So the day being come, the command was given, and the Prince’s men did bravely stand to their arms, and did, as before, bend their main force against Ear-gate and Eye-gate.  The word was then, ‘Mansoul is won!’ so they made their assault upon the town.  Diabolus also, as fast as he could, with the main of his power, made resistance from within; and his high lords and chief captains for a time fought very cruelly against the Prince’s army.

But after three or four notable charges by the Prince and his noble captains, Ear-gate was broken open, and the bars and bolts wherewith it was used to be fast shut up against the Prince, were broken into a thousand pieces.  Then did the Prince’s trumpets sound, the captains shout, the town shake, and Diabolus retreat to his hold.  Well, when the Prince’s forces had broken open the gate, himself came up and did set his throne in it; also he set his standard thereby, upon a mount that before by his men was cast up to place the mighty slings thereon.  The mount was called Mount Hear-well.  There, therefore, the Prince abode, to wit, hard by the going in at the gate.  He commanded also that the golden slings should yet be played upon the town, especially against the castle, because for shelter thither was Diabolus retreated.  Now, from Ear-gate the street was straight even to the house of Mr. Recorder that so was before Diabolus took the town; and hard by his house stood the castle, which Diabolus for a long time had made his irksome den.  The captains, therefore, did quickly clear that street by the use of their slings, so that way was made up to the heart of the town.  Then did the Prince command that Captain Boanerges, Captain Conviction, and Captain Judgment, should forthwith march up the town to the old gentleman’s gate.  Then did the captains in the most warlike manner enter into the town of Mansoul, and marching in with flying colours, they came up to the Recorder’s house, and that was almost as strong as was the castle.  Battering-rams they took also with them, to plant against the castle gates.  When they were come to the house of Mr. Conscience, they knocked, and demanded entrance.  Now, the old gentleman, not knowing as yet fully their design, kept his gates shut all the time of this fight.  Wherefore Boanerges demanded entrance at his gates; and no man making answer, he gave it one stroke with the head of a ram, and this made the old gentleman shake, and his house to tremble and totter.  Then came Mr. Recorder down to the gates, and, as he could, with quivering lips he asked who was there?  Boanerges answered, ’We are the captains and commanders of the great Shaddai and of the blessed Emmanuel, his Son, and we demand possession of your house for the use of our noble Prince.’  And with that the battering-ram gave the gate another shake.  This made the old gentleman tremble the more, yet durst he not but open the gate:  then the King’s forces marched in, namely, the three