12

The Author's Account

Say, Here's my neighbour Mercy; she is one
That has long time with me a Pilgrim gone;
Come, see her in her virgin face, and learn
'Twixt idle ones and Pilgrims to discern.
Yea, let young damsels learn of her to prize
The world which is to come, in any wise.
When little tripping maidens follow God,
And leave old doting sinners to his rod,
"Tis like those days wherein the young ones cried,
Hosanna to whom old ones did deride.

Next tell them of old Honest, whom you found,
With his white hairs treading the Pilgrim's ground;
Yea, tell them how plain-hearted this man was,
How after his good Lord he bare his cross.
Perhaps with some gray head this may prevail
With Christ to fall in love, and sin bewail.
Tell them also, how Master Fearing went
On pilgrimage, and how the time he spent
In solitariness, with fears and cries;

And how, at last he won the joyful prize.
He was a good man, though much down in spirit;
He is a good man, and doth life inherit.

Tell them of Master Feeble-mind also,
Who not before, but still behind would go.

Show them also, how he had like been slain,
And how one Great-heart did his life regain.
This man was true of heart, though weak in grace;
One might true godliness read in his face.

Then tell them of Master Ready-to-halt,

A man with crutches, but much without fault,
Tell them how Master Feeble-mind and he
Did love, and in opinions much agree.

And let all know, though weakness was their chance,
Yet sometimes one could sing, the other dance.

Forget not Master Valiant-for-the-truth,
That man of courage, though a very youth:

Tell every one his spirit was so stout,

No man could ever make him face about;

And how Great-heart and he could not forbear
But put down Doubting-castle, slay Despair!
Overlook not Master Despondency,

Nor Much-afraid his daughter, though they lie

of the Second Part.

Under such mantles, as may make them look
(With some) as if their God had them forsook.
They softly went, but sure; and, at the end,
Found that the Lord of Pilgrims was their friend.
When thou hast told the world of all these things,
Then turn about, my Book, and touch these strings;
Which, if but touched, will such music make,
They'll make a cripple dance, a giant quake.
Those riddles that lie couched within thy breast,
Freely propound, expound; and for the rest
Of thy mysterious lines, let them remain
For those whose nimble fancies shall them gain.
Now, may this LITTLE BOOK a blessing be
To those that love this LITTLE BOOK and me:
And may its buyer have no cause to say,
His money is but lost, or thrown away:
Yea, may
this SECOND PILGRIM yield that fruit,
As may with each good Pilgrim's fancy suit:
And may it persuade some that go astray,
To turn their foot and heart to the right way,

Is the hearty prayer of the Author,

JOHN BUNYAN.

13

THE

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

OURTEOUS COMPANIONS,

SOME time since, to tell you my dream that I had of Christian the pilgrim, and of his dangerous journey, toward the Celestial Country, was pleasant

to me, and profitable to you. I told you then also what I saw concerning his wife and children, and how unwilling they were to go with him on pilgrimage; insomuch that he was forced to go on his progress without them; for he durst not run the danger of that destruction which he feared would come, by staying with them in the city of Destruction. Wherefore, as I then showed you, he left them, and departed.

Now it hath so happened, through the multiplicity of business, that I have been much hindered and kept back from my wonted travels into those parts whence he went; and so could not, till now, obtain an opportunity to make further inquiry after whom he left behind, that I might give you an account of them. But having had some concerns that way of late, I went down again thitherward. Now, having taken up my lodgings in a wood, about a mile off the place, as I slept, I dreamed again.

And as I was in my dream, behold an aged gentleman came by where I lay; and because he was to go some part of the way that I was travelling, methought I got up, and went with him. So, as we walked, and as travellers usually do, I was as if we fell into a discourse, and our talk happened to be about Christian and his travels: For thus I began with the old man.

Sir, said I, what town is that there below, that lieth on the left hand of our way?

Then said Mr. Sagacity, for that was his name, It is the city of

16

Sagacity's account of Christian.

Destruction, a populous place, but possessed with a very ill-conditioned and idle sort of people.

I thought that was the city, quoth I: I went once myself through that town, and therefore know that this report you give of it is true. Sag. Too true; I wish I could speak truth in speaking better of them that dwell therein.

Well, Sir, quoth I, then I perceive you to be a well-meaning man, and so one that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good. Pray, did you never hear what happened to a man some, time ago of this town, (whose name was Christian,) that went on a pilgrimage up towards the higher regions?

Sag. Hear of him! Ay; and I also heard of the molestations, troubles, wars, captivities, cries, groans, frights, and fears, that he met with and had in his journey; besides, I must tell you all our country rings of him. There are but few houses that have heard of him and his doings, but have sought after and got the records of his pilgrimage; yea, I think I may say, that his hazardous journey has got many well-wishers to his ways: for though, when he was here, he was fool in every man's mouth, yet, now he is gone, he is highly commended of all. For it is said he lives bravely where he is; yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his hazards, yet have their mouths water at his gains.

They may, quoth I, well think, if they think any thing that is true, that he liveth well where he is: for he now lives at, and in the Fountain of Life, and has what he has without labour and sorrow, for there is no grief mixed therewith. But pray, what talk have the people about him?

Sag. Talk! the people talk strangely about him. Some say that he now walks in white (Rev. iii. 4.); that he has a chain of gold about his neck; that he has a crown of gold, beset with pearls, upon his head. Others say, that the Shining Ones that sometime showed themselves to him in his journey are become his companions, and that he is as familiar with them in the place where he is, as here one neighbour is with another. Besides, 'tis confidently affirmed concerning him, that the King of the place where he is, has bestowed upon him already a very rich and pleasant dwelling at Court, and that he every day eateth and drinketh, and walketh and talketh with