ABSTRACT
AFTER this, I beheld until they were come unto the land of Beulah, where the Sun shineth night and day. Here, because they were weary, they betook themselves a while to rest. And because this country was common for Pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards that were here, belonged to the King of the Cœlestial Country, therefore they were licensed to make bold with any of his things. But a little while soon refreshed them here; for the bells did so ring, and the trumpets continually sound so melodiously, that they could not sleep, and yet they received as much refreshing, as if they had slept their sleep never so soundly. Here also all the noise of them that walked the streets, was, More Pilgrims are come to town. And another would answer, saying, And so many, went over the Water, and were let in at the Golden Gates to day. They would cry again, There is now a Legion of shining ones just come to town; by which, we know, that there are more Pilgrims upon the road; for here they come to wait for them, and to comfort them after all their sorrow. Then the Pilgrims got up, and walked to and fro: But how were their ears now filled with heavenly noises and their eyes delighted with Cœlestial Visions? In this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelt nothing, tasted nothing, that was offensive to their stomach or mind; only when they tasted of the water of the River, over which they were to go, they thought that tasted a little bitterish to the palate, but it proved sweeter when ’twas down.
