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 wat'ry 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 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 iray? ANSWER. My Christiana, if with such thou meet, But if they frown; I prithee on them smile:. Some love no fish, some love no cheese, and some Go then, my little Book, and show to all That entertain, and bid thee welcome shall. What thou shalt keep close, shut up from the rest, And wish what thou shalt show them may be blest, To them for good, and make them choose to be Pilgrims by better far than thee and me. Go then, I say, tell all men who thou art: Say, I am Coristiana, and my part Is now, with my four sons, to tell you what It is for men to take a Pilgrim's lot. Go also, tell them who and what they be. That now do go on pilgrimage with thee: Say, here's my neighbour Mercy, she is one, Next tell them of old Honest, whom you found Tell them also, how Master Fearing went And how, at last, he won the joyful prize. Tell them of Mister Feeble-Mind also, Then tell them of Master Ready-to-halt, And let all know, tho' weakness was their chance, Forget not Master Valiant-for-the-truth, That man of courage, tho' a very youth: Tell every one his spirit was so stout, Overlook not Master Despondency, Those riddles that lie couch'd within thy breast, Now may this little Book a blessing be To turn their feet and heart to the right way, Is the hearty Prayer of the AUTHOR, JOHN BUNYAN. The Pilgrim's Progress. PART THE SECOND. CHAP. I. Christiana with her four Sons, and a Neighbour, set out on Pilgrimage. COURTEOUS READER, SOME time since, to tell you my DREAM that I had of Christian the Pilgrim, and of his dangerous, journey towards the Coelestial 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 where he went, and so could not, till now, obtain as opportunity to make further inquiry after whom he |