by Jim Pappas
"Look!" cried Benjamin, who seemed intent upon solving the mystery. "Some of these darts have words writ on them. This one is named 'pl . . . ple . . . pleasure.' This other one is called 'Flesh' and this fancy one says, uh, 'Buuu . . . bul. Bub . . . ble. Bubble'!" What does that mean, Great-heart?"
"I don't know, Benjamin. I have heard the name before,
but . . . "
"Wonder no longer, Great-heart," answered Old-honest grimly. "Bubble is the very one that Self-will went out of the way to see. I knew her steps would lead to hell in the end, but this . . . uugghh!"
"Shall we bury him?" asked Matthew.
"Nay. Let the dead bury their dead. Perhaps his bones will serve as a warning to some young dandy who would dare set his sails by the winds of pleasure."
So they all moved on. As they departed the clearing, Benjamin chanced to glance back. What he saw was a dozen vultures circling overhead as close as they dared while the dog pack drove off a flock of squawking crows.
CHAPTER XXIX
Mr. Stand-fast
Now when they were almost at the end of these mystical grounds, they heard the voice of violent argument. There was a man's voice, loud and commanding, and a woman's in apparent distress. Then there was a shout of command followed by a great silence. So all the men grasped their weapons and cautiously advanced. Upon reaching a clearing, they saw only a man fallen to his knees with his hands raised to heaven. Listening closely, they could hear him praising God for some great victory. He also begged to never again be so sorely tempted. Then, finishing his pleadings, he leapt to his feet and began to run.
"Hey! Ho!" shouted Great-heart.
"Oh, no!" groaned the man as he whirled about with drawn sword. "So soon?"
"Friend! If you be bound to the Celestial City, do slow up and let us have the pleasure of your company," continued Great-heart.
"I told you to get thee behind me, Satan!" shouted the man with a wave of his sword. "Now get thee back!" At this odd behavior everyone exchanged questioning glances.
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you to be gone!" he cried, pointing his sword at them and raising his other arm to heaven.
"I know that man!" exclaimed Old-honest.
"Indeed?" said Valiant-for-truth. "Then do tell, who is this odd bird who seeks to cast us out like a covey of demons?"
"Why, he is a citizen of my own town of Stupidity. His name is Stand-fast and he is truly a right good pilgrim."
Upon hearing the familiar voice of Old-honest, the man seemed more confused yet. Finally, albeit cautiously, he said, "Ho! Father Honest! Is that really you?"
"As surely as you are truly you."
"Draw close to me - by yourself," ordered the man suspiciously.
So the old man drew near but the man held him at a distance with his sword to the throat.
"Why the weapon, lad? 'Tis only I."
"Heh. Thats what they all say. Hold still." Then he hesitantly reached out and touched Old-honest's sleeve. "Hmmm." Then he asked if he had any food upon him.
"Oh, a bit," said the old gent, reaching into his purse. "I have here a piece of an honeycomb and a bit of fish. Here you go."
"Nay, 'tis not for me. I want you to eat them."
"All right. 'Tis about time for the afternoon meal anyhow. But why this strange request?"
"Just eat!" commanded Stand-fast. And so he did.
"Ah! Thank God!" exclaimed Stand-fast as he saw the food go down. "Then you are indeed flesh and blood and not a pack of wonder-working devils."
"Nay," said Honest, wiping his mouth, "but hard-working and honest pilgrims, same as you."
"Why do you address me as an honest pilgrim, Father Honest?"
"Why? Why, because I saw you upon your knees."
"Ah," said he a bit sheepishly. "You saw me at my prayers, did you? What did it make you think?"
"Think? Why, it made us all think that we were gazing upon a right honest man - a pilgrim with one foot in the kingdom."
"Well, I would be happy were that true. But 'in the way' is not the same as 'in the kingdom'."
"True, true," agreed Honest as he beckoned for the rest to join them. "But your fear of losing the way shows that you are still in the way. Also that things are right betwixt the Prince of pilgrims and your soul. For did He not say, 'Blessed is the man that fears always'?"
By now the entire party was with them and Valiant said, "Pray tell, sir. What was it that drove you to your knees in this pleasant meadow?"
"Well," said he, "as I was coming along through these parts, I was thinking about all the dead and dying I had seen and about what a dangerous way we are in. 'These were all sincere pilgrims, the same as I,' thought I with myself. 'How am I different than they? How shall I escape their fate?' Now as I was thus musing with myself, I noticed a woman standing at the side of the road. She was blessed with a most lovely countenance and was attired in an exquisite evening gown."
"What!" exclaimed Valiant-for-truth. "Dressed for a ball in this treacherous place?"
"Aye. Indeed, so beauteous was her appearance and so revealing her garb that I had need of God's grace to avoid sinning with my eyes. She spoke to me with a voice smooth as oil, saying:
"Greetings, weary pilgrim."
"Er, uh . . the same to thee, Madam. And are you a pilgrim?"
"Oh, I have been companion to many a pilgrim."
"Ah. Then would you like to put on your traveling clothes and join me on my way? We can march at a good pace and join one of those groups who have gone a little before."
"I will join you on your way, if you will join me on mine."
"Isn't that what I just said?"
"Yes and no. My way is slightly off from yours."
"Does it lead to the Celestial City?"
"Better. It leads to celestial pleasures."
"Oh, there is no need for that, sister. I am already on my way to a place where the King Himself will serve me. He has said that 'at His right hand, there are pleasures forevermore'."
"Ah, but that is all pie-in-the-sky and by-and-by. Good enough for monks and dreamers; but I speak of the here and now. Have you noticed this pleasant arbor?"
"Oh, aye. It looks just like the one back a ways that had a rotting corpse stuck like a pin cushion. I was just praying for strength to avoid his fate."
"Mmmm. Very wise of you. A pilgrim all alone is much in danger. But look how this arbor is lovelier than the other. See the flowers and smell how the bed is bedecked with spices and perfumes. Let us pause but for a moment and sip a little tea."
"Nay, for we might fall asleep. To pause here would mean our death."
"Not if you have good company to stand watch and wake you in a few moments."
"Dear sister traveler! The word of God commands us to avoid even the appearance of evil. What would fellow pilgrims think, to see me snoring upon this bed with you so close by?"
"Ah! Such lofty standards! And such a loving care for the souls of others. But I have it on good report that there are no pilgrims due in these parts for days. So you see! You can care for your own needs and stumble no one. Come. Let me pour you a spot of tea."
"Dear lady! You speak more like a temptress than a fellow pilgrim. Why, you are in danger of making this arbor your home for eternity!"
"Oh, dear no! (Tee, hee!) Only for a few delicious moments. Come, let us be refreshed by a short rest and then you can be on your way."
"On my way? Aren't you coming with me?"
"Mmmm, nay. Not just yet. I have been assigned to this place by my lord. 'Tis my pleasant duty to provide for the pleasure and comfort of pilgrims. Do sit down that I may give a good report to he that has employed me?"
"Hmmm. These are words I have heard before."
"Really! Perhaps from one of my fellow innkeepers? Maybe Gaius or the Interpreter."
"Nay. But rather from a young wench that dwells near the beginning of the way. Her invitations were like to have been the death of Joseph and dear Faithful. I hea
r tell that the back steps of her house lead to the smoking gates of hell! And now, here, near the end of the way, I find you offering the same temptations as she."
Stand-fast resists Madam Bubble
"Dear Stand-fast! Do not compare me to such a slut as she! She has only a body to offer thee - while I can bestow much more. Oh, so much more!"
"Aha! And why not compare you? I see now that you are either her mother Wanton or her sister Abandoned!"
"No! Dear Stand-fast, please. Don't insult me and bring me to tears so. I am set here by thy lord for the refreshment of lonely pilgrims."
"Nay! Not by my Lord, but by yours! And I see now that they are not one and the same! Fool I was for ignoring your immodest attire and painted face. But better late than never! Off with me!"
"Wait! Here. Can't you at least pause to enjoy some of the fruit that hangs down over the wall?"
"Bah! 'Tis probably the same fruit that poisons greedy children early in the way. No! I be gone!"
"Very well then, Mr. Stand-fast," said she as she moved into my pathway, "I see that you are a pilgrim of more serious mind than the common herd. Therefore, since your thoughts are fixed upon things higher than beds or bodies, I have something eternal to share with you."
"And what could you possibly bestow that is eternal?"
"That for which men sail the deepest seas and climb the highest mountains."
"And with that, dear friends, she opens a bag of coins and spreads it out on the bed. 'See!' says she."
"Gold?" said I.
"Aye! All the gold in the world is at my command. All you need do is scoop it up."
"Dear woman! The place whither I go uses gold to pave their streets! Please stand aside and let me pass!"
"Wait. Don't you know who I am yet?"
"Only that you are no friend of mine!"
"I am more than a mere friend. I am the 'queen of heaven' and 'mistress of this world'."
"That is of no concern to a pilgrim. Kindly step aside."
"Don't you even want to know my name?"
"It matters not."
"Oh, but it does! Please ask."
"Nay!"
"Please!"
"If I do, will you step aside and let me pass?"
"Whatever makes you happy."
"Promise?"
"Cross my heart and hope to die."
"(Sigh) Very well then. What is your name?"
"Bubble. Madam Bubble."
"Bubble! Hmmph! Sounds like a name from the red lights of Vanity Faire. I expected you to be called Diana of the Ephesians or Ashtoroth or Ishtar."
"Ah. These are my names as well. Queens of heaven and temple virgins of the sacred order of the crescent moon."
"And wed to Beelzebub himself, I'll wager. But now, stand aside."
"Now, now, dear Stand-fast. Be not so rude."
"Aside, I say! You did promise me!"
"Don't you realize that you are an heretic to my ways?"
"So?"
"It is the rule of my order that faith need not be kept with heretics."
"What! Liar!"
"Nay! 'Tis not a lie. I said 'whatever makes you happy'. And since I am the one appointed to bestow happiness in these parts, I must not let you pass on without taking a sip or two from my golden cup."
"A cup filled with the wine of Babylon, no doubt"
"Aye. Brewed in Egypt and aged in Rome. 'Twill make you wise."
"Nay! 'Tis a lie! All of it! Stand back, wench!"
"Serve me and I will make you great and happy."
"As you did for Self-will?"
"He was a fool!"
"Well I am not. Give back!"
"I'll make you rich and famous!"
"Nay! But I have purposed in my heart that I shall be gone! Now aside with you!"
"All right! All right! But here. At least fill your pockets with a few of my coins."
"I had opportunity to carry off riches at the filthy Hill of Lucre."
"Tush! That was only silver. This is fine gold! Here, have some Spanish doubloons."
"That I may weigh myself down with the cares of this world and be choked?"
"Nay, for these will make it up to you by paying for some comfortable lodging along the way."
"Aye, along the way. But not in the way. The rest places provided by my Master are freely given without money and without price. Stand aside, I say!"
"Ohhh! All right! You may pass - if you will but bow down and kiss my foot."
"Are you the Lord of the Hill that I should bow to you? Nay, but get thee behind me, Satan"
"Ahhh! All right! All right! Stick to your sensuous less and pleasure less choice! You shall see no more of me!"
Now Valiant-for-truth, along with all the others, had hung entranced upon Stand-fast's every word. So he exclaimed, "Hurrah! Good for you, Stand-fast. So was she then gone?"
"Oh, so I dared to hope when she vanished into the mists. But I soon found that 'this kind goeth not forth except by fasting and prayer'."
"And how did you learn that?"
"Well, I had just knelt me down to thank God for my deliverance when I heard the sweetest sound on earth."
"What sound? The bells of the City?"
"Nay, but the lovely voice of Marianna, my wife - the duchess of the town of Stupidity herself! She called to me sweetly, saying:
"Stand-fast? Is that you?"
"What?"
"Is it truly thou, my beloved?"
"Marriana! Is that you?"
"Aye. 'Tis I."
"But how did you come to be here?"
"Our Lord saw thee to be in great danger from the toils of the witch. Therefore did He transport me to your side that I might deliver thee and comfort thee with some wifely company."
"Indeed! Then you have become a pilgrim!"
"Aye. A pilgrim!"
"Praise God! Oh, praise God!"
"Yes. Praise God. But, oh, I . . . "
"What's wrong?"
"I am weary, dear Stand-fast. Very, very weary. I . . . "
"Yes? Yes? What is it?"
"I . . . I feel so faint. I be falling into a swoon. Catch me!"
"Here! I've got you. You are safe now."
"Thank you. Ah, your arms are so strong, dear husband. Here I was sent to comfort you - and yet it is you that doth comfort me."
"Marriana?"
"Shhh, shhh. Speak not now, my beloved. I am still in a faint and in need of rest."
"Yes, of course. I'm sorry."
"Look!"
"What?"
"Over there! A soft resting place provided by the Lord of the Hill."
"Nay, wife. 'Tis not for us."
" 'T will do for a season. Please? Carry me thence."
"Nay. 'Tis rather for those who take their eyes off the light."
"But oh, how soft would be the pillow upon my cheek. And how warm the goose-down comforter pulled about my chin. In but a few moments I could be refreshed and then we could be on our way. Ahhh, the very thought makes me yawn. Hmmm."
"Nay, dear wife! Remember the words of the shepherds who warned us not to sleep on these enchanted grounds?"
"But there is no danger with you here to awaken me."
"Nay! There is no waking from this sleep. Come."
"But I cannot."
"Why not?"
"Uh . . . I am too weak from my journey."
"What? Did not the Spirit carry you here even as it did Stephen the deacon?"
"Yes."
"Then why so weary? You were never one to be weak before."
"I, uh . . . I know not, my love. Uh . . . perhaps it is the sight of you that puts me into a faint. Yes! That must be it!"
"Hmmm."
"All I know is that I have a sudden desire for sleep that will not be denied. And that I must have thee at my side. Come, please?"
"Nay, wife. We must press on or we will die!"