Pilgrim's Progress

The New Town of Vanity

By John Bunyan

Then I saw in my dream, that the pilgrims journeyed through many scenes. They also met with or overtook many people who like themselves were bound for the Celestial City. They stopped also at divers places, where they were entertained by friendly folk who loved the King. They toiled through rough ways; they climbed steep hills; they encountered perils not a few. But they faltered not, neither were afraid; for Great-heart went before them and was their guide.

At last, on a summer evening, they came to the town of Vanity, where Vanity Fair was held. Here they were received at the house of a citizen who was friendly to pilgrims; and here they abode a long time.

For the town had changed much since Christian and Faithful were so shamefully handled there. Indeed, it seemed that the blood of Faithful had changed the hearts of many of the people, and pilgrims were no more annoyed in the streets.

Now while Christiana and her boys, with Mercy and Great-heart, tarried here — there came a great monster out of the woods. It slew many of the people of the town, and carried away some of the children. No man dared face this monster; but everyone fled when the noise of his coming was heard.

This monster was like unto no other beast in the world. Its body was like that of a dragon, and it had seven heads and ten horns.

Now when Great-heart heard of this beast, he agreed with certain good men of the place, to go forth and give battle to it. For he wished to deliver the people from the paws and mouth of so dreadful a creature.

Then did he, with four companions good and true, go forth to meet the monster. You should have seen them with their armor and their well-made weapons.

When the fierce creature first beheld them, it lifted up its heads with great disdain. It would gladly have made way with them had they not boldly stood their ground. But, being sturdy men at arms, they so belabored it with their swords and clubs that it was glad to return to its lair.

Often, after this, did the monster come again into the town to carry away the children. But Great-heart and his valiant men were always on the watch, and drove it back with many blows. Soon it became so lame by reason of its wounds, that it could do no further harm; and some believe that it died of the hurts which it received.

Thus Great-heart became a person of great fame in the town; and many besought him to remain and make his home there. But he remembered the commands of his master; and when the time came that the pilgrims must go on their way, he girded on his armor and went before them.