The Holy War – John Bunyan

your company might there be that came with you to the siege of Mansoul?
And they answered, There were but ten thousand Doubters in all, for the rest
of the army consisted of fifteen thousand Bloodmen. These Bloodmen, quoth
they, border upon our country; but, poor men, as we hear, they were every
one taken by Emmanuel's forces. Ten thousand! quoth the old gentleman, I'll
promise you that is a round company. But how came it to pass, since you
were so mighty a number, that you fainted, and durst not fight your foes?
Our general, said they, was the first man that did run for it. Pray, quoth their
landlord, who was that your cowardly general? He was once the Lord Mayor
of Mansoul, said they. But, pray, call him not a cowardly general; for
whether any, from the east to the west, has done more service for our prince,
Diabolus, than has my Lord Incredulity, will be a hard question for you to
answer. But had they catched him, they would for certain have hanged him;
and we promise you hanging is but a bad business.[14] Then, said the old
gentleman, I would that all the ten thousand Doubters were now well armed
in Mansoul, and myself at the head of them, I would see what I could do. Ay,
said they, that would be well if we could see that; but wishes, alas! what are
they? And these words were spoken aloud. Well, said old Evilquestioning,
take heed that you talk not too loud; you must be quat[15] and close, and
must take care of yourselves while you are here, or, I will assure you, you
will be snapt.
Why? quoth the Doubters.
Why? quoth the old gentleman; why, because both the Prince and Lord
Secretary, and their captains and soldiers, are all at present in town; yea, the
town is as full of them as ever it can hold. And, besides, there is one whose
name is Will-be-will, a most cruel enemy of ours, and him the Prince has
made keeper of the gates, and has commanded him that, with all the
diligence he can, he should look for, search out, and destroy all and all
manner of Diabolonians.
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