“But now in this Valley of Humiliation poor Christian was hard put to it.  For he had gone but a little way before he espied a Foul Fiend coming over the field to meet him.  His name is Apollyon.  Then did Christian begin to be afraid and to cast in his mind whether to go back or to stand his ground.  But he considered again, that he had no armour for his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him greater advantage, with ease, to pierce him with his darts.  Therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground.  For, he thought, had I no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, ’twould be the best way to stand.

“So he went on, and Apollyon met him.  Now the Monster was hideous to behold.  He was clothed with scales like a fish, and they are his pride.  He had wings like a dragon, feet like a bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke.  And his mouth was as the mouth of a lion.  When he came up to Christian he beheld him with a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question him.

“APOLLYON.  When came you? and whither are you bound?

“CHRISTIAN.  I am come from the City of Destruction, which is the place of all evil, and am going to the City of Zion.”

After this Apollyon argued with Christian, trying to persuade him to give up his pilgrimage and return to his evil ways.  But Christian would listen to nothing that Apollyon could say.

“Then Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the Way and said, ’I am void of fear in this matter.  Prepare thyself to die, for I swear by my Infernal Den that thou shalt go no further.  Here will I spill thy soul!’

“And with that he threw a flaming dart at his heart.  But Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so prevented the danger of that.

“Then did Christian draw, for he saw it was time to bestir him, and Apollyon as fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail, by the which, notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot.  This made Christian give a little back.  Apollyon therefore followed his work amain, and Christian again took courage and resisted as manfully as he could.  This sore combat lasted for above half a day, even till Christian was almost quite spent.  For you must know that Christian, by reason of his wounds, must needs grow weaker and weaker.

“Then Apollyon espying his opportunity began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him gave him a dreadful fall.  And with that Christian’s sword flew out of his hand.  Then said Apollyon, ‘I am sure of thee now.’  And with that he had almost pressed him to death so that Christian began to despair of life.  But, as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword and caught it, saying, ’Rejoice not against me, O mine Enemy! when I fall I shall arise!’ and with that gave him a deadly thrust which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound.