PILGRIM’S PROGRESS IN VERSE

CHAPTER IX.

He is in Great Distress on Account of the Loss of His Roll

His mind was also much perplex’d,
He knew not what to do;
He had no one to counsel him,
And dangers were in view.

But suddenly he called to mind
That he had been asleep,
While resting in the arbor where
The hill was very steep.

He then fell down upon his knees—
“O Lord forgive,” he said,
“The foolish act that I have done,”
He thus for mercy plead.

He then went back to seek his roll;
But words cannot express
The sorrows of poor Christians
So great was his distress.

He sighed and wept, himself he chid
For such a lack of thought,
As there to sleep where little rest
Was all he should have sought.

The arbor was erected for
The pilgrims to rest in,
Who had that far got up the hill
With weary heart and limb.

He thus went back and looked with care
On that side and on this,
That he perhaps his roll might find,
Which once gave him such peace.

He went on thus until he had
The arbor full in view;
But this his sorrow and his grief
Did still the more renew.

It brought again his sinful sleep
Afresh into his mind;
He still went on bewailing it—
He could no comfort find.

“O, what a wretched man I am,
In day time thus to sleep;
With difficulties all around,
Awake I did not keep.

This arbor only has been made
The pilgrims to refresh;
To rest their weary spirits in
But I’ve indulged the flesh.

I many steps have made in vain—
With Israel ‘twas thus,
Sent back by way of the Red Sea,
Ensamples unto us.

And I am made to tread these steps
With sorrow, which I might,
Had I not then in sleep indulged,
Have made with great delight.

I need have gone this road but once—
Been further on my way;
But I’m compelled to tread it thrice,
And far is spent the day.

I fear benighted I shall be—
How time away has crept;
O sinful sleep! What shall I do?
O? that I had not slept.”

When to the arbor he had come,
Thus to bemoan with sighs and tears,
Here he sat down to weep,
His very sinful sleep.

The Bible enigma will be continued in the December issue.

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