Summary
Christiana and her group arrive at the spot where Christian
once met Little-Faith. There they meet Valiant-for-truth standing
with his sword drawn. Valiant-for-truth says three thieves jumped
him, and after much strenuous combat he repelled them. Great-heart expresses
amazement that one man could turn away three attackers and asks
why Valiant-for-truth did not call for aid. Valiant-for-truth says
he asked the Lord for help silently and received it. He then tells the
story of his pilgrimage and how he passed through the same obstacles
that Christian did. When Valiant-for-truth admits he learned from
Christian’s example, Great-heart is pleased that Christian’s story
has spread so widely.
The pilgrims travel onward, accompanied by Valiant-for-truth. In
the Enchanted Ground, they become weary, and the landscape grows
dark around them. They stumble, drag their feet, and eventually
they come upon a place of rest, an arbor with couches. They warn
themselves not to rest there, since the place is a trick to thwart pilgrims.
Proceeding on, they find another arbor with two pilgrims, Heedless
and Too-bold, asleep on couches inside. The pilgrims try to awaken
the sleepers, who make nonsensical replies to them. Great-heart
says they talk in their sleep and that their words are spoken without
reason. Great-heart lights a lantern to brighten the group’s way
onward through the darkness.
Beyond the Enchanted Ground, they find a pilgrim kneeling
in prayer. His name is Standfast. Valiant-for-truth asks him why
he is on the ground. Standfast explains that he has just turned
away a tall, attractive dark woman who offered him her bed, her
money, and herself. The woman spoke smoothly, smiling at the end
of each sentence, and fingered her purse while talking. Standfast
says he rejected her, and Great-heart recognizes this woman as Madam Bubble,
whom some see as a goddess but who has no real powers. According
to Great-heart, she loves parties and money and has been stirring
up trouble since biblical times. Great-heart commends Standfast
for rejecting her.
The pilgrims arrive in the land of Beulah, home of the
Celestial City. The locals clothe the pilgrims in fresh garments.
The local children bring them perfumed bouquets. A special-delivery
letter arrives for Christiana announcing that the Master expects
to see her before him within ten days. The messenger gives Christiana
a token to assure her of his legitimacy: an arrow that enters her
heart and spreads love there. Christiana visits each of the pilgrims
and bids them farewell.
Each of the remaining pilgrims also receives a special
post from the Master. Ready-to-halt wishes to leave a legacy, so
he bequeaths his crutches to his son before departing. Feeble-mind
regrets having nothing to bequeath. He leaves too, as does each
of the others. The narrator says he does not know what happened
to Christiana’s sons and their families. He left before he found
out, but he has heard they are still alive.
The author succinctly says goodbye to the reader.
