could walk through it. Thus they got to the right bank, where the
two men in bright robes stood to wait for them, and their clothes
were left in the stream.

Now you must bear in mind that Zion was on a steep hill, yet did
Christian and Hopeful go up with ease and great speed, for they
had these two men to lead them by the arms.

The hill stood in the sky, for the base of it was there. So in
sweet talk they went up through the air. The Bright Ones told
them of the bliss of the place, which they said was such as no
tongues could tell, and that there they would see the Tree of
Life, and eat of the fruit of it.

When you come there, said they, white robes will be put on you,
and your talk from day to day shall be with the King for all
time. There you shall not see such things as you saw on earth, to
wit, care and want, and woe and death. You now go to be with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Christian and Hopeful.--What must we do there?

They said: You will have rest for all your toil, and joy for all
your grief. You will reap what you have sown--the fruit of all
the tears you shed for the King by the way. In that place you
will wear crowns of gold, and have at all times a sight of Him
who sits on the throne. There you shall serve Him with love, with
shouts of joy and with songs of praise.

Now, while they thus drew up to the gate, lo, a host of saints