Chapter XII: Part I: The Causes of War

Then _Apollyon_ strodled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and said, I am void of fear in this matter, prepare thyself to die; for I swear by my infernal Den, that thou shalt go no further; here will I spill thy soul.

And with that he threw a flaming Dart at his breast, but _Christian_ had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so prevented the danger of that.

Then did _Christian_ draw, for he saw 'twas time to bestir him: and _Apollyon_ as fast made at him, throwing Darts as thick as Hail; by the which, notwithstanding all that _Christian_ could do to avoid it, _Apollyon_ wounded him in his _head_, his _hand_, and _foot_: this made _Christian_ give a little back; _Apollyon_ therefore followed his work amain, and _Christian_ again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore Combat lasted for above half a day, even till _Christian_ was almost quite spent; for you must know that _Christian_, by reason of his wounds, must needs grow weaker and weaker.

Then _Apollyon_ espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to _Christian_, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that _Christian's_ sword flew out of his hand. Then said _Apollyon, I am sure of thee now_: and with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that _Christian_ began to despair of life. But as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching of his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, _Christian_ nimbly reached out his hand for his Sword, and caught it, saying, _Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! when I fall I shall arise_; and with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound: _Christian_ perceiving that, made at him again, saying, _Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us_. And with that _Apollyon_ spread forth his dragon's wings, and sped him away, that _Christian_ for a season saw him no more.

In this Combat no man can imagine, unless he had seen and heard as I did, what yelling and hideous roaring, _Apollyon_ made all the time of the fight; he spake like a Dragon....

_The Pilgrim's Progress._

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