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And my friend too,' adds Faithful, I may say, ''Twas he, good man, first put me in the way.'

Evangelist comes up-with smiling face;

My friends,' said he, I wish you joy and peace;

Tell me, dear pilgrims, where your lot was cast,

'And how you've fared, e'er since I saw you last.' They told him all they met with on their way, And how the Lord had help'd them to that day. 'Blessed be God!' EVANGELIST replied,

'That though you both have been severely tried 'Yet grace and strength have been so freely giv'n,

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' And still you're trav'lling on the road to heav'n. Press forward, then, celestial things pursue,

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And ever keep the Conqu'ror's crown in view.

'Watch well your hearts; in Christ alone confide Nor fear, for heaven itself is on your side.

‘But mark,—trials expect-keep that in mind, 'Some heavy trials yet you both will find: 'You're almost through the wilderness—but soon 'You'll reach a large, a vain, a wicked town:

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'There, if your enemies can have their will,

They'll persecute, and, if permitted, kill:

One of you, there, must seal the truth with blood, 'And die a martyr for the living God:

'But know, whose lot soe'er that trial proves,

'Will soonest see the God he serves and loves.'

Our Pilgrims now their grand design pursue,
And soon this famous town appear'd in view:
A town of ancient date, of wealth and fame,
And Vanity, its just, descriptive name.*
A fair was kept, for many ages, here,
And kept on ev'ry day throughout the year.
All sorts of merchandize were bought and sold,
Silver and pearls, and precious stones and gold;
Crowns, kingdoms, titles, places, churches, trades-
Husbands and wives, and children, whores and maids:
Bargains were made for health, and lives, and souls,
And here were jugglers, players, knaves and fools,
Sins of all sorts and kinds abounded here,

and swear.

And men that liv'd to cheat, and game,
Through this bad place the Pilgrims' journey lay,
And none could shun it by a diff'rent way:
Our Lord himself once passed through the fair,
But laid not out a single farthing there.

Our Pilgrims enter'd then this wicked place,
And soon perceiv'd it destitute of grace.
With proud disdain, the scornful townsmen gaz'd—
Some at their homely garments seem'd amaz'd;

* Under the notion of a fair, the author beautifully describes this present world, which well deserves the name of VANITY, for, if the testimony of the wisest man be credited-" All is vanity and vexation of spirit."

Some at their dialect were more surpris'd,

But most because these men their wares despis'd.
'What will ye buy?' some taunting wretches cried;
'We buy the truth,' with meekness they replied;
'We count your vanities as light as air,

• We look above!--our heart-our treasure 's there.'
This gave offence, and soon a tumult rose:
They look'd upon the Pilgrims as their foes-
Charg'd them as enemies of public peace-
As fools and madmen, worthy of disgrace; *
Led them in heavy chains about the fair—
And in the cage and stocks, expos'd them there,
Like wretched out-casts, friendless and forlorn,
Objects of laughter, raillery and scorn.
Meanwhile, some few, from prejudice more free,
No evil in these christian men could see;
The conduct of the baser rabble blam'd,
And said, these enemies might be asham'd;
Condemn'd their furious, persecuting rage,
And own'd that others more deserv'd the cage.
Their enemies with greater malice fill'd
Exclaim- The Pilgrims must and shall be kill'd.'
From that day forth, their lives and blood were sought,
And they, for form's sake, soon to trial brought;

* Those who will live godly in Christ Jesus cannot escape persecution. Not "to love the world, and the things of the world," as others do, is sufficient to excite suspicion and opposition.