The Holy War – John Bunyan

captains and the inhabitants of the town; their enemies and their enemies
only were now lively and strong, and like to become the head, whilst
Mansoul was made the tail.[13]
By this time, the letter last mentioned, that was written by the
Diabolonians that yet lurked in the town of Mansoul, was conveyed to
Diabolus in the black den, by the hand of Mr. Profane. He carried the letter
by Hell-gate-hill, as before, and conveyed it by Cerberus to his Lord.
But when Cerberus and Mr. Profane did meet, they were presently as
great as beggars, and thus they fell into discourse about Mansoul, and about
the project against her.
CERB. Ah! old friend, quoth Cerberus, art thou come to Hell-gate-hill
again! By St. Mary,[14] I am glad to see thee.
PROF. Yes, my Lord, I am come again about the concerns of the town
of Mansoul.
CERB. Prithee, tell me what condition is that town of Mansoul in at
present?
PROF. In a brave condition, my Lord, for us, and for my lords, the lords
of this place I trow, for they are greatly decayed as to godliness, and that is
as well as our heart can wish;[15] their Lord is greatly out with them, and
that doth also please us well. We have already also a foot in their dish,[16]
for our Diabolonian friends are laid in their bosoms, and what do we lack but
to be masters of the place.
Besides, our trusty friends in Mansoul are daily plotting to betray it to
the lords of this town; also the sickness rages bitterly among them,[17] and
that which makes up all, we hope at last to prevail.
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