Christiana is Summoned
When he had read this letter to her, he gave her therewith a sure token that he was a true messenger, and was come to bid her make haste to be gone. The token was an arrow with a point, sharpened with love, let easily into her heart; which by degrees wrought so effectually with her, that at the time appointed she must be gone.
When CHRISTIANA saw that her time was come, and that she was the first of this company that was to go over, she called for Mr. GREAT-HEART, her guide, and told him how matters were. So he told her he was heartily glad of the news; and could have been glad had the post come for him. Then she bade that he should give advice how all things should be prepared for her journey.
So he told her: saying, "Thus and thus it must be; and we that survive will accompany you to the riverside."
Then she called for her children, and gave them her blessing; and told them that she yet read with comfort the mark that was set in their foreheads; and was glad to see them with her there; and that they had kept their garments so white. Lastly, she bequeathed to the poor that little she had; and commanded her sons and daughters to be ready against the messenger should come for them.
When she had spoken these words to her guide and to her children, she called for Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH; and said unto him, "Sir, you have in all places showed yourself true hearted: be faithful unto death, and my King will give you a crown of life. I would also entreat you to have an eye to my children; and if at any time you see them faint, speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my sons' wives, they have been faithful; and a fulfilling of the promise upon them will be their end." But she gave Mr. STANDFAST a ring.
Then she called for old Mr. HONEST; and said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." Then said he, "I wish you a fair day when you set out for Mount Zion; and shall be glad to see that you go over the river dry shod." But she answered, "Come wet, come dry, I long to be gone; for however the weather is in my journey, I shall have time enough when I come there to sit down and rest me, and dry me."
Then came in that good man, Mr. READY-TO-HALT, to see her. So she said to him, "Thy travel hither has been with difficulty; but that will make thy rest the sweeter. But watch, and be ready! for at an hour when you think not the messenger may come."
After him came in Mr. DESPONDENCY, and his daughter MUCH-AFRAID; to whom she said, "You ought with thankfulness for ever to remember your deliverance from the hands of Giant DESPAIR, and out of Doubting Castle. The effect of that mercy is, that you are brought with safety hither. Be ye watchful, and cast away fear; be sober, and hope to the end."
Then she said to Mr. FEEBLE-MIND, "Thou wast delivered from the mouth of Giant SLAY-GOOD, that thou mightest live in the light of the living for ever, and see thy King with comfort. Only I advise thee to repent thee of thy aptness to fear and doubt of his goodness, before he sends for thee; lest thou shouldest, when he comes, be forced to stand before him for that fault with blushing."
Now the day drew on that CHRISTIANA must be gone. So the road was full of people to see her take her journey. But behold, all the banks beyond the river were full of horses and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the City gate. So she came forth, and entered the river with a beckon of farewell to those that followed her to the riverside. The last word she was heard to say here was, "I come, Lord, to be with Thee, and bless Thee!"
So her children and friends returned to their place; for that those that waited for CHRISTIANA had carried her out of their sight. So she went and called, and entered in at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy that her husband CHRISTIAN had done before her.
At her departure her children wept; but Mr. GREAT-HEART and Mr. VALIANT played upon the well-tuned cymbal and harp for joy. So all departed to their respective places.