Christiana:—Hark! as far as I can make out, the sounds we hear come from the lute, the pipe, and the horn.
Mercy:—Sweet sounds in the house, sweet sounds in the air, sweet sounds in the heart, for joy that we are here.
Thus did Christiana and Mercy chat, and they, then slept.
Now at dawn when they woke up, Christiana said to Mercy: What was it that made you laugh in your sleep last night? Were you in a dream?
Mercy:—Yes, and a sweet dream it was. But are you sure that I did laugh?
Christiana:—Yes, you gave a laugh as if from your heart of hearts. Do pray, Mercy, tell it to me.
Mercy:—I dreamt that I lay in some lone wood to weep and wail, for that my heart should be so hard a one. Now I had not been there long when I thought there were some who had come to hear me speak in my sleep; but I went on with my moans. At this they said with a laugh that I was a fool. Then I saw a Bright One with wings come up to me, who said, Mercy, what ails you? And when he heard the cause Of my grief, he said, Peace be to thee. He then came up to wipe off my tears and had me clad in robes of gold, and put a chain on my neck, and a crown on my head. Then he took me by the hand and said, Mercy, come this way. So he went up with me till we came to a gate, at which he gave a knock and then he took me to a throne on which one sat. The place was as bright as the stars, nay more like the sun. And I thought that I saw Christian there. So I woke from my dream. But did I laugh?
Christiana:—Laugh! Yes, and so you might, to see how well off you were! For you must give me leave to tell you, that as you find the first part true, so you will find true the last.
Mercy:—Well, I am glad of my dream, for I hope ere long to see it come to pass, so as to make me laugh once more.
Christiana:—I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we must do.