THE
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
THE FIRST STAGE
As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den,[1] and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold, I saw a man clothed with rags standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked and saw him open the book, and read therein; and as he read he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying, “What shall I do?”
In this plight, therefore, he went home, and restrained himself as long as he could, that his wife and children should not perceive his distress; but he could not be silent long, because that his trouble increased. Wherefore at length he brake his mind to his wife and children, and thus he began to talk to them. “Oh, my dear wife,” said he, “and you the children of my heart, I, your dear friend, am in myself undone by reason
- ↑ Bedford Jail, England, in which the author was a prisoner for conscience’ sake. See page vi.
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