The Holy War – John Bunyan

shut with locks, bolts, and bars, as fast as they could; their guards, also, were
doubled, and their watch made as strong as they could. Diabolus also did
pluck up what heart he could to encourage the town to make resistance.
The townsmen also made answer to the Prince's messenger, in
substance, according to that which follows:--
'Great Sir, as to what by your messenger you have signified to us,
whether we will accept of your mercy or fall by your justice, we are bound
by the law and custom of this place, and can give you no positive answer.
For it is against the law, government, and the prerogative royal of our king,
to make either peace or war without him. But this we will do, we will
petition that our prince will come down to the wall, and there give you such
treatment as he shall think fit, and profitable for us.'
When the good Prince Emmanuel heard this answer, and saw the slavery
and bondage of the people, and how much content they were to abide in the
chains of the tyrant Diabolus, it grieved him at the heart. And, indeed, when
at any time he perceived that any were contented under the slavery of the
giant, he would be affected with it.
But to return again to our purpose. After the town had carried this news
to Diabolus, and had told him, moreover, that the Prince that lay in the
leaguer[19] without the wall, waited upon them for an answer, he refused,
and huffed as well as he could, but in heart he was afraid.
Then, said he, I will go down to the gates myself, and give him such an
answer as I think fit. So he went down to Mouth-gate, and there addressed
himself to speak to Emmanuel, but in such language as the town understood
not, the contents whereof were as follows:--
'O thou great Emmanuel, Lord of all the world, I know thee that thou art
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