The bravest man who boasts of bodily strength may often find his moral
courage fail in the hour of temptation. If he gain the victory, let him
not ascribe it to his own skill, but rather to the grace of God.
From what had happened in the Cave of Despair, Una saw that her Knight
had grown faint and feeble; his long imprisonment had wasted away all
his strength, and he was still quite unfit to fight. Therefore she
determined to bring him to a place where he might refresh himself, and
recover from his late sad plight.
There was an ancient house not far away, renowned through all the world
for its goodness and holy learning, so well was it guided and governed
by a wise matron. Her only joy was to comfort those in trouble and to
help the helpless poor. She was called Dame Celia—the “Heavenly
Lady”—and she had three beautiful daughters, Fidelia (_Faith_), Speranza
(_Hope_), and Charissa (_Love_).
Arrived at the House of Holiness, they found the door fast locked, for
it was warily watched, night and day, for fear of many foes. But when
they knocked, the porter straightway opened to them. He was an aged man,
with grey hair and slow footsteps; his name was _Humility_. They passed
in, stooping low, for the way he showed them was strait and narrow, even
as all good things are hardest at the beginning. But when they had
entered they saw a spacious court, very pleasant to walk in. Here they
were met by a frank, honest-looking man, called _Zeal_, who gladly acted
as their guide till they came to the hall.
The squire of the household received them, and made them welcome; his
name was _Reverence_. He was very gentle, modest, and sincere, always
treating every one with the greatest kindness and courtesy, not from any
pretended politeness, but because of his own good and sweet disposition.
He conducted them to the lady of the house, who was busied as usual in
some good works. Directly Dame Celia saw Una, she knew who she was; her
heart filled with joy, and she put her arms round her and kissed her.
“Oh, happy earth,” she cried, “whereon your innocent feet still tread!
What good fortune has brought you this way, or did you wander here
unknowingly? It is strange to see a knight-errant in this place, or any
other man, for there are few who choose the narrow path or seek the
right.”
Una replied that they had come to rest their weary limbs, and to see the
lady herself, whose fame and praise had reached them.
Then Dame Celia entertained them with every courtesy she could think of,
and nothing was lacking to show her generosity and wisdom. Whilst they
were talking, two beautiful maidens came in; they were Faith and Hope,
the daughters of the lady. Faith was arrayed all in lily-white, and her
face shone like the light of the sun; in one hand she held a book. Her
younger sister, Hope, was clad all in blue, and carried a silver anchor;
her face was not as cheerful as Faith’s, but it was very noble and
steadfast.
Presently a servant, called _Obedience_, came and conducted the guests
to their rooms, in order that they might rest awhile. Afterwards Una
asked Faith if she would allow the Red Cross Knight to enter her
schoolhouse, in order that he might share in her heavenly learning, and
hear the divine wisdom of her words.
So the Knight went to school to learn of Faith, and many were the
wondrous things she taught him. Now he saw in its true light all the
error of his ways, and he began truly to repent of all his wrongdoings.
The thought of them was so bitter, that he felt he was no longer worthy
to live.
Then came Hope with sweet comfort, and bade him trust steadily and not
lose heart. And Dame Celia, seeing how unhappy he was, sent to him a
wonderful doctor, called _Patience_. Thanks to his skill and wisdom, and
to the careful nursing of his attendant, _Repentance_, the Red Cross
Knight presently recovered, and grew well and strong again.
After this Una took him one day to visit the third daughter, whose name
was Love. She was so wonderfully beautiful and good that there were few
on earth to compare with her. They found her in the midst of a group of
happy children; she wore a yellow robe, and sat in an ivory chair, and
at her side were two turtle-doves.
Una besought Love to let the Red Cross Knight learn of her whatever she
could teach, and to this request Love gladly agreed. Then she began to
instruct the Knight in all good things. She spoke to him of love and
righteousness, and how to do well, and bade him shun all wrath and
hatred, which are displeasing to GOD. And when she had well taught him
this, she went on to show him the path to heaven.
[Illustration:
“=The Knight and Una entering fayre her greet,
And bid her joy of that her happy brood;
Who them requites with court’sies seeming meet,
And entertaynes with friendly cheerefull mood.=”
]
The better to guide his weak and wandering steps, she called an ancient
matron, named _Mercy_, well known for her gracious and tender ways. Into
her careful charge Love gave the Knight, to lead in the right path, so
that he should never fall in all his journeying through the wide world,
but come to the end in safety.
Then Mercy, taking the Knight by the hand, led him away by a narrow
path; it was scattered with bushy thorns and ragged briars, but these
she always cleared away before him, so that nothing might hinder his
ready passage. And whenever his footsteps were cumbered, or began to
falter and stray, she held him fast, and bore him up, so that he never
fell.