through them all, without harm, till I came to the top of the mountain; and then I saw an exceeding large valley, so that I could not see the farther side of it:  it seemed to be all moors, or places of water, and bogs and mire all over the valley, which began again to dishearten me; but, thought I, what shall I do?  All is well hitherto.  I was strangely delivered from the serpents; and whatever comes of it, if this light leave me not, I will follow it, if it be through fire and water.

[Illustration:  So that sometimes the light shined round about me, and I walked in the shinings of it with great fulness of spirit.]