Valley of Humiliation
Now I saw in my dream that they went forward until they were come to the brow of the hill; where PIETY, bethinking herself, cried out, "Alas! I have forgot what I intended to bestow upon CHRISTIANA and her companions. I will go back and fetch it." So she ran and fetched it.
While she was gone, CHRISTIANA thought she heard in a grove, a little way off on the right hand, a most curious melodious note, with words much like these:
"Through all my life Thy favour is
So frankly showed to me,
That in Thy house for evermore
My dwelling place shall be."
And listening still, she thought she heard another answer it, saying:
"For why? the Lord our God is good;
His mercy is forever sure:
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure."
So CHRISTIANA asked PRUDENCE what 'twas that made those curious notes? "They are," said she, "our country birds: they sing these notes but seldom, except it be at the Spring, when the flowers appear and the sun shines warm; and then you may hear them all day long. I often," said she, "go out to hear them; we also oft times keep them tame in our house. They are very fine company for us when we are melancholy; also they make the woods, and groves, and solitary places, places desirous to be in.
"For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;" Song of Solomon 2:11, 12
By this time PIETY was come again; so she said to CHRISTIANA, "Look here; I have brought thee a scheme of all those things that thou hast seen at our house, upon which thou mayest look when thou findest thyself forgetful, and call those things again to remembrance for thy edification and comfort."
Now they began to go down the hill into the Valley of Humiliation. It was a steep hill, and the way was slippery; but they were very careful, so they got down pretty well. When they were down in the valley, PIETY said to CHRISTIANA, "This is the place where CHRISTIAN, your husband, met with the foul fiend APOLLYON; and where they had that dreadful fight that they had. I know you cannot but have heard hereof. But be of good courage; as long as you have here Mr. GREAT-HEART to be your guide and conductor, we hope you will fare the better." So when these two had committed the pilgrims unto the conduct of their guide, he went forward, and they went after.