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Through waters great we were compelled to wyde,2

Which were so deep that I was like to drown;

There lay below, that fearful was to see, Maist ugly beasts that gaped to devour. My head grew light, and troubled wondrous sore,

My heart did fear, my feet began to slide; But when I cried He heard me ever more, And held me up, O blessèd be my guide!

XXVI.

Weary I was, and thought to sit at rest; But He said, "Nae, thou may not sit nor stand;

Hold on thy course, and thou shall find it

best,

Gif thou desires to see that pleasant land." Some time I sank, but yet my gracious Though I was weak, I raise at His command

guide

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And held Him fast; at length Helet me see That pleasant place, whilk seemed to be

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rent.

This stately stair it is not made for thee, Hold thou that course, thou shall be thrust aback."

'Alas!" said I, "lang wandering wearied

me,

Whilk made me run the nearest way to tak."

XXXII.

Then He began to comfort me again, And said, "My friend, thou mon not enter there :

Lift up thy heart, thou yet mon suffer pain;

The last assault, perforce, it mon be sair. "Take courage now," said He, "and be This godly way, although it seem sae fair,

content

To suffer this; the pleasure comes at last."

I answered not, but ran incontinent Out oure them all, and so the pain was past.

ΧΧΧ.

When this was done, my heart did dance for joy,

I was so near, I thought my voyage ended; I ran before and sought not his convoy, Nor speired the way, because I thought I kend it;

On stately steps most stoutly I ascended, Without his help, I thought to enter there; He followed fast, and was right sair offended,

And hastily did draw me down the stair.

XXXI.

"What haste," said He, "why ran thou so before?

Without my help, thinks thou to climb so high?

It is too high, thou cannot climb so stay; But look below beneath that stately stair, And thou shall see ane other kind of way."

XXXIII.

I looked down, and saw ane pit most black,

Most full of smoke, and flaming fire most fell;

That ugly sight made me to fly aback,
I feared to hear so many shout and yell;
I Him besought that He the truth would
tell.

"Is this," said I, "the papist's purging place,

Where they affirm that silly souls do dwell, To purge their sin, before they rest in peace?"

XXXIV.

"The brain of man most warely did invent That purging place," He answered me again;

"For greediness, together they consent To say that souls in torment mon remain, Till gold and goods relieve them of their pain:

Come down again, thou yet mon suffer O spiteful spreits that did the same begin!

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"Alas!" said I, "I have nae force to Gifany there should press to do me wrong.

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