THE GOLDEN CITY
JOHN BUNYAN，an Englishman，the celebrated author of The Pilgrim‘s Progress ，was a tinker，and very dissolute in his early life.He became，however，a religious man，and a preacher；and for his religious opinions was imprisoned twelve years.During his imprisonment，he wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress.He died in 1688.
1.Now，while they were thus drawing toward the gate，behold a company of the heavenly host came out to meet them；to whom it was said，by the other two shining ones，“These are the men who loved our Lord，when they were in the world，and have left all for his holy name；and he hath sent us to fetch them；and we have brought them thus far on their desired journey，that they may go in and look their Redeemer in the face with joy.”Then the heavenly host gave a great shout，saying，“Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lord.”There came，also，out at this time to meet them，several of the king‘s trumpeters，clothed in white and shining raiment，who，with melodious and loud noises，made even the heavens to echo with their sound.These trumpeters saluted Christian and his fellow with ten thousand welcomes from the world；and this they did with shouting and sound of trumpet.
2.This done，they compassed them round about on every side；somewent before，some behind，and some on the right hand，some on the left，as it were，to guard them through the upper regions；continually sounding，as they went，with melodious noise，in notes on high；so that the very sight was to them that could behold it，as if heaven itself was come down to meet them.Thus，therefore，they walked on together；and as they walked，ever and anon these trumpeters，even with joyful sound，would，by mixing their music with looks and gestures，still signify to Christian and his brother how welcome they were into their company，and with what gladness they came to meet them；and now these two men were，as it were，in heaven，before they came at it，being swallowed up with the sight of angels，and with hearing their melodious notes，Here，also，they had the city itself in view，and thought they heard all the bells therein to ring to welcome them thereto.But，above all，were the warm and joyful thoughts that they had about their own dwelling there with such company，and that forever and ever.O！by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed！Thus they came up to the gate.
3.Now，when they were come up to the gate，there was written over it，in letters of gold，“Blessed are they that do his commandments，that they may have a right to the tree of life，and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
4.Then I saw，in my dream，that the shining men bid them call at the gate；the which，when they did，some from above looked over the gate；to wit，Enoch，Muses，Elijah，etc.，to whom it was said，“These pilgrims are come from the city of Destruction，for the love that they bear to the king of this place；”and then the pilgrims gave in unto them each man his certificate，which they had received in the beginning；those，therefore，were carried in to the king，who，when he had read them，said，“Where are the men？”To whom it was answered，“They are standing without the gate.”The king then commanded to open the gate，“That the righteous nation，”said he，“that keepeth truth，may enter in.”
5.Now，I saw，in my dream，that these two men went in at the gate；and lo，as they entered，they were transfigured，and they had raiment put on that shone like gold.There were also that met them with harps and crowns，and gave to them the harps to praise withal，and the crowns in token of honor.Then I heard，in my dream，that all the bells in the city rang again for joy，and that it was said unto them，“Enter ye into the joy of your Lord.”I also heard the men themselves，that they sang with a loud voice，saying，“Blessing，honor，and glory，and power，be to Him that sitteth upon the throne，and to the Lamb，forever and ever.”
6.Now，just as the gates were opened to let in the men，I looked in after them；and，behold，the city shone like the sun；the streets，also，were paved with gold，and in them walked many men with crowns on their heads，palms in their hands，and golden harps，to sing praises withal.
7.There were also of them that had wings；and they answered one another without intermission，saying，“Holy，holy，holy is the Lord.”And after that they shut up the gates；which，when I had seen，I wished myself among them.
（FROM BUNYAN ）
中文阅读
约翰·班扬，英国作家、思想家，著有《天路历程》。他青年时代过着闲散放荡的生活。然而，后来他成了宗教人士，一名传教士，由于个人的宗教意见，他曾身陷囹圄十二年。在狱中，他创作了《天路历程》一书。1688年去世。
1.他们走近天门时，看见一群天使出来迎接他们。另外有两个闪闪发光的天使说：“他们爱我们的主，为了主的盛名，他们在地上放弃了一切。主叫我们来迎接他们，我们把他们带到这里，他们就能进去欣然见到他们的救世主，与救世主面对面了。”而后，众天使欢呼道：“被请赴羔羊之婚筵的有福了。”这时又出现几个国王的号手来迎接他们。他们穿着光亮洁白的服装，奏出美妙而又响亮的音乐，整个天国好像都回荡着这声音。这些号手们用千万个声音来欢迎基督徒和他的伙伴，他们一边呼喊，一边吹着号角。
2.而后，号手们簇拥着两人，有的在前，有的在后，有的在左，有的在右，就好像在保护着他们上升似的。他们行走的时候，号手们不停地吹着动听的音乐，音调很高，所以不论是谁看见这一幕，都会以为整个天界都下来迎接他们了。他们一起走着，那些号手不时地吹出欢乐的声音，音乐声配上表情和姿势，表现出了他们非常欢迎基督徒和他的兄弟的加入，认识他们非常高兴。这两人还未进入天国，但仿佛已经置身于天国，因为他们周围都是天使，满耳都是美妙的声音。在这里，他们可以看见天城，以及听到欢迎他们到来的钟声。但最使他们感到温暖和高兴的是他们将能永永远远居住在这里，和这些圣者为伴。哦！有什么话语和笔墨可以形容他们光荣的喜悦呢！就这样他们到达了天国之门。
3.当他们走到天国的门口时，看见门上写着金色的字：“那些遵守祂诫命的人有福了，可得权柄能到生命树那里，也能从城门进城。”
4.在梦里，我看到闪光的天使吩咐他们敲门。他们敲门后，有几个人从城墙往下看，其中有以诺、摩西和以利亚等人。有人对他们说：“这些香客是从毁灭之城来的，因为他们热爱这里的王。”而后这两个人把他们当初得到的证件递给城中的人。证件传到王的手里，王看过后问：“他们现在在哪？”回答说：“在城门口。”王下令打开城门，说：“正义的国家使守信的义民得以进入。”
5.我在梦里看到这两个人走进天门。看呀，他们刚一进入天门，就被美化了，他们换上了像黄金一样闪闪发亮的衣服。有拿着竖琴和冠冕的天使迎接他们，并把作为赞美的竖琴和象征荣耀的冠冕赠予他们。接着，我在梦里听到城里所有的钟又一次欢快地响了起来。有人对他们说：“来分享主的欢乐。”我还听见那些人高唱：“但愿赞颂、尊贵、荣耀、权势都归给坐宝座的和羔羊，直到永远。”
6.当门打开让他们进入的时候，我从他们后面望进去：城市就像太阳一样闪着光，街道也是用金子铺成的，里面的人都头戴冠冕，手里拿着棕榈枝，用金竖琴伴奏唱着赞美歌。
7.里面还有长着翅膀的人，他们相互应答着，不停地说：“圣哉！圣哉！圣哉我们的主。”之后，他们便关闭了城门。看到这种景象，我真希望自己是他们中的一员。
（班扬）
