THE AUTHOR'S WAY OF SENDING FORTHI HIS SECOND PART OF THE PILGRIM. Go now, my little Book, to every place, Where my First Pilgrim has but shown his face: If they bid thee come in, then enter thou, With all thy boys: and then thou knowest how; If formerly they did not entertain One Christian, a Pilgrim? If they say They did, and were delighted in his way, Then let them know, that those related were Unto him; yea, his wife and children are. Tell them that they have left their house and home, Are turned Pilgrims, seek a world to come: That they nave met with hardships in the way, That they do meet with troubles night and day; That they have trod on serpents, fought with devils, Yea, tell them also of the next who have, Go, tell them also of those dainty things, What goodly mansions he for them provides, Who to the Lord, and by his ways hold fast. Perhaps, with heart and hand they will embrace 1. OBJECTION. But how, if they will not believe of me ANSWER. 'Tis true, some have of late to counterfeit If such thou meet'st with, then thine only way Yea, I will testify that only you My Pilgrims are, and that alone will do. 2. OBJECTION. But yet, perhaps, I may inquire for him, For Pilgrims ask, and they shall rage the more? ANSWER. Fright not thyself, my Book, for such bugbears That it was slighted, or turn'd out of door, By any kingdom, were they rich or poor. In France and Flanders, where men kill each other, My Pilgrim is esteem'd a friend, a brother. In Holland too, 'tis said, as I am told, Highlanders and wild Irish can agree My Pilgrim should familiar with them be. 'Tis in New-England under such advance, As to be trimm'd, new-cloth'd, and deck'd with gems, If you draw nearer home, it will appear, My Pilgrim knows no ground of shame or fear; City and country both will entertain With, Welcome, Pilgrim; yet, they can't refrain From smiling, if my Pilgrim be but by, Or show its head in any company. Brave gallants do my Pilgrim hug and love, Esteem it much, yea, value it above Things of a greater bulk; yea, with delight, Young ladies, and young gentlewomen too, The very children that do walk the street, They that have never seen him, yet admire Yea, some that did not love him at the first, But call him fool and noddy, say they must, Now they have seen and heard him, him commend And to those whom they love they do him send. Wherefore, my Second Part, thou need'st not be Afraid to show thy head; none can hurt thee, That wish but well to him that went before, 'Cause thou cam'st after with a second store Of things as good, as rich, as profitable, For young, for old, for stagg'ring, and for stable. 3. OBJECTION But some there be that say, he laughs too loud; And some do say, his head is in a cloud. Some say, his words and stories are so dark, They know not how by them to find his mark. ANSWER. One may (I think) say, both his laughs and cries May well be guess'd at by his watʼry eyes. Some things are of that nature, as to make One's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache When Jacob saw his Rachel with the sheep, He did at the same time both kiss and weep. Whereas some say, a cloud is in his head, I also know a dark similitude Will on the curious fancy more intrude, Wherefore, my book, let no discouragement Hinder thy travels: behold, thou art sent To friends, not foes; to friends that will give place To thee, my Pilgrim, and thy words embrace. Besides, what my first Pilgrim left conceal'd, Thou, my brave Second Pilgrim, hast reveal'd; What Christian left lock'd up, and went his way, Sweet Christiana opens with her key. 4. OBJECTION. But some love not the method of your first: Romance they count it, throw't away as dust. If I should meet with such, what should I say? Must I slight them as they slight me, or nay? |