I was a little troubled within myself; but he told me he had been
through it, and there was no danger at all. With that I began to think
within myself, have I taken all these pains, and shall I give over for
so small a matter as this? What would I have gone through, when in my
father's house, to attain to the knowledge of the house of God, and a
possession therein? Not water, nor verily fire would have stopped me
then, if I had so fair a prospect of it as I now have.

I told my guide if he pleased to go before, I would follow him: so in
he went, and I after him; but when I came at the middle, there it was
so deep that the water went over my head, but I made shift to keep my
feet to the ground, and got well on the other side; and my guide and
I went up together very pleasantly. When we came to the top of the
hill, there was a wide plain, and in the middle thereof the house
stood. So we went apace and drew near to it; and there I saw a very
stately porch at the west end of the house, and at the door stood a
strong tall porter, to whom my guide spake, and said to him on this
wise:--"This young man hath long had a desire to be entertained in the
house of God; thereupon I have conducted him hither." The porter asked
him which way I came thither; he said, through the river: and I do not
remember he asked me any more questions, but bid me welcome, and led
me into the house, my guide going in with me, through many turnings
and windings into a great hall. Mine eyes went to and fro as I went
about the house; and in the great hall, there I saw many people, who
bade me welcome, but none knew the anguish of my soul; for I began
to question whether I was not again beguiled: for I found the house
foul and dirty, in almost every part, and so belined with spiders and
cobwebs, that I thought in myself it had never been swept clean since
it was built. And some things I met withal that displeased me yet