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THE 


PILGRIM'S  PROGRESS, 


IN    VERSE, 


EMBRACING   THE    HISTORY    OF    CHRISTIAN    FROM    HIS  DBPARTURH  FROM  THK 

CITY  OF  DESTRUCTION  TO  HIS  ENTRANCE  INTO 

THE  CELESTIAL  CITY. 


BY    MRS.    ELIZA    EBERLE 


PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  J.  EBERLE,  BERLIN,  N.  Y, 

CURTISS  <fc  WHITE,  PRINTERS,   UTICA.     ft, 

1854. 


1^ 


fV^*, 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  tit 
District  Court  of  the  Southern  District  of  New  York,  by 

JOHN  J.  EBERLE. 

In  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-four. 


BUNYAN'S   PILGEIM 

IN   VERSE. 


As  I  walked  through  this  wilderness 

To  seek  my  crown,  it  seemed, 
I  lighted  on  a  certain  den 

In  which  I  slept  and  dreamed! 
I  saw  a  man  all  clothed  in  rags, 

And  they  were  filthy,  too, 
Kot  fit  to  come  before  the  king, 

With  whom  he  had  to  do. 
A  burden,  too,  was  on  his  back, 

Which  press' d  him  with  its  weight 
Just  like  a  cart  beneath  its  sheaves — 

The  burden  was  so  great. 
His  face  was  now  turned  from  his  house, 

And  in  his  hands  a  book, 
For  on  the  things  he  once  so  loved, 

He  now  did  shun  to  look. 
I  saw  him  reading  in  his  book, 

All  trembling  and  afraid — 
Then,  with  a  cry  of  loud  lament, 

"  What  shall  I  do  ?"  he  said. 
In  this  sad  plight  he  reach'd  his  home — 

There  sought  to  be  resign'd, 
That  neither  wife  nor  child  might  know 

The  troubles  of  his  mind. 


BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


But  silence  lie  could  not  endure, 

And  thus  I  heard  him  say : — ■ 
As  he  to  wife  and  children  talked 

In  this  affecting  way — 
"Oh  !  my  dear  wife,  with  whom  I  live, 

And  children  that  I  love, 
A  heavy  burden  lies  on  me 

Which  I  cannot  remove: 
Moreover,  I  have  been  informed 

God  will  this  city  burn — 
This  very  place,  wherein  we  dwell, 

He  will  to  ashes  turn. 
And  you,  my  wife,  and  our  sweet  babes 

His  judgment  will  overtake, 
Unless  some  unknown  way  be  found 

Whereby  we  may  escape." 
At  this  his  friends  were  sore  amazed, 

Not  that  they  thought  'twas  true, 
But  feared  some  phrenzy  ailed  his  brain 

That  would  his  mind  undo. 
And  they,  as  night  was  drawing  nigh, 

Besought  him  to  repose, 
In  the  vain  hope  that  softening  sleep 

Would  gently  soothe  his  woes. 
But  sleep  refused  to  lend  her  aid 

In  banishing  his  fears, 
And  all  that  long  and  troublous  night 

He  spent  in  sighs  and  tears. 
So,  when  the  morning  light  was  come, 

They  asked  him  how  he  was ; 
He  told  them  he  was  worse  and  worse, 

And  then  explained  the  cause. 
But  as  he  talked,  they  harshly  chid, 

Their  hearts  had  harder  grown  ; 
They  thought  to  drive  his  gloom  away 

by  such  unkindness  shown. 


IN  VEESE. 


"Wherefore,  he  then  withdrew  himself 

To  some  secluded  place  ; 
And  breath'd  a  fervent  prayer  to  God 

To  give  them  all  his  grace. 
Sometimes  he  read,  sometimes  he  prayed, 

And  sometimes  walked  the  fields, 
Still  seeking  for  that  pearl  of  price, 

"Which  God  to  man  reveals. 
ls"ow,  as  he  read  his  fears  increased, 

His  griefs,  they  stronger  grew, 
He  cried,  as  he  had  done  before — 

"Lord  save  !  what  shall  I  do  ?" 
His  eyes,  they  wandered  here  and  there, 

As  if  he  sought  to  run  ; 
He  dreamed  not  of  that  blessed  path 

To  thee,  Eternal  One  ! 
Then  one,  Evangelist,  drew  near, 

"  Oh  !  wherefore  dost  thou  cry  ?" 
He  answered  with  a  trembling  heart— 

"I  am  condemned  to  die  !" 
'Twas  thus  he  answered,  in  his  turn, 

"This  book  that's  in  my  hand 
Informs  me  of  a  Judgment  bar 

At  which  I  fear  to  stand. 
My  soul  will  not  consent  to  death — 

Judgment  I  cannot  bear — 
The  thought  falls  heavy  on  my  heart, 

Must  I  be  summoned  there  ?" 
Evangelist  then  made  reply, 

"Oh!  man,  dost  thou  suppose 
That  death  makes  man's  condition  worse, 

Since  life  is  full  of  woes  ?" 
He  answered,  "Sir,  I  am  afraid 

It  will  be  worse  with  me, 
Because  this  burden  on  my  back 

Will  seal  my  misery.  A* 


BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 


'T  will  sink  me  lower  than  the  grave, 

Where  devils  clank  their  chains, 
And  bind  me  in  that  doleful  cell 

Where  death  eternal  reigns. 
The  things  of  judgment  and  of  death 

Are  placed  before  mine  eye ; 
I  feel  so  unprepared  for  them, 

That  these  things  make  me  cry." 
"If  this  be  thy  condition,  then, 

Why  stands' t  thou  still?— oh,  fly!— 
'Tis  sure  destruction  to  remain — 

Why  wilt  thou  stay  to  die  ?" 
He  answered  :  "  Darkness  reigns  around, 

Here  thorns  and  brambles  grow — 
Alas !  the  way  is  new  to  me, 

I  know  not  where  to  go  !" 
Evangelist  gave  him  a  roll, 

With  these  words  written  on  : — 
"Now  is  the  time — escape  for  life! 

Flee  from  the  wrath  to  come !" 
Then  read  the  man  the  parchment  roll, 

And  with  an  anxious  sigh 
Looked  steadv  on  Evangelist, 

Saying,  •'  Whither  shall  I  fly  I" 
Evangelist,  then  pointing  to 

A  narrow  wicliet  gate, 
Said,  "Run,  but  turn  to  neither  side, 

Because  the  way  is  straight." 
He  said :  "I  cannot  see  the  gate, 

Because  of  yonder  field  ; 
Is  this  the  way  the  Pilgrims  pass 

With  helmet,  sword  and  shield  V 
Evangelist  then  asked  him  if 

He  "saw  yon  shining  light, 
Lit  up  for  those  who  pass  this  way 

To  guide  their  steps  aright  ?" 


IN  YEESE. 


He  answered  thus:  "I  think  I  see 

A  gleaming  from  afar, 
Just  like  a  single  shining  spark, 

Or  like  a  rising  star." 
"  Keep  in  thy  eye  that  gleaming  light — 

The  path  it  maketh  straight, 
And  go  directly  up  thereto, 

So  shalt  thou  see  the  gate ; 
At  which,  when  thou  hast  gone  and  knocked, 

Thy  duty  shall  be  plain, 
For  one  will  tell  thee  what  to  do 

Who  can  these  things  explain." 
Then  in  my  dream  I  saw  the  man 

When  speaking  he  had  done, 
As  one  who  had  fresh  courage  took 

Set  out  with  speed  to  run. 

Xow  he  had  run,  as  I  perceived, 

But  short  way  from  his  door, 
When  wife  and  children  seeing  him, 

Cried,  "give  the  journey  o'er." 
He  put  his  fingers  in  his  ears, 

Cried,  "  Life,  eternal  life  !" 
Ean  on,  looked  not  behind,  nor  heard 

His  children  or  his  wife. 
The  neighbors  then  came  out  to  see — 

Some  thought  the  man  insane : 
He  heeded  not,  but  ran  towards 

The  middle  of  the  plain. 
Some  angry,  threatened — others  mocked — 

When  two  resolved  this  course  : 
"If  fair  will  not,  foul  means  will  do — 

We'll  bring  him  back  by  force." 
Dream  as  it  was,  I  recollect — 

I  do  remember  well — 
The  name  of  one  was  Obstinate, 

The  other,  Pliable. 


BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 


Now,  by  this  time,  the  man  had  got 

Some  distance  off  from  them ; 
But  so  resolved,  and  swift  their  feet, 

They  soon  caught  up  to  him. 
The  man  then  said,  when  they  drew  nigh, 

"  Friends,  wherefore  are  ye  come  ?" 
"  To  take  you  back  with  us,"  they  said — 

"  Back  to  your  native  home." 
The  man  then  said  :   "This  cannot  be: 

By  no  means  I'll  return; 
Your  city  is  Destruction,  sirs — 

There  also  was  I  born. 
And  all  that  die  there,  I  am  told, 

Sink  lower  than  the  grave, 
Where  flames  of  sulph'rous  fire  arise, 

And  round  their  spirits  rave. 
Oh,  then,  good  neighbors,  be  content, 

And  go  along  with  me ; 
Your  city  is  a  fearful  place, 

I  have  been  made  to  see." 
Said  Obstinate  :  "What!  leave  our  friends 

And  comforts  all  behind  ? 
I  never  can  do  this  I  think, 

Unless  I  change  my  mind." 
"  All  you  forsake,"  then  Christian  said, 

(For  Christian  was  his  name,) 
"  Cannot  be  worthy  to  compare 

With  what  will  be  your  gain. 
Yes,  if  you'll  go  along  with  me, 

You,  like  myself,  shall  share  ; 
I'm  going  where  there  is  enough, 

And  also  some  to  spare." 
Said  Obstinate :   "  What  are  the  things 

You  leave  your  all  to  find — 
The  things  you  think  outvalue  all 

That  you  must  leave  behind  ?" 


IN  VERSE. 


'•■  I  Beek  a  treasure,"  Christian  said, 

"That  fadeth  not  away, 
Laid  up  in  heaven — not  on  earth, 

Where  all  things  must  decay. 
It  surely  will  be  given  to  all 

"Who  diligently  seek : 
The  broken  heart — the  contrite  ones — 

The  penitent — the  meek. 
I  will  now,  for  the  truth  of  this, 

Refer  you  to  my  book, 
"Where  you  will  find  it  written  plain- 
Just  condescend  to  look." 
"  Your  book  away,"  said  Obstinate : 

"  What  for  your  book  care  I? 
"Will  you  go  back  with  us,  or  not  ? — 

"We're  going  by-and-by." 
Said  Christian :   "I  will  not  go  back, 

Nor  dare  I  look  back  now  ; 
I  have  my  face  set  Zion-ward, 

My  hand  put  to  the  plough." 
Said  Obstinate  to  Pliable : 

"  It's  time  we  start  for  home  ; 
If  he  will  not  go  back  with  us, 

"We'll  let  the  fool  alone. 
Some  men  when  they  get  hold  upon 

Something  they  call  pleasing, 
Know  more,  they  think,  than  seven  men, 

"Who  can  give  a  reason." 
Said  Pliable  :  "Do  not  revile; 

If  what  he  says  be  true, 
He  looks,  no  doubt,  for  better  things 

Than  either  I  or  you. 
I  feel  inclined  to  go  with  him, 

That  unseen  coast  explore  ; 
I  may  find  solid  treasures  there 

"When  landed  on  the  shore." 


10  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

Said  Obstinate  to  Pliable : 

"  What,  are  there  more  fools  still ! 
Who  knows  where  he  would  lead  you  to, 

If  you  would  do  his  will  ?" 
Said  Christian :   "  Neighbor  Pliable, 

Come!  go  along  with  me  ; 
Those  things  that  I  have  told  you  of 

You  certainly  shall  see. 
Things  far  more  glorious  you  shall  have 

Than  eye  hath  seen  beside  ; 
This  is  recorded  in  my  book, 

Which  is  a  certain  guide. 
The  promise  of  these  glorious  things 

Has  been  confirmed  by  blood — 
The  precious  blood  of  Jesus  slain, 

The  only  son  of  God." 
Said  Pliable  to  Obstinate : 

"  I  think  I  will  decide 
To  go  along  with  this  good  man, 

If  he  will  be  my  guide." 
Said  Christian  :  "  I  am  not  the  guide ; 

Evangelist,  I  say, 
Will  guide  us  to  that  little  gate 

Where  pilgrims  learn  the  way." 
Then  Pliable  to  Christian  said : 

"  Come  !  let  us  travel  on ; 
My  lot  is  now  cast  in  with  yours, 

Our  prospects  shall  be  one." 

When  Obstinate  had  taken  leave, 

As  he  that  played  the  man, 
The  two  went  talking  on  the  plain — 

Their  converse  thus  began  : 
Said  Christian  unto  Pliable, 

"  I'm  glad  you  make  this  choice, 
To  go  with  me  and  prove  my  words ; 

It  makes  my  heart  rejoice. 


IN  YEESE.  11 


Had  even  Obstinate  himself 

View'd  things  unseen  as  we, 
He  would  not  thus  have  turned  about> 

And  left  our  company." 
Then  Pliable  to  Christian  said: 

"  Since  we  are  here  alone, 
Tell  me  what  things  are  in  reserve 

For  us  where  we  are  going." 
Then  Christian  said  to  Pliable : 

"A  subject  of  this  kind 
Cannot  be  spoken  by  my  tongue, 

As  it  is  in  my  mind. 
But  you  can  read  it  in  my  book, 

If  you  desire  to  know, 
'Tis  it  I  get  my  knowldge  from — 

To  it  I  daily  go." 
Then  Pliable  to  Christian  said: 

"Your  book — is  it  all  true  ? 
Since  leaving  much,  I  wish  to  have 

A  certainty  in  view." 
"  My  friend,  its  true,"  then  Christian  said, 

"  Yes,  very  sure  am  I, 
Because  this  book  was  made  by  One 

Who  will  not,  cannot  lie." 
"Since  it  is  true,  as  I  believe 

What  things  are  written  there, 
That  make  my  heart  so  light  for  joy 

To  think  I  have  a  share." 
This  question  was  to  Christian  put 

By  his  friend  Pliable  ; 
Now  give  good  heed,  and  you  shall  hear, 

What  Christain  had  to  tell. 
He  told  of  a  kingdom  where  Jesus  is  king, 
Where  Death  has  no  power — is  rob'd  of  his  sting, 
A  living  forever  for  all  who  get  there, 
And  glorious  crowns  for  his  subjects  to  wear ; 


12  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 


Of  bright,  shining  garments  that  shine  as  the  sun. 

Which  on  arrival  they'll  give  to  each  one. 

No  sorrow,  nor  crying,  he  said  would  be  there, 

No  nothing  to  call  for  a  sigh  or  a  tear. 

He  said  that  the  Seraphim,  Cherubim  there, 

Will  dazzle  our  eyes  to  see  as  they  are— 

That  thousands  and  thousands  have  gone  there  before, 

And  we  shall  behold  them  when  we  land  on  that  shore. 

All  holy  and  harmless  the  children  of  God, 

Made  so  by  the  merits  of  Emmanuel's  blood. 

He  told  of  the  Elders,  how  each  had  a  crown ; 

Of  all  the  good  Martyrs  who  laid  their  lives  down, 

He  said  though  their  flesh  had  been  burned  in  the  flame, 

They  were  all  together  and  living  again. 

Said  Pliable,  "  To  hear  of  this 

Makes  my  heart  overflow  ; 
But  how  to  have  a  share  in  it 

Is  something  yet  to  know." 

Said  Christian,  "  This  is  in  my  book, 

As  plain  as  words  can  speak, 
The  Governor  of  the  place  hath  said 

That  all  shall  have  who  seek. 

This  offer  has  been  made  to  all 

Who  have  a  willing  mind, 
Who  for  the  sake  of  things  before 

Forsake  the  things  behind." 

Then  Pliable  to  Christian  said, 

"  Come,  let  us  mend  our  pace  ; 
How  glad  I  am  to  have  the  hope 

Of  reaching  such  a  place." 

Then  Christian  said,  "How  glad  I'd  be 

To  speed  along  the  road  ; 
But  go  I  cannot  as  I  would, 

See  on  my  back  this  load." 


IN  YEESE.  1 3 


Their  conversation  having  ceased, 

They  somewhat  heedless  grew, 
And  near  the  middle  of  the  plain 

They  both  fell  in  a  slough  : 
Sometime  they  wallowed  in  the  slough, 

Till  well  bedaub'd  with  mud, 
And  Christian,  he  began  to  sink 

By  reason  of  his  load. 
You  wish  to  know  what  slough  it  was 

They  both  had  fallen  in  ; 
Despond  is  what  they  call  the  slough, 

I  saw  it  in  my  dream. 
Here  Pliable  was  much  perplexed 

By  reason  of  the  slough  ; 
I  heard  him  say  with  timid  voice, 

"Where,  Christian,  are  we  now?" 
Then  Christian  said  to  Pliable, 

"  I  truly  do  not  know  ;" 
Then  Pliable  offended  was, 

And  did  quite  angry  grow. 

"Is  this  the  happiness,"  said  he, 

"Of  which  I  heard  you  speak  ; 
So  much  ilMuck  at  first  outset 

"We  worse  things  yet  shall  meet. 
May  I  get  out  again  with  life, 

You  may  possess  for  me 
All  that  great  country,  sir,  alone, 

And  all  that  in  it  be."' 
As  he  spake,  a  desperate  leap 

Released  him  from  the  slough: 
Mark  well,  when  he  had  gained  the  bank, 

'T  was  next  his  own  house  now  : 
But  whether  he  went  somewhere  else, 

Or  in  at  his  own  door, 
Away  he  went — got  out  of  sight, 

Him  Christian  saw  no  more. 


14  BUNYAN'S  PILGPJM 

Christian— he  was  left  to  stumble 

In  the  slough  alone, 
But  still  he  gain'd  towards  the  side 

The  farthest  from  his  home. 
His  effort  was  to  gain  the  bank 

Next  to  the  little  gate, 
And  when  'twas  gained  to  scramble  out, 

He  had  awhile  to  wait. 
He  had,  as  you  have  heard  before, 

A  burden  on  his  back, 
This  sunk  him  deeper  in  the  mire 

Each  struggle  he  there  made. 
A  man  whose  name  was  Help,  drew  nigh, 

As  I  saw  in  m y  dream, 
"Who  said,  "  What  are  you  doing  here, 

And  how  have  you  got  in." 
Said  Christian  :    "  One  Evangelist 

Did  bid  me  go  this  way, 
To  save  me  from  the  coming  wrath 

That  will  abide  for  aye. 
"While  going  to  the  little  gate, 

I  somehow  got  afraid, 
I  ran  this  way,  and  tumbled  in, 

And  this's  the  way  I'm  paid." 
Help  asked  him  "  Why  he  had  not  looked, 

That  he  the  steps  might  find  ;" 
He  said  he  "  looked  the  other  way, 

Fear  was  so  close  behind." 
Now  Christian,  by  the  hand  of  Help, 

Was  drawn  from  miry  clav  ; 
Help  set  him  on  good  ground  again 

And  bad  him  go  his  way. 
Then  I  stepped  up  to  him  whose  hand 

Had  lifted  Christian  out  ; 
I  6aid :  "  This  plat  why  not  make  good  ; 

It  is  the  only  route. 


IN  VEESE.  1 5 


No  other  way  can  trav'lers  go 

To  yonder  gate,  I'm  sure, 
But  over  this  same  plat  of  ground — 

Why  not  have  it  secure." 
He  said  to  me  :   "  This  miry  slough 

Can  never  be  made  good  ; 
For  if  it  had  been  possible 

Long  ere  this  time  it  would. 
But  then  this  place  has  chanced  to  be 

Where  all  the  scum  of  sin 
And  filth  that  from  conviction  flow 

Do  constantly  run  in ; 
For  when  the  sinner  is  awake 

And  sees  his  ruined  state, 
He  thinks  for  him  the  die  is  cast, 

That  now  he  is  too  late  : 
This  is  the  reason  why  this  place 

Received  the  name  it  did, 
The  spirit  of  despondency 

The  Scriptures  do  forbid. 
Some  think  this  place  remaineth  bad 

By  sanction  of  the  king, 
But  I  have  seen  enough  myself 

To  know  it's  no  such  thing. 
His  laborers  have  been  employed. 

For  sixteen  hundred  years, 
About  this  very  patch  of  ground, 

But  yet  Despond  appears: 
The  very  best  materials 

Have  in  this  place  been  cast, 
Instructions  by  the  wagon  load, 

And  what  is  it  at  last  ? 
Tis  true,  the  giver  of  the  Law 

Has  ordered  steps  secure, 
Well  planted  through  the  midst  of  it, 

To  make  the  footing  sure. 


16  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM    ■ 

But  there  are  seasons  in  the  year 

It  spews  out  mud  and  mire ; 
The  steps  at  such  times  can't  be  seen, 

Although  the  steps  are  there. 
Or  if  they  can  he  seen  at  all, 

Men  often  step  aside  ; 
Those  subject  to  a  dizzy  head, 

Get  well  with  mud  supplied. 
But  having  entered  by  the  gate, 

Through  this  part  of  the  road, 
The  foot-man  finds  a  sweet  relief, 

Because  the  ground  is  good." 
I  in  my  dream  saw  Pliable 

By  this  time  had  got  home — 
And  soon  as  he  was  in  the  house, 

It  all  abroad  was  known. 
His  neighbors  then  came  flocking  in, 

That  they  might  hear  him  tell 
What  he  had  met  with  on  the  way, 

And  what  him  had  befel. 
Some  call'd  him  wise  for  coming  back, 

But  others  called  him  fool ; 
And  some  set  up  to  mock  at  him, 

And  called  him  timid  soul. 
Said  one :  "  Had  I  the  venture  made, 

I  wouldn't  have  been  so  slack, 
As,  for  a  few  hard  things  at  first, 

To  come  a  coward  back." 
So  Pliable  felt  quite  alone, 

Looked  foolish  in  the  crowd  ; 
While  all  the  rest  were  in  a  chat, 

He  scarce  dare  speak  aloud. 
He  soon  regained  his  confidence; 

His  case  was  set  aside  ; 
No  time  was  lost,  they  all  began 

Poor  Christian  to  deride. 


IN  VERSE.  17 


Now  Christian,  who  was  in  the  fields, 

And  walking  quite  alone, 
Espied  a  man,  while  yet  far  off, 

Towards  him  coming  on. 
The  space  between  them  shorter  grew — 

At  length  they  chanced  to  meet, 
Just  where  their  ways  each  other  crossed, 

They  did  each  other  greet. 
The  gentleman  whom  Christian  met 

While  crossing  o'er  the  way, 
Was  Worldly-Wiseman  from  the  town 

Of  Carnal  Policy. 
The  town  of  Carnal  Policy 

Is  great  and  flourishing, 
And  situated  near  the  place  . 

Where  Christian  had  lived  in. 
This  man,  then,  meeting  Christian  did 

Him  somewhat  know,  you  see ; 
For  such  a  setting-out  as  his 

Could  not  a  secret  be. 
His  sighs  and  groans — yes,  every  move, 

Had  made  such  public  talk, 
That  any  man  along  the  way 

Could  know  him  by  his  walk. 
"  Pray,  good-fellow,  where  now  going, 

With  such  a  heavy  load  ; 
I  think  your  manner  plainly  tells, 

You  little  know  the  road  V 
"  A  heavy  load  ? — Oh,  yes  indeed, 

As  ever  creature  had  ; 
I'm  sure  when  I  get  rid  of  it, 

I  will  be  very  glad. 
The  way  I  go  is  onward,  sir, 

To  yonder  little  gate  ; 
I  there  shall  be  put  in  the  way 

To  rid  me  of  this  weight." 


18  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


"  Have  you  got  children  and  a  wife — 

What  family  have  you, 
Of  which  you  took  your  final  leave, 

And  bid  a  last  adieu  ?" 
"  I  have  a  wife,  and  children  too, 

But  them  I  don't  enjoy ; 
This  heavy  burden  on  my  back 

Does  me  so  much  annoy. 
Methinks  I  am  as  if  I  had 

No  family  at  all ; 
Since  they  will  not  go  with  me  now, 

I  must  forsake  them  all." 

"Accept  a  word  of  counsel,  sir, 

And  hearken  unto  me; 
I  have  extensive  knowledge  gain'd, 

And  I  can  counsel  thee." 
"  Oh,  yes,  good  counsel  I  will  hear— 

If  good,  I  will  give  heed  ; 
Press'd  like  a  cart  beneath  its  sheaves, 

Good  counsel  I  much  need." 
"  I  would  advise  thee,  with  all  haste, 

To  get  rid  of  thy  load  ; 
For  till  thou  dost  thou  never  canst 

Enjoy  the  gift  of  God." 
"  Now  that  is  what  I  wish  to  do, 

But  I  some  help  yet  lack  ; 
For  no  man  in  our  country,  sir, 

Can  take  it  off  my  back. 
I  cannot  take  it  off  myself — 

Now  this  I  plainly  see  ; 
I'm  going  therefore  in  this  way 

To  have  it  done  for  me." 
Said  Worldly-Wiseman  :   "  Who  bid  thee 

Go  traveling  this  way, 
To  get  this  burden  off  thy  back, 

As  I  have  heard  thee  say  ?" 


IN  YEPwSE.  1 9 


"  A  man,"  said  Christian,  "  that  appeared 

In  honor  to  excel ; 
His  name  it  was  Evangelist, 

I  do  remember  well." 

Said  Worldly- Wiseman  :  "I beskrew 

Him  for  his  counsel  given  ; 
That  way  is  the  most  dangerous 

That's  found  this  side  of  heaven. 
This  you  will  find,  if  you  proceed 

As  that  man  doth  direct ; 
I  see  on  you  dirt  from  the  slough — 

This  might  one  well  expect." 
"But  that  deep  slough  is  only  where 

Their  sorrows  do  begin, 
Who  venture  on  this  snareful  way 

That  thou  art  walking  in. 
Hear  me,  an  older  man  than  thou — 

Hear  what  thou  yet  mayst  meet : 
Pain,  hunger,  perils,  nakedness, 

And  no  chance  for  retreat. 
These  things  are  true — they've  been  confirmed 

By  many  witnesses; 
Swords,  death  and  darkness  will,  no  doubt, 

Reward  your  carelessness." 
"  Why,  sir,  this  burden  on  my  back, 

It  me  more  terrifies 
Than  all  the  dangers  of  the  way 

You've  placed  before  mine  eyes." 
"  How  earnest  thou  by  this  great  load, 

To  get  it  on  at  first  ? — 
Of  all  that  man  is  subject  to, 

This  burden  is  the  worst." 
"Why,  sir,  I  came  by  it  at  first 

By  reading  in  my  book — 
This  book  I  carry  in  my  hand — 

When  in  it  I  did  look." 


20  BUN  VAN'S  PILGEIM 

Said  Worldly- Wiseman  :  "  So  I  thought ; 

Poor  men  of  feeble  mind 
By  looking  after  things  too  high, 

Great  difficulties  find, 
Which  do  not  only  men  unman, 

As  thine  I  see  have  done, 
But  to  obtain  they  know  not  what, 

They  desperate  ventures  run." 
Said  Christian :  "  I  know  what  I  seek— 

'T  is  that  I  might  obtain 
Ease  from  my  heavy  burden,  that 

I  may  have  rest  again." 
Said  Worldly-Wiseman :  "  Why  seek  ease 

In  such  a  way  as  this, 
Where  dangers  lurk  in  every  path, 

And  where  no  safety  is. 
That,  too,  when  I  can  point  you  out 

The  way  to  ease  and  friends — 
A  way  at  hand  of  pleasantness, 

Which  danger  ne'er  attends." 
"  Wiry,  sir,  this  secret  keep  not  back, 

But  open  it  to  me, 
That  I  may  get  this  burden  off, 

And  I'll  give  thanks  to  thee." 
"  Hear  me  :     In  yonder  village  lives 

One  named  Legality — 
The  village,  sir,  in  which  he  lives 

Is  called  Morality. 
This  man  maintains  a  noble  name, 

Also,  he  hath  the  skill 
Of  taking  burdens  off  like  thine, 

Both  when  and  where  he  will. 
Yea,  to  my  knowledge  he  hath  done 

No  small  amount  of  good, 
By  taking  burdens  off  from  men 

Who  pass  along  the  road. 


IN  VEESE.  21 


Besides,  he  hath  the  skill  to  cure 
Those  somewhat  crazy  grown, 

Who  have,  by  reason  of  their  load, 
Been  badly  overdone. 

To  him  thou  mayst  in  safety  go ; 

I'll  venture  this  to  say, 
He  will  extend  his  help  to  thee, 

And  that  without  delay. 
About  one  mile  from  where  we  stand, 

He  and  his  son  both  dwell ; 
If  he  is  not  at  home  himself, 

His  son  will  do  as  well. 
When  there,  no  doubt,  thy  burden  can 

From  thee  be  taken  down  ; 
Thy  wife  and  children,  too,  be  brought 

To  dwell  with  thee  in  town. 
If  thou  back  to  thy  native  place 

Dost  not  desire  to  go — 
(And  I  would  not,  by  any  means, 

Advise  thee  to  do  so,) 
There's  houses  standing  empty  there, 

And  one  that  you  can  get ; 
I  know  that  for  a  small  amount 

These  houses  can  be  let. 
Provisions,  too,  are  kept  on  hand, 

The  people  are  well  clad, 
And  better  neighbors  to  live  by 

No  man  has  ever  had." 
Now  Christian  halted  for  awhile, 

But  soon  he  did  decide— 
"  If  all  be  true  that  this  man  saith, 

His  word  shall  be  my  guide." 
To  Worldly-Wiseman  Christian  said  : 

"Which  way  leads  to  his  door — 
The  door  of  this  old  honest  man, 

Of  which  you  spake  before  ?" 


22  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

To  Christian  "Worldly-Wiseman  said: 

"Do  you  see  yonder  hill?" 
"  Yes,"  Christian  then  to  Wiseman  said, 

"  I  see  it  very  well." 
Said  Worldly- Wiseman  :   "  By  that  hill 

You  go  to  where  he  lives, 
And  the  first  house  to  which  you  come 

When  by  the  hill,  is  his." 
So  Christian  to  Legality's 

Did  turn  his  face  to  go, 
In  search  of  help,  but  left  his  path, 

As  I'll  hereafter  show. 
But  now  behold  when  Christian  had 

This  great  hill  got  hard  by, 
Its  sides  did  hang  quite  o'er  the  way — 

'T  was  also  very  high. 
Now  Christian  was  afraid  to  walk, 

So  overcome  with  dread, 
Lest  this  high  hill  with  all  its  rocks 

Should  fall  down  on  his  head. 
Wherefore,  awhile  he  there  stood  still, 

His  burden  greater  grew 
Than  it  had  been  while  in  the  way — 

He  knew  not  what  to  do. 
Also,  great  flames  of  fire  did  flash 

From  all  sides  of  the  hill, 
Which  made  him  fear  he  should  be  burnt 

Where  he  was  standing  still. 
Here  he  began  to  quake  with  fear, 

And  did  so  much  perspire, 
That  he  was  wet  from  head  to  foot 

While  looking  on  the  fire. 
Now  he  did  very  sorry  get 

That  he  had  counsel  taken 
From  Worldly-Wiseman  some  time  back, 

And  his  own  way  forsaken. 


IN  VERSE.  23 


Just  then  he  saw  Evangelist, 

Which  filled  him  so  with  shame, 
From  holding  down  his  head  to  blush 

He  could  no  way  refrain. 
Evangelist  came  meeting  him  ; 

As  nigh  he  did  advance, 
He  looked  on  Christian  where  he  was 

"With  dreadful  countenance. 

Evangelist  began  with  him 

To  reason  on  the  way — 
"  "What,  Christian,  are  you  doing  here?" 

Evangelist  did  say. 
No  answer  did  poor  Christian  make : 

He  did  not  say  a  word, 
But  stood  before  him  speechless  now, 

As  if  he  had  not  heard. 
Now  to  investigate  his  case 

Evangelist  began  : 
"I  found  one  crying  in  the  street- 
Sir,  art  not  thou  the  man  ? 
The  city  of  Destruction,  6ir, 

I  then  was  passing  by ; 
I  found  a  man  without  the  walla 

"Who  like  a  child  did  cry." 
Said  Christian  to  Evangelist : 

"That  weeping  man  was  I — > 
This  heavy  burden  on  my  back 

Was  what  then  made  me  cry." 
Evangelist  to  Christian  said  : 

"\oull  find  the  Way  is  straight ; 
Bid  I  not  put  thee  in  the  way 

To  find  the  little  gate  ?" 
Said  Christian  to  Evangelist  t 

11 1  must  confess  you  did  ; 
My  conscience  says  bring  out  the  truth, 

Try  not  to  keep  it  hidV' 


24  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

To  Christian  said  Evangelist; 

"  How  didst  thou  get  astray, 
So  quickly  get  thee  turned  aside  ? — 

Thou  art  not  in  the  way." 
"  As  soon  as  I  was  through  the  slough," 

Poor  Christian  to  him  said, 
"  A  gentleman  I  chanced  to  meet 

Who  did  me  thus  persuade  : 
That  in  the  village  I  might  find 

Avery  skillful  man, 
That  soon  could  take  my  burden  off, 

So  towards  it  I  ran." 
To  him  Evangelist  then  said  : 

"  This  stranger,   who  is  he 
"Who  hath  persuaded  thee  aside — 

This  man  !  what  can  he  be  ?" 
Said  Christian,  "Like  a  gentleman 

To  me  he  did  appear, 
Talked  much  to  me,  got  me  to  yield, 

I  therefore  now  am  here. 
But  when  I  saw  this  awful  hill, 

Position,  height,  and  all, 
I  suddenly  came  to  a  stand 

Lest  it  should  on  me  fall." 
Evangelist  then  asked  him  what 

That  gentleman  had  said 
"When  in  the  way  he  met  with  him, 

And  how  he  was  betrayed. 
Then  Christian  said,  "He  asked  me  where 

I  had  set  out  to  go  ; 
I  frankly  broke  my  mind  to  him, 

And  gave  him  all  to  know." 
Evangelist  to  Christian  said, 

"What  did  he  ask  thee  next? 
I  think  there's  been  no  little  talk, 

Thou  seem  est  so  perplext." 


IN  TERSE.  25 


Said  Christian,  "Then  he  asked  me  if 

I  had  a  family. 
I  told  him  that  I  had,  but  they 

No  comfort  were  to  me  ; 
Because  (said  I)  this  burden  does 

My  comfort  so  destroy, 
That  I  cannot,  my  family, 

As  formerly,  enjoy.'' 
"Now  Christian,"  said  Evangelist, 

"  What  farther  did  he  say  ? 
That  all  my  kind  directions  thou 

So  soon  did  cast  away." 
Said  Christian,  *  He  looked  pityful, 

And  then  with  me  did  plead, 
That  I  would  get  my  burden  off, 

And  get  it  off  with  speed. 
Ease  from  my  burden,  I  told  him, 

Is  what  I  long  have  sought, 
"With  sighs  and  groans  and  bitter  tears, 

But  I  have  found  it  not. 
I  said,  I'll  go  to  yonder  gate 

With  my  great  burden  on, 
If  there  I  fail  to  hear  of  help 

I'll  be  the  only  one. 
But  this  man  said  that  he  to  me 

A  better  way  could  show, 
Than  that  rough  way  you  set  me  in, 

And  bid  me  onward  go. 
This  way,  said  he,  will  lead  you  to 

A  house  where  one  doth  dwell, 
Who  can  take  burdens  off  like  thine, 

And  do  it  very  well. 
Then  I  believed  in  what  he  said 

Aid  left  your  Way  for  his, 
With  hopes  to  get  my  burden  off, 

But  I  have  done  amiss. 


But  when  I  came  unto  this  place 

And  saw  how  things  are  here, 
I  stop'd  ;  I  knew  not  what  to  do > 

I  stop'd,  compelFd  by  fear." 
Evangelist  to  Christian  said, 

"  Do  thou  awhile  stand  still, 
I'll  show  to  thee  the  work  of  God 

Before  we  leave  the  hill." 
So  he  to  hear  Evangelist 

Before  him  trembling  stood ; 
He  knew  those  words  would  blast  his  hopes, 

Or  bring  about  his  good. 
Evangelist  began  to  speak, 

And  thus  I  heard  him  say — 
"  Refuse  not  him  that  speaketh  now, 

Nor  dare  to  disobey; 
For  if  they  have  made  no  escape 

Who  have  refused  him, 
Who  spake  to  them  while  here  on  earth, 

What  danger  are  we  in  ; 
If  we  presume  to  turn  away 

From  him  that  speaks  from  heaven ; 
For  this  must  be  a  greater  sin, 

And  may  not  be  forgiven. 
Now  by  their  faith  the  just  shall  live, 

By  faith  and  not  by  sight ; 
But  in  the  man  that  draweth  back 

The  Lord  hath  no  delight." 
Evangelist  to  Christian  now 

Those  words  did  thus  apply : 
"  Thou  art  beginning  to  reject 

The  words  of  the  Most  High ; 
And  from  the  only  way  of  peace 

Thou  hast  begun  to  stroll, 
Dear  sir,  thou  art  now  hazarding 

The  welfare  of  thy  soul." 


IN  VERSE.  27 


Then  Christian  down  before  his  feet, 

Like  one  whose  life  was  gone, 
And  as  he  fell  cried,  "  Wo  is  me, 

For  I'm  a  man  undone." 
Evangelist  then  caught  his  hand, 

And  said  to  him,  "Believe!" 
And  told  him,  too,  what  numerous  sins 

The  Saviour  can  forgive. 
Then  Christian  did  somewhat  revive, 

But  trembled  as  at  first, 
While  thus  Evangelist  to  him 

The  words  of  God  rehearsed. 
To  Christian  said  Evangelist, 

As  he  did  still  proceed — 
"  To  those  things  I  shall  tell  thee  of 

Give  thou  more  earnest  heed. 
Now  who  it  was  deluded  thee, 

Dear  Christian,  I  will  show  ; 
Also  the  man  whose  praise  he  spake, 

To  whom  he  bid  thee  go. 
One  Worldly-Wiseman — that's  the  man 

T  was  thy  bad  luck  to  meet ; 
He  loves  the  doctrine  of  this  world — 

He's  tare  among  the  wheat. 
To  him  the  doctrine  of  the  world 

Is  gold  without  the  dross, 
It  suits  his  carnal  mind  the  best — 

It  saves  him  from  the  cross. 
This  man,  in  spiritual  things 

Doth  never  take  delight, 
But  seeketh  to  pervert  my  ways, 

Although  my  ways  are  right. 
Three  things  in  this  man's  counsel  thou 

Must  utterly  abhor, — 
His  turning  thee  from  the  straight  way, 

Thus  causing  thee  to  err : 


28  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

His  laboring  the  cross  to  make 

So  odious  to  thee : 
His  setting  thee  in  that  broad  way 

That  leads  to  misery : 
Thou  must  abhor  his  turning  thee 

Out  of  the  better  way ; 
Also  thine  own  consenting  to 

My  words  to  disobey. 
For  this  alone  is  to  reject 

The  counsel  of  the  Lord  ; 
Do  therefore  not  be  governed  by 

This  Worldly-Wiseman's  word. 
The  Lord  says  strive  to  enter  in, 

And  that  at  the  straight  gate ; 
The  gate  that  I  shall  send  thee  to, 

For  that  alone  is  straight. 
Straight  is  the  gate  that  leads  to  life — 

And  very  few  are  they 
Who  enter  by  that  narrow  gate, 

But  thousands  go  astray. 
Now  from  this  little  wicket  gate, 

And  from  the  way  thereto, 
This  man  hath  turned  thee  quite  away, 

This  soon  would  thee  undo. 
His  striving  to  make  thee  reject 

The  Cross,  thou  must  abhor; 
It  must  be  prized  above  the  things 

That  in  all  Egypt  are. 
Besides  the  King  of  Glory  saith — 

Now  on  his  word  rely — 
That  he  who  seeks  his  life  to  save, 

The  same  shall  surely  die. 
He  that  will  love  his  friends  or  life    » 

In  preference  to  me — 
Them  not  comparatively  hate, 

Can't  my  disciple  be. 


IN  VERSE.  29 


This  doctrine,  too,  thou  must  abhor, 

That  that  shall  be  thy  death, 
"Without  which,  Bible  truth  doth  say, 

Eternal  life  none  hath. 
Thou,  too,  must  hate  his  setting  thee 

Into  the  way  of  death  ; — 
His  sending  thee  to  whom  he  did 

Was  but  deceitful  breath. 

The  man  to  whom  thou  hath  been  sent, 

Legality  by  name, 
Is  son  to  the  bond-woman  who 

In  bondage  doth  remain. 
The  children  are  in  bondage  too, 

And  she  in  mystery  ; 
This  very  mountain  Sinai  is, 

That  nigh  had  fell  on  thee. 
Now,  if  her  children  and  herself 

In  bondage  still  must  be, 
How  cati'st  thou,  then,  with  reason  hope, 

By  them  to  be  made  free. 
Therefore  Legality  cannot 

Set  men  from  burdens  free; 
There's  not  a  man  he  has  relieved, 

Nor  will  there  ever  be. 
Now  ye  cannot  be  justified, 

By  working  for  the  Law; 
For  by  its  deeds  no  living  man 

His  burden  can  withdraw. 
For  this  "Wiseman  an  alien  is, 

Legality  's  a  cheat; — 
As  for  his  son,  Civility, 

He  's  but  a  hypocrite. 
There's  nothing  now  in  all  the  noi^e 

These  sottish  men  have  made, 
But  a  design  to  ruin  thee, 

In  all  that  they  have  said :  C* 


30  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

By  turning  thee  out  of  the  way 

In  which  I  thee  had  set ; 
Now  think  how  foolish  thou  hast  been, 

Thus  taken  in  their  net." 
Evangelist  then  called  aloud 

To  heaven  to  confirm 
"What  he  had  said,  that  Christian  might 

Another  lesson  learn. 
And  now  came  words  and  fire  forth 

From  the  great  towering  hill, 
Beneath  which  this  poor  Christian  stood- 

This  caused  his  blood  to  chill. 
These  words  Evangelist  pronounced, 

"  All  who  work  for  the  Law 
Are  under  the  most  fearful  curse, 

Can  hence  no  comfort  draw : 
For  curs'd  are  they,  it  written  is, 

They  who  continue  not 
In  all  things  written  in  the  Law 

To  do  them  every  jot." 
"Now,  Christian  looked  for  certain  death, 

Began  to  cry  and  fret ; 
He  even  cursed  the  time  in  which 

He  Worldly-Wiseman  met. 
He  said,  "  How  foolish  I  have  been, 

To  hearken  to  his  voice — 
Whose  arguments  flow  from  the  flesh; 

I've  made  a  foolish  choice." 
He  said  then  to  Evangelist — 

"  What  think  you  of  my  state  ? 
May  I  go  back,  sir,  even  now, 

Up  to  the  wicket  gate  ? 
Shall  I  not  be  abandoned  there  ? 

For  this  sent  back  with  shame? 
I'm  sorry  I  this  counsel  took — 

I  am  no  doubt  to  blame. 


IN  VEESE.  31 


But  may  I  be  forgiven  yet? 

Or  is  my  sin  too  great? 
Is  mercy  yet  in  store  for  me  ? 

Or  is  it  now  too  late  ?" 
Then  said  Evangelist  to  him — 

"Thy  sin  thou  did'st  increase, 
By  leaving  for  forbidden  paths, 

The  only  way  of  peace. 
Yet  go  to  him  that's  at  the  gate, 

He  freely  will  forgive  ; 
He  has  much  mercy  for  such  ones — 

He  can  their  faults  forgive. 
But  now  take  heed  unto  thyself, 

No  more  to  go  astray ; 
Lest  when  his  wrath  begins  to  burn, 

Thou  perish  from  the  way." 
Then  Christian  did  address  himself, 

His  journey  back  to  take  ; 
Evangelist  gave  him  a  kiss, 

Said,  "  Speed  thee  to  the  gate." 
So  he  went  on  with  haste,  nor  spake 

To  any  by  the  way; 
If  questions  were  proposed  to  him, 

He  said  not  yea  nor  nay. 
He  went  on  like  one  that  all  the  while 

Treads  on  forbidden  ground  ; 
Nor  could  he  feel  himself  secure, 

Till  he  the  right  way  found. 
The  time  soon  came  when  Christian  reached 

The  much  desired  gate, 
To  see  his  duty,  when  once  there, 

He  had  not  long  to  wait : 
For  over  it  was  written,  "Knock! 

I'll  open  unto  thee." 
He  knocked,  and  knocked,  and  knocked  again, 

And  thus  I  heard  him  say — 


32  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


"May  I  now  enter  here?    Will  he  within 

Open  to  sorry  me,  though  I  have  been 
An  undeserving  rebel  ?    Then  shall  I 

Not  fail  to  sing  his  lasting  praise  on  high," 

Came  to  the  gate  a  grave-faced  man, 

Who  was  Goodwill,  by  name, 
He  ask'd  "  Who's  here  ?  what  would  he  have  ? 

Also  from  whence  he  came  ?" 
Said  Christian,  "I'm  a  burdened  man, 

And  one  that's  prone  to  sin, 
Since  this  way  leads  to  Zion's  gate, 

I  pray  thee  let  me  in. 
My  native  city  I  have  left, 

Her  dreadful  end  to  shun : 
My  face  I  have  set  Zionward, 

I  fear  the  wrath  to  come." 
"  111  let  you  in  with  all  my  heart,** 

To  Christian  said  Goodwill ; 
Then  open  wide  he  threw  the  gate, 

That  leads  to  Zion's  hill. 
When  Christian  was  just  going  in, 

The  other  to  him  said — 
As  he  gave  him  a  gentle  pull — 

"  There's  something  yet  ahead ; 
A  little  distance  from  this  place, 

There  is  a  castle  strong, 
The  captain's  name  is  Beelzebub, 

To  him  it  doth  belong. 
Now  he  and  they  that  with  him  are, 

Shoot  arrows  not  a  few ; 
To  kill  all  those  who  reach  the  gate, 

Before  they  get  quite  through." 
"  Now  I  rejoice  and  tremble  too," 

Said  Christian  when  he  thought 
Of  passing  where  Beelzebub 

With  other  men  had  fought. 


IN  VERSE.  33 


Then  said  the  man  who  kept  the  gate, 

To  Christian  when  safe  in  : 
"  Who  hath  directed  thee  this  way  ? 

Pray  who  60  wise  hath  been  ?" 
Said  Christian,  "One  Evangelist, 

Bid  me  come  here  and  knock, 
Said  you  would  tell  me  what  to  do, 

So  now  I'll  hear  you  talk." 
"I  see  your  face  is  Zionward, 

And  now  to  such  as  those, 
An  open  door  is  ever  set, 

No  man  on  earth  can  close !" 
"  Now,  I  begin  to  reap,  said  he, 

The  benefits  that  rise, 
From  running  into  hazards,  sir, 

In  this  great  enterprise." 
"  But  how  is  it  that  you  have  come, 

This  journey  quite  alone ; 
'T  is  said  in  time  of  dangers  two 

Are  far  better  than  one!" 
"  Because  that  I  my  danger  saw, 

But  neighbors  saw  not  theirs ; 
Fm  here  to  shape  my  way  alone, 

And  so  with  me  it  fares." 
"That  you  had  thoughts  of  coming  here, 

Did  any  of  them  know  ? 
Have  you  warn'd  them  that  they  will  meet, 

A  dreadful  overthrow?" 
"  Yes,  at  the  first  my  wife  saw  me, 

My  children  they  did  grieve  ; 
But  with  my  fingers  in  my  ears, 

I  took  a  final  leave. 
On  every  side  I  was  opposed, 

My  neighbors  cried  return  ! 
My  wife  would  not  come  with  me  here, 

So  she  is  left  to  mourn." 


34  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"  Did  no  one  follow  after  you, 

That  they  might  you  persuade, 
In  some  way  to  return  with  them, 

When  they  their  plea  had  made  V* 
"  Yes,  Obstinate  and  Pliable, 

But  they  could  not  prevail ! 
Then  Obstinate  gave  me  the  back, 

And  then  began  to  rail. 
But  Pliable  from  Obstinate, 

Did  differ  now  you  see  ; 
He  went  not  back,  he  did  not  rail, 

But  came  some  way  with  me." 
"  Since  Pliable  left  Obstinate, 

To  come  so  far  with  you ; 
"Where  is  he  now,  why  has  he  fail'd, 

To  come  the  journey  through  ?" 
"  We  came  together,  he  and  I, 

While  all  was  going  well ; 
But  on  the  way  there  is  a  slough, 

And  into  it  we  fell. 
Here  my  poor  neighbor  Pliable, 

Let  all  his  courage  fail, 
Got  out  but  next  to  his  own  house, 

And  thus  began  to  rail :" 
"Now  this  brave  place  you  may  possess, 

And  that  also  for  me, 
And  I'll  go  back  to  what  I  have, 

And  leave  it  all  to  thee." 
"So  Pliable  forsook  me  too, 

As  I  do  here  relate ; 
Went  railing  back  to  Obstinate, 

While  I  came  to  this  gate." 
Then  Goodwill  said  :  "  Alas,  poor  man, 

Is  glory  in  his  eyes, 
Celestial  glory  little  worth, 

By  him  esteemed  no  prize  ? 


IN  VERSE.  35 


That  he  will  not  in  view  of  it, 

Small  difficulties  bear ; 
"When  he  might  soon,  yes  very  soon, 

Celestial  glory  share!" 
Said  Christian,  "  I  of  Pliable, 

Have  spoken  truth  indeed, 
But  might  have  spoken  of  myself, 

And  much  the  same  have  said. 
True,  he  went  back  to  his  own  house, 

And  that  with  railing  breath, 
But  I  also  have  turn'd  aside, 

To  go  the  way  of  death. 
Pursuaded  by  the  arguments 

Of  one  whose  words  are  fair, 
One  carnal  Worldly- "W.  eman,  sir, 

A  man  of  talent  rare." 
So  Worldly-Wiseman  talked  to  you, 

He'd  have  you  seek  for  ease ; 
From  old  Legality,  the  cheat 

The  rogue,  sir,  if  you  please. 
No  doubt,  they  both  are  cunning  cheats, 

And  men  must  be  awake ; 
Since  he  his  counsel  gives  so  free, 

Did  you  his  counsel  take  ?" 
"Far  as  I  dare,  Legality, 

I  went  to  find  him  out; 
Till  fearing  that  the  hill  would  fall, 

On  all  the  place  about. 
That  hill  or  mountain  near  his  house, 

Did  fill  me  60  with  dread, 
I  saw  no  way  that  it  could  fail 

To  fall  upon  my  head." 

"That  mountain  has  its  thousands  slain, 
And  may  its  thousands  more, 

'Tis  well  that  you  have  made  escape, 
It  was  from  death's  dark  door." 


36  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


"  Why,  truly,  I  can  scarcely  tell 
What  might  have  been  my  fate, 

Had  not  Evangelist  met  me 
Before  it  was  to  late. 

'T  was  through  God's  mercy  that  he  came, 

To  wretched  me  again, 
Or  I,  instead  of  being  here, 

Had  perished  with  the  slain. 
But  now  I  come,  such  as  I  am, 

Deserving  more  of  death, 
Than  conversation  with  my  Lord, 

Whose  honor  I  address. 
But  what  a  favor  this  to  me, 

That  I'm  admitted  here, 
And  find  a  hearty  welcome,  too, 

That  drives  away  all  lear." 
"  All  that  will  come,  can  enter  here, 

They  need  not  stand  in  doubt, 
Though  sinners  once  of  crimson  dye, 

We  no  wise  cast  them  out. 
Therefore,  good  Christian,  come  with  me, 

I'll  teach  thee  of  the  way, 
The  narrow  way  that  leads  aright, 

All  others  lead  astray. 
It  was  cast  up  by  Patriarchs, 

By  Prophets  and  by  Christ ; 
The  straightest  and  the  safest  way, 

That  ever  was  devised." 
But  Christian  said ;  "  May  there  not  be, 

Some  winding  in  the  way, 
By  which  a  stranger  may  get  off, 

And  some  how  go  astray." 
"  Yes,  many  ways  fall  in  with  this, 

The  crooked  and  the  wide; 
The  right  way,  though,  is  always  straight, 

Take  this,  sir,  as  a  guide." 


Now  in  raj  dreams  I  Christian  saw 

Imploring  him  for  aid: 
"  Oh,  take  this  burden  down, 

That's  on  my  back,"  he  said. 
As  yet  he  was  not  rid  of  it — 

That  load  of  ponderous  weight ; 
Nor  could  he  get  it  off  alone. 

The  burden  was  so  great. 
Said  Goodwill,  "Be  content  to  bear 

Thy  burden  in  this  case — 
It  will  fall  off  thy  back  itself. 

When  at  the  proper  place.'' 
Then  Christian  girded  up  his  loins, 

Gave  hand,  and  bade  farewell, 
"When  Goodwill  showed  him  from  the  gate 

Where  one  great  man  did  dwell. 
He  said  :  "  Go  to  the  door,  and  knock, 

That  good  man's  always  there, 
And  being  an  Interpreter, 

He  shows  things  great  and  rare." 
Then  Christian,  after  taking  leave, 

Made  haste  to  reach  the  door: 
When  there,  no  one  bade  him  come  in 

Till  he  knocked  o'er  and  o'er  ; 
Last  came  one  to  the  door,  who  said 

"  What  man  is  this,  I  pray, 
Who  standeth  knocking  all  this  while 

And  has  not  gone  his  way." 
"  Kind  sir,  I  am  a  traveller, 

Bid  call  awhile  with  you, 
And  with  the  master  of  the  house 

To  have  an  interview  : 
By  one  of  his  acquaintances 

I  have  been  bid  to  call, 
That  I  may  profit  by  this  man 

Throughout  ray  journey  all." 


38  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 


The  master  of  the  house  was  called, 

Who  did  of  him  enquire, 
From  whence  he  came— what  he  would  have, 

And  what  was  his  desire, 
"  The  city  of  Destruction,  sir/' 
Said  Christian,  "I  am  from, 
And  going  to  Monnt  Zion  now, 

For  my  abiding  home. 
Your  neighbor,  yonder,  at  the  gate, 

That  heads  the  way,  you  see, 
Told  me  to  call — that  you  could  show 

Things  that  would  profit  me." 
"  Come  in,"  said  the  Interpreter, 

"  Come  in,  that  I  may  show 
Things  that  will  be  a  help  to  thee 

Thy  toilsome  journey  through." 
Commanded  he  his  man  to  bring 

A  light  without  delay  ; 
So  Christian  followed  after  him — 

The  master  led  the  way. 
He  took  him  to  a  private  room — 

His  man  unlocked  the  door, 
Then  Christian  saw  some  things,  no  doubt, 

He  never  saw  before. 
While  sitting  in  the  room,  he  saw 

A  picture  on  the  wall, 
The  likeness  of  a  quite  grave  man, 

Eyes  lifted  up  withal. 
Its  eyes  were  raised  like  one  that  looks 

Far  up  above  his  head, 
The  best  of  books  was  in  its  hand 

That  man  has  ever  read. 
The  law  of  truth  was  on  its  lips, 

A  law  that  could  be  read, 
The  world  was  placed  behind  its  back — 

A  crown  above  its  head. 


IN  VERSE.  39 


It  stood  erect  upon  its  feet, 

As  if  with  men  it  plead, 
To  him,  "  This  silent  orator 

Was  eloquent,"  he  said. 
Said  he  to  the  Interpreter, 

"What  meaneth  what  I've  seen  ; 
This  picture  hanging  on  the  wall, 

Must  truly  something  mean  ?" 

The  man  this  picture  represents 

Is  of  a  thousand,  one ; 
For  few  look  up  to  things  above, 

And  few  shall  wear  the  crown. 
"Whereas  thou  see'st  in  its  hand, 

The  best  of  books  doth  lie  : 
The  law  of  truth,  too,  on  its  lips, 

Also  its  upward  eye, 
It  is  to  show  his  work  is  this 

To  know  and  to  unfold 
Dark  things  to  sinners,  which  have  been 

Dark  things  to  some  of  old. 
Whereas  thou  seest  him  standing  up, 

As  if  with  man  to  plead, 
This  aids  in  confirmation  of 

What  I  before  have  said. 
The  world  is  cast  behind  his  back, 

Above  him  hangs  a  crown, 
These  show  this  world  is  not  his  home, 

He  seeketh  not  renown. 
He,  thinketh  light  of  present  things, 

For  love  to  serve  his  Lord, 
Great  glory  in  the  world  to  come 

Shall  be  his  large  reward. 
"Now,"  said  the  good  Interpreter, 

"  The  first  of  all  beside, 
I've  showed  the  picture  of  the  man 

Whom  thou  must  take  as  guide. 


40  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Ko  other  has  been  authorized 

By  Zion's  Lord  and  King  ; 
Through  places  dark  and  difficult 

He  can  thee  safely  bring. 
Wherefore  to  what  I  thee  have  showed 

Take  thou  most  earnest  heed, 
All  treasure  up  within  thy  heart 

Against  the  day  of  need  : 
Lest  in  thy  journey  thou  shouldst  meet 

With  some  who  may  pretend 
To  lead  thee  right ;  when  oh  f  their  path, 

In  misery  shall  end." 
Interpreter  then  took  his  hand, 

And  led  him  where  was  kept 
A  large  and  dusty  parlor  that 

Had  never  yet  been  swept. 
"When  Christian  had  reviewed  awhile, 

A  man  was  calFd  to  sweep  ; 
The  dust  then  flew  about  so  much 

He  scarce  his  breath  could  keep. 

To  a  young  damsel  who  stood  by 

Interpreter  then  said : 
"  Bring  water  here,  and  sprinkle  on, 

And  let  the  dust  be  laid." 
When  this  was  brought  and  sprinkled  on, 

Though  all  was  dust  before, 
The  room  was  cleansed  with  perfect  ease, 

Wall,  ceiling,  and  the  floor. 
Then  Christian  said  :   "  What  meaneth  this — 

The  parlor  I  have  seen, 
So  full  of  dust  and  never  swept, 

This,  too,  must  something  mean." 
"This  represents  the  heart  of  man 

Unsanctified  from  sin  : 
The  dust  that  flies  about  the  room 

What  evils  lurk  within. 


IN  VERSE.  41 


The  Law  began  to  sweep  at  first, 

Which  made  the  dust  to  fly: 
The  Gospel  brought  the  water  in 

Which  made  it  all  to  lie. 
Whereas  thou  sawest  when  the  first 

Began  to  sweep,  that  he 
Did  raise  the  dust  about  the  room 

Which  came  nigh  choaking  thee  ; 
This  is  to  show  the  Law,  instead 

Of  cleansing  one  from  sin, 
Doth  but  revive  it  in  the  soul, 

And  put  more  strength  therein  : 
The  Law  discovers  and  forbids 

All  kinds  of  sin  'tis  true, 
But  in  its  power  lieth  not 

The  weakest  to  subdue. 
The  damsel  who  the  water  brought, 

And  laid  the  dust  to  rest, 
Is  like  the  blessed  Gospel  to 

The  sorrow-stricken  breast ; 
Its  living  waters  purify, 

And  lay  the  passions  still ; 
It  makes  the  heart  a  fount  of  joy 

Which  living  waters  fill. 
By  it  the  heart  is  purified 

That  once  was  full  of  sin, 
And  made  a  habitation  tor 

The  everlasting  King." 
He  took  him  in  another  room, 

And  this  he  saw,  when  there, 
Two  little  children,  as  they  sat, 

Each  in  his  little  chair. 
Now  Passion  discontented  was, 

Was  often  heard  complain  ; 
But  Patience  was  a  quiet  child — 

This  crave  to  him  his  name. 


42  BUNYAN'9  PILGRIM 

"  What  aileth  Passion,"  Christian  said, 

"  That  makes  him  discontent ; 
The  younger  child  is  not  like  him, 

Its  time  is  cheerly  spent." 
"  This  Passion,"  said  Interpreter, 

Wants  all  his  best  things  now  ; 
His  gov'nor  wishes  him  to  wait, 

And  will  not  this  allow : 
He  wishes  them  to  wait,  he  says : 

Till  enters  in  next  year ; 
Patience  is  willing  and  resigned, 

But  Passion  will  not  hear." 
I  saw  one  come  to  Passion  then 

Who  had  a  bag  of  treasure, 
And  pour  it  down  at  Passion's  feet, 

WTho  took  it  up  with  pleasure. 
Laughing  as  he  took  it  up, 

That  Patience  had  to  wait ; 
But  soon  he  lavish'd  all  away, 

Made  poverty  his  fate. 
They  all  had  gone,  his  treasures  all 

Themselves  made  wings  to  fly ; 
I  saw  him  last  all  clothed  in  rags, 

And  with  a  downcast  eye. 
iSaLd  Christian  to  Interpreter, 

•"  Expound  this  unto  me, 
Wb^;t  raeaneth  those  two  little  lads 

In<fchis«mall  room  I  see?" 
Said  he,  "these  lads  are  figures,  and 

This,  Passion,  is  to  show, 
The  feelings  o(  those  men  whose  hearts 

Are  set  on  things  below. 
This,  Patience,  is  to  represent 

Those  who  with  patience  wait, 
For  their  best  things  beyond  this  world, 

And  in  a  future  state. 


IN  VEESE.  43 


I  represent  the  present  things 

Now  by  the  present  year, 
The  future  by  the  year  to  come, 

Which  is  as  yet  not  here. 
Like  Passion  some  their  portion  want 

Now  in  the  present  year, 
They  say  this  waiting  till  the  next 

May  cost  us  very  dear. 
"With  them  this  proverb  is  beloved, 

No  better  they  could  wish — 
Give  me  the  bird  that's  in  the  hand, 

For  two  that's  in  the  bush. 
Whereas  thou  sawest  how  that  he, 

Soon  wasted  all  his  store, 
Had  nothing  left  at  all  but  rags 

Of  all  he  had  before : 
So  will  it  fare  with  all  such  men, 

That  have  their  good  things  now, 
When  this  vain  world  has  past  away, 

Their  all  with  it  must  go." 
Said  Christian,  "Patience  has,  I  think, 

Made  much  the  wisest  choice, 
His  things  are  incorruptible, 

In  which  he  doth  rejoice. 
'Tis  wise  to  wait  with  patience  till 

He  shall  be  clothed  upon, 
With  a  white  robe  of  righteousness, 

And  with  a  golden  crown. 
But  foolish  Passion  shall  have  rags, 

A  monument  of  shame, 
For  he  has  spent  his  substance  all 

Fast  as  it  to  him  came." 
Now  Passion  did  at  Patience  laugh 

Because  he  waiteth  long, 
But  Patience  shall  at  Passion  laugh 

Whose  things  were  first,  but  gone. 


44  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

First  must  give  place  to  last,  you  see, 

For  none  comes  after  last ; 
Therefore,  none  other  can  succeed, 

Because  all  else  is  past. 
He  that  will  have  his  portion  first, 

"Will  drink  his  fountain  dry  ; 
He  that  will  have  his  portion  last, 

Will  have  it  lastingly. 
It  now,  therefore,  of  Dives  is  said, 

"Thy  good  things  thou  hast  had  ; 
Thou  had'st  them  all  in  thy  life  time — 

How  softly  was't  thou  clad  ? 
But  Lazarus — poor  outcast  man — 

Had  only  evil  things, 
But  now  he  dwells  with  Seraphim, 

And  with  the  King  of  Kings. 
And  thou  dost  from  thy  doleful  cell, 

For  water  plead  and  cry ; 
Thy  tongue  shall  be  forever  parched, 

Thy  worm  shall  never  die." 
Then  Christian  said,  "  I  now  perceive, 

It  is  not  best  like  some, 
To  covet  things  that  present  are, 

But  wait  for  things  to  come. 
'Tis  true,  that  things  which  now  are  seen, 

"Will  soon  have  passed  away, 
But  future  things,  yet  out  of  sight, 

Will  last  through  endless  day. 
Though  this  be  so,  yet  present  things 

And  fleshy  appetite, 
Are  to  each  other  neighbors  near, 

Therefore  they  do  unite. 
But  things  to  come,  and  carnal  sense, 

Are  strangers  far  apart, 
And  always  so  will  they  remain, 

Nor  can  be  one  in  heart." 


IN  TERSE.  45 


Now,  in  my  dream,  Interpreter 

Led  Christian  to  a  place 
"Where  burned  a  fire  upon  the  wall, 

And  rapid  spread  the  blaze. 
One  stood  by  casting  water  on, 

The  fire  to  subdue  ; 
But  to  accomplish  this  he  failed, 

The  flame  still  hotter  grew. 
11  Now  he  that  cast  the  water  on, 

To  make  the  flame  subside, 
Is  Satan — that  old  enemy — 

His  work  shall  not  abide. 
Whereas  thou  seest  that  the  flame 

Still  upward  doth  ascend, 
I'll  show  thee  why  the  enemy 

Can't  bring  it  to  an  end." 
Interpreter  led  Christian  then 

Away  quite  round  the  wall, 
There  stood  a  man  who  had  with  him 

A  vessel  full  of  oil. 
This  oil  he  secretly  cast  in, 

Again,  and  yet  again  ; 
This  is  the  reason  he  so  well 

The  fire  does  maintain. 
Then  Christian  said,  "What  meaneth  this, 

The  fire  in  this  place  V 
"Tis  Christ,"  Interpreter  then  said, 

"  Christ  with  the  oil  of  grace. 
Willi  this  he  doth  maintain  the  work, 

When  in  the  heart  begun, 
In  spite  of  Satan's  utmost  rage, 

His  people  shall  o'ercome. 
In  that  thou  sawest  him  conceal'd, 
,    Who  kept  the  fire,  doth  show, 
How  grace  is  kept  within  the  soul, 

This  tempted  scarcely  know." 


46  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

I  also  saw  Interpreter 

Of  Christain's  hand  take  hold, 
And  lead  him  to  a  pleasant  place— 

A  palace  to  behold. 
The  palace  it  was  beautiful, 

It  Christian  did  delight, 
When  up  thereto  he  had  arrived, 

Where  all  was  plain  in  sight. 
He  saw  also  upon  the  top- 
Most  beauteous  to  behold — 
Some  persons  walking  all  about 

Arrayed  in  shining  gold. 
Then  Christian  asked  Interpreter, 

"May  we  go  in  this  place?" 
Interpreter  then  took  his  hand 

And  led  him  on  apace. 
When  Christian,  by  Interpreter, 

Was  to  the  palace  brought, 
A  company  of  men  was  there 

To  enter,  but  dare  not. 
Now  at  this  place  there  sat  a  man, 

A  short  space  from  the  door, 
This  man  sat  at  a  table  side, 

His  ink-horn  stood  before. 
He  had  a  book  to  take  the  name 

Of  every  happy  guest, 
Who  had  a  right  to  enter  in 

And  live  among  the  blest. 
He  also  saw  in  the  door-way, 

That  men  in  armor  stood, 
To  battle  all  that  would  go  in, 

To  wound  them  all  they  could. 
Now  Christian  was  somewhat  amazed, 

He  saw  the  men  alarmed; 
And  starting  back  for  fear  of  those, 

Who  kept  the  door-way  armed. 


IN  VEESE.  47 


But  soon  he  saw  a  man  come  up, 

"With  a  determined  look, 
Who  said  to  him  that  sat  to  write, 

"Set  my  name  in  the  book." 
So  when  his  name  was  written  down, 

He  forthwith  drew  his  sword, 
Then  put  a  helmet  on  his  head, 

The  armed  men  rushed  toward. 
When  up  to  them  he  came,  they  laid 

On  him  with  deadly  force  • 
But  he  with  courage  unimpaired, 

Pursued  an  onward  course. 
Now  he  began  to  cut  and  hack, 

And  that  most  fiercely  too, 
Determined  none  should  keep  him  out, 

The  crowd  he  would  go  through. 
When  he  had  given  many  wounds, 

And  often  wounded  been, 
He  cut  his  way  through  all  the  crowd, 

The  palace  entered  in. 
At  this  a  very  pleasant  voice 

Was  in  the  palace  heard, 
And  all  who  walk'd  about  the  top 

In  the  sweet  chorus  shared : 


"  Come  in,  come  in, 

Eternal  glory  thou  shalt  win." 


He  then  went  in,  and  there  was  clothed 

In  garments  such  as  they. 
"I  think  I  know  what  this  doth  mean," 

Did  Christian  smile  and  say. 
"  Now  let  me  go,"  then  Christian  said  ; 

Interpreter  said  "Stay, 
I  wish  to  show  thee  something  more, 

Then  thou  shalt  go  thy  way." 


48  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Into  a  room  where  all  was  dark, 

He  then  did  Christian  take  ; 
There  sat  one  in  an  iron  cage, 

This  made  his  heart  to  ache. 
The  man  was  sad  to  look  upon — 

He  sat  with  downcast  eyes, 
His  hands  together  folded  were, 

He  made  heart-melting  sighs. 
"  What  meaneth  this  ?"  then  Christian  said  ; 

"  Why  is  he  in  this  place  ?'' 
"  Ask  him,"  said  the  Interpreter, 

"  And  learn  his  wretched  case." 
So  Christian  said:  "Man,  what  art  thou?" 

Then  answered  this  poor  man  : 
"I  am  not,  sir  what  I  was  once; 

I'll  tell  thee  what  I  am. 
I  once  a  bold  professor  was, 

And  flourished  in  my  eyes, 
And  others  thought  they  saw  in  me 

A  fitness  for  the  skies. 
For  the  Celestial  City  once 

I  thought  that  I  bid  fair, 
And  even  had  most  joyful  thoughts 

About  my  getting  there." 
"  What  art  thou  now?"  then  Christian  said, 

"If  once  so  very  fair." 
"I  am  a  man,"  he  sighing  said, 

"  Shut  up  in  keen  despair  ; 
Like  as  this  iron  cage,  it  doth 

Encompass  me  about ; 
I  am  shut  in  on  every  side, 

And  never  can  get  out." 
"How  earnest  thou,"  then  Christian  said, 

Into  this  dreadful  state  ; 
Shut  up  as  in  this  iron  cage, 

Thy  misery  so  great  ?" 


IN  VERSE.  49 


"  I  ceased  to  watch  and  sober  be, 

And  to  my  lusts  gave  way ; 
I  sinned  against  a  loving  God, 

'T  was  thus  I  am  astray. 
His  precious  word  I  did  resist, 

Its  light  would  not  receive ; 
His  Hoi}'-  Spirit,  it  has  fled — 

I  did  that  Spirit  grieve. 
I  've  tempted  Satan,  and  he's  come 

To  keep  me  in  this  cage ; 
The  holy  God  I  have  provoked 

To  leave  me  to  his  rage. 
The  most  heart-melting  truths  I  hear 

Will  not  make  me  relent ; 
I  have  so  hardened  my  poor  heart, 

I  never  can  repent." 
Said  Christian  to  Interpreter, 

"  For  such  a  man  as  this 
Is  there  no  hope,  that  after  all 

He  may  attain  to  peace?" 
"Ask  him,"  said  the  Interpreter. 

Then  Christian  asked  the  man : 
"Is  there  no  hope,  but  in  despair 

Must  thou  always  remain  ?" 
"  No  hope  at  all,"  then  said  the  man  ; 

This  iron  cage  you  see 
Is  such  that  not  one  ray  of  hope 

Can  ever  dawn  on  me." 
Said  Christian  :   "  Why,  the  Son  of  God 

Is  pitiful  and  kind, 
Look  up  to  him — his  mercy  plead, 

And  leave  thy  fears  behind." 
"I've  crucified"  then  said  the  man, 

"The  Son  of  God  afresh; 
I  have  his  person,  too,  despised — 

Disdained  his  righteousness. 


50  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

I  too  have  looked  upon  his  blood 

As  an  unholy  thing  ; 
Against  the  spirit  of  his  grace 

Did  all  my  malice  bring. 
By  this,  of  all  the  promises 

I  am  shut  out,  you  see, 
So  nothing  now  at  all  remains 

But  threatenings  to  me — 
Dreadful  threatenings — fearful  ones, 

Of  judgment  just  at  hand, 
And  fiery  indignation  which 

I  can  no  way  withstand." 
"  For  what,"  said  Christian,  "  did  you  bring 

Yourself  to  this  despair  ? 
I  would  not  for  ten  thousand  worlds, 

Oh  man !  be  where  you  are." 
Said  he  :  "  The  pleasures  of  this  world 

I  thought  I  should  enjoy; 
And  promised  to  myself  delight, 

With  nothing  to  annoy  : 
But  now  those  things  I  once  so  loved 

Each  bite  me  in  their  turn, 
And  do  my  very  vitals  gnaw 

As  would  a  living  worm." 
"  But  canst  thou  not  repent  and  turn  ?" 

Then  Christian  kindly  said. 
"  The  Lord  repentance  hath  withheld," 

The  wo-worn  prisoner  pled. 
"  His  word  gives  no  encouragement 

That  will  my  fears  assuage; 
His  own  strong  hand  hath  shut  me  up 

In  this  great  iron  cage. 
Not  all  the  men  that  dwell  on  earth 

Can  ever  set  me  free  ; 
Eternity,  Eternity, 

Oh  !  dread  Eternity  ! 


IN  VERSE.  51 


How  shall  I  grapple  with  the  paia 

That  is  awaiting  me — 
The  vengeance  of  an  angry  God 

Throughout  eternity." 
Interpreter  to  Christian  said, 

"  Let  this  man's  misery, 
An  everlasting  caution  to 

Thyself,  oh  Christian,  be." 
Said  Christian,  "  Fearful  is  this  case  ; 

Oh  God,  help  me  to  pray, 
And  watch,  and  sober  be,  that  I 

May  not  thus  go  astray." 
Said  Christian  to  Interpreter, 

"I  on  my  way  must  go." 
"  Nay  tarry,"  said  Interpreter, 

"Till  one  thing  more  I  show." 
He  then  took  Christian  by  the  hand, 

Him  to  a  chamber  led, 
Where  he  beheld  a  man  who  was 

Just  rising  out  of  bed. 
And  as  he  put  his  garments  on, 

He  shook  and  trembled  so, 
That  Christian  asked  Interpreter 

The  reason  why  to  show. 
Interpreter  then  bid  him  tell 

To  Christian  why  he  shook  ; 
Why  he  did  shake  and  tremble  so, 

Soon  as  he  had  awoke. 
So  he  began — to  Christian  said : 

"  While  in  my  sleep  I  dreamed, 
The  heavens  grew  exceeding  black, 

Like  midnight  gloom  it  seem'd. 
The  lightnings  blaz'd,  the  thunders  roll'd, 

Which  filled  my  soul  with  dread; 
The  clouds  did  rack  unusually, 

That  passed  above  my  head. 


52  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

"With  this  I  heard  a  trumpet  sound, 

The  blast  was  long  and  loud, 
I  saw  one  coming  down  the  skies, 

And  seated  on  a  cloud ; 
Attended  by  the  heavenly  host, 

All  in  a  burning  flame, 
The  heavens  too  lit  up  with  fire, 

Before  them  as  they  came. 
'T  was  then  I  heard  a  voice  proclaim, 

With  a  tremendous  sound  : 
Arise  ye  dead,  to  judgment  come, 

Ye  nations  under  ground. 
The  solid  rocks  asunder  rent, 

The  graves  gave  up  their  dead, 
Some  looking  up  rejoiced  aloud, 

While  others  shook  with  dread. 
Some  in  the  anguish  of  their  souls, 

Sought  for  a  place  to  hide, 
Beneath  the  ruins  of  the  world, 

They  were  so  terrified. 
The  man  who  sat  upon  the  cloud, 

Then  bade  the  world  draw  near, 
Then  from  his  book  their  sentence  read, 

That  each  his  doom  might  hear. 
Yet  for  the  flames  that  issued  forth, 

And  did  the  throne  surround, 
None  any  nearer  could  approach, 

Than  his  appointed  bound  ; 
Like  as  our  earthly  judges  have, 

Where  waiting  prisoners  are, 
A  distance  separating  them, 

From  prisoners  at  the  bar. 
Said  he  to  those  attendants  who 

Did  round  about  him  wait, 
Cast  ye  the  stubble,  tares  and  chaff, 

Into  the  Burning  Lake. 


IN  VERSE.  53 


With  this  just  whereabout  I  stood, 

Then  opened  wide  the  pit — 
Great  smoke  and  coals  of  fire  with  noise, 

Burst  from  the  mouth  of  it. 
He  said  to  those  who  burned  the  tares, 

Go  gather  up  my  wheat, 
It  safe  into  my  garner  store, 

The  time  has  come  to  reap. 
With  this  I  many  saw  caught  up, 

Away  into  the  clouds; 
But  I,  for  one,  was  left  behind, 

Among  the  weeping  crowds. 
I  also  sought  myself  to  hide, 

But  I  could  not,  for  He 
That  sat  upon  the  clouds  of  Heaven, 

Still  kept  his  eye  on  me. 
My  sins  came  to  my  guilty  mind, 

My  guilty  conscience  spake, 
This  ended  all  my  fearful  dream, 

For  then  I  came  awake." 
"  But  what  was  it,"  then  Christian  said, 

"  That  gave  you  such  a  fright, 
That  put  you  in  an  agony, 

While  gazing  on  the  sight  ?" 
"What  put  me  in  this  agony?" 

The  man  to  Christian  said, 
"  I  thought  the  Judgment  Day  was  come, 

My  peace  with  God  not  made. 
But  this  affrighted  me  the  most, 

When  I  began  to  find, 
The  angels  gathered  several, 

But  me  they  left  behind. 
Also,  the  pit  of  hell  her  mouth, 

Did  open  where  I  stood, 
My  conscience  then  did  me  accuse, 

I  knew  I  was  not  good.  E* 


54  BUNTAN'S  PILGEIM 


And  as  I  thought,  the  Judge's  eyes 

Were  always  fixed  on  me, 
I  thought  I  indignation  in 

His  countenance  could  see." 

Interpreter  to  Christian  said, 

"  Of  all  that  thou  hast  seen, 
Hast  thou  well  pondered  in  thy  heart 

To  know  what  they  may  mean?" 

Said  Christian,   "  Yes,  so  that  they  have 

Put  me  in  hope  and  fear, 
The  dark  side  lays  my  spirits  low, 

The  bright  side  doth  me  cheer." 

"  Remember/'  said  Interpreter, 
"Those  things  I  did  thee  show, 

Let  them  like  goads,  still  prick  thy  sides, 
That  thou  may'st  onward  go." 

3Sow  he  began  to  gird  his  loins, 

His  journey  to  pursue, 
The  other  said   "  The  Comforter, 

Good  Christian,  be  with  you — 

To  guide  you  to  the  city  safe, 

Be  with  you  on  the  way." 
Then  Christian  ventured  out  again, 

And  thus  I  heard  him  say — 


u Here  have  I  seen  things  rare  and  profitable; 
Things  pleasant,  dreadful  things,  to  make  me  stable 
In  what  I  have  begun  to  take  in  hand  ; 
Then  let  me  think  on  them  and  understand- 
Wherefore  they  show'd  me  here,  and  let  me  be 
Thankful,  O  Good  Interpreter  to  thee." 

Now  in  my  dream  I  saw  the  way 
That  Christian  pass'd,  and  all 

The  highway  fenced  on  either  side, 
Salvation  was  its  wall. 


IN  TERSE.  55 


Up  this  way  burden'd  Christian  ran 

With  difficulty  great, 
Because  the  burden  on  his  back 

Was  of  distressing  weight. 
He  ran  till  he  came  where  there  was 

Somewhat  ascending  ground, 
Erected  on  that  very  spot, 

A  wooden  cross  he  found. 
Below  the  cross,  not  far  from  it, 

Was  a  sopulchre  too, 
Of  these  I  had,  while  in  my  dream, 

A  very  pleasant  view. 
I  saw  when  Christian  had  come  here, 

His  burden  rolled  away, 
Into  the  sepulchre  it  fell, 

Below  the  cross  to  stay. 
This  burden  which  no  strength  on  earth 

Could  free  him  from  before, 
Fell  off  when  at  the  cross  and  grave, 

And  then  was  seen  no  more. 
Then  Christian  glad  and  lightsome  was 

And  said,  with  cheerful  breath, 
"Rest  by  His  sorrow  I  have  gained, 

And  life  too  by  His  death." 
He  then  awhile  stood  still  to  look, 

And  wondered  how  it  was 
That  his  great  burden  fell  right  off, 

While  looking  at  the  Cross. 
He  looked  therefore,  and  looked  again, 

(As  Zechariah  speaks,) 
Till  all  the  springs  within  his  head, 

Sent  water  down  his  cheeks. 
He,  while  thus  weeping  here  for  joy, 

Three  shining  ones  did  see 
Who  came  to  him,  saluted  him 

With,  "  Peace  be  unto  thee." 


56  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 


The  first  said,  "  Christian,  though  thy  sins 

Were  many,  all  are  gone  " 
The  second  stripped  him  of  his  rags, 

And  put  good  raiment  on. 
The  third  then  set  a  mark  upon 

The  forehead  of  this  man, 
Gave  him  a  Roll  with  seal  on  it, 

To  look  on  as  he  ran. 
He  told  him  he  must  give  it  in 

At  the  Celestial  Gate. 
These  shining  three  then  went  their  way, 

They  did  no  longer  wait. 
Then  Christian  gave  three  leaps  for  joy, 

More  happy  than  a  king  ; 
His  heart,  now  full  of  gratitude, 

He  thus  began  to  sing: 

"  Thus  far  did  I  come  laden  with  my  sins: 
Nor  could  ought  ease  the  grief  that  I  was  in, 

Till  I  came  hither.  "Whet  a  place  is  this  I 
Must  here  be  the  beginning  of  my  bliss  ? 

Must  here  the  burden  fall  from  off  my  back  ? 

Must  here  the  strings  that  bind  it  to  me  crack? 
Blessed  cross !  blessed  sepulchre ;  blessed  rather  be 

The  man  that  there  was  put  to  shame  for  me I" 

Then  in  my  dream,  I  saw  that  he 

Went  on  thus  'till  he  came 
Quite  down  the  hill,  and  here  he  saw 

Three  men,  I  soon  will  name. 
These  men  had  fetters  on  their  heels, 

And  fast  asleep  they  lay. 
The  place  where  Christian  saw  these  men 

Was  little  off  the  way. 
Presumption  was  the  name  of  one  ; 

Another  Sloth,  you'l  see, 
And  Simple  was  with  them  asleep ; 

'Tis  thus  I've  named  the  three. 


IN  VEESE.  51 


Now  Christian  seeing  them  lie  thus 

Cried  to  them  as  he  passed, 
u  You  are  like  those  who  when  on  sea 

Take  sleep  on  top  the  mast. 
For  under  you  is  the  Dead  Sea, 

Unfathomably  deep, 
Awake !  awake !  and  come  away, 

How  dare  you  longer  sleep. 
Be  willing  and  I'll  lend  you  aid, 

Your  iron  fetters  break, 
That  you  may  from  this  fearful  place 

Just  now  make  your  escape." 
And  Christian  further  said  to  them, 

"  If  He  should  come  this  way, 
Who  like  a  roaring  lion  goes 

About  to  seek  his  pray, 
"  He  certainly  will  seize  on  you 

While  in  this  sleepy  state ; 
A  prey  you'll  to  his  teeth  become, 

Arise !  make  your  escape." 
They  looked  on  Christian  and  replied, 

Their  thoughts  they  did  not  keep: 
Said  Simple,  "I  no  danger  see  ;" 

Said  Sloth,  "  I  want  more  sleep." 

"  Now  every  tub  must  stand  upon 

A  bottom  of  its  own," 
Presumption  said,  when  he  replied, 

And  let  his  thoughts  be  known. 
When  they  had  all  made  their  reply, 

Then  down  to  sleep  they  lay ; 
And  Christian  seeing  all  was  vain, 

Alone  went  on  his  way. 
But  he  was  troubled  now,  to  think 

That  men  so  much  oppressed, 
Should  think  so  lightly  of  the  love 

That  he  to  them  professed, 


58  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 


In  offering  to  give  them  help, 

Their  fetters  all  to  break  ; 
In  pleading  much — in  trying  hard 

To  keep  them  all  awake. 
"While  Christian  yet  felt  sorrowful 

For  those  who  fettered  lay, 
He  saw  two  men  climb  o'er  the  wall 

On  left  side  Narrow  Way. 
The  name  of  one — Hypocrisy, 

The  other,  Formalist, 
They  soon  arrived  where  Christian  was 

Who  talked  to  them  like  this : 
"Well  gentlemen  from  whence  came  you, 

And  whither  do  you  go, 
Your  climbing  over  yonder  wall 

Makes  me  desire  to  know." 
"  Vain  Glory  is  our  native  place, 

Twas  there  we  both  were  born, 
We  go  to  Zion  now  for  praise, 

And  shall  no  more  return." 
When  they  had  told  from  whence  they  came, 

Then  he  to  them  did  say, 
"Why  came  ye  not  in  by  the  gate 

That  heads  the  Narrow  Way. 
All  those  who  enter  not  by  it, 

But  seek  another  way, 
Are  surely  theives  and  robbers  too, 

Such  wicked  men  are  they." 
Said  they,  "  by  all  our  countrymen, 

Tis  counted  far  about, 
To  go  for  entrance  at  the  gate, 

A  great  way  round  no  doubt. 
Instead  of  this  they  cut  it  short, 

When  any  wish  to  come, 
And  climb  the  wall  that's  close  at  hand 

As  we  just  now  have  done." 


IN  VERSE.  59 


"  But  will  not  this  a  trespass  prove, 

And  in  this  light  be  found, 
Against  the  Lord  who  rules  the  place, 

"For  which  we  now  are  bound? 
This  thing  no  doubt  will  go  abroad, 

It  cannot  be  concealed, 
The  violation  of  His  law, 

His  will  to  us  revealed." 
"Thou  need'st  not  trouble  thee  with  this, 

For  vain  are  all  thy  fears, 
For  what  we  do  there's  custom  for 

Above  a  thousand  years." 
"But  will  your  practice  stand  the  test, 

Which  you  from  custom  draw 
If  tried  by  an  impartial  Judge, 

And  sifted  through  the  Law  ?" 
"We  think  a  custom  that  has  stood 

Above  a  thousand  years. 
Should  pass  for  legal  by  the  Judge — 

Of  this  we  have  no  fears. 
If  we  but  get  into  the  way, 

No  matter  how  or  where, 
If  we  are  in,  we're  in  you  know, 

And  thou  art  only  there, 
Who  came  in  by  the  Narrow  Gate, 

So  far  about  and  all, 
But  we  are  in  as  much,  dear  sir, 

Who  came  in  o'er  the  wall. 
Wherein  has  thou  been  wise,  and  chose 

A  better  way  than  we, 
Thou  by  the  gate — we  o'er  the  wall, 

Yet  all  are  in  you  see." 
"I  walk,"  said  Christian,  "by  the  rule 

My  Master  hath  me  shown, 
But  I  perceive  you  make  your  path, 

By  fancies  of  your  own. 


60  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

You  are  already  counted  theives 

By  him  who  owns  the  way. 
I  doubt  your  being  found  true  men 

At  last !  with  all  you  say. 
You  came  in  by  yourselves,  I  think, 

Before  he  ordered  you  ; 
So  shall  you  by  yourselves  go  out, 

Without  his  mercy  too." 
To  this  they  little  answer  made, 

Such  headstrong  men  were  they, 
They  only  said  "look  to  thyself," 

And  then  went  on  their  way. 
One  scarcely  to  another  spake, 

But  these  two  men  then  said 
To  Christian,  "Law  and  ordinance 

Like  thee  we  have  obeyed." 
Said  they,  "  Wherein  thou  differest 

From  us  we  cannot  see, 
Except  the  coat  that's  on  thy  back, 

Which  was  bestowed  to  thee." 
Said  Christian,  "  Law  and  ordinance 

Cannot  save  you,  I'm  sure, 
Since  you  have  come  in  o'er  the  wall 

And  not  in  by  the  door. 
As  for  this  coat  that  I  have  on 

My  Lord  did  it  bestow. 
The  Lord  of  that  delightful  place 

To  which  I  mean  to  go. 
For  this  same  purpose,  it  he  gave, 

For  this  and  nothing  less, 
To  hide,  as  you  have  said  before, 

By  it  my  nakedness. 
I  take  it  as  a  token  of 

His  kindness  unto  me. 
For  rags  was  all  I  had  before 

He  gave  the  coat  you  see. 


IN  TERSE.  61 


Besides  this  too,  my  comfort  is 

As  on  my  way  I  go, 
That  when  I  reach  the  City  gate, 

He  me  for  good  will  know. 
Since  I  have  on  my  back  the  coat 

He  did  so  freely  give, 
("When  I  was  stripped  of  all  my  rags,) 

That  I  like  him  might  live. 
A  mark  too  in  my  forehead  is; 

(Perhaps  you  do  not  see,) 
Which  I  received  on  that  blessed  day 

My  burden  fell  from  me. 
One  gave  me  then  a  sealed  roll, 

To  read  in  day  by  day, 
To  comfort  me  with  its  contents 

As  I  go  on  my  way. 
I  then  was  bid  to  give  it  in 

At  the  Celestial  gate  ; 
In  token  I  shall  follow  it, 

And  have  not  come  too  late. 
Now  all  these  things  I  fear  you  lack, 

Your  loss  will  then  be  great. 
You  lack,  because  you  came  elsewhere, 

And  not  in  by  the  gate." 
To  these  things  they  made  no  reply, 

Said  nothing  all  the  while  ; 
They  looked  each  other  in  the  face 

With  a  disdainful  smile. 
I  saw  that  then  they  all  went  on, 

But  Christian  kept  before, 
And  sometimes  talking  to  himself, 

But  spake  to  them  no  more. 
Sometimes  he  sighed,  sometimes  rejoiced, 

And  often  read  the  roll. 
The  shining  One  put  in  his  hand 

And  thus  refreshed  his  soul. 


62  BUNTTAN'S  PILGRIM 


I  then  beheld  that  all  went  on 

In  company  until 
They  had  arrived  just  at  the  foot 

Of  Difficulty  Hill. 
Now  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill, 

There  is  a  living  spring, 
And  all  who  climb  the  hill  here  stop, 

That  they  may  drink  therein. 
At  this  same  place  there  were  two  ways, 

Besides  the  one  so  straight, 
That  came  without  a  wind  at  all 

Through  from  the  Wicket  Gate. 
One  of  these  ways  turned  to  the  left, 

The  other  to  the  right; 
The  Narrow  Way  lay  up  the  hill, 

Up  o'er  its  giddy  height. 
The  hill  up  which  the  pilgrims  gey 

We  Difficulty  call, 
Because  it  doth  so  much  ascend, 

They  scarce  can  walk  at  all. 
Now  Christian  coming  to  the  spring, 

Knelt  by  the  water's  brink, 
And  just  before  he  rose  the  hill, 

Refreshed  him  with  a  drink. 
Then  he  began  to  climb  the  hill, 

Still  in  the  Narrow  Way, 
And  looking  up  with  eager  eyes, 

These  words  was  heard  to  say : 
"The  hill,  though  high,  I  covet  to  ascend, 

The  difficulty  will  not  me  offend ; 
For,  I  perceive,  the  way  to  life  lies  here  : 

Come,  pluck  up  heart, let's  neither  faint  nosfear. 
Better,  though  difficult,  the  right  way  to  go, 

Than  wrong,though  easy, where  the  end  is  woe. 


IN  YEESE.  63 


The  other  two  soon  reached  the  foot 

Of  Difficulty  Hill, 
But  seeing  it  so  steep  and  high 

They  said,  "  do  this  we  will : 
"We'll  take  these  other  ways,  they  meet 

Again  on  other  side, 
And  there  fall  in  the  Narrow  "Way; 

Of  this  we're  satisfied." 
Now  Danger  and  Destruction  are 

The  names  of  these  two  ways. 
Their  very  names  should  terrify 

The  man  who  in  them  strays. 
Now  one  the  way  of  Danger  took  ; 

He  thought  the  road  was  good  : 
But  soon  he  found  himself  astray 

And  in  a  dreadful  wood. 
The  other  went  directly  on 

Destruction's  way,  which  led 
Into  a  wide,  uneven  field, 

Which  none  could  safely  tread. 
This  field  was  full  of  mountains  dark,. 

Which  did  perplex  him  sore, 
Bewildered  there,  he  stumbled,  fell, 

And  then  he  rose  no  more. 
I  after  Christian  then  did  look, 

To  see  him  climb  the  hill, 
When  I  perceived  from  running  he 

To  clambering  had  fell. 
He  now  was  on  his  hands  and  knees, 

And  near  the  ground  his  face ; 
For  he  could  walk  no  other  way, 

So  very  steep  the  place. 
The  Lord  and  owner  of  the  hill, 

A  pleasant  Arbor  made  ; 


He  built  it  half  way  up  the  hill 
For  a  refreshing  shade. 


64  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

There  weary  travelers  could  rest : 

Now  Christian  had  got  there, 
And  there  sat  down  with  great  delight 

To  breathe  refreshing  air. 
He  from  his  bosom  took  his  roll, 

To  read  in  for  his  good ; 
He  there  reviewed  the  coat  he  got, 

While  by  the  cross  he  stood. 
"While  looking  at  his  roll  and  coat, 

Sleep  stole  upon  him  quite  ; 
His  sleep  detained  him  in  the  place 

Till  it  was  almost  night. 
And  while  he  slept  he  lost  his  roll, 

For  it  fell  from  his  hand  ; 
Then  one  soon  came  to  wake  him  up, 

As  you  may  understand. 
Now  he  that  come  to  wake  him  up, 

Bade  him  "Go  to  the  ant 
And  learn  of  her  how  active  she 

Provides  for  coming  want." 
With  this  he  started  up  and  ran 

Along  the  way,  until 
He  reach'd  the  very  top  and  height 

Of  Difficulty  Hill. 
Now  when  he  had  got  up  the  hill, 

Two  men  towards  him  came  ; 
Mistrust  and  Timorous  they  were, 

To  give  each  one  his  name. 
Said  Christian,   "What's  the  matter  sirs? 

For  you  the  wrong  way  go." 
Said  Timorous,  "  For  Zion  we 

Were  bound,  if  you  must  know. 
And  when  we  had  got  up  the  hill, 

That  very  trying  place, 
We  found  the  further  we  went  on, 

More  dansrer  we  must  face. 


IN  VERSE.  65 


Now  we  have  turned,  are  going  back," 

Poor  Timorous  did  say ; 
"  Yes,"  said  Mistrust,  "  For  we  have  met 

Two  lions  in  the  way. 
And  this  we  thought,  that  if  we  came 

Near  to  the  place  they  were, 
That  they  would  make  a  prey  of  us, 

And  us  in  pieces  tear." 
"When  they  had  told  of  what  they  saw, 

Then  Christian  to  them  said : 
"  Where  shall  I  go  that  I'll  be  safe  ? 

For  you  make  me  afraid. 
If  my  own  country  I  go  to 

I'll  6urely  perish  there, 
For  it  will  burn  with  flames  of  fire, 

For  this  will  God  prepare. 
To  the  Celestial  City  now 

I  much  desire  to  go ; 
For  if  I  once  get  there,  I  6hall 

Be  always  safe  I  know. 
Now  to  go  back  is  certain  death, 

And  forwards  is  its  fear, 
Beyond  this  everlasting  life — 

I  will  go  forwards  here." 
Mistrust  and  Timorous  then  ran 

Still  further  down  the  hill, 
But  Christian  kept  in  Zion's  way 

With  a  determined  will. 
But  taking  thought  of  what  he  heard 

These  turnbacks  to  him  say, 
He  searched  his  bosom  for  his  roll 

To  read  along  the  way. 
He  needed  this  to  comfort  him 

While  dangers  were  his  lot ; 
But  when  he  had  his  bosom  searched 

Behold,  he  found  it  not. 


6Q  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Now  Christian  was  in  great  distress, 

And  knew  not  what  to  do ; 
The  roll  had  often  him  relieved, 

And  did  his  strength  renew. 
His  roll  he  needed  as  a  pass 

At  the  Celestial  Gate : 
So  when  he  found  his  roll  was  gone 

His  grief  was  very  great. 
His  mind  was  also  much  perplex'd, 

He  knew  not  what  to  do; 
He  had  no  one  to  counsel  him, 

And  dangers  were  in  view. 
But  suddenly  he  called  to  mind 

That  he  had  been  asleep, 
While  resting  in  the  arbor  where 

The  hill  was  very  steep. 
He  then  fell  down  upon  his  knees — 

"0  Lord  forgive,"  he  said, 
"  The  foolish  act  that  I  have  done," 

He  thus  for  mercy  plead. 
He  then  went  back  to  seek  his  roll ; 

But  words  cannot  express 
The  sorrows  of  poor  Christian's  heart, 

So  great  was  his  distress. 
He  sighed  and  wept,  himself  he  chid 

For  such  a  lack  of  thought, 
As  there  to  sleep  where  little  rest 

Was  all  he  should  have  sought. 
The  arbor  was  erected  for 

The  pilgrims  to  rest  in, 
Who  had  that  far  got  up  the  hill 

With  weary  heart  and  limb. 
He  thus  went  back  and  looked  with  car< 

On  that  side  and  on  this, 
That  he  perhaps  his  roll  might  find, 

Which  once  gave  him  such  peace. 


IN  VERSE.  67 


He  went  on  thus  until  he  had 

The  arbor  full  in  view  ; 
But  this  his  sorrow  and  his  grief 

Did  still  the  more  renew. 
It  brought  again  his  sinful  sleep 

Afresh  into  his  mind ; 
He  still  went  on  bewailing  it — 

He  could  no  comfort  find. 
"0,  what  a  wretched  man  I  am, 

In  day  time  thus  to  sleep ; 
"With  difficulties  all  around, 

Awake  I  did  not  keep. 

This  arbor  only  has  been  made 

The  pilgrims  to  refresh  ; 
To  rest  their  weary  spirits  in, 

But  I've  indulged  the  flesh. 
I  many  steps  have  made  in  vain — 

With  Israel  'twas  thus, 
Sent  back  by  way  of  the  Red  Sea, 

Ensamples  unto  us. 

And  I  am  made  to  tread  these  steps 

With  sorrow,  which  I  might, 
Had  I  not  then  in  sleep  indulged, 

Have  made  with  great  delight. 
I  need  have  gone  this  road  but  once — 

Been  further  on  my  way  ; 
But  I  'm  compelled  to  tread  it  thrice, 

And  far  is  spent  the  day. 
I  fear  benighted  I  shall  be — 

How  time  away  has  crept ; 
0  sinful  sleep!    what  shall  I  dof 

O,  that  I  had  not  slept." 
When  to  the  arbor  he  had  come, 

Here  he  sat  down  to  weep, 
Thus  to  bemoan  with  sighs  and  tears 

His  very  sinful  sleep. 


68  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

Then  looking  down  beneath  the  seat 

He  there  espied  his  roll : 
With  trembling  hand  he  caught  it  up 

And  joy  filled  up  his  soul. 
This — the  assurance  of  his  life 

And  of  his  entrance  too, 
"When  he  would  reach  his  journey's  end, 

The  City  gate  come  to. 
He  placed  it  in  his  bosom  now 

And  gave  to  God  the  praise, 
For  having  guided  him  to  it 

In  his  mysterious  ways. 
"With  tears  of  joy  he  now  set  out, 

His  journey  to  pursue, 
He  nimbly  ran  along  the  way — 

So  run  but  very  few. 
Before  he  had  got  up  the  hill 

The  sun  was  fully  set 
This  brought  his  foolish  sleep  to  mind, 

Made  him  the  more  regret. 
Condoling  with  himself  he  said, 

"  Thou  sinful  sleep,  I'm  like 
To  have  my  journey  for  thy  sake 

In  darkest  shades  of  night. 
Without  the  sun  I  now  must  walk, 

No  light  to  guide  my  feet. 
The  noise  of  doleful  creatures  here 

Through  thee,  O  sinful  sleep." 
Now  he  remembered  what  he  heard 

Mistrust  and  Timorous  say, 
How  they  were  heightened  by  the  sight 

Of  lions  in  the  way. 
Then  Christian  to  himself  did  saj, 

"  Those  beasts  range  in  the  night 
They  seek  their  prey  before  appears 

One  ray  of  morning  light. 


IN  VERSE.  69 


If  they  should  meet  me  in  the  dark, 

While  6trolling  here  and  there, 
How  shall  I  dodge  them,  that  they  can 

Not  me  in  pieces  tear!" 
"While  going  mournfully  along 

He  raised  his  eyes  and  spied 
The  stately  palace  Beautiful, 

Just  by  the  highway  side. 
So  in  my  dream  I  saw  that  he 

Made  haste — no  pains  did  spare 
That  he  might  get  if  possible, 

That  night  a  lodging  there. 
Before  he  had  got  very  far, 

The  road  he  narrow  found  ; 
This  was  about  a  furlong  from 

The  Porter's  house  and.  ground. 
Now  looking  very  narrowly 

Before  him  as  he  went, 
He  saw  two  lions  in  the  way, 

And  now  his  heart  wast  faint. 
Thought  he,  "  I  see  the  danger  now 

Mistrust  and  Tim'rous  saw, 
By  which  they  both  were  driven  back, 

And  kept  in  dreadful  awe." 
The  lions  both  had  on  their  chains, 

But  Christian  saw  them  not ; 
He  made  as  if  he  would  go  back, 

For  here  was  death  he  thought. 
But  now  the  porter  at  the  lodge, 

(Who  Watchful  was  by  name,) 
When  he  saw  Christian  make  a  halt, 

Showed  him  the  lions'  chain. 
He  then  cried  unto  him  and  said, 

"  Sir  is  thy  strength  so  small  \ 
Come,  see  the  lions  both  are  chained ; 

Dear  sir,  fear  not  at  all. 


70  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

These  have  been  put  for  trial  here, 

To  prove  the  faith  of  some  ; 
He  who  hath  faith  will  show  it  here> 

And  he  who  hath  got  none. 
Keep  in  the  middle  of  the  path, 

No  hurt  shall  come  to  thee, 
Turn  neither  to  the  right  no?  left?, 

"Whatever  you  may  see." 
I  saw  that  he  went  forward  now, 

But  trembling  as  before, 
For  though  the  lions  could  not  harm^. 

He  still  could  hear  them  roar. 
But  doing  as  the  porter  bid, 

He  thus  escaped  their  jaws-. 
He  then  ran  to  the  porter's  gatej 

To  where  the  porter  was. 
Said  Christian  to  the  porter,  "  Sir* 

What  house  this  to  the  right. 
Can  I,  a  faint  and  weary  man, 

Get  lodging  here  to  night?" 
"The  Lord  and  owner  of  this  hill," 

The  porter  to  him  said, 
"  Hath  built  this  house  for  pilgrims  here, 

T  was  for  their  safety  made." 
The  porter  asked  him  whence  he  came, 

And  wither  he  would  go. 
Said  Christian,  "  From  destruction  si?, 

To  Zion  I  will  go. 
And  seeing  that  the  sun  is  set, 

It  cannot  long  be  light, 
I  wish  to  know  if  I  can  have- 

A  lodging  here  to  night." 
"  "What  is  your  name,"  the  porter  said,. 

"'T  is  Christian  now,"  said  he, 
"But  it  was  graceless  at  the  first, 
This  I  make  known  to  thee." 


IN  VEESK  11 


"  How  happens  it  you  came  so  late  ; 

The  sun  is  fully  set, 
You  had  all  day  to  travel  in, 

And  only  thus  far.yet." 
"  I  had  no  doubt  been  sooner  here 

But  I  have  been  asleep 
While  in  the  arbor  on  the  hill; 

This  did  me  sometime  keep. 
Nay,  I  had  notwithstanding  this, 

Been  here  much  sooner  still, 
But  in  my  sleep  I  lost  my  roll, 

Which  from  my  bosom  fell. 
I  came  without  it  to  the  brow 

Of  Difficulty  hill. 
Then  looking  for  it  found  it  not, 

I  said,  '  go  back  I  will.' 
Back  to  the  arbor  then  I  went — 

The  place  where  I  had  slept — 
'T  was  there  I  sought  and  found  my  roll, 

Since  then  I  have  it  kept." 
The  porter  said,  "  I  now  will  call 

A  Virgin  of  this  place, 
Who  will  if  she  admires  your  talk, 

Treat  with  becoming  grace." 
The  porter  Watchful  rang  a  bell ; 

One  to  the  door  soon  came; 
A  damsel,  grave  and  beautiful, 

Discretion  was  her  name. 
She,  asking  "-why  she  had  been  called," 

The  porter  to  her  said, 
"This  man  is  on  a  journey  now, 

A  weary  man  indeed. 
The  city  of  Destruction  now 

He  tells  me  he  is  from, 
That  he  Mount  Zion  has  in  view 

For  his  abiding  home. 


12  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

He  being  weary  and  'tis  late,  - 

He  asked  me  if  he  might 
Put  up  and  go  no  further  now, 

But  lodge  here  over  night. 
I  told  him  I  would  call  for  thee, 

Who  after  some  discourse, 
Canst  do  as  secmeth  good  to  thee, 

For  thou  dost  guide  the  house." 
She  asked  him  then  from  whence  he  came, 

Where  he  designed  to  go; 
Also  how  he  got  in  the  way  ; 

These  things  she  wished  to  know. 
She  asked  him  what  he  saw  and  met 

Along  the  way  he  came. 
When  he  had  answered  all  these  things, 

She  asked  to  know  his  name. 
He  said  that  "  Christian  was  his  name, 

And  that  he  did  perceive 
This  place  had  been  for  pilgrims  built 

For  safety  and  relief." 
She  smiled,  and  water  in  her  eyes 

Did  now  begin  to  stand ; 
Then  calling  for  the  family, 

She  soon  had  some  at  hand. 
For  she  ran  to  the  door  and  called, 

Then  out  ran  two  or  three  ; 
'T  was  Piety,  and  Prudence  too, 

And  also  Charity. 
These,  after  more  discourse  with  him, 

Bade  him  among  them  come, 
And  mingle  with  the  family 

And  feel  himself  at  home. 
Now  many  of  them  meeting  him, 

As  he  came  to  the  door, 
Said  "  Come  thou  blessed  of  the  Lord, 

A  stranger  be  no  more. 


IN  VERSE.  73 


This  house  on  purpose  has  been  built, 

Such  ones  to  entertain  ; 
Come  in  with  us,  dear  pilgrim  come, 

This  night  with  us  remain." 
When  he  had  bowed  his  head,  he  then 

Them  straightway  followed  in  ; 
Their  kindness  to  him  did  not  fail 

His  heart  at  once  to  win. 
When  he  sat  down,  they  something  brought, 

Of  which  he  freely  drank  ; 
Then,  like  a  christian  man,  he  did 

Them  for  it  kindly  thank. 
Then  they  began,  most  cheerfully, 

A  supper  to  prepare — 
Proposed  a  profitable  talk, 

In  which  these  three  should  share. 
Now  Prudence,  also  Piety, 

With  Christian  did  discourse; 
And  Charity,  one  of  the  three, 

But  each  one  in  her  course. 
Said  Piety  to  Christian,  "Come, 

Since  we  have  loved  you  thus, 
To  keep  you  in  our  house  to-night, 

Awhile  do  talk  to  us, 
About  the  things  which  you  have  met> 

What  you  have  heard  and  seen, 
Along  the  way  since  you  set  out, 

And  have  a  pilgrim  been." 
Said  Christian  then  to  Piety, 

"  Since  you  are  well  disposed, 
I'll  tell  you  things  which  I  have  not 

As  yet  to  you  disclosed." 
Said  Piety,  "  What  moved  you  first 

To  choose  a  pilgrim  life  ; 
A  man  like  you  to  leave  your  home, 

Your  family  and  wife  ?" 


74  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

Said  Christian,  "  I  was  driven  from 

My  native  place  through  fear — 
A  dreadful  sound  did  constantly 

Keep  ringing  in  my  ear, 
I  feared  that  I  should  be  destroyed, 

If  I  continued  there  ; 
I  left  the  place  and  all  I  had, 

Nigh  driven  to  despair." 
Said  Piety,   "Since  you  have  left 

Your  native  place,  I  pray 
Tell  me  how  came  it  to  your  mind 

To  travel  in  this  way  ?" 
*  T  was  through  the  Providence  of  God, 

While  I  was  in  such  fear, 
That  I  was  led  to  come  this  way, 

In  sighs,  and  groans,  and  tears. 
While  I  was  in  this  great  distress, 

By  chance  one  to  me  came, 
Who  sent  me  to  the  little  gate — 

Evangelist  his  name. 
'T  was  well  that  he  directed  me, 

Else  I  had  not  been  here  ; 
For  I  knew  not  where  I  should  go, 

So  much  beset  with  fear." 
Said  Piety,  "You  passed  a  house 

Of  which  you  do  not  tell ; 
It  is  the  good  Interpreter's, 

The  place  where  he  doth  dwell." 
Said  Christian,  "  I  was  in  that  house, 

And  saw  what  I  believe 
Will  always  in  my  mind  remain, 

As  long  as  I  shall  live. 
Three  things  I  shall  remember  well, 

They  cannot  from  me  part — 
One  is,  how  Christ  in  spite  of  Hell, 

Keeps  grace  within  the  heart. 


IN  VERSE.  75 


And  how  a  man  had  sinned  himself 

Beyond  the  reach  of  hope — ■ 
Shut  up  in  a  great  iron  cage, 
In  which  day  never  broke. 
Also,  the  dream  of  him  who  thought 

The  Judgment  Day  had  come  ; 
"When  all  the  nations  on  the  earth 

Must  hear  their  final  doom." 
Then  Piety  to  Christian  said, 

"  This  doth  most  solemn  seem  ; 
Did  you  in  person  hear  him  tell 

All  of  his  fearful  dream  ?" 
Said  Christian,  "  Yes,  't  was  dreadful  too, 

It  caused  my  heart  to  ache  ; 
But  I  am  glad  I  heard  it  all, 

It  keeps  my  thoughts  awake." 
Said  Piety,  "  Sir,  was  this  all 

You  saw  or  heard  while  there  ? 
Interpreter  has  many  things 

That's  truly  great  and  rare." 
11  No,"  Christian  said ;  "he  took  me  where 

A  stately  palace  stood  ; 
In  it  were  people  clad  in  gold — 

The  innocent  and  good. 
He  showed  me  too  a  venturous  man, 

Who  cut  his  way  quite  through 
The  armed  men  who  stood  in  front, 

Weak  pilgrims  to  undo. 
He  told  me  how  with  one  accord, 

Each  inmate  said  '  come  in ; 
Eternal  glory,'  said  they  all, 

'By  striving  thou  shalt  win.' 
Methought  this  thing  did  make  my  heart 

With  pleasure  overflow ; 
I  could  have  staid  a  year  at  least — 

I  farther  had  to  go." 


"What  saw  you  else,"  said  Piety, 

"Along  the  pilgrim's  way  ? 
There's  many  interesting  sights 

I've  heard  old  pilgrims  say." 
"  I  went  but  little  farther  on, 

When,  oh  !  I  saw,"  said  he, 
"  One  in  the  agony  of  death, 

Hang  bleeding  on  a  tree. 
Now  when  I  looked  on  him  who  died, 

My  burden  from  me  fell ; 
The  strangest  sight  I  ever  saw, 

But  blessed  news  to  tell. 
And  while  I  yet  was  looking  on, 

(Which  I  could  not  forbear,) 
Three  shining  ones  then  came  to  me, 

To  do  their  office  there. 
One  said  my  sins  were  all  forgiven, 

One  took  my  rags  from  me ; 
The  same  gave  this  embroidered  coat. 

Which  you  upon  me  see. 

The  mark  that  in  my  forehead  is, 

The  third  one  gave  to  me  ; 
He  also  gave  this  roll  I  have, 

Which  in  my  hand  you  see." 
"  I  have  no  doubt,"  said  Piety, 

"  That  other  things  you  saw ; 
I  love  tq  hear  about  such  things, 

I  profit  from  them  draw." 
"  The  things  I  have  already  told," 

Said  Christian,  "  are  the  best; 
Yet  all  may  interest  you  some, 

So  I  will  tell  the  rest. 
A  little  from  the  highway  side, 

I  saw  three  as  I  came, 
Asleep  with  fetters  on  their  heels — 

These  three  I  now  will  name. 


IN  VEKSE.  11 


Presumption  was  the  name  of  one, 

Another  Sloth,  you'll  see, 
And  Simple  was  with  them  asleep  ; 

Now  thus  I've  named  the  three. 
I  tried  my  best  to  rouse  them  up, 

To  get  those  men  awake, 
And  though  in  danger  sleep,  they  would  ; 

This  caused  my  heart  to  ache. 
But  something  more  than  these  I  saw — 

These  sleepers  were  not  all; 
Hypocrisy  and  Formalist 

Came  tumbling  o'er  the  wall ; 
Pretending  they  were  on  their  way 

To  Zion's  Holy  Hill ; 
But  these  two  men  were  quickly  lost, 

And  they  are  missing  still. 
I  told  them  awful  was  their  case, 

But  they  would  not  believe  ; 
Now  they  are  lost,  forever  lost, 

Themselves  they  did  deceive. 
I  found  it  very  hard  to  climb 

Up  Difficulty  Hill, 
And  pass  the  lions  in  the  way — 

But  go,  said  I,  I  will. 
But  truly  had  it  not  been  for 

The  porter  at  the  gate, 
For  all  I  know  I  would  have  fled, 

My  fears  were  very  great. 
And  now  my  thanks  ascend  to  God, 

That  I  at  last  am  here  ; 
And  you  I  thank  for  lodging  me, 

In  this  I  am  sincere." 
Then  Prudence  asked  some  questions  too, 

When  Piety  was  done  ; 
She  wished  to  learn  yet  something  more, 

Now  first  she  asked  this  one  : 


78  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"  Now  do  you  ever  call  to  mind 

The  country  which  you  left  ? 
Your  wife  and  children  all  are  there, 

Of  them  you  are  bereft." 
Said  Christian,  "Yea,  I  think  of  it, 

But  truly  with  much  shame ; 
I  would  not  now  return  to  it, 

To  tread  its  streets  again. 
For  now  I  seek  a  better  home, 

A  heavenly  one  on  high, 
Where  no  unwholesome  wind  can  blow, 

Where  none  grow  sick  nor  die." 
"  Dear  Christian  do  you  not  possess 

Some  things,  (now  understand,) 
Which  you  had  been  conversant  with, 

While  in  your  native  land  ?" 
"  Yes,  most  of  all  my  inward  thoughts, 

Which  long  have  been  my  grief; 
I  strive  to  drive  them  all  away, 

From  them  to  find  relief. 
But  when  I  would  have  holy  thoughts, 

Some  sinful  ones  arise, 
Which  make  my  holy  thoughts  at  best 

But  a  lame  sacrifice." 
"  Do  not  such  things,  at  least  sometimes, 

Entirely  pass  away ; 
Those  things  which  do  at  other  times 

Perplex  you  night  and  day?" 
"  Yes,  but  this  seldom  is  the  case, 

To  me  they're  golden  hours ; 
My  heart  is  then  like  parched  ground, 

Refreshed  by  summer  showers." 
"  Can  you  remember  by  what  means, 

At  times  you  get  relief ; 
Tell  me,  good  Christian,  how  it  is, 

Your  victory 's  so  brief." 


IN  VERSE.  79 


"  Yes,"  Christian  said,  "  When  I  think  on 

What  I  saw  at  the  Cross, 
And  look  at  my  embroidered  coat, 

I  count  all  else  but  dross ; 
And  when  I  look  into  this  roll, 

Which  I  bear  on  my  breast, 
And  think  of  where  I  soon  shall  go, 

I  then  have  peaceful  rest." 
"  What  is  it  makes  you  feel  inclined, 

In  this  highway  to  go  ? 
As  many  talk  of  Zion's  Hill, 

I  would  your  motive  know." 
"Why  there  I  shall  see  Him  alive, 

Who  on  the  cross  did  die  ; 
And  there  I  shall  be  rid  of  all 

Such  things  that  make  me  sigh. 
I'm  told  that  none  are  weary  there, 

Tis  one  eternal  rest; 
And  that  I'll  have  such  company 

Which  I  enjoy  the  best. 
I  tell  the  truth,  I  love  Him  much 

Who  died  upon  the  tree ; 
Because  it  was  through  Him  alone, 

That  I  have  been  made  free. 
I'm  weary  of  my  sinful  frame  ; 

Sweet  place  where  none  shall  die, 
Where  all  the  happy  company 

Do  holy,  holy,  cry." 
Now  Charity  to  Christian  said, 

"Are  you  a  married  man  ? 
Had  you  a  wife  and  family, 

To  give  the  parting  hand  ?" 
"  I  have  a  wife,  and  children  too, 

My  children  number  four  ; 
But  if  they  all  will  stay  behind, 

'T  is  well  I  have  no  more." 


80  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"  Why  did  you  not  bring  them  along, 

That  they  might  with  you  share 
The  blessings  of  Mount  Zion's  Hill, 

When  you  would  all  get  there?" 
He  weeping  said,  "  I  wish  they  had 

With  mine  cast  in  their  lot; 
But  they  opposed  my  coming  here, 

And  they  themselves  would  not." 

"  To  them  you  should  have  plainly  talked, 

And  tried  some  way  to  find 
By  which  to  point  their  danger  out, 

If  they  should  stay  behind." 
"  I  done  all  this,  I  told  them  all 

That  God  had  shown  to  me, 
How  he  our  city  would  destroy — 

That  this  they  once  would  see. 
But  I  to  them  did  only  seem, 

Like  one  who  meant  to  mock  ; 
Their  hearts  I  could  not  melt  or  move 

Than  I  could  melt  a  rock" 
"  And  did  you  pray  to  God  that  he 

Would  all  your  counsel  bless  ? 
This  matter  at  the  Throne  of  Grace, 

Did  you  with  fervor  press  ?" 
"  For  them  I  did  in  earnest  pray, 

This  you  might  surely  know  ; 
I  loved  my  wife  and  children  more 

Than  all  things  else  below." 
"But  did  you  tell  them  of  your  own 

Anxiety  and  fear  ? 
For  I  suppose  these  things  to  you 

Seemed  very,  very  near." 
"  Now  all  of  this  I'm  very  sure, 

My  countenance  did  tell; 
For  I  was  weeping  night  and  day, 

Until  my  eyes  did  swell." 


IN  VERSE.  81 


"  What  did  they  say  then  for  themselves, 

"Why  they  refused  to  come  ? 
I  think  that  they  had  seen  and  heard 

Enough  to  move  them  some." 
"  My  wife  would  not  give  up  the  world, 

I  think  this  is  the  truth ; 
My  children,  they  were  blinded  by 

The  vain  delights  of  youth. 
Through  one  thing  and  another  thus 

I  wander  now  alone; 
I  have  a  wife  and  family, 

But  like  one  who  has  none." 
u  But  did  you  not  by  a  vain  life, 

Damp  all  that  you  could  say  ? 
They  were  no  doubt  keen  sighted  too, 

And  watched  you  day  by  day." 
•  My  life  indeed,  I  can't  commend, 

I  oft  indulged  in  sin; 
And  any  close  observing  eye 

Could  see  much  fault  therein. 
Yet  this  I  say,  that  I  had  tried 

In  nothing  to  engage, 
That  in  the  least  would  cause  dislike 

Against  our  pilgrimage. 
Yea,  for  this  very  thing  they  said 

That  I  was  too  precise — 
Denied  myself  of  harmless  things — 

Made  too  much  sacrifice. 
If  they  saw  anything  in  me 

That  hindered  them  to  come, 
It  was  because  I  feared  to  sin, 

Or  do  my  neighbor  wrong." 
Said  Charity,  "Now  think  of  Cain, 

Who  shed  his  brother's  blood; 
Because  he  was  a  wicked  man — 

His  brother  truly  good. 


82  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Now  if  thy  wife  and  children  have 

Thy  counsel  all  withstood, 
This  shows  the  hardness  of  their  hearts, 

And  frees  thee  from  their  blood." 
Now  in  my  dream  I  saw  that  they 

In  talk  the  evening  spent, 
Until  the  supper  was  prepared, 

Then  they  to  supper  went. 
The  table  was  quite  well  supplied, 

With  fat  things  and  with  wine ; 
With  every  thing  to  cheer  the  heart 

That's  of  a  wholesome  kind. 
Their  table  talk  was  all  about 

The  Lord  of  Zion's  Hill ; 
What  he  had  done — why  he  so  done — 

What  he  was  doing  still. 
By  what  they  said,  I  did  perceive 

That  he  was  great  in  war  ; 
That  he  had  slain  the  enemy, 

Who  death  had  in  his  power. 
But  this  engagement  was  so  hot, 

Before  that  one  was  slain, 
'T  was  with  much  danger  to  himself, 

He  conqueror  became. 
Then  Christian  said,  that  I  believe 

He  fought  through  streams  of  blood, 
That  his  own  country  he  might  save — 

For  their  defence  he  stood. 

Now  of  the  household  of  this  man 

Some  said  that  they  had  seen 
And  spake  with  him  since  he  had  died 

And  in  the  grave  had  been. 
They  said  they  learned  from  his  own  lips, 

(To  this  they  did  attest:) 
That  love  like  his  could  not  be  found 

Between  the  east  and  west. 


IN  VEKSE.  83 


Moreover  they  an  instance  gave 

Of  what  they  did  affirm ; 
"IV as  that  he  laid  his  glory  by 

For  man,  poor  dying  worm. 
They  heard  him  say,   "Though  all  was  his, 

He  wished  to  have  it  known 
That  he  had  no  desire  to  dwell 

In  Zion's  Mount  alone." 
Said  they,  "He  many  pilgrims  too 

Has  even  princes  made, 
"Who  were  by  nature  beggars  born — 

Who  through  the  streets  had  strayed." 
Thus  they  discoursed  till  late  at  night, 

And  after  they  had  prayer 
They  all  retired  for  the  night, 

And  all  slept  sweetly  there. 
They  had  an  upper  chamber  large ; 

This  was  for  pilgrims  made; 
They  laid  the  pilgrim  in  this  room — 

Till  morning  there  he  stay'd. 
The  windows  of  this  upper  room 

Did  open  to  sunrise, 
That  they  could  see  the  break  of  day 

Appear  in  eastern  skies. 

They  named  this  upper  chamber  Peace, 

In  which  the  pilgrim  lay  : 
Now  here  he  sweetly  slept  all  night 

Until  the  break  of  day. 
He  then  awoke,  began  to  sing, 

Till  all  around  him  rang. 
I  will  relate  a  verse  or  two 

Of  what  the  pilgrim  sang: 

"Where  am  I  now?    Is  this  the  lore  and  car* 
Cf  Jesus  for  the  men  that  pilgrims  are, 
Thus  to  provide!  that  1  should  be  forgiv'n, 
And  dwell  already  the  next  door  to  heav'n  1" 


So  in  the  morning  all  got  up, 

Conversed  a  little  more; 
They  showed  him  then  some  rarities 

That  they  had  there  in  store. 
They  took  him  to  the  study  first, 

And  here  they  had  to  show 
Some  records  of  antiquity, 

There  many  years  ago, 
In  which,  as  I  saw  in  my  dream, 

And  I  remember  still, 
There  was  contained  the  pedigree 

Of  him  who  owns  the  hill, 
That  he  was  only  son  of  him 

Who  Ancient  is  of  Days; 
Who  never  did  begin  to  be, 

And  who  shall  live  always. 
Here  also  was  a  record  kept 

Of  acts  that  he  had  done ; 
The  names  of  many  hundreds  who 

Were  to  his  service  won; 
And  how  he  had  his  servants  placed 

In  habitations  strong, 
Where  nothing  can  them  harm  or  hurt, 

While  endless  years  roll  on. 
They  read  to  him  some  worthy  acts 

His  servants  too  had  done  ; 
The  reading  of  this  record  now 

In  strains  like  these  did  run  : 
"Some  even  kingdoms  have  subdued, 

And  righteousness  have  wrought ; 
The  violence  of  fire  quenched, 

The  mouths  of  lions  stopt ; 
Some  have  obtained  the  promises, 

And  some  escaped  the  sword, 
And  out  of  weakness  were  made  strong: 

For  this  they  praised  the  Lord. 


IN  YEKSE.  85 


They  even  were  made  mighty  men, 

And  valiant  men  to  fight; 
The  armies  of  the  Aliens,  too, 

By  faith  they  put  to  flight." 

The  record  then  was  read  again, 

But  in  another  part, 
Wherein  'twas  shown  how  kind  their  Lord — ■ 

How  pitiful  at  heart : 
How  willing  he  is  to  forgive 

The  worst  who  would  repent ; 
That  not  one  humble  penitent 

Without  a  pardon  went. 
Now  here  were  many  histories 

Of  many  famous  things ; 
Some  ancient  were,  some  modern  too, 

Some  gave  the  lives  of  kings. 
While  in  the  study  Christian  had 

Some  pleasant  things  to  view, 
For  there  was  great  variety 

Of  things  both  old  and  new. 
The  books  contained  some  prophecies 

Which  to  the  letter  stood, 
Both  to  the  dread  of  enemies, 

And  comfort  of  the  good. 
Next  day  into  the  armory 

They  Christian  took  to  see 
The  furniture  which  was  prepared 

For  pilgrims  such  as  he. 
A  sword,  and  shield,  and  helmet,  too ; 

A  breastplate,  and  all-prayer, 
And  shoes  that  could  not  be  worn  out, 

Were  all  in  order  there : 


Enough  of  each  to  harness  out, 
For  service  of  their  Lord, 

As  many  men  as  there  are  stars 
Dispersed  through  space  abroad. 


86  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


He  saw  some  engines  with  which  some 

Had  done  things  very  great. 
A  few  of  these,  and  what  was  done, 

I  briefly  will  relate. 
He  saw  the  rod  that  Moses  had ; 

The  hammer  and  the  nail 
By  which  Sisera  had  been  slain 

While  in  the  tent  with  Jael ; 
The  pitchers,  trumpets,  and  the  lamps 

By  which  were  put  to  flight 
The  armies  of  all  Midian, 

Who  fled  at  sound  and  sight. 
Now  after  this  the  ox's  goad 

Of  Shamger,  showed  they  then, 
With  which  at  one  time  Shamger  slew, 

They  said,  six  hundred  men. 
They  also  showed  the  new  jaw-bone 

Which  Samson  took  to  slay 
A  thousand  men,  and  these  on  heaps 

Around  about  him  lay. 
They  showed  to  him  a  sling  and  stone 

Which  good  old  David  threw 
Upon  the  great  Goliath's  head, 

And  him  by  it  he  slew ; 
The  sword,  also,  with  which  the  Lord 

Will  kill  the  Man  of  Sin, 
In  that  great  day  when  he  shall  rise 

And  show  who  shall  be  king. 
They  showed  him  many  other  things, 

Which  gave  him  great  delight. 
Now  after  this  they  went  to  rest — 

By  this  time  it  was  night. 
Now  on  the  morrow  he  got  up, 

That  he  might  farther  go. 
But  they  desired  him  to  stay 

Till  other  things  they'd  show. 


IN  VERSE.  87 


They  6aid  that  "If  the  day  is  clear 

We'll  take  you  out  and  show 
The  mountains  called  Delectable, 

Before  you  farther  go." 
Said  they,  "The  sight  of  those,  we  think, 

Will  to  your  comfort  add, 
For  they  are  nearer  to  your  rest; 

This  ought  to  make  you  glad." 
So  Christian,  when  he  thought  awhile, 

Consented ;  and  he  stay'd, 
In  hopes  the  day  would  be  quite  clear — 

He  thought  the  truth  they  said. 
Now  when  the  morning  sun  was  up, 

They  went  on  top  the  house; 
Then  bid  him  look  far  as  he  could 

Directly  to  the  South. 
When  this  he  done  behold  he  saw 

A  country  beautified 
With  woods  and  vineyards,  fruits  and  flowers, 

On  every  mountain  side; 
All  sorts  of  fruits,  refreshing  springs, 

And  every  thing  to  please. 
No  mountains  Christian  ever  saw, 

Could  be  compared  to  these. 
Then  Christian  asked  the  country's  name, 

So  beautiful,  so  grand. 
Said  they,  "  'lis  free  for  pilgrims  all, 

But  called  Emanuel's  land. 
When  thou  art  to  the  mountains  come, 

From  thence  the  gate  is  seen — 
That  great  Celestial  City  gate — 

No  mountains  intervene. 

The  shepherds  who  are  living  there 

Will  tell  thee  what  to  do— 
Which  way  to  look,  and  where  to  stand, 

To  get  a  pleasing  view." 


88  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


Now  Christian  thought  of  setting  out 

His  journey  to  pursue, 
And  they  were  willing  that  he  should; 

He  then  bade  all  adieu. 
"  Let  us  go  in  the  armory 

Before  you  go,"  they  said. 
When  there  they  harnessed  him  complete, 

And  that  from  feet  to  head ; 
With  that  too  which  was  fully  proof, 

Lest  death  should  be  his  fate. 
His  friends  when  they  had  him  equip'd, 

Walked  with  him  to  the  gate. 
He  asked  the  porter  if  he  saw 

A  pilgrim  pass  that  way  ? 
"I  saw  a  pilgrim  pass  along," 

The  porter  then  did  say. 
Said  Christian,  "Did  you  know  the  man, 

Or  learn  from  whence  he  came  ?" 
The  porter  said  he  "knew  him  well, 

And  Faithful  was  his  name." 
"  0 !  yes,  I  know  him,"  Christian  said ; 

"My  own  near  neighbor,  he; 
And  from  the  place  where  I  was  born ; 

I  him  would  like  to  see." 
"He  has,  perhaps,"  the  porter  said, 

"Got  quite  below  the  hill; 
He  goes  the  same  way  you  must  go; 

You  may  o'ertake  him  still." 
Then  Christian  to  the  porter  said, 

"The  Lord  with  thee  abide, 
And  bless  thee  much  for  kindness  6hown, 

And  be  thy  constant  guide." 
Said  Christian,   "I  must  onward  go, 

Tis  time,  and  go,  I  will." 
Discretion  then,  and  Piety, 

Went  with  him  down  the  hill. 


IN  VERSE.  89 


Yes,  Charity  and  Prudence  too, 

(These  I  should  not  forget,) 
"Went  on  with  Christian  down  the  hill, 

Down  to  the  foot  of  it. 
"When  he  began  to  go  down  hill, 

He  some  hard  footing  found  ; 
He  said  that  "coming  up  was  hard, 

And  dangerous  going  down." 
"Humiliation,"  Prudence  6aid, 

"Tis  hard  to  enter  it, 
And  hard  to  get  quite  down  this  hill 

"Without  a  fall  or  slip. 
Therefore  with  thee  we  have  come  down, 

Because  the  way  is  hard, 
And  surely  thou  wilt  make  a  slip 

Unless  well  on  thy  guard." 
So  he  began  down  hill  to  go, 

But  very  slow,  'tis  true. 
Though  slow  he  went,  yet  after  all, 

He  made  a  slip  or  two. 
These  good  companions  when  they  had 

Got  down  the  hill  that  day 
Gave  him  some  raisins,  bread  and  wine, 

Then  he  went  on  his  way. 
Now  in  this  valley  Christian  was 

Most  truly  terrified ; 
For  he  had  gone  but  little  ways 

"When  a  foul  fiend  he  spied. 
This  foul  fiend  was  bold  Apollyon, 

Now  walking  o'er  the  field, 
That  he  might  Christian  meet  to  fight, 

Not  fearing  sword  or  shield. 
So  Christian  now  began  to  fear; 

He  also  looked  around, 
Not  knowing  whether  to  go  back, 

Or  try  to  stand  his  ground.  *H 


90  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

But  then  he  saw  on  second  thought, 

He  did  some  armor  lack : 
Though  he  had  much  to  face  the  foe, 

He  none  had  for  his  back ; 
And  now,  thought  he,  to  turn  my  back, 

My  most  unguarded  parts, 
Will  give  this  fiend  the  better  chance 

To  pierce  me  with  his  darts. 
Now  Christian  thought  to  save  his  life 

That  he  must  stand  his  ground; 
That  if  he  did  not  turn  his  back 

He  could  but  get  a  wound. 
So  he  went  on,  Apollyon  met, 

Most  hideous  to  behold, 
For  he  great  scales  had  like  a  fish, 

And  was  both  proud  and  bold. 
He  had  great  spreading  Dragon's  wings, 

And  feet  too  like  a  bear ; 
His  belly  sent  forth  fire  and  smoke, 

Ascending  in  the  air ; 
His  mouth  was  like  a  lion's  mouth, 

When  he  to  Christian  came. 
He  then  began  to  question  him 

With  pride  and  much  disdain. 
"  From  whence  came  you  ?"  Apollyon  said, 

And  whither  are  you  bound? 
From  my  dominions,  I  suppose, 

Where  I  the  king  was  crowned." 
"I  have  but  from  Destruction  come, 

Am  now  for  Zion  bound  ; 
My  native  place  is  full  of  wrongs; 

This  to  my  cost  I've  found." 
"Then  I  perceive,"  Apollyon  said, 

"By  this  that  thou  art  mine. 
Of  all  that  country  I  am  king 

And  lord,  till  end  of  time." 


IN  VERSE.  91 


How  is  it  thou  hast  run  away 

From  me,  thy  prince  and  king? 
Did  I  not  hope  for  service  yet, 

Thee  to  the  ground  I'd  bring." 
"In  your  dominion  I  was  born ; 

This  I  confess  was  so, 
But  all  your  work  was  very  hard, 

Your  wages  very  low." 
They  were  too  small  to  live  upon 

Though  work  at  every  breath ; 
And  I've  been  told  by  those  who  know 

That  6in  is  paid  with  death. 

Therefore  when  I  had  come  to  years, 

I  done  as  others  do — 
Who  first  set  down  and  count  the  cost — 

I  left  the  place  and  you." 
No  prince  will  lightly  loose  his  own, 

Nor  will  I  yet  loose  thee ; 
Thy  wages  yet  shall  be  made  great 

If  thou  wilt  go  with  me." 
"The  King  of  Princes,"  Christian  said, 

"Has  now  a  claim  on  me; 
So  I  cannot  with  fairness  go 

One  single  step  with  thee." 
"According  to  the  proverb  thou 

Hast  changed  a  bad  for  worse; 
No  doubt  if  thou  persist  in  this 

'Twill  prove  to  thee  a  curse. 
But  it  is  ordinary,  quite, 

For  those  who  have  professed 
To  be  his  servants,  soon  to  turn 

And  play  the  slip  at  last. 
Forsake  him  now  and  turn  to  me  ; 

The  past  shall  be  forgot ; 
It  shall  be  well  'twixt  me  and  thee — 

Now  Christian,  shall  it  not?" 


92  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"  My  confidence  I've  placed  in  him, 

Allegiance  to  him  sworn: 
How  can  I  without  being  hanged, 

A  traitor  to  him  turn  ?" 
*'  The  very  same  thou  didst  to  me, 

Yet  1  can  pass  it  by, 
If  thou  wilt  but  return  to  me, 

And  with  my  wish  comply." 

"  The  promises  I  made  to  thee 
Have  fallen  to  the  ground  ; 

The  present  Prince  whom  I  now  serve, 
O'er  me  shall  wear  the  crown. 

My  present  Prince  can  me  absolve — 

Can  pardon  all  I  did 
In  strict  compliance  with  thy  will — 

The  things  he  had  forbid. 
Apollyon,  now  to  speak  the  truth, 

I  like  his  service  best, 
And  wages,  servants,  government, 

For  these  to  me  are  blest. 
Uow  0  !  Apollyon,  'tis  all  in  vain 

Me  farther  to  persuade, 
For  I  his  servant  am,  and  he 

Shall  be  by  me  obeyed." 
"Consider,  Christian,  when  again 

Thou  art  in  thy  cool  blood, 
What  thou  mayst  meet  with  in  thy  way- 
Great  sorrows  like  a  flood. 
Thou  knowest  this  to  be  the  truth — 

His  servants  often  die 
By  far  the  worst  and  shameful  deaths ; 

This  no  one  can  deny  : 
Because  they  wilfully  transgress 

Against  my  wholesome  ways, 
And  you  may  in  dishonor  yet 

For  these  things  end  your  days. 


IN  YEESE.  93 


Now  you  have  said  his  service  does 

Your  constant  love  demand; 
Yet  he  sees  studied  cruelty, 

But  saves  not  from  its  hand. 
But  I,  how  many  times  have  I, 

Delivered  like  a  God, 
Those  who  were  crushed  beneath  its  hand; 

And  all  by  power  or  fraud. 
Now  all  that  I've  for  others  done 

I'll,  Christian,  do  for  thee, 
If  thou  forsake  both  him  and  his, 

And  follow  only  me." 
**  His  not  affording  present  help 

Is  but  their  love  to  try, 
That  they  may  to  the  end  endure, 

And  in  his  service  die. 
As  for  their  ill  and  shameful  end, 

In  this  he  has  design  ; 
"When  he  and  all  his  angles  come, 

They  shall  in  glory  shine." 
"Thou,  Christian  hast,"  Apollyon  said, 

"To  him  unfaithful  been  ; 
How  canst  thou  then  expect  to  have 

Full  wages  paid  by  him." 
"Wherein,  Apollyon,  have  I  been 

Unfaithful  to  my  king, 
That  you  with  so  much  confidence 

This  accusation  bring." 
"In  fainting  at  thy  first  outset, 

And  being  well  nigh  choked, 
While  passing  through  the  Slough  Despond- 

Thy  Prince  was  then  provoked. 
Thou  didst  attempt  to  take  wrong  ways, 

Thy  burden  to  undo, 
Instead  of  waiting  'till  thy  Prince 

Had  it  from  thee  withdrew : 


94  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

And  thou  didst  take  a  sinful  sleep 

And  many  good  things  loose  ; 
The  favors  of  thy  boasted  Prince 

In  this  thou  didst  abuse. 
And  when  thou  didst  the  lions  eee, 

Then  courage  didst  thou  lack ; 
Almost  persuaded  then  thou  wast 

To  go  a  coward  back. 
When  of  thy  journey  thou  dost  talk, 

Of  what  was  seen  and  heard, 
Vain-glorious  thoughts  begin  to  rise, 

And  these  displease  thy  Lord." 
"All  this  is  true  ;  indeed,  much  more ; 

But  my  Prince  can  forgive, 
For  he  is  very  merciful, 

And  bids  the  erring  live. 
I  had  these  same  infirmities 

While  in  thy  country  too; 
And  there  I  loved  and  cherished  them, 

As  many  others  do. 
But  I  have  since  lamented  them, 

And  pardon  have  obtained  ; 
My  Prince  does  pity  and  forgive, 

And  I  his  love  have  gained." 
Apollyon  in  a  dreadful  rage 

Broke  out,  and  thus  did  ?ay: 
"With  all  my  heart  I  hate  your  Prince, 

And  all  who  him  obey. 
I  have  not  been  so  much  deceived, 

I  knew  thee  at  first  sight, 
And  I  on  purpose  have  come  out 

With  thee  just  now  to  fight." 
"Beware,  Apollyon,  what  you  do, 

I'm  in  the  King's  highway; 
The  King's  highway  of  holiness ; 

Take  heed  then  what  you  say." 


IN  YEBSE.  95 


Apollyon  in  a  dreadful  rage, 

When  Christian  this  did  eav, 
Spread  out  himself,  and  straddled  quite 

Across  the  pilgrim's  way. 
Now  while  he  in  this  posture  stood, 

He  thus  to  Christian  said  : 
"  Now  in  this  matter  I've  no  fear, 

I'm  not  at  all  afraid." 
Apollyon  said  "  prepare  to  die," 

No  farther  thou  shalt  stroll ; 
I  swear  by  my  infernal  den, 

That  here  I'll  spill  thy  soul." 
A  flaming  dart  at  Christian's  breast, 

Apollyon  straightway  threw ; 
But  Christian  held  a  shield  with  which 

He  caught  it  as  it  flew. 
Now  Christian  meant  to  stand  his  ground, 

To  fight  he  did  prepare  ; 
He  saw  'twas  time  for  him  to  stir, 

And  conquer  satan  there. 
Apollyon  made  at  Christian  then — 

Threw  darts  as  thick  as  hail; 
And  for  awhile  it  did  appear, 

Apollyon  must  prevail. 
"With  these  Apollyon  wounded  him — 

His  foot,  his  head,  his  hand  ; 
And  Christian  gave  a  little  back, 

Scarce  able  now  to  stand. 
Apollyon  followed  on  his  work, 

With  all  his  skill  and  might; 
But  Christian  got  his  courage  up, 

And  manfully  did  fight. 
This  combat  lasted  half  a  day, 

Till  Christian  was  nigh  spent; 
As  one  may  know  his  many  wounds 

Would  make  him  weak  and  faint. 


96  BTJNYAN'S  PILGRIM 


Apollyon  seeing  now  a  chance, 

Close  up  to  Christian  ran, 
Then  wrestled  with  him  till  he  fell, 

And  sword  flew  from  his  hand. 
Apollyon  then  to  Christian  paid, 

'*  I'm  sure  I'll  have  thee  now  !" 
"With  that  he  pressed  him  nigh  to  death: 

Here  Christian's  faith  did  bow. 
While  he  was  drawing  now  to  strike, 

(Apollyon  here  I  mean,) 
Good  Christian  got  his  sword  again, 

And  thus  said  to  the  fiend: 
"Rejoice  not,  0  my  enemy, 

My  weakness  dont  despise ; 
You  may  in  battle  make  me  fall, 

But  then  I  shall  arise." 
With  that  he  gave  a  deadly  thrust, 

Which  made  the  fiend  move  back 
As  one  who  had  a  mortal  wound — 

This  made  his  courage  slack. 
Now  Christian  seeing  what  was  done, 

Again  made  at  him  thus : 
"  Indeed  we'  re  more  than  conqurors 

Through  him  who  loved  us." 
With  that  Apollyon  spread  his  wings, 

And  sped  him  far  away. 
So  Christian  saw  the  fiend  no  more — 

Thus  ended  this  affray. 
None  can  imagine  for  themselves, 

Unless  they  had  been  there, 
The  dreadful  noise  Apollyon  made, 

Which  seemed  to  rend  the  air : 
Because  he  like  a  dragon  spake, 

With  loud  and  hideous  roar 
Which  brought  forth  sighs  from  Christian's  heart, 

He  never  felt  before. 


IN  YEBSE.  97 


Till  he  had  with  his  two  edged  sword 

Made  bold  Apollyon  fly, 
One  cheerful  look  he  did  not  give, 

For  grief  was  in  his  eye. 
But  when  he  saw  the  wound  ho  gave 

The  fiend  fierce  and  vile, 
He  could  not  help  but  upward  look, 

And  give  a  cheerful  smile. 
But  0  !  it  was  a  dreadful  sight — 

The  like  I  never  saw — 
The  fiend  had  superhuman  strength, 

Which  made  me  stand  in  awe. 
Kow  when  the  battle  was  all  o'er, 

Good  Christian  smiled  and  said, 
I  will  give  thanks  to  him  who  hath 

In  trouble  been  my  aid. 
He  saved  me  from  Apollyon's  wrath, 

And  from  the  lion's  jaws; 
A  song  of  praise  I'll  sing  to  him 

Who  my  great  helper  was : 

"  Great  Beelzebub,  the  Captain  of  the  fiend, 
Designed  my  ruin ;  therefore  to  this  end 
He  sent  hiui  harnessed  out ;  and  he  with  rage, 
That  hellish  was,  did  fiercely  me  engage  1 

But  blessed  Michael  helped  me,  and  I, 
By  dint  of  sword  did  quickly  make  him  fly ; 
Therefore  to  him  let  me  give  lasting  praise 
And  thanks,  and  bless  his  holy  name  always." 

Then  came  a  hand  to  him  which  brought 

Leaves  from  the  tree  of  life  : 
These  Christian  took,  laid  on  his  wounds, 

Received  when  in  the  strife. 
Soon  as  he  had  these  leaves  applied 

His  wounds  were  healed  and  well; 
The  healing  virtues  of  these  leaves 

Tis  marvelous  to  tell. 


98  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

He  now  sat  down  to  eat  some  bread, 

And  drink  a  little  wine, 
Which  had  been  given  him  before 

To  cheer  his  drooping  mind. 
So  when  he  had  himself  refreshed 

And  more  fatigue  could  stand, 
He  ventured  on  his  journey  then, 

With  sword  drawn  in  his  hand. 
"Another  enemy,"  said  he, 

"  Perhaps  may  be  at  hand ; 
I  therefore  will  myself  prepare, 

That  I  may  him  withstand." 
No  more  affronts  did  Christian  meet 

Till  through  the  valley  quite, 
By  this  foul  fiend,  for  he  had  been 

By  Christian  put  to  flight. 
Now  at  the  place  this  valley  end3 

Another  doth  begin ; 
The  Valley  of  the  Shades  of  Death, 

And  he  must  go  therein. 
No  other  way  could  Christian  go 

To  the  Celestial  gate, 
But  through  the  very  midst  of  it, 

Because  the  way  was  straight. 
This  valley,  does  the  Prophet  say, 

A  solitary  place — 
A  land  of  deserts,  pits,  and  drought — 

It  is  a  wilderness. 
A  land  where  death's  own  shadow  is, 

Where  no  man  passeth  through, 
But  he  who  is  a  christian  man, 

With  glory  in  his  view. 

On  this  lone  land  no  man  has  dwelt, 
Nor  pitched  a  tent  thereon  ; 

Yet  all  the  pilgrims  passed  through  it 
Who  have  to  Zion  gone. 


IN  VERSE.  99 


Now  Christian  was  put  to  it  worse, 

(If  worse  indeed  could  be,) 
Than  with  Apollyon  in  the  light : 

Now  this  you  soon  will  see. 
Now  Christian  had  the  borders  reached 

Of  death's  own  shadow  then ; 
Here  met  him  two  fast  running  back— 

Two  frightened  looking  men. 
Now  these  were  children  of  the  men 

Who  brought  the  evil  news 
To  Moses,  of  the  goodly  land — 

That  land  they  did  abuse. 
Then  Christian  spake  and  said  to  them, 

"  Where  are  you  going  to." 
"  Back !   back  !"  they  said  "  and  you  '11  do  so, 

If  life  is  prized  by  you." 
"What  is  the  matter,"  Christian  said. 

The  men  made  this  reply  : 
"  We  were  both  going  as  you  are, 

But  saw  that  we  must  die. 
We  were  almost  past  coming  back, 

Far  as  we  dare  we  went; 
Had  we  a  little  farther  gone, 

Our  lives  would  have  been  spent." 
"  What  have  you  met  with,  sirs,"  said  he, 

"From  which  you  both  have  fled  ? 
What  is  there  in  this  valley,  now, 

So  very  much  to  dread  I 

"The  Valley  of  the  Shades  of  Death, 

We  had  almost  got  in  ; 
But  by  good  luck,  we  looked  before, 

And  danger  have  we  seen." 
"  What  have  you  seen,"  then  Christian  said, 

That  gave  you  such  a  fright?" 
"  The  valley  is  itself  as  dark," 

Said  they,  "  as  darkest  night. 


100  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

We  satyrs  saw — hobgoblins  too, 

And  dragons  of  the  pit ; 
We  also  heard  loud  howls  and  yells, 

We  never  can  forget  : 
Like  people  groaning  under  most 

Unutterable  pain, 
Who  there  sat  bound  in  iron  chains — 

Affliction  there  did  reign. 
Confusion  over  it  doth  hang, 

Like  great  and  lowering  clouds  ; 
And  o'er  it  Death  spreads  his  wings — 

Deep  gloom  this  place  enshrouds. 
Yes,  in  a  word,  to  say  the  best, 

T  is  dreadful,  every  whit ; 
No  order  there — confusion  though, 

And  doleful  things  in  it." 
Said  Christian,  "  I  can  not  perceive 

As  yet,  from  what  you  say, 
But  that  if  I  my  haven  gain, 

I  sure  must  go  this  way." 
"  Be  it  thy  way,  't  will  not  be  ours — 

Go  in  it  all  that  can." 
They  parted  then,  but  Christian  went 

His  way  with  sword  in  hand. 
Lest  he  should  meet  with  an  assault, 

He  kept  his  armour  on  ; 
And  in  his  hand  he  held  his  sword, 

And  had  it  ready  drawn. 
Now  in  my  dream,  as  far  as  I 

Could  see  this  valley  reach, 
I  plainly  saw  on  right  of  it, 

A  deep  and  dangerous  ditch. 

Now  in  this  ditch,  O !  sad  to  tell, 
The  blind  have  led  the  blind ; 

And  both  at  last  have  perished  there — 
They  could  no  footing  find. 


IN  VERSE.  101 


There  was  a  very  dangerous  quag, 

Along  on  the  left  hand  ; 
If  ever  good  men  fall  therein, 

They  find  no  place  to  stand. 
Into  that  quag  King  David  fell, 

And  would,  I  have  no  doubt, 
While  he  was  in,  been  smothered, 

Had  not  God  helped  him  out. 
The  path  was  very  narrow  here, 

Where  Christian  shunned  the  ditch ; 
(It  being  dark,)  he  then  was  like 

Into  the  quag  to  pitch. 
And  when  he  strived  to  shun  the  quag, 

Without  the  greatest  care 
He  would  get  quite  too  near  the  ditch, 

And  like  to  fall  in  there. 
Thus  he  went  on  with  bitter  sighs, 

For  with  his  dangers  all, 
The  pathway  was  so  very  dark 

He  scarce  could  see  at  all. 
Now  oft  times  when  he  raised  his  foot, 

He  dare  not  set  it  down : 
Not  knowing  what  it  would  be  on, 

For  this  was  dangerous  ground. 
About  the  middle  of  the  vale, 

I  saw  the  mouth  of  Hell ; 
Close  by  the  wayside,  too,  it  was, 

0,  wonderful  to  tell. 
Now  Christian  thought,  "  what  shall  I  do  ?" 

He  saw  the  smoke  and  flame  ; 
The  sparks  flew  out,  he  noises  heard, 

These  in  abundance  came. 
These  things  cared  not  for  Christian's  sword, 

As  did  Apollyon  bold  ; 
So  he  was  forced  to  sheath  his  sword — 

Another  weapon  hold. 


102  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

No  other  weapon  did  he  wield, 

While  he  contended  there, 
But  that  which  all  the  pilgrims  use, 

The  weapon  called  All-Prayer. 
Now  in  my  hearing  thus  he  cried, 

While  flames  did  toward  him  roll — 
"  0  Lord,  I  do  beseech  of  thee, 

Deliver  now  my  soul." 
But  he  went  on  a  great  while  thus— 

The  flames  did  still  arise, 
And  towards  him  I  saw  them  reach, 

This  made  him  agonize. 
Sometimes  he  dreadful  noises  heard, 

And  rushings  to  and  fro  ; 
He  feared  he  would  be  trodden  down, 

If  he  should  farther  go. 
,  Or  even  he  to  pieces  torn, 

By  things  that  might  there  be: 
The  valley  was  now  wholly  dark, 

That  Christian  could  not  see. 
These  frightful  sights  were  by  him  seen, 

These  dreadful  noises  heard, 
For  many  miles  along  the  way — 

No  wonder  Christian  feared. 
Now  coming  to  a  place,  he  heard 

A  gang  of  fiends,  he  thought ; 
He  thought  they  all  to  meet  him  came, 

So  here  awhile  he  stopt. 
Thought  he,  "  What  is  the  best  to  do  ? 
i    Shall  I  go  back  or  not?" 
Sometimes  of  going  back  again, 

He  had  a  distant  thought. 
But  then  he  thought,  "  I  may  have  come 

Half  way  the  valley  through  ; 
And  I  have  vanquished  many  things, 

Passed  many  dangers  too. 


IN  VEKSE.  103 


The  danger  now  of  going  back, 

Is  worse,  for  what  I  know, 
Than  all  the  dangers  1  shall  meet, 

If  I  still  onward  go." 
So  he  resolved  to  go  straight  on — 

The  fiends  seemed  drawing  near; 
And  when  they  came  almost  to  him, 

He  cried  out:  "Even  here, 
There  is  a  power,  0  ye  fiends, 

Can  scatter  you  abroad ; 
I  shall  walk  in  the  strength  of  him, 

Who  is  the  Lord  my  God." 
They  then  went  back,  no  farther  came, 

But  all  dispersed  and  fled — 
That  Christian  heard  no  more  of  them, 

No  more  had  them  to  dread. 
Poor  Christian  so  confounded  was, 

His  voice  he  did  not  know  ; 
When  you  have  heard  what  I  shall  tell, 

You'll  see  't  was  even  so. 
Just  when  he  had  got  near  the  mouth 

Of  that  great  burning  pit, 
A  wicked  one  behind  him  came, 

And  to  him  softly  slip'd. 
He  whispered  in  poor  Christian's  ear, 

Blasphemies  every  kind ; 
Which  Christian  thought,  no  doubt,  must  be 

The  thoughts  of  his  own  mind. 
This  grieved  good  Christian  more  than  all 

The  things  he  met  before — 
To  think  that  he  should  blaspheme  Him 

He  did  so  much  adore 
Now  Christian  could  not  help  this  thing, 

And  hence  was  not  to  blame; 
For  he  knew  not  to  stop  his  ears, 

Nor  yet  from  whence  they  came. 


L 


104  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

When  he  had  traveled  many  days, 

Disconsolate,  afraid, 
He  thought  he  heard  a  human  voice 

In  front  of  him,  which  said : 
"Though  I  walk  through  the  Valley,  and 

The  Shadow  too,  of  Death, 
I'll  fear  no  ill,  for  thou  art  here, 

I'll  lean  upon  thy  breast." 
Now  he  was  glad,  and  reasoned  thus : 

"Some  who  fear  God  are  here 
With  me  in  this  dark  valley,  now, 

I  need  not  greatly  fear. 
Yes,  God  is  with  them,  even  here, 

In  presence,  and  in  grace  ; 
Why  not  with  me  ?  though  here  unseen, 

For  dark  is  this  bad  place. 
I  hope  that  I  shall  overtake 

These  people  by-and-by; 
I  will  go  on,  though  I  should  fail, 

I  am  resolved  to  try." 
Had  Christian  not  then  called  aloud, 

The  foremost  had  not  known, 
That  any  one  was  in  the  valley, 

Save  him  alone. 
Now  by-and-by  the  day  did  break, 

Then  he  no  longer  mourned  ; 
Said  Christian,  "  he  death's  shadow  hath 

Into  the  morning  turned." 
He  stood  awhile  and  here  looked  back, 

When  morning  light  had  come, 
To  see  the  many  dangers  he 

Had  been  delivered  from. 
For  he  could  see  now  very  well, 
The  dreadful  quag  and  ditch, 
In  which  the  blind  have  led  the  blind, 
Till  both  in  them  did  pitch. 


IN  VERSE.  105 


The  narrow  path  he  plainly  saw, 

And  how  he  kept  in  it ; 
The  hobgoblins,  the  satyrs  too— 

And  dragons  of  the  pit. 
These  were  far  off,  for  after  day 

Did  break,  they  came  not  nigh ; 
But  Christian  now  could  see  them  all, 

With  his  discerning  eye. 
"He  bringeth  darkness  out  to  light, 

The  shadow  too  of  death" 
According  to  the  written  word, 

A  seeing  eye  he  hath. 
Now  this  did  Christian  much  effect, 

To  see  by  light  of  day, 
What  he  had  been  delivered  from, 

While  in  that  gloomy  way. 
He  did  not  fear  them  as  before, 

Though  here  he  saw  them  all ; 
For  now  he  had  the  light  of  day, 

He  therefore  feared  no  fall. 
The  first  part  of  this  valley,  which 

He  had  been  in  before, 
Was  dangerous,  the  part  to  come, 

Had  dangers  many  more. 
For  from  the  place  where  he  now  stood, 

Unto  the  valley's  end, 
'Twas  all  along  set  full  of  snares 

With  which  he  must  contend. 
Gins,  nets,  pitfalls,  deep  holes,  and  pits, 

And  shelvings  down  were  there; 
To  sum  it  up  in  fewer  words, 

There  were  all  kinds  of  snare. 
Had  now  it  been  as  dark  as  when 

The  first  part  he  was  in, 
Had  he  possessed  a  thousand  souls, 

They  all  had  ruined  been. 


106  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

But  Christian  here  was  favored  much, 

The  sun  had  just  arose, 
Along  the  valley  spread  his  light, 

The  dangers  did  expose. 
"  I  shall  have  light  along  my  way/' 

Said  Christian,  for  I  know 
"His  candle  shineth  on  my  head, 

While  I  through  dangers  go." 

Twas  by  this  light  that  Christian  came 

Quite  to  the  valley's  end; 
It  failed  him  not,  but  all  the  way 

His  pathway  did  attend. 

Now  at  the  valley's  end,  I  saw 

Some  ashes,  blood,  and  bones; 
And  mangled  bodies  of  good  men 

Who  had  been  killed  with  stones. 
These  were  the  bones  of  pilgrims  here, 

Now  bleaching  on  the  ground ; 
Their  ashes  too,  were  in  this  place, 

And  scattered  all  around. 
While  musing  how  these  things  came  here, 

Before  me  I  espied 
The  caves  of  two  great  giants,  who 

Had  dwelt  there  in  great  pride. 
Twas  here  that  Pope  and  Pagan  dwelt, 

Whose  tyranny  and  power, 
Put  holy  men  to  cruel  deaths — 

Made  wild  beasts  them  devour. 
But  Christian  passed  this  very  place, 

No  trouble  him  befel ; 
I  was  somewhat  amazed  to  see 

Him  pass  along  so  well. 
But  Pagan  I  have  since  found  out, 

Died  many  years  ago  ; 
The  other  he  is  yet  alive, 

But  some  think  scarcely  so. 


IN  VERSE.  107 


Because  by  reason  of  his  age, 

And  brushes  he  's  come  through, 
He  somewhat  crazy  has  become — 

His  joints  are  stiffened  too. 
So  now  he  can  do  little  more, 

Than  sit  about  his  cave, 
And  grin  at  pilgrims  as  they  pass, 

Or  like  a  madman  rave. 
He  often  bites  his  nails,  because 

He  cannot  at  them  come, 
As  onee  he  could  in  olden  time, 

When  he  was  brisk  and  young. 

So  Christian  still  kept  on  his  way, 

Knew  not  what  thoughts  to  have, 
Of  this  old  man  who  looked  so  grim, 

And  sat  about  his  cave. 
Especially  as  he  had  spoken, 

Though  he  could  nothing  do  ; 
He  said,  "  you  pilgrims  will  not  mend 

Till  more  are  burned  of  you." 
But  still  good  Christian  held  his  peace, 

Looked  sober  and  6edate  ; 
And  still  went  on,  no  hurt  received, 

And  sang  what  I  relate : 

O  world  of  wonders !  (I  can  say  no  less.) 
That  I  should  be  preserved  in  that  distress 
That  I  have  met  with  here ;  O  blessed  be 
That  hand  that  from  it  hath  delivered  me! 
Dangers  in  darkness,  devils,  hell,  and  sin, 
Did  compass  me  while  I  this  vale  was  in : 
Yea,  snares,  and  pits,  and  traps,  and  nets  did  lie 
My  path  about,  that  worthless,  silly  I 
Might  have  been  caught,  entangled  and  cast  down- 
But  since  I  live,  let  JESUS  wear  the  crown. 

As  Christian  now  went  on  his  way, 

He  came  to  an  ascent ; 
Which  had  on  purpose  been  cast  up, 

And  all  to  this  intent : 


108  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

That  pilgrim?  might  by  standing  here, 

Look  forward  on  the  way. 
Upon  this  place  did  Christian  go 

Without  the  least  delay. 
He  looking  forward  Faithful  saw, 

On  way  to  Zion  too  : 
Then  Christian  called  aloud  to  him, 

"Ho,  stay,  I'll  go  with  you." 
Then  Faithful  did  behind  him  look, 

And  Christian  called  again  : 
"Ho,  stay  till  I  come  up  to  you — 

A  short  time  there  remain." 
But  Faithful  answered  Christian,  "  no ; 

No  time  to  stay  I  find, 
For  the  avenger,  sir,  of  blood, 

Is  just  now  close  behind." 
At  this  was  Christian  somewhat  moved- 

Put  to  his  strength — run  fast, 
And  quickly  up  to  Faithful  came, 

And  him  out  ran  at  last. 
So  be  that  had  been  last  was  first, 

And  now  the  first  was  last ; 
And  Christian  now  did  vainly  smile, 

That  he  had  him  surpassed. 
Not  taking  heed  unto  his  feet, 

He  stumbled  and  he  fell, 
But  could  not  rise  without  the  help 

Of  him  he  did  excel. 
Then  in  my  dream  I  saw  that  they 

Did  loveingly  engage 
In  conversation  on  the  way, 

About  their  pilgrimage. 
Now  Christian  in  this  way  began  : 

"  My  friend  beloved,  most  dear, 
I'm  glad  that  I've  o'ertaken  you, 

It  does  me  so  much  cheer." 


IN  VERSE.  109 


I'm  glad  that  God  has  tempered  us 

In  such  a  way  that  we 
Can  be  companions  in  this  path, 

So  sweet  to  thee  and  me." 
Said  Faithful,  "  I  had  thought,  dear  friend, 

Your  comp'ny  to  have  had 
Quite  from  our  town,  but  you  kept  on, 

And  left  me  '  lone  and  sad." 
"How long,"  said  Christian,  "did  you  stay 

In  that  most  fearful  place, 
Before  you  went  on  pilgrimage, 

And  this  way  set  your  face  ?" 

"  I  staid,"  said  Faithful,  "  till  I  could 

In  peace  no  longer  stay. 
The  talk  was  such  that  I  through  fear 

Was  moved  to  come  away. 
Soon  after  you  the  city  left, 

The  talk  was  all  around, 
That  fire  would  from  Heaven  come, 

And  burn  it  to  the  ground." 
"What!  did  your  neighbors  talk  so,  friend? 

And  yet  had  no  desire 
To  leave  a  place  they  all  believed 

Would  soon  be  burned  with  fire  !" 
"  Yes,  Christian,  it  was  for  awhile 

In  every  body's  mouth ; 
Then  little  else  was  spoken  of 

But  this,  from  house  to  house." 
"  What !  no  one  leave  the  place  but  you ! 

The  danger  to  escape  ; 
And  it  in  every  body's  mouth, 

The  City's  awful  fate  ?" 
"  I  do  not  think  with  all  they  said, 

They  thought  it  would  be  true  ; 
Amidst  this  very  talk,  they  spake 

Deridingly  of  you: 


110  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

And  also  of  your  journey,  which 

They  called  your  pilgrimage  ; 
They  looked  upon  you  as  a  fool, 

In  such  a  work  to  engage. 
But  I  believed,  and  do  so  still, 

That  fire  shall  consume 
The  place  in  which  we  both  have  lived- 

That  this  will  be  its  doom. 

I  therefore  have  that  city  left, 

And  thus  far  I  am  come  ; 
This  judgment  will  not  me  o'ertake, 

If  I  get  safely  home." 
"  And  have  you  heard  no  talk  at  all, 

Of  neighbor  Pliable? 
Who  once  set  out  on  pilgrimage, 

As  you  have  heard  me  tell." 
"Yes,  Christian,  he  was  seen,  they  say, 

Part  way  to  follow  you ; 
Till  you  had  both  got  to  Despond — 

There  he  fell  in  the  Slough. 
To  have  this  known  or  get  abroad, 

Would  now  his  feelings  hurt ; 
But  I  am  sure  he  was  bedaubed 

With  just  that  kind  of  dirt." 
"  What  said  his  neighbors  then  to  him, 

About  his  pilgrimage ; 
His  being  well  bedaubed  with  mud — 

Returning  in  a  rage?" 

"This  Pliable,  since  he  went  back, 

Has  in  derision  been, 
By  people  of  all  sorts,  who  have 

Since  then  the  traitor  seen. 
Since  he  has  left  the  city  and 

Returned  to  it  again, 
He  now  is  worse,  full  seven  times, 

Than  he  before  had  been." 


INVERSE.  Ill 


"But  why  should  they  be  set  against 

The  way  he  last  has  taken, 
Since  they  despise  the  very  way 

That  he  has  just  forsaken  ?" 
"They  say — '0  hang  him,  turncoat  he, 

He's  not  what  he  professed  ; 
Such  cowardice  cannot  be  found, 

Between  the  east  and  west.' 
I  think  that  God,  his  enemies 

Hath  stirred  up,  as  we  say, 
To  make  a  proverb  of  this  man — 

From  God  he  turned  away." 
"Did  you,  friend  Faithful,  talk  to  him, 

Before  you  left  the  place  ?" 
"  No,  to  this  man  I  did  not  speak, 

I  now  will  state  the  case : 
I  met  him  once  when  in  the  streets— 

From  me  he  turned  away, 
And  walked  upon  the  other  side, 

And  nothing  did  he  say. 
Like  one  ashamed  of  what  he'd  done, 

He  kept  a  downcast  eye  ; 
I  nothing  said  to  him  at  all, 

But  only  passed  him  by." 
"  I  had  good  hopes  for  that  same  man 

At  my  own  first  outset; 
But  O,  I  fear  he  perish  will, 

In  that  great  city  yet. 
Just  like  the  proverbs,  and  how  true, 

It  happened  unto  him; 
'The  dog  has  to  his  vomit  turned, 

And  licked  it  up  again.' 
Also,  'The  sow  that  has  been  washed, 

Has  wallowed  in  the  mire  ;' 
She  soon  forgot  how  clean  she  was, 

When  filth  was  her  desire." 


112  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

"  Yes,  Christian,  these  are  my  fears  too, 

But  then  I  cannot  see, 
How  any  one  can  hinder  what 

His  dreadful  end  will  be." 
"  Well,  Faithful,  let  us  leave  this  man, 

For  what  ourselves  concern  ; 
"What  have  you  met  with  on  the  way  ? 

This  I  would  like  to  learn. 
For  if  you  have  with  nothing  met, 

It  may  be  written  down 
As  one  great  wonder  of  the  age, 

Not  often  to  be  found." 
"Well,  I've  escaped  that  Slough,  which  you 

Got  into,  I  perceive, 
And  got  up  to  the  gate  without 

That  danger ;  this  believe. 
But  then  I  met  with  one,  dear  sir, 

Who  would  have  ruined  me, 
Had  I  consented  to  her  wish — 

This  you  can  plainly  see." 
"  T  was  well  that  you  escaped  her  net; 

Your's  was  like  Joseph's  case, 
Who  fled  and  left  her  to  her  shame, 

Supported  by  God's  grace. 
That  good  man  Joseph,  spoken  of, 

While  he  was  in  the  strife, 
Was  driven  closely  to  his  wits, 

And  like  to  lose  his  life." 
"What,  Faithful,  did  she  say  to  you, 

That  she  might  you  allure, 
And  turn  you  from  the  path  of  peace, 

And  make  your  ruin  sure  ?" 
"I  cannot  think  but  that  you  know 

The  flattering  tongue  she  had, 
When  she  persuaded  me  to  come 
To  her  and  be  as  bad. 


INVERSE.  113 


She  used  all  kinds  of  flattering  words, 

That  she  could  then  invent, 
And  promising  that  I  should  have 

All  manner  of  content." 
"  She  did  not  promise  that  content* 

Which  a  good  conscience  gives 
To  those  who  8hun  forbidden  paths, 

And  do  in  virtue  live." 
"  You  know,  good  Christian,  what  I  mean, 

That  of  a  earn  el  kind  ; 
Content  of  vile  unchastity, 

Which  sinners  seek  to  find." 
"Thank  God  that  you  have  her  escaped, 

God's  mercy,  0,  how  rich  ; 
Let  those  who  are  of  God  abhorred, 

Fall  in  her  dangerous  ditch." 
"I  know  not,  Christian,  that  I  did 

Her  wholly  then  escape ; 
For  what  I  know,  she  may  have  done 

Me  harm  some  way  or  shape." 
"  I  hope  that  you  did  not  at  all, 

With  her  request  comply — 
The  wishes  of  her  evil  heart, 

Good  man,  then  gratify." 
"0,  no,  to  her  I  did  not  yield, 

For  I  remembered  well 
An  ancient  writing,  which  thus  reads — 

1  Her  steps  take  hold  of  hell.' 
So  I  shut  up  my  eyes,  that  she 

Might  not  with  looks  bewitch ; 
And  by  her  false  and  flattering  face, 

Get  me  plunged  in  the  ditch. 
Then  she  offended,  railed  on  me, 

She  many  things  did  say ; 
But  I,  without  returning  words, 

Left  her  and  went  my  way."  *J 


114  BUNTAN'S  PILGEIM 

"  Have  you  met  with  but  one  assault, 

The  whole  way  as  you  came  ? 
I  wish  to  know  your  trials  all, 

Perhaps  I've  seen  the  same." 
"When  I  had  just  got  to  the  foot 

Of  Difficiilty  Hill, 
I  met  with  quite  an  aged  man, 

Who  treated  me  quite  ill. 
The  old  man  nsked  me  who  I  was, 

And  where  about  to  go  : 
Said  I,  for  Zion  I  am  bound, 

If  you  desire  to  know. 
'Thou  lookest  like  an  honest  man,' 

The  old  man  to  me  said, 
'And  wilt  thou  be  content  to  stay 

With  me  for  wages  paid  ?' 
I  asked  the  old  man  where  he  dwelt, 

And  what  his  name  might  be  ; 
'  Adam  the  First,  sir,  is  my  name, 

My  town's  Deceit,'  said  he. 
I  asked  him  what  his  work  would  be, 

What  wages  he  would  give 
To  such  an  honest  man  as  I, 

If  I  should  with  him  live. 
'  My  work,'  said  he,  '  is  vain  delights, 

And  these  my  wages  are — 
Thou  shalt  a  long  time  with  me  live, 

At  last  shall  be  my  heir.' 
I  asked  him  then  what  house  he  kept, 

And  who  his  servants  were; 
Said  he,  '  My  servants  I  beget, 

But  thou  shalt  be  an  heir.' 
Said  he,  '  My  house  hath  rich  supplies, 

And  when  I  spread  my  board, 
'T  is  filled  with  all  the  dainty  things 

That  this  world  can  afford.' 


IN  VEESE.  115 


Said  I,  how  many  children  sir, 

Are  you  a  father  to  ? 
'  I  have  three  daughters,'  he  replied, 

1  Children  I  have  few. 
The  Lust  of  Flesh,  the  Lust  of  Eye, 

The  other  Pride  of  Life ; 
Of  these,  6ir,  if  you  please,  you  can 

Take  one  to  be  your  wife.' 
I  asked  the  old  man  then,  how  long 

His  house  might  be  my  home ; 
He  said  as  long  as  he  would  live, 

I  need  not  from  it  roam." 
Then  Christian  unto  Faithful  said: 

"  Since  I  have  heard  the  past, 
On  what  did  you  and  he  conclude  ? 

On  what  decide  at  last?" 
"  At  first  I  felt  inclined  to  go 

With  him,"  said  Faithful,  "there; 
His  words  were  all  so  flattering — 

He  spake  so  very  fair  : 
But  in  his  forehead  I  could  read, 

While  talking  with  the  man, 
'  Put  off  the  old  man  with  his  deeds ;' 

This  put  me  to  a  stand." 
When  Faithful  had  related  this, 

"  How  then  ?"  did  Christian  say, 
"  Did  you  receive  those  warning  lines, 

And  put  the  man  away  ?" 
"  This  burning  hot  came  to  my  mind — 

'Twas  flattery  you  gave, 
And  when  you  get  me  to  your  house, 

You'll  sell  me  for  a  slave. 
I  bid  the  old  man  hold  his  peace, 

I  talked  with  him  no  more, 
For  this  my  settled  purpose  was 

To  go  not  nigh  his  door. 


He  said  that  I  should  nothing  gain, 

By  this,  upon  the  whole : 
One  he  would  send  to  make  my  way 

Quite  bitter  to  my  soul. 
I  turned  myself  to  go  away, 

But  as  I  turned  about, 
He  caught  my  flesh  with  such  a  twitch, 

I  thought  he  tore  some  out. 
He  pulled  me  backward,  by  the  strength 

Of  his  unyielding  hand, 
Which  made  me  cry,  0  wretched  man  ! 

How  can  I  him  withstand  ? 
So  I  went  on  my  way  again, 

From  thence,  right  up  the  hill, 
But  when  I  had  got  half  way  up, 

More  trouble  I  found  still. 
For  when  I  looked  behind  myself, 

I  saw  one  coming  nigh  ; 
As  swift  as  wind  itself  he  came, 

But  did  not  pass  me  by. 
He  overtook  me  just  about 

The  place  the  arbor  stands; 
Twas  but  a  word,  and  then  a  blow, 

I  met  with  from  his  hands. 
For  down  he  knocked  me,  quick  as  thought, 

And  there  I  lay  for  dead, 
But  when  I  had  revived  again, 

Why  serve  me  so,  I  said  ?" 
'Because  you  secretly  incline 

To  Adam  the  First,'  said  he  ; 
With  that  he  struck  me  on  the  breast 

Which  much  prostrated  me. 
He  knocked  me  down,  I  backward  fell : 

When  to  myself  I  came, 
I  mercy  cried,  he  showed  me  none— 

He  knocked  me  down  again. 


IN  VEESE.  11 7 


Said  he  :  'How  to  be  merciful 

Is  something  I  don't  know  ; 
It  is  not  in  my  reach  at  all — 

I  can  no  mercy  show.' 
He  would  have  made  an  end  of  me, 

While  he  was  with  me  there, 
Had  not  one  came  and  said  to  him, 

That  he  should  now  forbear." 
Said  Christian :  "  Who  bade  him  forbear, 

Who  could  no  mercy  show; 
But  struck  at  once  with  all  his  might, 

And  gave  blow  after  blow  ?" 
Then  Faithful  said  :  "  I  knew  him  not, 

Until  I  had  espied 
The  holes  that  were  in  both  his  hands — 

And  also  in  his  side. 
Then  I  concluded  this  can  be 

None  other  than  our  Lord  ; 
I  then  went  safely  up  the  hill, 

And  holy  peace  enjoyed." 
"  'T  was  Moses  overtook  you,  friend," 

Said  Christian,  "And  you  saw 
He  spareth  none,  no  mercy  shows, 

To  those  who  break  his  law." 
"  I  knew  it  well,"  then  Faithful  said; 

"  He  oft  met  me  before, 
While  I  securely  dwelt  at  home, 

Though  nigh  destruction's  door. 

He  said  that  he  my  house  would  burn— 

The  shelter  o'er  my  head, 
If  I  staid  there  ;  but  I  alarmed, 

Have  from  that  dwelling  fled." 
Said  Christian:  "Did  you  see  the  house 

That  6tands  on  top  the  hill, 
On  the  same  side  you  Moses  met, 

Sir,  tell  me  if  you  will?" 


118  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"Yes,"  Faithful  said,  "I  saw  the  house — 

I  saw  the  lions  too  ; 
It  being  noon  they  were  asleep, 

So  they  made  no  ado. 
Because  I  had  before  me  still, 

At  least  half  of  the  day, 
I  thought  I  would  go  down  the  hill 

Without  the  least  delay." 
"The  porter  told  me,"  Christian  said, 

"He  saw  you  pass  that  way; 
I  wish  you  had  called  at  the  house, 

And  there  made  some  delay: 
For  rarities  they  would  have  shown, 

Before  you  came  away  ; 
Of  these  I'm  sure  you'd  often  think, 

Until  your  dying  day. 
The  Valley  of  Humility, 

Pray  tell  me  while  in  it, 
Was  you  alone?  Was  no  one  there 

With  whom  you  chanced  to  meet?" 

u  Yes,"  Faithful  said,  "  I  met  a  man, 

One  Discontent  by  name, 
Who  talked  with  me,  and  wished  me  to 

Go  back  with  him  again. 
He  gave  this  as  a  reason  why 

He  let  his  courage  fail ; 
That  honor  never  could  be  found, 

Within  that  gloomy  Vale. 
He  also  said,  '  And  more  than  this, 

You  cannot  make  amends; 
And  you  will  grieve,  if  not  offend, 

The  feelings  of  your  friends. 
Such  friends  as  Arrogance,  said  he, 

And  such  as  Self-Conceit ; 
With  Pride,  who  in  the  market  place, 

Doth  seek  the  great  to  greet.' 


IN  VERSE.  119 


He  said  that  these,  Vain  Glory  too, 

Would  soon  my  foes  be  made, 
If  I  would  like  a  fool  go  in, 

And  through  this  Valley  wade." 
Then  Christian  unto  Faithful  said  : 

M  How  did  you  answer  him? 
To  Discontent  how  did  you  speak, 

Concerning  all  these  kin  ? 
"  I  said,  according  to  the  flesh, 

They  all  to  me  are  kin  ; 
But  they  and  I  at  variance  are, 

Since  I've  a  pilgrim  been. 
For  I  have  been  disowned  by  them, 

And  they  disowned  by  me  ; 
So  now  my  very  lineage 

Are  not  my  friends,  you  see. 
I  also  said  that  he  did  not 

This  subject  understand; 
That  honor  and  humility, 

Do  join  each  others  hands. 
I  told  this  man  that  I  would  go 

To  honor  through  this  vale; 
That  this  is  so,  d<»  wise  men    say, 

Whose  judgment  cannot  fail." 
Now  after  Faithful  had  thus  talked, 

Then  Christian  spake  himself, 
And  asked  him  if  while  he  was  there, 

He  met  with  something  else. 
"Yes,"  Faithful  said,  "I  met  a  man 

That  went  by  name  of  Shame; 
But  I  am  6ure  that  this  was  not 

A  very  proper  name." 
Then  Christian  unto  Faithful  said: 

•'  Why,  what  said  Shame  to  you? 
He  has  his  word  to  say  to  all, 

Who  pass  that  valley  through." 


120  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"Religion  lie  objected  to," 

Said  Faithful ;  "called  it  low, 
As  mean  and  sneaking  kind  of  work, 

As  man  could  into  go. 
A  tender  conscience,  too,  he  said, 

Was  an  unmanly  thing  ; 
This  watching  all  our  words  and  ways, 

Must  bondage  with  it  bring. 
Said  he :  '  Brave  spirits  of  the  times 

Do  not  walk  by  this  rule ; 
Not  using  all  our  liberty, 

Deserves  great  ridicule.' 
And  this  objection  too,  he  brought — 

'Not  many  rich  nor  wise, 
Of  my  opinion  could  be  found — 

Not  so  deceived  their  eyes. 
Not  any  such  until  they  were 

Persuaded  to  be  fools  ; 
A  voluntary  fondness  then 

They  all  had  for  my  rules. 
Such  men,'  he  said,  '  would  venture  loss 

Of  all  a  man  has  got, 
For  something  future  they  expect, 

But  no  one  else  knows  what.' 
The  base  and  low  estate  of  those 

Who  bear  the  pilgrim  name, 
In  every  country  where  they  live, 

He  said,  was  a  great  shame. 
Their  ignorance  of  sciences, 

He  thought  was  great  disgrace  : 
Now  this  he  threw  with  confidence 

And  boldness,  in  my  face. 
In  many  other  things  than  this, 

He  held  me  at  that  rate ; 
In  many  things  that  I  do  not 

At  full  length  now  relate. 


IN  TERSE.  121 


As  that  it  was  a  shame  for  one 

To  sit  and  mourn  and  groan, 
Till  he  had  heard  a  sermon  through, 

And  then  go  sighing  home. 
He  said  for  me  to  go  and  ask 

My  neighbor  to  forgive 
A  little  petty  fault  of  mine, 

Was  shamefully  to  live. 

Or  if  I  stole  my  neighbor's  goods, 

And  them  restore  again, 
He  said  was  plainly  owning  it, 

And  this  too,  was  a  shame. 
He  also  said  religion  made 

Us  strangers  to  the  great ; 
Made  us  to  own  the  baser  sort, 

Respect  their  low  estate. 
Because  the  pilgrims  all  belong 

To  one  fraternity, 
And  is  not  this  itself  a  shame  ? 

A  wretched  thing,  said  he." 
Then  Christian  unto  Faithful  said  : 

"What  did  you  then  reply  ? 
With  such  a  man  one  scarcely  knows, 

Which  way  is  best  to  try." 
Then  answered  Faithful :  u  What  to  say 

At  first,  I  did  not  know; 
Shame  brought  the  blood  up  in  my  face, 

He  put  me  to  it  so. 
His  arguments  nigh  beat  me  off, 

But  this  their  weight  destroyed  : 
'What  highly  is  esteemed  of  men, 

Is  hated  by  the  Lord.' 
I  thought  again — that  Shame  tells  me 

What  men  are  ;  but  the  Lord, 
What  He  is,  it  doth  never  tell, 

Nor  what  is  in  his  word.  K 


122  BUNYA.N'S  PILGRIM 

I  thought  this  too, — the  day  of  doom 

Will  not  give  death  or  life, 
According  to  the  spirits  of 

This  world,  who  make  strife. 
But  according  to  the  wisdom, 

And  law  of  the  Most  High, 
The  whole  of  Adam's  fallen  race 

Will  ever  live,  or  die. 
Again,  I  thought  within  myself, 

What  God  says  is  the  best ; 
Though  all  men  in  the  world  deny, 

His  word  will  bear  the  test. 
Now  seeing  God  does  his  religion 

First  and  last  prefer — 
And  seeing  that  a  tender  conscience 

He  likewise  does  prefer — 
And  seeing  they  are  wisest  who 

Are  fools  for  Heave u'6  sake — 
The  poor  are  rich  who  love  the  Lord, 

More  rich  than  gold  can  make. 
The  richest  men  who  hate  the  Lord, 

Are  poor  indeed,  for  such 
No  peace  of  mind  can  ever  have, 

Though  they  lord  over  much. 
So  Shame,  depart,  thou  enemy 

Of  my  salvation,  go  ; 
Shall  I  thee  entertain,  against 

My  Lord  and  Sovereign?  No. 
If  now  I  am  ashamed  of  him, 

His  servants  and  his  ways, 
Can  I  when  he  to  judgment  comes, 

Look  shameless  in  his  face  ? 
Can  I  the  blessing  of  his  smile — 

His  praise  '  weil  done'  expect, 
If  I  should  through  the  fear  of  Shame, 

His  ways  shun  or  reject? 


IN  VERSE.  123 


This  Shame  a  bold  faced  villain  was- 

Him  have  I  tried  to  shun  ; 
But  still  I  had  his  company, 

When  I  my  best  had  done. 
He  would  be  always  hunting  me, 

And  whispering  in  my  ear, 
Through  some  of  my  infirmities— 

Which  more  or  less  appear. 
But  then  at  last  I  told  him  this— 

Your  efforts  are  in  vain  ; 
For  I  most  glory  see  in  things 

Which  you  the  most  disdain. 
Though  he  was  so  importunate — 

At  hand  in  every  thing, 
I  did  at  last  get  rid  of  him, 

I  then  began  to  sing : 


•The  trials  that  those  men  do  meet  withal, 

That  are  obedient  to  the  heavenly  call, 

Are  manifold  and  suited  to  the  flesh, 

And  come,  and  come,  and  come  again  afresh ; 

That  now,  or  some  time  else,  we  by  them  may 

Be  taken,  overcome,  and  cast  away. 

O  let  the  pilgrims,  let  the  pilgrims  then 

Be  vigilant,  and  quit  themselves  like  men.' " 


And  now  to  Faithful  Christian  said : 

"Dear  brother,  I  am  glad 
You  did  withstand  tfiis  villain  so — 

True  courage  you  have  had. 
I  think  with  you  that  he  has  not 

A  very  proper  name  ; 
So  bold  is  he  th»t  in  the  streets, 

He  would  put  us  to  shame. 
He  tries  to  make  us  feel  ashamed 

Of  what  is  truly  good  ; 
And  this  he  has  been  bold  to  do, 

In  every  case  he  could. 


124  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

If  he  had  in  him  any  shame, 

He  would  not  long  persist 
In  doing  boldly  what  he  does — 

But  we  must  him  resist. 
But  notwithstanding  all  he  says, 

The  fool  he  doth  promote, 
And  no  one  else;  from  Solomon 

I  do  this  sentence  quote." 
"  I  think,"  said  Faithful,  "  we  must  cry 

For  help  to  save  from  Shame ; 
We'll  cry  to  him  who  has  declared 

We  must  be  valiant  men." 
Then  Christian  said :  "  Your  words  are  good, 

But  did  you  meet  no  one 
Till  you  had  gone  the  valley  through, 

Except  this  Shame  alone?" 
Then  Faithful  said :   "  I  met  with  none 

Till  I  had  traveled  through 
The  Valley  of  the  Shade  of  Death, 

And  through  this  valley  too. 
The  sun  did  very  brightly  shine 

Upon  this  dangerous  way  ; 
And  thus  1  had,  while  coming  through, 

The  light  of  perfect  day." 
Said  Christian :  "  It  fared  well  with  you — 

With  me,  though,  not  so  well; 
For  when  I  in  the  valley  came, 

I  met  a  fiend  of  Hell. 
Apollyon  was  the  fiend  I  met, 

And  hour  after  hour 
I  had  with  him  my  way  to  fight, 

For  fearful  was  his  power. 
He  threw  me  down,  and  as  I  fell, 

My  sword  dropt  from  my  hand; 
He  said  that  he  was  sure  of  me — 

I  was  at  his  command. 


IN  VERSE.  125 


I  looked  for  nothing  less  than  death, 

When  he  had  got  me  down, 
And  pressed  me  with  his  mighty  strength 

Upon  the  6olid  ground. 
But  unto  God  I  made  a  cry, 

From  him  an  answer  came  ; 
He  from  from  my  troubles  set  me  free, 

For  this  I  praise  his  name. 
The  Valley  of  the  Shade  of  Death, 

I  after  this  went  in  ; 
Had  no  more  light  till  half  way  through, 

Than  if  no  light  had  been. 
Yes,  more  than  once,  I  thought  that  I 

Would  surely  perish  there  ; 
But  good  for  me,  day  broke  at  last, 

And  ended  my  despair. 
The  Sun  arose,  0  blessed  sight; 

I  journeyed,  after  this, 
Throughout  the  whole  remaining  part> 

In  quietness  and  peace." 
Now  in  my  dream  I  also  saw, 

While  they  were  walking  on, 
That  Faithful  looking  to  one  side, 

Beheld  a  certain  one. 
The  man  he  saw  was  Talkative ; 

Though  at  a  distance,  he 
Was  walking  on  one  side  of  them— 

This  I  could  plainly  see. 
This  man  was  tall,  and  comely  too, 

More  at  a  distance  though 
Than  when  he  was  at  hand; 

Some  people  are,  you  know. 
Now  Faithful  did  address  himself 

To  Talkative  like  this: 
"  Friend,  whither  are  you  going  now  t 

To  Heaven,  the  land  of  bliss  I"  *K 


126  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"  I  'm  on  my  journey  now,"  said  he, 

"To  that  most  blissful  place." 
Thus  he  replied  with  quite  an  air, 

Hope  beaming  in  his  face. 
Said  Faithful :  "This  is  very  well, 

We'll  have  your  company." 
"I'm  glad  of  this,"  said  Talkative, 

"  I  '11  your  companion  be." 
"Come  on,"  said  Faithful,  "let  us  go, 

And  6weetly  spend  our  time 
In  the  most  profitable  talk ; 

Our  thoughts  will  be  sublime." 
"To  talk  of  what  is  good,  dear  sir, 

Is  quite  acceptable, 
With  you  or  any  person  else — 

This  is  the  truth  I  tell." 
He  also  said :  "  I  'm  glad  to  meet 

With  those  who  thus  incline 
To  something  good,  for  very  few 

Care  thus  to  spend  their  time. 
But  many  when  they  travel,  choose 

Unprofitable  themes; 
Now  this  has  been  a  grief  to  me, 

But  joy  to  them,  it  seems." 
Said  Faithful :  "This  we  should  lament; 

At  home  and  when  abroad, 
What  is  more  worthy  of  our  tongues, 

Than  themes  of  Heaven  and  God." 
Said  Talkative  :   "  I  like  you  well . 

It  pleasant  is  my  friend, 
To  talk  of  what  pertaius  to  God, 

To  this  we  will  attend. 
What  things  so  pleasant,  (if  a  man 

In  wonders  takes  delight,) 
As  talk  about  the  mysteries 

Of  which  the  Prophets  write. 


IN  VERSE.  12*7 


To  such  a  man,  who  loves  to  talk 

Of  miracles  and  signs, 
"Where  sees  he  them  more  sweetly  found, 

Than  in  the  Scripture  lines?" 
Said  Faithful :  "  That  is  very  true, 

But  this  should  be  our  aim ; 
When  we  converse  on  things  divine, 

To  profit  by  the  same." 
"That  my  thought  is,"  said  Talkative  ; 

**  By  talk  like  this  we  gain 
The  knowledge  of  such  things  as  this, 

That  earthly  things  are  vain. 
Through  talk  like  this,  our  minds  are  fixed 

Upon  the  things  above ; 
Such  talk,  no  doubt,  does  often  tend 

To  stir  us  up  in  love. 
Now  in  this  one  important  thing, 

We  often  see  its  worth  ; 
"Where  some  by  it  are  brought  to  see 

Their  need  of  the  new  birth. 
A  conversation  of  this  kind, 

Will  often  bring  to  view 
The  insufficiency  of  works, 

And  all  that  man  can  do. 
The  need  of  righteousness  divine, 

Which  far  exceeds  our  own — 
The  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ, 

The  Father's  only  Son. 
Besides,  the  time,  in  company 

With  Christians,  rightly  6pent, 
Will  learn  us  whar.  it  is  to  pray, 

To  suffer  and  repent. 
And  more  than  this — a  man  may  learn 

What  promises  there  are, 
And  gospel  consolations,  which 

Earth's  joys  outweigh  by  far. 


128  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

By  this  a  man  may  also  learn 

False  notions  to  refute ; 
And  how  to  teach  the  ignorant — 

Bring  truth  to  end  dispute." 
Said  Faithful,  "  all  that  you  have  said 

I  must  believe  is  true  ; 
And  glad  I  am  to  hear  these  things, 

Which  I  have  heard  from  you." 
"  Alas !"  said  Talkative,  "  I  fear 

For  want  of  this,  so  few 
Do  understand  the  need  of  faith, 

And  grace,  to  make  us  new : 
And  of  the  way  that  leads  to  life, 

They  ignorant  remain, 
Expecting  through  the  law  itself, 

The  kingdom  to  obtain." 
Said  Faithful,  "  by  your  leave  I'll  say, 

That  heavenly  knowledge  of 
These  precious  things,  that  you  have  named, 

Is  the  free  gift  of  God : 
These  truths  and  subjects  which  you've  named, 

I'm  sure  none  can  be  made 
To  understand,  by  talk  alone, 

Though  much  is  heard  and  said." 
"  All  this  I  know,"  said  Talkative ; 

"  We  nothing  can  receive, 
Except  it's  given  us  from  heaven— 

This  firmly  I  believe. 
This  is  of  grace,  and  not  of  works, 

This,  Scripture  plainly  show, 
And  none  on  earth  can  shake  my  faith, 

For  this  is  surely  so." 
"  Well  then,"  said  Faithful,  "  what  one  thing 

Shall  we  discourse  upon  ? 
As  for  the  subject,  I  leave  you 

To  make  a  choice  of  one." 


IN  TERSE.  129 


"  Just  what  you  please,"  said  Talkative, 

"  I'll  talk  of  heaven  or  earth — 
Of  sacred  things,  of  things  profane — 

"Which  ever  you  wish  first. 
And  I  can  talk  of  moral  things — 

Things  past  or  things  to  come, 
And  foreign  things  I  will  describe, 

Or  talk  of  things  at  home. 
I  will  discourse  on  any  thing, 

By  which  the  time  to  spend, 
That  will  to  us  a  pleasure  prove, 

And  profit  in  the  end." 
Now  Faithful  was  somewhat  amazed, 

And  thus  to  Christian  talked  : 
"  Sir,  what  a  brave  companion  this 

With  whom  awhile  I've  walked. 
A  good  companion  he  will  be, 

And  this  I  will  engage, 
That  he  is  very  excellent 

To  go  on  pilgrimage." 
To  Faithful,  then  good  Christian  said, 

With  quite  a  modest  smile, 
"This  man  you  are  so  taken  with, 

Does  with  his  tongue  beguile. 
Yes,  twenty  men  that  know  him  not 

He  slyly  can  deceive, 
And  not  a  word  fall  from  his  lips 

But  they  will  all  believe." 
"Do  you  know  him  ?"  then  Faithful  asked, 

"Whom  you  suspicion  so?" 
"  I  better  know  him,"  Christian  said, 

Than  he  himself  doth  know." 
Said  Faithful.  "  if  you  know  this  man, 

Pray,  sir,  what  can  he  be  ? 
The  knowledge  which  you  have  of  him, 

Communicate  to  me." 


130  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 


To  this  did  Christian  thus  reply, 

"He  dwels  in  our  town  ; 
His  name,  I've  learned,  is  Talkative, 

He  aimeth  at  renown. 
It's  strange  that  you,  a  stranger  are 

To  one  that  dwelleth  here, 
But  when  I  think  our  town  is  large, 

This  does  not  strange  appear. 
"  Whose  son  is  he  ?"  did  Faithful  ask : 

Said  Christian,  "you  shall  know — 
He  is  the  son  of  one  Say-well, 

And  dwells  in  Prating-row. 
Now,  notwithstanding  his  fine  tongue, 

So  oily  and  so  mellow, 
"When  he  is  rightly  understood, 

He  is  a  sorry  fellow." 
Said  Faithful,  "  well,  he  seems  to  be 

A  very  pretty  man  :" 
But  Christian  said.  "  to  them  he  is, 

Who  see  not  through  his  plan. 
Now  he  indeed  is  best  abroad, 

At  home  looks  bad  enough  ; 
He  always  at  a  distance  shines — 

When  near  he  shows  the  rough. 
Your  saying  that  he  pretty  is, 

Recalls  now  to  my  mind, 
What  I  have  seen  in  painter's  work, 

Where  colors  are  combined. 
Some  pictures,  at  a  distance  seen, 

Do  beautiful  appear ; 
But  very  common  is  the  sight, 

If  seen  when  one  is  near." 
Then  Faithful  thus  to  Christian  said, 

"  I  think  you  do  but  jest, 
Because  a  smile  upon  your  face 

This  moment  seems  to  rest." 


IN  VERSE.  131 


Then  Christian  answered,  "jest  you  say? 

But  I  say  God  forbid 
That  in  this  matter  I  should  jest, 

If  even  smile  I  did. 
And  God  forbid  that  any  man 

I  talsly  should  accuse — 
My  heart  will  not  consent  to  this, 

Thus  others  to  abuse. 
But  this  much  I  can  say  of  him, 

It  suits  liim  very  well 
To  be  in  any  company, 

Or  any  story  tell. 
Just  as  this  man  has  talked  with  you, 

You'll  never  find  him  fail, 
To  talk  the  same  in  brandy  shops, 

And  when  he's  full  of  ale. 
The  more  that  brandy  stirs  his  brain, 

The  more  these  things  his  mouth ; 
Religion  is  not  in  his  heart, 

No  altar  in  his  house. 
All  that  he  hath  is  in  his  tongne ; 

With  this  he  makes  a  noise, 
That  other  men  may  say  of  him, 

How  much  that  man  enjoys." 
Then  Faithful  unto  Christian  said, 

"How  much  was  I  deceived — 
That  he  was  quite  a  holy  man, 

Sincerely  I  believed." 
"Deceived  1"  said  Christian,  "that  you  are, 

And  right  upon  this  spot 
You  have  the  proverb  of  such  men — 

'They  say  but  they  do  not.' 
Here  is  a  truth,  I  hope  you  will 

Remember  from  this  hour — 
The  kingdom  never  is  in  word, 

It  only  is  in  power. 


132  BUN  FAN'S  PILGEIM 

He  talketh  much  of  prayer  and  faith, 

Repentance  and  new  birth  ; 
He  knows  not  but  to  talk  of  them, 

He  never  feels  their  worth. 
I  know  what  I  have  said  of  him 

Is  true,  yes  every  word  : 
I  have  been  in  his  family, 

Where  I  have  seen  and  heard. 
I  have  observed  him  every  where, 

And  noted  his  behavior  ; 
No  more  religion  in  his  house, 

Than  in  an  egg  is  savor. 
He  does  not  pray,  nor  any  sign 

Of  penitence  you'll  find. 
The  brute  does  better  serve  the  Lord, 

According  to  his  kind. 
This  man  is  to  the  cause  of  Christ, 

A  sore  reproach  and  shame 
Religion  he  gives  here  and  there, 

A  deep  and  lasting  stain. 
A  goo  1  word  it  can  hardly  have, 

Wherever  he  is  known  ; 
It  will  be  lightly  spoken  of, 

Through  him  all  over  town. 

The  common  people  who  know  him, 

A  proverb  have — like  some, 
*  He  is  a  perfect  saint  abroad, 

A  devil  though  at  home.' 
His  family  all  find  it  so — 

They  know  him  as  a  churl — 
A  greater  railer,  worse  to  please, 

Does  not  disgrace  the  world. 
And  all  who  dealings  have  with  him, 

Find  such  a  crouding  work, 
That  they  had  better,  for  themselves, 

Have  dealings  with  a  Turk. 


IN  VERSE.  133 


This  Talkative,  if  possible, 

Will  manage  to  defraud, 
Beguile  and  over-reach  a  man, 

Not  fearing  man  nor  God. 
Besides,  his  sons  he  bringeth  up 

To  follow  in  his  steps ; 
If  one  is  conscientious, 

This  out  of  him  he  gets. 
If  he  a  tenderness  perceives, 

Of  conscience  in  his  child, 
He  then  it  fool  and  blockhead  calls— 

'Tis  thus  by  him  reviled. 

And  that  he  may  discourage  him, 

He  does  not  him  employ 
In  things  of  honor  or  of  trust. 

Now  so  he  treats  his  boy. 
'Tis  my  opinion  that  this  man 

Has,  by  his  wicked  life , 
Made  many  stumble,  fall  and  sin, 

And  mock  the  Christian's  strife. 
Unless  the  Lord  upon  this  man, 

Repentance  doth  bestow, 
I  fear  that  many  more,  through  him, 

Will  down  to  ruin  go." 
"  Well  now,"  said  Faithful,  "  I  am  bound, 

Dear  brother,  to  believe, 
From  what  you  say  about  this  man, 

That  he  means  to  deceive. 
And  not  alone  because  you  said 

That  Talkative  you  know — 
But  your  reports  are  Christian-like, 

It  therefore  must  be  so." 
Said  Christian,  "  had  I  known  this  man, 

No  better  than  did  you 
At  first,  I  might  have  taken  quite 

A  charitable  view : 


134  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Or  had  I  this  report  received, 

From  enemies  of  God 
I  would  have  thought  it  slander  was, 

To  injure  him  abroad. 
But  all  these  things  and  many  more, 

I  know  him  guilty  of; 
Yes  many  things  as  bad  as  these, 

I  know  that  I  can  prove. 
Besides,  good  men  are  all  ashamed 

With  him  their  time  to  spend  ; 
And  neither  do  they  call  this  man 

A  brother  or  a  friend. 
His  very  name,  where  he  is  known, 

Upon  them  brings  a  blush, 
For  he  has  fellowship  with  those, 

Who  would  religion  crush." 
Said  Faithful  then,  "  to  do  and  say 

Is  not  one  thing,  but  two  ; 
It  is  one  thing  to  talk  about, 

Another  thing  to  do. 
Now  this  distinction,  after  this, 

I  think  I  shall  observe, 
For  onlv  they  who  say  and  do, 

The  Christian  name  deserve." 
Said  Christian,  "yes,  they  are  two  things; 

The  difference  as  great 
As  that  'twixt  body  and  the  soul, 

When  they  are  separate. 
For  as  the  body,  when  the  soul 

Is  absent,  is  but  dead, 
Of  saying  when  it  is  alone, 

The  same  may  well  be  said. 
The  soul  of  pure  religion,  in 

The  sacred  writer's  view, 
Is  not  a  multitude  of  words — 

It's  for  a  man  to  do. 


IN  VERSE.  135 


This  is  religion  undefined 

Before  the  Father  God- 
To  visit  where  afflictions  are. 

At  home  and  when  abroad. 

To  seek  the  helpless  widow's  cot, 

And  see  that  she  has  bread, 
And  clothing  for  her  little  ones: 

Whose  father  now  is  dead. 
To  keep  himself  before  the  world, 

That  heaven's  foes  cannot 
Point  out,  in  his  profession,  one 

Dark  or  disgraceful  spot. 
This,  Talkative  does  not  perceive, 

But  thinks,  upon  the  whole, 
To  hear  and  say  is  Christian  live — ■ 

He  thus  deceives  his  soul. 
Though  hearing  in  its  place,  is  good, 

Tis  but  to  sow  the  seed 
And  talk  alone  will  never  prove, 

That  there  is  fruit  indeed. 
And  let  us  well  assure  ourselves, 

That  on  the  day  of  doom, 
We  shall  be  judged  according  to 

The  fruit,  and  not  the  bloom. 
It  will  not  then  be  said  to  men, 

Did  you  believe  or  hear? 
But  did  you  do  as  well  as  say, 

And  dry  the  mourner's  tear? 
According  to  this  very  rule, 

When  the  last  day  shall  come, 
The  sons  of  men  shall  all  be  judged, 

And  hear  their  final  doom. 
The  Saviour  has  the  end  of  time, 

To  harvest  time  compared  ; 
In  harvest  men  save  but  the  fruit — 

The  chaff  is  then  not  spared. 


136  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

That  work  will  do  where  faith  is  not, 

I  do  not  mean  to  say, 
For  Talkative  will  need  them  both, 

On  that  important  day." 
"  This  brings  to  mind,"  then  Faithful  said, 

"  How  Moses  doth  describe 
The  beast  that's  clean — it  chews  the  cud — 

The  hoof  it  doth  divide. 
Not  that  it  doth  divide  the  hoof, 

Or  chew  the  cud  alone, 
But  chews  the  cud,  and  hoof  divides — 

By  this  clean  beasts  are  known. 
The  hare  doth  only  chew  the  cud, 

He  doth  not  part  the  hoof; 
This  shows  that  he's  an  unclean  beast— 

The  clean  will  do  them  both. 
The  hare  resembles  Talkative, 

"Who  on  the  world  doth  chew, 
But  parteth  not  with  sinner's  ways — 

He  must  be  unclean  too." 
Said  Christian,  "  you,  for  what  I  know, 

Do  give  the  gospel  sense 
Of  all  those  texts,  at  least  I  shall 

Receive  it  so  from  hence. 
And  I  will  add  another  thing: 

Paul  calleth  some — alas ! 
Of  those  who  are  great  talkers  too, 

But  empty  sounding  brass. 

That  is  (as  in  another  place 

He  doth  these  things  expound,) 
They  are  like  things  inanimate, 

But  yet  can  give  a  sound : 
Things  without  life — (by  life  he  means 

True  faith  and  gospel  grace,) 
They  consequently  never  can, 

In  heaven,  have  a  place, 


IN  VEESE.  137 


Among  those  who  the  children  are 

Of  everlasting  life. 
And  though  they  talked  as  angels  can; 

They  shuned  the  Christian  strife." 
Said  Faithful,  "  love  his  company 

At  first  I  truly  did, 
But  now  I  loathe  it  just  as  much, 

And  would  of  him  get  rid." 
Then  Christian  said,  "  take  my  advice — 

I'll  tell  you  what  to  do, 
And  you  will  find  him  just  as  glad 

To  get  away  from  you, 

Unless  the  Lord  will  change  his  heart, 

And  make  it  wholly  right; 
The  company  of  Christian  men, 

Would  then  be  his  delight." 

Now,  Faithful,  his  friend  Christian  asked, 

"  What  would  you  have  me  do, 
To  make  him  leave  my  company  ? 

Now  this  I  ask  of  you." 
"  Why  go  to  him,"  good  Christian  said, 

"  And  then  with  him  discourse 
About  religion  and  its  power, 

For  these  things  have  their  force. 
And  ask  him  plainly  when  he  has 

Of  your  discourse  approved, 
If  it  is  in  his  heart  and  house, 

And  conversation  loved." 
So  Faithful  forward  stepped  again, 

To  Talkative  began  : 
"  Come  now,  what  cheer  ?  how  is  it  now  ? 

Shall  we  now  talk  again  ?" 
Said  Talkative,  "I  thank  you  sir, 

We  should  have  had  I  thought, 
Much  talk  between  us  by  this  time, 

But  somehow  we  have  not."  *L 


138  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Then  Faithful  said,  "well  if  you  will, 

Let  us  fall  to  it  now  ; 
And  since  the  question  I  must  state, 

Then  let  me  ask  you  how 
The  saving  grace  of  God  in  man, 

Doth  make  itself  appear ; 
So  one  can  know  that  in  his  heart, 

He  doth  God  love  and  fear?" 
Now  Talkative  made  this  reply, 

"  Our  talk,  sir,  I  perceive, 
"Will  be  about  the  power  of  things, 

I'll  tell  what  I  believe. 
And  very  willing  am  I  now, 

To  answer  you  in  brief; 
How  grace  doth  make  itself  appear, 

Where  it  affords  relief. 
First,  let  me  say  this  of  the  heart, 

The  grace  of  God  is  in  ; 
It  maketh  then  a  great  outcry 

Against  all  kinds  of  sin." 
Said  Faithful,  "you  should  rather  say, 

When  grace  in  man  begins, 
It  doth  incline  him  to  abhor, 

And  to  forsake  his  sins." 
Said  Talkative,  "  what  difference 

Is  there  indeed,  between 
One  crying  out  against  a  sin, 

And  his  abhorring  sin  I" 
Said  Faithful,  "  Oh !  a  difference 

There  is,  and  very  great ; 
A  man  may  cry  against  his  sins, 

And  yet  sin  never  hate  ? 
Through  policy  this  very  cry 

Against  it  he  may  raise  ; 
But  it  he  never  will  abhor, 

Without  the  power  of  grace. 


IN  VERSE.  139 


Yea,  many  I  have  heard  so  cry, 

Loud  like  a  trumpet's  blast, 
Against  it  from  the  pulpit,  too, 

And  yet  they  held  it  fast ; 
Who  could  abide  it  well  enough, 

In  either  house  or  heart ; 
Could  threaten  it  most  fearfully, 

And  still  not  with  it  part. 
So  Joseph's  mistress  cried  aloud, 

In  order  to  deceive  ; 
But  would  have  acted  wickedly, 

With  Joseph,  I  believe. 
Some  crying  out  against  their  sins, 

Reminds  me  all  the  while, 
Of  how  a  mother  cries  against 

Her  little  infant  child. 
She  calls  it  bad  or  naughty  child, 

And  all  such  names  as  this; 
Soon  after  that  she  tenderly 

Gives  il  a  hug  and  kiss  " 
Said  Talkative,  "  you  try  to  catch 

My  words,  as  I  perceive  ; 
But  I  shall  notwithstanding  this, 

Speak  just  as  I  believe." 
Said  Faithful:  "No,  not  I,  indeed, 

I  'm  sure  you  wrong  me  quite; 
I  do  not  try  to  catch  your  words, 

But  wish  to  set  things  right. 
But  what  is  now  the  second  thing 

That  will  most  clearly  prove, 
That  in  the  heart  of  every  one, 

The  grace  of  God  doth  move?" 
"  Great  knowledge  of  the  mysteries, 

Which  in  the  Gospel  lie, 
I  hold  to  be  a  certain  sign," 

Was  Talkative's  reply. 


140  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"  This  sign,"  said  Faithful,  "  should  be  first, 

If  true,  as  you  believe  ; 
But  first  or  last,  it  too  is  false, 

It  many  does  deceive. 
Great  knowledge  one  may  have  obtained, 

Great  mysteries  unfold ; 
And  yet  no  grace  be  in  his  soul, 

His  heart  be  dead  and  cold. 
Yea,  if  a  man  all  knowledge  hath, 

He  may  be  nothing  still; 
For  he  is  not  a  child  of  God, 

Who  does  not  do  his  will. 
When  Christ  had  his  disciples  asked, 

1  Are  these  things  known  to  you  V 
And  they  had  answered  'Yes/  he  said 

*  You  're  bless'd  if  them  you  do.' 
The  merely  knowing  all  these  things, 

The  blessing  is  not  on  ; 
But  to  the  doing  of  the  same, 

The  blessing  doth  belong. 
Because  there  is  a  knowledge  which 

No  doing  doth  attend  ; 
And  that  will  do  a  man  no  good, 

When  time  with  him  shall  end. 
He  that  his  master's  will  doth  know, 

Refusing  then  to  do, 
Will  beaten  be  with  many  stripes — 

The  ignorant  with  fe\/\ 
A  man  may  like  an  angel  know, 

Yet  not  a  christian  be ; 
Your  second  sign  must  therefore  fail- 
Now  this  is  plain  to  me. 
Indeed  to  know  doth  boasters  please, 

Who  do  their  souls  defraud; 
But  when  we  practice  what  we  know, 

'T  is  pleasing  unto  God. 


IN  VERSE.  141 


Not  that  the  heart  can  be  as  good, 

When  knowledge  is  not  there; 
Without  some  knowledge,  it  is  nought, 

And  cannot  wisdom  share. 
There  are  two  sorts  of  knowledge,  sir; 

One  works  with  faith  and  love, 
The  other  kind  doth  speculate, 

And  comes  not  from  above. 
But  that  which  works  in  faith  and  love, 

Will  cause  a  man  to  do 
As  well  as  know  the  will  of  God, 

And  that  be  heart  work  too. 
The  first  will  serve  the  talker  well, 

His  purpose  suits,  we  see  ; 
The  other  christians  all  must  have, 

If  they  contented  be. 
'0  give  me  understanding,  Lord, 

And  I  shall  keep  thy  law ; 
Yea,  shall  observe  it  with  my  heart'— 

Of  Thee  I  stand  in  awe." 
Said  Talkative :  "  I  think  again 

My  words  to  catch  you  try ; 
Your  aim  is  more  to  puzzle  me, 

Than  me  to  edify." 
Then  Faithful  said :  "  Well,  if  you  please, 

Another  sign  propound ; 
By  which  the  work  of  grace  is  known, 

Where  it  is  truly  found." 
To  Faithful  Talkative  replied : 

*  Not  I,  for  well  I  see 
From  what  you  have  already  said, 

That  we  cannot  agree." 
Then  Faithful  said :  "  If  you  do  not, 

Will  you  give  me  the  leave 
To  dwell  still  more  upon  this  point? 

And  I  a  sign  will  give." 


142  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

Now  Talkative  made  this  reply : 

"This  liberty  I'll  give, 
That  you  may  speak  and  I  will  hear ; 

"What  sign  have  you  to  give  V 
"  A  work  of  grace,"  then  Faithful  said. 

Itself  is  sure  to  show 
To  him  that  doth  the  work  possess, 

Or  others  may  it  know. 
To  him  that  hath  it  thus,  it  gives 

Conviction  of  his  sin  ; 
It  shows  his  nature,  how  defiled, 

What  unbelief  he  's  in. 
For  which  he  is  condemned  to  die, 

And  surely  will  be  damned, 
Unless  through  faith  in  Christ  he  finds 

A  pardon  at  God's  hand. 
This  very  sight  and  sense  of  things, 

Doth  give  him  shame  for  sin  ; 
It  worketh  sorrow  in  his  heart, 

That  he  so  vile  hath  been. 
He  finds  the  Saviour  of  the  world, 

In  his  own  heart  revealed  ; 
He  feels  that  he  has  need  of  him, 

To  be  for  heaven  sealed. 
For  him  he  feeleth  hungerings, 

And  thirstings,  in  his  soul ; 
To  which  the  promise  doth  belong, 

That  he  shall  be  made  whole. 
He  now  according  to  his  faith, 

The  Saviour  will  enjoy; 
If  faith  be  weak,  his  peace  in  Christ 

'Twill  very  much  annoy. 
And  so  his  love  for  holiness — 

His  wish  to  know  him  more, 
And  serve  him  betler  in  this  world, 

"Whom  angels  do  adore. 


IN  VERSE.  143 


Although,  I  say,  a  gracious  work, 

To  him,  itself  displays, 
It  is  not  always  that  such  know 

That  they  possess  this  grace. 
Because  that  his  corruption  now, 

And  reason  so  abased, 
Make  his  weak  mind  misjudge  this  thing, 

And  much  he  misconstrues. 
Therefore  in  him  that  hath  this  work, 

His  judgment  must  be  sound  ; 
Before  he  can  with  steadiness, 

Believe  he  grace  hath  found. 
This  work  to  others  may  be  known, 

By  what  he  doth  confess, 
Concerning  his  experience, 

And  faith  in  Christ  possessed. 
And  by  a  life  that  will  not  his 

Confession  give  a  lie  ; 
A  life  of  holiness  in  heart, 

And  in  his  family. 
A  conduct  too,  that  holy  is, 

Before  his  fellow  men  ; 
This  has  a  tendency  to  teach 

The  man,  to  hate  his  sin. 
And  to  abhorr  himself  for  it 

In  secret,  where  no  eye 
Can  see  him,  but  the  eye  of  God  ; 

Who  every  where  is  nigh. 
It  tends  to  teach  that  he  should  in 

His  family,  suppress 
All  kinds  of  sin,  and  in  the  world, 

Promote  true  holiness. 
And  this  not  all  by  talk  alone, 

As  hypocrits  may  do; 
But  show  the  power  in  God's  word, 

By  his  submission  too. 


144  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

And  now  mj  brief  description  of 

The  work  of  grace  you  have ; 
And  also  how  it  may  be  known, 

I  have  not  failed  to  give. 
If  to  my  statements  you  object, 

As  being  quite  unsound; 
Object:  if  not,  then  give  me  leave 

A  question  to  propound." 
"JSTay,"  Talkative  then  said  to  him, 

Your  second  question  give ; 
My  part  is  not  now  to  object, 

Your  second  question  give." 
Then  Faithful  said  to  Talkative, 

"  I  ask  you  from  my  heart, 
Of  the  description  that  I  gave, 

Do  you  feel  the  first  part  ? 
And  doth  your  life  or  daily  walk 

Still  testify  the  same? 
Or  standeth  your  religion,  all 

In  word  or  tongue  and  name  ? 
Are  tongue  religion,  and  a  name, 

All  that  you  feel  you  need  ? 
And  not  religion  of  the  heart, 

"Which  is  in  word  and  deed. 
If  you  incline  to  answer  me, 

I  pray  that  you  refrain 
From  saying  aught,  but  what  you  know 

"Will  meet  with  God's  amen. 
And  also  nothing  more  I  pray, 

Do  thou  presume  to  bring  ; 
Than  what  your  conscience  very  well, 

Can  justify  you  in. 
Not  he  who  doth  himself  commend, 

Will  always  be  approved ; 
But  one  commended  by  the  Lord, 

The  same  the  Lord  will  love. 


IN  VERSE.  145 


Besides,  to  say  I'm  thus  and  thus, 

And  always  holy  I, 
Adds  greatly  to  my  wickedness, 

If  all  this  is  a  lie. 
Now  Talkative  began  to  blush, 

When  this  was  to  him  6aid ; 
But  soon  recovering  himself, 

He  this  reply  then  made : 
"  You  come  now  to  experience, 

To  conscience  and  to  God  ; 
To  him  I  see  you  will  appeal, 

To  justify  your  word. 
Now  such  discourse,  when  we  began, 

I  little  did  expect; 
Such  questions  as  you  have  proposed, 

I'll  totally  reject. 
I  feel  not  bound  to  answer  you, 

And  this  must  you  suffice ; 
Unless  you  take  upon  yourself, 

The  task  to  chatechise. 
Pray,  sir,  will  you  now  tell  me  why, 

Such  questions  you  propose ; 
And  why  you  press  me  hard  to  speak, 

And  answer  such  as  those." 
"  Because  you  willing  were  to  talk, 

For  so  you  said  yourself; 
I  also  knew  you  notions  had, 

And  had  but  little  else. 
Besides,  to  tell  you  all  the  truth, 

This  I  have  heard  of  you — 
That  your  religion  lies  in  talk  : 

You  say  but  do  not  do. 
That  your  behavior  too,  is  such 

That  an  observing  eye 
Can  see  at  once  your  actions  give 

"What  you  profess  the  lie.  M 


146  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

They  say  of  you,  you  are  a  spot 

Where  godly  persons  are, 
And  that  religion  doth  the  worse, 

For  your  behavior  fare. 
That  some  already  stumbled  have, 

Who  saw  your  wicked  ways, 
And  more  they  fear  will  be  destroyed  ; 

Now  this  may  be  the  ease. 
Together  with  such  things  as  these 

Will  your  religion  stand  ? — 
Uncleanness,  swearing,  lying,  too, 

And  drunkards  at  your  hand ; 
And  love  of  gain,  an  ale-house  too, 

And  company  that's  vain. 
Now  all  is  true  that  I  have  said, 

With  you  I  have  been  plain. 
There  is  a  proverb  sometimes  used, 

That  women  of  ill-fame 
Are  a  reproach  to  woman-kind, 

And  are  a  burning  shame. 
This  proverb  may  be  said  of  you : 

1  He  has  become  a  shame 
To  all  professors  in  the  land, 

Where  any  know  his  name.'" 
Then  Talkative  to  Faithful  said : 

"  Since  I  have  seen  your  plan, 
I  set  you  down  a  pevish,  cross, 

And  melancholy  man. 
One  ready  to  take  up  report, 

And  judge  in  haste  like  you, 
For  conversation  is  not  fit, 

So  I  bid  you  adieu." 
Then  up  came  Christian,  and  he  said : 

"  Dear  Faithful,  I  you  told 
How  matters  stood  with  Talkative, 
Who  talked  so  loud  and  bold. 


IN  VERSE.  14*7 


What  I  had  said  has  come  to  pass, 

And  you  can  plainly  see 
Your  words  and  his  deceitful  lusts, 

Will  not  at  all  agree. 
And  rather  than  his  -wicked  life 

In  any  way  reform, 
He  would  forsake  your  company ; 

I'm  glad  that  he  is  gone. 
I  said  he's  gone  ;   well  let  him  go, 

The  loss  is  but  his  own ; 
Should  he  continue  as  he  is, 

To  us  it  can  be  none. 
A  blot  to  us  he  would  have  been, 

And  the  Apostle  says : 
'  From  such  do  thou  withdraw  thyself, 

Partake  not  of  their  ways.' " 
Then  Faithful  said :  "  I  'm  glad  we  had 

This  short  discourse  with  him  ; 
He  after  this  perhaps  will  see 

That  I  his  good  did  mean. 
"With  him  I  have  quite  plainly  dealt, 

As  in  the  sight  of  God ; 
If  after  all  he  perisheth, 

It  clears  me  of  his  blood." 
Then  Christian  said:  "You  have  done  well, 

You  plainly  spake  your  mind  ; 
Such  faithful  dealings  now-a-days 

Is  very  hard  to  find  ; 
That  makes  religion  so  to  stink, 

With  many  as  it  doth  ; 
The  christian  and  the  hypocrite, 

They  class  together  both. 
There  are  so  many  talking  fools 

Whose  all  is  but  in  word, 
Who  are  debauched  and  vain  in  life, 

And  all  their  days  have  erred  ; 


148  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

And  these  associating  with 

The  people  of  the  Lord, 
Do  puzzle  people  of  the  world, 

Who  speak  their  thoughts  abroad. 
Such  blemish  Christianity — 

Grieve  who  are  sincere  ; 
I  wish  all  saints  would  deal  with  such, 

As  you  with  this  one  here. 
They  either  would  conform  themselves 

More  to  religion  then, 
Or  else  the  company  of  Saints 

Would  be  too  hot  for  them." 

Then  did  Faithful  say  : 


11  How  Talkative  at  first  lifts  up  his  plumes  I 
How  bravely  doth  he  speak !    How  he  presumes 
To  drive  down  all  before  him !    But  so  soon 
As  Faithful  talks  of  heart-work,  like  the  moon 
That's  past  the  full,  into  the  wane  he  goes ; 
And  so  with  all  but  he  that  heart- work  knows." 


Thus  they  went  on,  still  talking  of 

The  things  which  they  had  seen ; 
The  way  they  made  quite  easy  thus, 

Which  tedious  would  have  been. 
For  they  went  through  a  wilderness, 

And  such  a  place  at  best 
Doth  make  the  weary  pilgrim  sigh, 

And  long  for  home  and  rest. 
Now  Faithful,  when  this  wilderness 

They  had  almost  got  through, 
Did  cast  his  eye  a  little  back 

And  saw  a  man  he  knew. 
Then  Faithful  to  his  brother  said  : 

"  0 !  who  doth  yonder  come  ?" 
Said  Christian:   "Friend  Evangelist, 

Who  me  much  good  hath  done." 


IN  YEESE.  149 


"  Yes,"  Faithful  said,  "  T  is  my  friend  too, — 

How  much  could  I  relate  ; 
'T  was  he  who  set  me  in  the  way 

That  lead's  to  Zion's  gate." 
Evangelist  then  to  them  came, 

Thus  them  saluted  he: 
"  Peace  be  with  you,  ye  much  beloved, 

May  peace  your  helper  be." 
"  0  welcome,  welcome,"  Christian  said, 

"  Evangelist  the  kind  ; 
Thy  countenance,  the  sight  of  it 

Brings  thy  good  deeds  to  mind. 
Thy  former  kindness  comes  to  mind, 

A  friend  you  by  me  stood; 
Much  labor  didst  thou  undergo 

For  my  eternal  good." 
"  Yes,  welcome,  0  a  thousand  times," 

Then  Faithful  to  him  said  ; 
Thy  presence,  sweet  Evangelist, 

Will  us  poor  pilgrims  aid." 
Then  said  Evangelist  to  them : 

"  How  hath  it  fared  with  you? 
What  have  you  met  since  I've  been  gone  ? 

What  your  behavior,  too  !" 
They  told  him  all  they  had  passed  through, 

To  him  they  told  their  case  ; 
How,  and  with  what  trials,  they 
.  Had  reached  their  present  place. 
Evangelist  said :  "  Glad  am  I, 

Not  that  you  trials  had, 
But  that  you  gained  the  victory ; 

For  this  I  'in  truly  glad. 
You  have  through  many  weaknesses 

Continued  in  the  way, 
Since  I  was  present  with  you  last 

Until  this  very  day.  *M 


150  BUNTAN'S  PILGEIM 

Right  glad  I  am  of  this  same  thing, 

For  your  sake,  and  for  mine  ; 
Since  I  have  sowed  you  have  reaped — 

There's  joy  in  harvest  time. 
The  day  is  coming,  yes,  my  friends, 

True  as  you  hear  my  voice, 
"When  he  who  sowed,  and  they  who  reaped, 

Together  6hall  rejoice. 
That  is  if  you  hold  on  your  way, 

As  doth  the  perfect  6aint ; 
For  in  due  time  they  all  shall  reap, 

Who  run  but  never  faint. 
A  crown  is  held  before  you  now, 

One  incorruptible; 
So  run  that  you  may  it  obtain, 

You'll  be  rewarded  well. 
For  some  there  be  who  have  gone  far, 

This  golden  crown  to  gain  ; 
But  some  one  else  did  them  excel, 

And  did  that  crown  obtain. 
Hold  fast  to  what  you  now  possess, 

Lay  not  your  courage  down  ; 
Cast  every  weight  at  once  aside, 

Let  no  man  take  your  crown. 
You  're  in  gun-shot  of  Satan  yet, 

Then  feel  not  too  secure  ; 
One  drop  of  blood  you  have  not  shed 

In  strife  with  him,  I  'm  sure. 
The, kingdom  keep  before  your  mind, 

And  steadfastly  believe 
In  him  who  is  invisible, 

That  you  by  faith  may  live. 
Look  forward  to  that  other  world, 

Let  nothing  on  this  side 
Fntangle  you  to  damp  your  zeal — 

Unmovable  abide. 


IN  VERSE.  151 


And  earnestly  I  this  would  urge, 

To  your  own  hearts  look  well , 
And  to  its  lusts  which  oft  arise, 

For  these  lead  down  to  Hell. 
The  human  heart  deceitful  is, 

And  that  above  all  things ; 
It 's  desperately  wicked,  too, 

So  much  to  sin  it  clings. 
And  set  your  faces  like  a  flint, 

Whatever  may  betide ; 
For  all  the  power  in  heaven  and  earth 

You  now  have  on  your  side." 
"Thanks  for  your  exhortation,  friend," 

Did  Christian  to  him  say  ; 
"But  we  would  have  you  farther  speak, 

To  help  us  on  our  way. 
Now  this  we  wish,  because  we  know 

That  you  a  prophet  be  ; 
And  can  foretell  us  things  to  come, 

Which  we  cannot  foresee. 
And  thou  canst  tell  us  how  we  can 

Those  evils  overcome." 
To  this  request  they  both  agreed — 

Evangelist  spake  on. 

"My  sons,"  said  he,  "you  both  have  heard 

In  words  of  Gospel  truth, 
That  trials  do  the  saints  abide ; 

This  you  have  heard  from  youth. 
Through  tribulations  deep,  you  must 

The  kingdom  enter  in  ; 
There  tears  shall  all  be  wiped  away, 

And  all  effects  of  sin. 
In  every  city  where  you  go, 

Let  who  will  be  your  guide, 
Bonds  and  afflictions  wait  for  you — 

For  all  such  men  abide. 


152  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

Therefore  you  cannot  now  expect 

Without  them  long  to  go, 
For  you  will  meet  them  in  some  way — 

You  're  pilgrims  yet  you  know. 
Now  something  of  the  truth  of  this 

You  have  already  found ; 
Because  your  own  experiences 

With  such  things  do  abound. 
And  now  expect  immediately, 

To  meet  with  something  more  ; 
The  jommey  of  the  wilderness 

You  have  almost  got  o'er. 
Into  a  town  you  soon  must  come, 

That  by-and-by  you'll  see, 
Where  there  are  many  enemies, 

Who  waiting  for  you  be. 
By  these  you  shall  be  hard  beset, 

They  will  my  words  fulfil ; 
For  they  will  use  their  utmost  strength 

You  both  while  there  to  kill. 
This  testimony  which  you  hold, 

If  you  proclaim  it  good, 
Be  sure  that  one  or  both  of  you 

Will  seal  it  with  your  blood. 
But  be  ye  faithful  unto  death, 

Through  this  important  strife  ; 
The  king  will  place  upon  your  heads 

A  crown  of  endless  life. 
He  that  there  shall  die,  though  his  death 

Will  be  unnatural, 
His  pains  be  great — be  very  great, 

For  him  it  will  be  well. 
For  he  will  have  the  better  of 

His  fellow  in  the  end, 
Because  he  '11  reach  the  city  first, 

Where  nothing  doth  offend — 


IN  VEKSE.  153 


Escaping  many  miseries 

The  other  yet  will  meet, 
Before  he  doth  his  journey  end — 

To  walk  the  golden  street. 
But  when  you  are  come  to  the  town 

And  find  this  true,  do  then 
Remember  me,  your  faithful  friend, 

And  quit  yourselves  like  men. 
Commit  the  keeping  of  your  souls 

To  God  in  doing  well ; 
He  is  your  Father,  and  you  he  '11  keep, 

In  spite  of  earth  and  hell." 
Then  in  my  dream  I  saw  that  they 

The  wilderness  got  through  ; 
Before  them  then  a  town  they  saw, 

With  steeples  full  in  view. 
The  name  of  it  is  Vanity; 

In  it  there  is  a  Fair, 
Called  Vanity — like  name  of  town, 

It 's  held  throughout  the  year. 
It  bears  the  name  of  Vanity, 

Because  the  town,  you  see, 
"Where  it  is  kept,  is  lighter  still 

Than  empty  vanity. 
Another  reason  for  this  name, 

(There  many  reasons  be,) 
All  that  is  sold  or  cometh  there 

Is  also  vanity. 
As  is  the  saying  of  the  wise, 

"  All 's  vanity  that  come ;" 
This  Fair  is  no  new  business  there, 

As  is  supposed  by  some. 
This  thing  of  ancient  standing  is, 

I  '11  show  its  origin ; 
All  that  have  ears  now  let  them  hear, 

And  now  I  will  begin — 


154  BUNYA2TS  PILGRIM 

Almost  five  thousand  years  ago, 

Some  pilgrims  then  there  were 
To  the  Celestial  City  bound, 

As  these  two  persons  are. 
Then  Legion  and  Beelzebub, 

And  bold  Apollyon,  too, 
With  those  who  their  companions  were, 

In  all  a  hellish  crew, 
Perceiving  by  a  certain  path 

The  pilgrims  made,  that  they 
Must  pass  directly  through  this  place, 

For  it  lay  on  their  way, 
Contrived  here  to  set  up  a  Fair, 

Wherein  there  should  be  sold 
All  sorts  of  vanity  and  vice, 

That  were  both  new  and  old. 
And  that  this  fair  should  be  kept  up, 

From  day  to  day  all  year; 
And  that  such  merchandise  as  these 

Should  be  the  traffic  here: 
Such  things  as  houses,  lands  and  trades, 

And  titles  here  they  sell ; 
Yes,  kingdoms,  countries,  pleasures,  lusts, 

All  such  are  saleable. 
Delights  of  all  sorts,  whores  and  bawds, 

Wives,  husbands,  children  too ; 
And  masters,  servants,  lives  and  blood, 

And  souls  too  not  a  few. 
Delightful  pearls  and  precious  stones, 

And  gold  and  silver  ware, 
With  ornaments  of  every  kind, 

Are  selling  at  this  Fair. 
Moreover,  at  this  very  place, 

At  all  times  may  be  seen 
Cheats,  jugglings,  games,  plays,  fools  and  knaves, 

And  rogues,  and  all  things  mean. 


IN  VEKSE.  155 


Here  may  be  seen,  for  nothing,  too, 

Thefts,  murders,  and  such  crimes, 
False  swearing  and  adulteries, 

For  here  they  all  combine. 
And  as  it  is  in  other  fairs 

Where  fewer  do  attend, 
There  are  streets  and  rows,  with  proper  names, 

Where  men  the  wares  do  vend. 
So  you  can  know  the  proper  place 

Before  you  leave  the  ground : 
The  country,  kingdom,  or  the  place 

These  wares  are  soonest  found. 
The  British  Row,  the  German  Row, 

Italian  and  the  French, 
Where  many  of  their  vanities 

Are  sold  right  at  the  bench. 
But  as  in  other  fairs  we  find. 

They  have  some  leading  ware, 
The  ware  of  Rome — her  merchandize 

Is  foremost  in  this  fair. 
Now  as  I  said,  no  other  way 

For  pilgrims  do  I  know 
But  through  the  town  of  this  same  Fair- 
Through  it  they  all  must  go. 
He  that  will  to  the  city  go, 

And  not  go  through  this  town, 
Must  leave  the  world,  because  in  it 

No  other  way  is  found. 
The  Prince  of  princes  did  when  here, 

Himself  go  through  this  town ; 


(And  that  upon  a.  fair-day,  too,) 
When  to  his  country  bound. 

Yea,  and  't  is  true,  Beelzebub, 
Chief  lord  of  this  same  fair, 

Invited  him  these  vanities 
To  buy,  and  have  a  share. 


156  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

And  would  have  made  him  lord  of  it, 

If  he  had  just  got  down 
And  done  him  solemn  reverence, 

As  he  went  through  the  town. 
Beelzebub  knew  that  he  was 

A  prince  of  honor  great ; 
He  therefore  took  him  through  the  streets, 

As  I  shall  here  relate  : 

And  showed  him  in  a  little  time 

All  lands  below  the  sun, 
That  he  might  thus,  if  possible, 

Allure  that  Blessed  One ; 
To  cheapen  and  to  buy  while  there, 

Their  vanities  and  vice. 
But  his  mind  filled  with  better  things, 

Loved  not  their  merchandize. 
He  left  the  town  of  Vanity, 

For  spent  a  farthing  there ; 
Though  he  was  taken  through  the  streets, 

And  passed  through  all  the  fair. 
Now  thus  we  see  this  fair  is  old, 

'Tis  not  a  thing  that's  new; 
And  pilgrims,  as  I  said  before, 

Have  always  this  went  through. 
So  did  these  men  ;  but  now  behold, 

When  they  had  reached  the  fair, 
The  people  in  the  town  were  moved, 

Yes,  all  who  purchased  there, 
And  all  was  in  a  hubbub  now, 

They  flocked  around  these  men  ; 
And  that  for  many  reasons,  too, 

Which  I  shall  now  explain. 
These  pilgrim  men  were  clothed  upon 

With  raiment  of  such  kind, 
As  was  diverse  from  what  was  worn 

By  traders  there,  we  find. 


INVEESE.  157 


The  people  of  the  fair,  therefore, 

Made  gazing  stocks  of  them  ; 
Some  called  them  fools,  some  bedlamites, 

And  some  outlandish  men. 
And  as  they  wondered  at  their  dress, 

So  did  they  at  their  speech ; 
For  few  could  understand  their  words, 

Or  could  their  meaning  reach. 
These  men  did  Canaan's  language  speak, 

But  they  who  kept  the  fair 
Could  not  such  language  understand, 

For  of  this  world  they  are. 
But  what  amused  these  merchant-men, 

And  not  a  little,  too, 
"Was  the  pilgrims'  thinking  lightly  of 

The  wares  there  held  to  view. 
They  would  not  look  upon  those  wares, 

"Were  not  disposed  to  buy ; 
If  any  thing  was  offered  them, 

They  stopt  their  ears  to  cry — 
"  Lord  from  beholding  vanities, 

Turn  thou  mine  eyes  away ;" 
"With  this  they  cast  an  upward  glance, 

As  if  they  meant  to  say — 
Farewell,  ye  vain  delights  of  earth, 

By  us  beloved  no  more  ; 
Our  traffic  is  in  Heaven  above, 

For  us  't  is  kept  in  store. 
One  merchant  here  chanced  mockingly 

To  say  this  unto  them, 
(Beholding  how  reserved  they  were,) 

"  What  will  you  buy,  good  men  ?" 
They  raised  their  eyes  upon  the  man, 

"With  grave  and  steady  look ; 
Said  they,  "  we  buy  the  truth,  dear  sir, 

All  else  we  overlook."  N 


158  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

At  this  some  took  occasion  now 

Them  to  despise  the  more  ; 
Some  mocking,  others  taunting  them, 

Things  seemed  worse  than  before. 
Some  spake  reproachfully  of  them, 

And  some  to  vent  their  spite 
Would  call  to  others  in  their  rage, 

These  pilgrims  here  to  smite. 

At  last  things  came  to  a  hubbub 

And  great  stir  in  the  fair ; 
No  order  could  be  had  at  all, 

'T  was  all  confusion  there. 
Now  word  was  brought  immediately 

To  him  who  rules  the  fair ; 
So  he  came  down  and  authorized 

Some  friends  of  his  then  there, 
To  take  these  men,  examine  them 

About  this  great  uproar ; 
Through  whom  the  fair  was  like  to  be 

Entirely  turned  o'er. 
The  men  they  took,  examined  them : 

Those  who  set  on  their  case 
Asked  them  why  in  such  garb  they  came, 

Unusual  in  this  place. 
From  whence  they  came  and  whither  bound? 

The  truth  they  then  unfurled. 
Their  answer  was,  "  We  pilgrims  are, 

And  strangers  in  this  world." 
They  said  :   "  To  their  own  country,  sirs, 

That  they  were  going  then  ; 
And  that  it  was  a  heavenly  one, 

The  New  Jerusalem." 
They  said  :  "  We  no  occasion  gave 

For  townsmen  to  abuse, 
Or  for  the  merchants  in  the  fair 

Ourselves  thus  to  misuse,     " 


IN  VERSE.  159 


To  stop  us  in  a  journey  now, 

Important  to  such  men 
Who  pilgrims  are."    And  more  they  said 

To  those  unfeeling  men. 
They  said  :  "  We  no  occasion  gave, 

Except 't  was  this  reply 
"When  asked  to  purchase  vanities, 

We  said  the  truth  we  buy." 

But  they  who  had  been  authorized 

Them  to  examine,  thought 
That  they  were  bedlamites,  or  mad — 

Be  better  they  could  not. 
Or  else  if  any  thing  besides, 

'Twas  very  like  they  were 
Some  persons  who  had  come  to  make 

Confusion  in  the  fair. 
Therefore  they  took  them  and  them  beat, 

With  dirt  besmeared  them  then, 
And  put  them  both  into  a  cage — 

A  spectacle  to  men. 
Now  in  the  cage  these  pilgrims  lay, 

The  objects  of  their  sport ; 
They  treated  them  with  great  contempt, 

Though  men  of  good  report. 
The  great  one  of  the  fair  did  laugh 

At  all  that  them  befel; 
Their  grief  did  not  his  heart  subdue, 

It  pleased  him  very  well. 
The  pilgrims  very  patient  were, 

No  hearts  to  rail  they  had ; 
Instead  of  railing  they  did  bless, 

And  gave  good  words  for  bad. 
When  any  done  them  injuries, 

'T  was  kindness  they  returned  ; 
For  they  could  love  these  wicked  men 

Whose  hearts  with  anger  burned. 


160  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

At  this,  some  more  observing  men 

Than  others  in  the  fair, 
Men  who  were  not  so  prejudiced, 

Began  to  check  some  there. 
Also  to  blame  the  baser  sort 

For  their  abuses,  when 
They  were  returned  with  kindness  still, 

By  these  afflicted  men. 
These  baser  sort  in  angry  mood 

Let  fly  at  them  again, 
And  said  they  were  as  bad  themselves 

As  both  the  pilgrim  men. 
And  telling  them  cenfederates 

"With  these  they  seemed  to  be ; 
That  they  should  be  partakers  too, 

Of  these  men's  misery. 
The  others  then  made  this  reply : 

"  These  both  are  quiet  men 
For  any  thing  that  we  can  see, 

"Why  should  we  harm  them  then  ? 
These  poor  and  injured  men,"  they  said, 

"  In  no  man's  hurt  engage  ; 
But  some  trade  in  this  fair  of  ours, 

Who  more  deserve  the  cage." 
Thus  after  many  words  had  passed 

On  both  sides  there  that  day, 
(The  pilgrims  acting  wisely  still 

Throughout  the  whole  affray,) 
They  fell  to  blows  among  themselves, 

And  done  each  other  harm ; 
So  that  the  managers  again 

Began  to  take  alarm. 
These  two  poor  men  were  brought  again 

To  judgment,  and  when  there, 
Were  charged  with  being  guilty  of 

The  riot  in  the  fair. 


IN  VERSE.  161 


They  now  put  irons  on  these  men, 

And  beat  them  grievously  ; 
And  led  them  up  and  down  the  fair 

The  rest  to  terrify. 
As  an  example,  thus  they  led 

In  heavy  chains  these  men, 
Lest  some  should  speak  in  their  behalf, 

Or  join  themselves  to  them. 
But  Christian  now,  and  Faithful  too, 

Behaved  more  wisely  here  ; 
They  meekly  bore  reproach  and  shame 

To  keep  their  conscience  clear. 
Their  patience  through  their  sufferings, 

Won  to  their  side  while  there, 
(Though  few  compared  with  all  the  rest,) 

Quite  many  in  the  fair. 

This  put  the  other  party  yet 

Into  a  greater  rage  ; 
They  thought  to  put  these  men  to  death, 

Instead  of  in  the  cage. 
They  therefore  said,  M  That  neither  cage 

Nor  irons  now  should  serve  ; 
For  they  've  deluded  many  men, 

And  death  they  do  deserve." 
They  then  were  both  remanded  back 

Into  the  cage  again, 
Till  further  orders  could  be  had 

What  should  be  done  with  them. 
These  two  poor  pilgrims  in  the  cage 

Not  only  had  been  cast, 
But  had  their  feet  put  in  the  stocks, 

And  cruelly  made  fast. 
Now  in  this  place  they  called  to  mind 

Evangelist,  their  friend ; 
The  evils  he  had  told  them  of 

That  would  their  path  attend.  *N 


162  BUNTAN'S  PILGEIM 

They  were  the  more  confirmed  in  all 

Their  sufferings  and  ways, 
By  what  he  said  would  happen  them 

In  these,  their  pilgrim  days. 
They  comforted  each  other  now, 

Reminding  them  of  this, 
Whose  lot  it  was  to  suffer  first, 

The  profit  should  be  his. 
Now  each  of  them  wished  secretly 

That  he  the  first  might  be, 
To  suffer  death  in  that  great  place, 

That  he  might  glory  see. 
Committed  they  themselves  to  him, 

Who  rolls  the  planets  round ; 
Submitting  to  his  holy  will ; 

In  this  content  they  found. 
A  time  was  set  for  these  two  men 

Their  trial  to  attend  ; 
And  then  by  all  their  enemies 

They  were  to  be  condemned. 
And  when  the  time  for  this  had  come, 

They  were  to  judgment  brought ; 
Before  their  enemies  arraigned, 

Who  their  destruction  sought. 
The  judge  who  sat  upon  their  case 

Lord  Hategood  was  by  name, 
And  their  indictments  differed  some— 

The  substance  was  the  same. 

The  charges  that  were  brought  were  these, 

As  near  as  I  can  tell  ; 
('T  is  sad  to  speak  of  all  the  things 

Which  these  two  men  befel,) 
"That  both  these  men  were  enemies — 

Disturbers  of  their  trade ; 
Had  made  commotions  in  the  town — 

Divisions  too,  had  made. 


IN  VERSE.  163 


Had  won  a  party  to  themselves — 

To  notions  of  their  own  ; 
They  showed  contempt  unto  the  law 

Which  governs  our  town." 
This  was  the  answer  Faithful  made, 

When  put  on  trial  there, 
Concerning  all  the  hot  affray 

Which  turned  up  in  the  fair : 
"Now  this  is  all  that  I  have  done, 

I'll  tell  though  I  should  die; 
I  sat  myself  against  the  foes 

Of  Him  who  rules  on  high. 
As  for  disturbance  I  make  none, 

I  am  a  man  of  peace  ; 
The  people  who  were  won  to  us 

Were  only  6uch  as  these. 
Men  who  beheld  our  innocence, 

(We  blessed  when  they  would  curse  ;) 
Tour  honor  sees  that  they  are  turned 

To  better  from  the  worse. 
As  to  the  king  you  talk  of  now — 

A  foe  to  the  Most  High — 
Beelzebub,  his  angels  too, 

Now  these  I  do  defy." 
This  proclamation  then  was  made  : 

"All  who  have  aught  to  say 
Against  the  prisoner  at  the  bar, 

Appear  without  delay ; 
And  here  give  in  your  evidence, 

All  that  you  have  to  bring, 
Against  this  pilgrim  prisoner 

And  for  the  lord  your  king." 
Soon  Superstition  and  Pickthank, 

And  Envy  too,  were  there ; 
These  three  were  questioned  if  they  knew 

The  prisoner  at  the  bar ; 


164  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

And  what  against  him  they  could  say 

Now  for  the  lord  their  king. 
He  knew  they  would  if  they  could, 

This  man  in  guilty  bring. 
Then  stood  forth  Envy  ;  what  he  said 

Was  all  to  this  effect : 
"My  lord,  this  man  I  long  have  known, 

And  as  you  might  expect, 
I  can  attest  upon  my  oath 

Before  this  honored  bench, 
That  he  's  an  enemy  to  our  king, 

"Whatever  his  pretence." 
"  Hold,"  said  the  judge ;  "  Give  him  his  oath." 

So  Envy  now  was  sworn  ; 
Then  he  proceeding,  said:   "This  man 

A  long  time  I  have  known. 
He  is,  although  his  name  is  fair, 

One  of  the  vilest  men 
That  ever  to  our  country  came, 

I  care  not  how  or  when. 
He  will  not  people  or  the  prince, 

Or  laws  the  least  regard ; 
He  cleaves  to  customs  of  his  own, 

And  ours  he  discards. 
But  what  is  worse  than  this  itself, 

He  labors  to  possess 
Men  with  disloyal  notions  here, 

Which  he  calls  holiness. 
And  I  myself  have  heard  him  say, 

That  Christianity 
Is  opposite  to  all  the  rules 

Of  this  town  Vanity. 
That  they  could  not  be  reconciled, 

They  being  so  diverse, 
Our  ways  and  Christianity. 

Hear  this,  what  could  be  worse  t 


IN  VERSE.  165 


Now  by  these  sayings,  he  my  lord, 

Not  only  doth  condemn 
Our  doings,  which  are  laudable, 

But  us  in  doing  them." 
The  judge  then  said  :  "  Our  time  we  need, 

So  now  make  no  delay ; 
Another  witness  must  be  called, 

Or  hast  thou  more  to  say  ?" 
"My  lord  I  could  say  more  than  this — 

Much  more  I  could  report ; 
But  I  would  not  be  tedious 

To  any  in  the  court. 
But  after  other  gentlemen 

Their  testimony  bring, 
If  there  be  wanting  something  more 

To  bring  him  guilty  in, 
My  testimony  I'll  enlarge 

Against  him,  all  I  can  ; 
And  I  will  swear  to  any  thing 

That  will  condemn  the  man." 
So  Envy,  after  this  was  said, 

Was  bidden  to  stand  by  ; 
But  this  he  did  reluctantly, 

Though  he  made  no  reply. 
Then  Superstition  next  was  called, 

And  asked  what  he  could  bring 
As  evidence  against  this  man, 

And  for  their  lord  the  king. 
Then  he  was  sworn  and  thus  began : 

"  My  lord  I  little  know 
About  the  pilgrim  at  the  bar, 

And  I  am  glad  that  it's  so. 
However,  this  I  know  of  him, 

That  he  a  pest  must  be  ; 
Now  this  I  judge  from  what  he  said 

The  other  day,  to  me. 


166  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

'T  was  here  in  town  I  talked  with  him, 

And  then  I  heard  him  say, 
'  That  our  religion  all  was  nought, 

From  God  it  led  astray.' 
Which  saying,  now  your  lordship  knows, 

(For  what  can  be  more  plain  ?) 
Conveys  this  meaning,  that  we  all 

Do  worship  still  in  vain ; 
And  that  we  yet  are  in  our  sins — 

Shall  finally  be  lost ; 
Now  this  is  what  I  have  to  say 

Against  him,  at  the  most." 
Then  Pickthank  was  the  next  one  sworn, 

And  he  had  this  to  say 
Against  the  prisoner  at  the  bar, 

And  for  his  lord  that  day : 
"My  lord  and  all  who  hear  me  speak, 

This  fellow  long  I  've  known ; 
Have  heard  him  say  things  that  ought  not 

Be  said,  but  let  alone. 
Our  noble  prince  Beelzebub, 

This  fellow  hath  railed  on  ; 
Hath  spoken  too  contemptibly 

Of  all  his  friends.     Hear  on : 
Such  friends  as  Lord  Luxurious, 

Lord  Carnel-Delight,  also ; 
Desire  of  Vain-Glory,  and 

Lord  Lechery,  you  know. 
And  Lord  Old-Man  is  one  of  them, 

Sir  Having-Greedy  too ; 
And  all  of  our  nobility, 

Which  number  not  a  few. 
He  also  said  '  If  all  the  men 

That  in  this  place  are  found, 
Had  minds  like  his,  such  noble  men 

Could  not  live  in  our  town. 


IN  VEESE.  167 


Besides  he  hath  not  been  afraid, 

My  lord,  to  rail  on  you ; 
Though  you  're  appointed  as  his  judge, 

He  called  you  villain  too. 
By  many  vilifying  terms, 

All  such  as  could  be  found, 
He  hath  bespattered  nearly  all 

The  gentry  of  our  town. 
"When  Pickthank  now  had  told  his  tale, 

Which  with  the  judge  went  far, 
The  judge  his  speech  directed  to 

The  prisoner  at  the  bar. 

u  Thou  renegade  and  heretic, 

And  traitor  too,"  said  he, 
"  Hast  thou  heard  what  these  gentlemen 

Have  testified  of  thee  ?" 
Poor  Faithful  after  hearing  much 

That  came,  he  knew  not  whence, 
Said  to  the  judge,  "  May  I  now  speak 

A  word  in  my  defence  ?" 
"  Sirrah,  sirrah,"  then  said  the  jud~e, 

"  How  canst  thou  show  thy  face, 
Thou  dost  deserve  just  now  to  die 

Right  in  this  very  place. 
But  that  all  men  our  gentleness 

To  thee  may  see  this  day, 
Let  us  all  hear,  thou  renegade, 

What  thou  hast  now  to  say." 
Then  Faithful  said  in  answer  to 

What  Envy  had  to  say : 
"  I  never  have  said  ought  but  this, 

That  caused  this  whole  affray  ; 
Whatever  people,  rule,  or  laws 

Against  God's  word  there  be, 
Are  altogether  opposite 

To  Christianity. 


168  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

If  I  have  said  amiss  in  this, 

Convince  me  that  I  err  ; 
And  here  before  you  I'll  recant, 

Before  one  foot  I  stir. 
As  to  the  second  witness  sworn, 

About  the  charge  he  made, 
(Now  Superstition  was  his  name,) 

'T  was  only  this  I  said : 
That  in  the  worship  of  our  God 

A  faith  divine  must  be ; 
That  such  a  faith  cannot  exist, 

(Now  this  you  all  can  see,) 
Without  a  revelation  of 

His  will,  which  is  divine ; 
For  faith  that  rests  on  aught  besides, 

Is  human  faith  you  '11  find. 
This  profitable  cannot  be 

To  us,  in  christian  strife  ; 
He  only  who  hath  faith  divine 

Can  have  eternal  life. 
As  to  what  Mr.  Pickthank  said, 

I  now  will  plainly  say, 
(Avoiding  terms,  for  it  was  said 

I  railed  on  men  to-day,) 
If  he  who  's  prince  of  this  great  town, 

With  all  the  rabblement 
Who  are  attendants  of  the  prince, 

Were  into  hell  now  sent, 
A  fitter  place  for  them  't  would  be, 

Than  in  this  town  to  be, 
Or  any  place  within  the  world. 

Have  mercy,  Lord,  on  me." 
The  judge  then  to  the  jury  called, 

Who  all  the  while  had  stood 
To  hear  and  to  observe  the  whole, 

And  find  out  all  they  could. 


IN  VEESE.  169 


"  Ye  gentlemen  of  jury  hear : 

This  man  you  look  upon 
Has  been  the  cause  of  all  this  noise 

And  uproar  in  the  town. 
These  worthy  witnesses  you  have 

All  very  plainly  heard  ; 
And  his  reply — what  he  confessed, 

You  have  heard  every  word. 
With  you  it  lies  to  hang  this  man — 

The  whole  you  can  withdraw  ; 
But  yet  I  think  it  meet  for  me 

To  teach  you  in  our  law. 
There  was  an  act  made  in  the  days 

Of  Pharaoh,  called  the  Great ; 
(He  was  a  servant  to  our  prince, 

This  history  doth  relate,) 
That  any  whose  religion  was 

Contrary  to  his  own, 
Should  have  their  males  immediately 

Into  the  river  thrown. 
Lest  they  should  grow  and  multiply, 

And  be  too  strong  for  him; 
He  thought  it  best  to  drown  their  males, 

So  he  had  some  thrown  in. 
Nebuchadnezzar,  in  his  day, 

An  act  like  this  had  passed, 
That  all  who  would  not  bow  before 

His  image,  should  be  cast 
Into  a  furnace  seven  times 

As  hot  as  usually, 
If  to  his  golden  image  they 

Refused  to  bend  their  knee. 
And  in  the  days  of  Darius, 

An  act  existed  then 
To  cast  the  first  who  prayed  to  God 

Into  the  lion's  den. 


1V0  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

The  substance  of  these  laws  you  see 

This  rebel  he  hath  broken, 
In  thought,  and  deed,  and  in  the  words 

That  he  h  as  often  spoken. 
The  law  of  Pharaoh  we  know  well 

"Was  made  for  this  intent, 
Not  crime  to  punish  that  was  done, 

But  evil  to  prevent. 
But  here  a  crime  apparent  is, 

Our  prince  he  did  defy ; 
And  for  the  treason  he  confessed 

He  now  deserves  to  die." 
Then  did  the  jury  all  go  out, 

Twelve  men  did  it  compose ; 
In  it  was  Blindman,  Malice  too, 

And  Nogood,  three  of  those. 
Yes,  Mr.  Lovelust,  he  was  there, 

And  Mr.  Liveloose  too ; 
And  Mr.  Heady,  and  Highmind 

"Were  in  the  jury  too. 
But  I  will  not  omit  to  state 

That  Enmity  was  there ; 
And  Cruelty,  another  man, 

Did  in  this  company  share. 
And  Implacable,  he  was  there, 

One  ready  at  a  call ; 
Hatelight  and  Mr.  Liar  too, 

I  now  have  named  them  all. 
Now  every  one  of  these  twelve  men, 

A  private  verdict  gave 
Among  themselves,  which  was  that  they 

His  life  could  never  save. 
Unanimously,  afterwards, 

They  did  conclude  to  bring 
Him  guilty  in  before  the  judge ; 

They  did  this  very  thing. 


INVERSE.  171 


The  foreman,  Mr.  Blindman,  said 

To  all  the  rest:  "I  see 
This  pilgrim  is  a  heretic, 

Now  this  is  clear  to  me." 
Then  Mr.  Nogood  said  :  "  Away 

With  this  man  from  the  earth ; 
Away  with  such  a  man  as  he, 

His  life  is  nothing  worth." 
Next  Mr.  Malice  to  them  said : 

"  His  -very  looks  I  hate ; 
I  cannot  pity  such  a  man, 

Whatever  be  his  fate." 
Then  Mr.  Lovelust  spoke  and  said: 

"Him  I  cannot  endure  ; 
I  never  could  up  to  this  day, 

I  never  will  I  'm  sure." 
"  Nor  I,"  then  Mr.  Liveloose  said : 

"  My  ways  he  doth  condemn  ; 
Them  he  is  always  speaking  of, 

And  finding  fault  with  them." 
"  O  hang  him !  hang  him  !"  Heady  said  : 

"At  once  with  him  be  done  ; 
This  stubborn  fellow  should  no  more 

Be  left  at  large  to  run." 
"  A  sorry  scrub  he  is  indeeed," 

Said  Highmind  when  he  spake  ; 
"  He  condescends  as  I  would  not, 

To  men  of  low  estate." 

"  My  heart  doth  rise  against  this  man," 

Said  Mr.  Enmity; 
"  What  satisfaction  I  would  feel, 

If  he  destroyed  should  be." 
Then  Mr.  Liar  said :  "  I  know 

This  man  a  rogue  to  be ; 
With  all  his  cloak  of  Godliness, 

He  can't  impose  on  me." 


172  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

Then  spoke  out  Mr.  Cruelty : 

"  Hang  this  vile  wretch,  I  would, 
Though  simple  hanging  by  itself 

For  this  man  is  too  good." 
Said  Hatelight :  "Let  us  him  despatch 

Out  of  the  way,  and  then 
He  will  not  worry  and  perplex 

The  minds  of  better  men." 
Then  Mr.  Implacable  said : 

"  If  I  the  world  should  gain 
By  being  reconciled  to  him, 

His  foe  I  would  remain. 
Now  come  my  friends,  let  us  forthwith 

"With  our  united  breath, 
Bring  this  man  in  a  criminal 

As  worthy  now  of  death." 
Now  this  they  did — they  took  him  to 

The  place  from  whence  he  came, 
To  suffer  the  most  cruel  death 

They  could  invent  for  pain. 
They  therefore  brought  their  victim  out, 

Whose  innocence  they  saw ; 
And  treated  him  most  cruelly, 

According  to  their  law. 
And  first  of  all,  they  scourged  the  man, 

Then  him  they  buffeted ; 
And  next  they  lanced  his  flesh  with  knives, 

And  stoned  him  almost  dead. 
They  took  their  swords  and  pricked  his  flesh, 

And  none  did  him  befriend ; 
At  last  they  burnt  him  at  the  stake, 

Now  this  was  Faithful's  end. 
And  now  I  saw  (delightful  thought !) 

Behind  the  multitude ; 
A  chariot  and  some  horses  too, 

These  there  for  Faithful  stood. 


IN  YEESE.  173 


Now  Faithful,  when  his  enemies 

Had  finished  burning  him  ; 
Was  taken  to  the  chariot, 

And  there  was  taken  in. 
Then  straightway  he  was  carried  up, 

With  songs  and  trumpet  sound  ; 
Until  he  reached  the  Heavenly  Gate, 

With  glory  he  was  crowned. 
Now  as  for  Christian,  him  they  gave 

A.  little  respite  still ; 
He  was  to  prison  taken  back, 

Yet  subject  to  their  will. 
But  he  who  overrules  all  things, 

Whom  wind  and  wave  obey; 
Restrained  their  rage,  that  he  escaped, 

And  journeyed  on  his  way. 

And  as  he  went  he  sang,  saying, — 

"  "Well,  Faithful,  thou  hast  faithfully  profest 
Unto  thy  Lord,  with  whom  thou  shalt  be  blest, 
When  faithless  ones,  with  all  their  vain  delights, 
Are  crying  out  under  their  hellish  plights: 
Sing,  Faithful,  sing,  and  let  thy  name  survive; 
For  though  they  killed  thee,  thou  art  yet  alive." 

Now  in  my  dream,  I  Christian  saw, 

And  he  was  not  alone  ; 
One  Hopeful  was  along  with  him, 

He  was  to  Christian  known. 
This  man  a  pilgrim  had  become, 

While  he  was  at  the  fair ; 
He  Christian  and  good  Faithful  saw, 

When  they  were  also  there. 
He  saw  how  much  they  both  endured, 

Reviling  not  again ; 
This  made  him  think  they  had  a  hope 

Of  joy  beyond  their  pain.  *0 


174  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

This  Hopeful  made  a  covenant 

With  Christian,  and  he  said : 
"I  will  be  thy  companion  now, 

In  place  of  him  who's  dead." 
In  testimony  to  the  truth, 

Did  Faithful  dare  to  die  ; 
But  Hopeful  from  his  ashes  springs, 

His  place  to  occupy. 
Now  Hopeful  also  Christian  told, 

That  many  in  the  fair 
Would  take  their  time  and  follow  on, 

Though  now  they  traders  were. 
I  saw  that  quickly  after  they 

Out  of  the  fair  had  got, 
They  met  one  By-ends  on  the  way, 

They  seemed  to  know  him  not. 
"What  countryman,"  they  said  to  him, 

11  How  far  go  you  this  way  ?" 
"The  town  of  Fairspeech  I  am  from," 

Did  By-ends  to  them  say. 
"  To  the  Celestial  City,  sirs, 

I  go,"  said  he  to  them ; 
And  other  things  he  said  to  them, 

But  told  them  not  his  name. 
"The  town  of  Fairspeech!"  Christian  said, 

"Does  any  good  live  there?" 
"0,  yes,  I  hope  so,"  By-ends  said ; 

"That  good  is  also  there." 
"  What  6hall  I  call  you,"  Christian  said, 

I  know  from  whence  you  came  ; 
And  though  you  have  talked  some  with  us, 

You  have  not  told  your  name." 
"  I  am  a  stranger,"  By-ends  said, 

"  To  you,  and  you  to  me ; 
If  you  are  going  in  this  way, 

I'll  have  your  company. 


IN  VEESE.  175 


Of  it  I  will  be  very  glad, 

Time  will  seem  quicker  spent : 
And  if  this  way  you  are  not  going, 

Then  I  must  be  content." 
"  This  town  of  Fairspeech,"  Christian  said, 

"  If  I  remember,  is, 
As  people  say,  a  wealthy  place  ; 

Now  you  of  course  know  this." 
"  Yes,"  By-ends  said,  *  I'll  you  assure, 

It  is  a  place  of  wealth  ; 
And  many  rich  now  dwelling  there, 

Are  kindred  to  myself." 

"  That  you  have  kindred  in  that  town, 

I'm  glad  you  this  have  told  ; 
"Who  are  your  kindred  ?"  Christian  said, 

"  If  I  may  be  so  bold." 
Then  Mr.  By-ends  thus  replied — 

"Almost  the  town  throughout: 
My  Lord  Timeserver,  Lord  Fairspeech ; 

Also  Lord  Turnabout. 
From  ancestors  of  Lord  Fairspeech, 

The  town  derived  its  name — 
The  town  in  their  day  so  was  called, 

And  now  its  called  the  same. 
And  Mr.  Smoothman  also  is 

A  kinsman,  near,  of  mine  ; 
And  Mr.  Facing-both-ways,  too, 

Is  in  my  family  line. 
And  Mr.  Anything,  I  claim, 

Our  parson  Two-tongues,  too, 
All  these  I  say  are  kin  to  me, 

And  what  I  say  is  true. 
To  tell  you  plainly  all  the  truth, 

A  gentleman  I  am ; 
Of  no  mean  quality  at  all, 

This  for  myself  I  claim. 


176  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


Yet,  great-grand  father  I  am  told, 

Was  but  a  waterman  ; 
Who  looked  one  way,  another  rowed, 

And  I  have  done  the  same. 
This  occupation  I  was  taught, 
►   It  has  come  good  to  me ; 
For  most  of  my  estate  I  got, 

By  this  same  work  you  see." 
Then  Christian  said,  "  let  me  ask  this, 

Are  you  a  married  man  ? 
I  haye  myself  a  family, 

But  they  are  not  at  hand." 
"I  have  a  wife,  the  man  replied, 

A  virtuous  woman  too ; 
Her  mother,  Lady  Feigning  was, 

Who  was  excelled  by  few. 
My  wife  has,  therefore,  come  you  see, 

From  something  pretty  high  ; 
The  family  from  whence  she  sprang, 

To  honor  had  an  eye. 
She  is  arrived  to  such  a  pitch 

Of  breeding,  that  she  knows 
How  she  should  act  before  a  prince, 

Or  any  where  she  goes. 
'Tis  true,  that  in  religion, 

With  the  strict  we  differ  some ; 
But  is  in  but  two  small  points, 

Not  hard  to  overcome. 
The  first  point  is,  we  never  strive 

Against  the  wind  or  tide  ; 
We  hate  to  hear  men  talk,  how  they 

So  many  storms  outride. 
The  other  point :  we're  zealous  for 

Religion,  when  it  goes 
With  silver  slippers  on  its  feet, 

And  corresponding  cloths. 


IN  VEESE.  Ill 


"We  love  to  walk  the  streets  with  it, 

As  if  we  all  loved  God ; 
If  but  the  sun  doth  gayly  shine, 

And  others  it  applaud." 
Now  Christian  stepped  a  little  off, 

And  then  to  hopeful  said : 
That  "  this  is  By-ends  of  Fairspeech, 

Of  this  I  am  afraid. 
And  if  it  is,  a  greater  knave 

In  all  these  parts  is  not, 
Than  is  this  man,  whose  company 

"We  both  just  now  have  got." 
Said  Hopeful,  "  ask  him — he  should  not 

Ashamed  be  of  his  name  ; 
He  ought  to  tell  us  who  he  is, 

He  told  us  whence  he  came." 
Then  Christian  stepped  up  to  the  man, 

"With  him  awhile  did  walk  ; 
And  said,  *  you  know  more  than  most  men, 

If  judged  by  what  you  talk. 
And  if  I  now  am  not  deceived, 

Of  you  I  have  a  guess ; 
Are  you  not  By-ends  of  Fairspeech  ? 

Is  not  this  your  address  I" 
He  answered  him,  "  By-ends  is  not 

My  proper  name  at  all; 
Tis  but  a  nickname  given  me, 

My  foes  my  name  thus  call. 
This  I  must  be  content  to  bear, 

As  a  reproach  and  shame ; 
As  other  good  men  have  to  do, 

This  only  is  a  name." 
Said  Christian,  "  did  you  never  give 

Occasion  for  this  name? 
'Tis  strange  that  men  should  call  you  so, 

If  you  are  not  to  blame." 


178  BUNYAN'9  PILGKIM 

"No,  never,  never!"  By-ends  said: 

"  They  gave  to  me  this  name 
Because  I  judged  well  of  the  times, 

How  money  I  could  gain. 
But  if  things  thus  are  cast  on  me, 

To  humble  me  they  tend ; 
And  I  should  count  them  blessings  too, 

And  bear  them  to  the  end. 
But  let  not  the  malicious  ones, 

Reproaches  on  me  load  : 
If  I  have  judgment  of  the  times, 

And  turn  things  to  my  good." 

"  I  thought,"  said  Christian,  "  that  you  were 

The  man  of  whom  I  heard ; 
111  tell  you  what  I  think  of  you, 

Depend  upon  my  word. 

I  think  this  name  belongs  to  you, 

More  properly  indeed, 
Than  you  are  willing  we  should  think ; 
Though  well  for  self  you  plead." 

II  What  you  imagine  I  can't  help," 

By-ends  to  Christian  said: 
"You'll  find  me  still  good  company, 

If  your  companion  made." 
"  Now  if  you  keep  our  company, 

Self  ease  must  be  denied : 
For  none  can  keep  along  with  us, 

"Who  face  not  wind  and  tide. 

"  Now  this,"  said  Christian,  "  you  will  not 

Fall  in  with,  I  perceive ; 
For  this  is  no  part  of  your  creed, 

In  this  you  don't  believe. 
Religion  you  must  own  in  rags, 

Or  you'll  offend  my  God ; 
As  well  as  when  you  see  his  feet, 

"With  silver  slippers  shod. 


IN  VERSE.  179 


And  stand  by  it  in  irons  bound — 

Opposed  by  human  laws ; 
As  well  as  when  it  walks  the  streets, 

"With  every  man's  applause." 
Said  By-ends,  "  lording  o'er  my  faith, 

"With  me  will  never  do : 
But  leave  me  to  my  liberty, 

And  let  me  go  with  you." 
Said  Christian,  "  not  a  single  step, 

Unless  you  will  be  bound 
To  do  those  things,  as  well  as  we, 

"Which  I  shall  now  propound." 
Then  By-ends  said,  "  I  never  shall 

My  principles  desert ; 
Since  they  do  me  a  profit  yield, 

And  never  do  me  hurt. 
If  I  can  not  go  with  you  now, 

How  strange  this  thing  will  be ; 
I'll  do  as  I  had  done,  before 

You  had  come  up  to  me. 
Yes,  even  by  myself  I'll  go, 

And  that  from  day  to  day ; 
Till  some  glad  of  my  company, 

O'ertake  me  on  the  way." 
Then  in  my  dream,  I  saw  that  they 

Did  By-ends  now  forsake  ; 
Before  him  kept  their  distance  too— 

Did  better  progress  make. 
But  one  of  them  when  looking  back, 

Cast  eyes  upon  three  men, 
"Who  all  were  By-ends  following, 

And  not  far  from  him  then. 

And  now  behold  as  they  came  up, 
Things  happened  this  way  now ; 

By-ends  stooped  very  gracefully, 
And  made  a  pretty  bow. 


180  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

These  men  be  was  acquainted  with, 
!  Things  very  pleasant  went ; 

For  they  returned  a  bow  to  him — 

Keturned  the  compliment. 
The  names  of  these,  were  Hold-the-world, 

Good  Mr.  Money-love, 
"With  Mr.  Save-all ;  men  that  he 

Before  knew  something  of. 
For  they  in  their  minority, 

In  the  same  school  had  been  ; 
And  taught  by  Mr.  Gripeman  there, 

A  master  in  Love-gain. 
"Which  is  indeed  a  market  town, 

Of  not  a  little  worth ; 
'Tis  in  the  county  Coveting, 

A  county  in  the  north. 
This  master  taught  these  four,  the  art 

Of  getting  gain,  they  say, 
By  cozenage,  or  flattery, 

Or  lying,  any  way— 

By  violence,  by  putting  on 

A  sanctimonious  guise, 
As  if  they  were  real  christians  then, 

When  this  would  them  suffice. 
These  had  attained  the  art  so  well, 

Of  getting,  that  they  could 
Each  teach  a  school  for  this,  as  well 

As  Gripeman,  if  they  would. 
Well,  when  they  had  as  I  have  said, 

Their  salutations  passed ; 
Then  Money-love  to  By-ends  said: 

"  What  men  walk  there  so  fast  ?" 
Now  Christiain  whom  By-ends  forsook, 

And  Hopeful,  were  the  two 
That  they  saw  walking  on  before, 

For  they  were  yet  in  view. 


INVERSE.  181 


"  Sirs,  they  are  two  far  countrymen, 

Who  after  their  own  mode," 
Said  By-ends,  "are  on  pilgrimage, 

Upon  this  very  road. 
"  Alas!  why  did  they  not  remain," 

Said  Money-love  :  "that  we, 
Who  also  are  on  pilgrimage, 

Might  have  their  company? 
For  they  and  we,  and  you  I  hope, 

Yes,  this  I  will  engage, 
Are  all  now  bound  for  the  same  place- 

We're  all  on  pilgrimage." 
"That's  very  true,"  then  By-ends  said, 

"  But  they,  I  now  must  own, 
So  rigid  are,  and  love  so  much 

The  notions  of  their  own, 
And  also  set  so  lightly  by 

Opinions  others  hold, 
That  even  the  most  godly  men — 

Let  them  be  young  or  old — 
If  they  in  judgment  do  not  join 

With  them  in  every  thing, 
They  cast  them  from  their  company — 

Reproaches  on  them  bring." 
Said  Mr.  Save-all :  "  That  is  bad, 

But  then  we  read  of  such  ; 
And  I  have  seen  such  men  before, 

Who  're  righteous  overmuch. 
Such  rigidness  will  often  lead 

To  judge  and  to  condemn 
All  but  themselves,  if  they  do  not 

Straight  way  fall  in  with  them. 
How  far  are  you  and  they  apart?" 

Save-all  to  By-ends  said ; 
11  This  you  no  doubt  have  ascertained 

By  what  they  to  you  said." 


182  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

Said  By-ends :  "  They  are  so  head-strong, 

That  they  always  conclude 
It  is  their  duty  to  rush  on, 

All  weathers,  bad  or  good. 
But  this  is  not  the  way  with  me, 

Nor  shall  they  be  my  guide  ; 
I  am  for  having  things  go  well — 

I  wait  for  wind  and  tide. 
They  are  for  hazarding  their  all, 

That  they  may  please  the  Lord; 
But  I  take  care  to  save  my  life, 

Depend  upon  my  word; 
And  my  estate,  which  is  to  me 

The  next  thing  to  my  life. 
They  are  for  holding  all  their  views, 

Though  thus  they  cause  much  strife. 
But  I  am  for  religion,  if 

It  suits  the  times,  and  when 
My  safety  is  not  jeopardized 

By  irreligious  men. 
And  they  are  for  religion  when 

In  rags — its  credit  gone ; 
But  I  am  for  it  when  it  walks 

With  silver  slippers  on : 
"When  it  does  not  oppose  the  world, 

And  my  own  country's  laws; 
But  when  it  walks  the  public  streets, 

With  every  man's  applause." 
uO  now,"  said  Mr.  Hold-the-world, 

"  Good  By-ends,  hold  there,  still ; 
I  think  for  my  part  he's  a  fool 

Who  can,  if  he  but  will, 
Keep  all  he  has,  (and  very  few 

Have  more  than  they  can  use,) 
But  yet  bestows  to  this  and  that, 

And  much  in  this  way  lose. 


IN  VEESE.  183 


Let  us  be  wise  as  serpents  are  ; 

Sunshine  is  best  for  hay ; 
The  bee  lies  still,  she  works  not  when 

There  is  a  wintry  day. 
She  only  doth  bestir  herself 

When  work  doth  pleasure  yield  ; 
Not  in  the  snow,  but  in  the  flower 

That  decorates  the  field. 
God  sends  us  sometimes  clouds  and  rain, 

He  makes  the  sun  to  shine  ; 
If  they  like  fools  bad  weather  take, 

Let  us  then  take  the  fine. 
For  me  I  like  religion  best, 

"When  men  can  clearly  see 
That  God  his  blessing  on  it  sends, 

And  that  abundantly. 
Can  any  one  a  moment  think 

Who  lets  his  reason  play, 
That  we  the  good  things  God  bestows 

Should  ever  give  away  ? 
No !  Reason  teaches  us  itself 

Good  care  of  them  to  take, 
And  make  the  best  of  them  ourselves — 

Enjoy  them  for  his  sake. 
Now  Abraham  and  Solomon 

Rich  in  religion  grew  ; 
And  why  not  we  as  well  as  they, 

Be  rich  and  godly  too  ? 
And  Job,  who  was  a  righteous  man, 

Did  not  say  give  we  must ; 
But  this  he  said :  'The  good  man  shall 

His  gold  lay  up  like  dust.' 
He  was  not  such  a  man  as  these 

Before  us  on  the  road  ; 
For  he  says  men  may  lay  up  gold  ; 

They  say  cast  it  abroad." 


184  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Then  Mr.  Save-all  spake  and  said : 

"  I  think  we  all  agree 
So  words  we  need  not  multiply ; 

'T  is  clear  enough  to  me. " 
"  No  need  of  words,"  said  Money-love, 

"For  he  who  disbelieves 
In  reason,  and  in  Scripture  too, 

His  freedom  never  sees. 
He  neither  knows  his  liberty, 

Nor  his  own  safety  seeks. 
The  scriptures  we  have  on  our  side, 

The  same  our  reason  speaks." 
Then  Mr.  By-ends  spake  and  said: 

"  My  brethren,  since  you  see 
We  all  are  on  a  pilgrimage, 

Let  us  diverted  be, 

From  things  that  in  themselves  are  bad> 

And  cast  a  gloom  around ; 
So  now  my  brethren  give  me  leave, 

This  question  to  propound : 
Suppose  a  man,  a  minister,. 

Or  tradesman,  if  you  please, 
Could  not  obtain  some  earthly  gain 

Without  a  course  like  this : 
He  must  become  quite  zealous,  in 

Appearance  at  the  least, 
In  some  religious  points,  which  he 

Can  make  appear  a  feast : 
May  he  not  use  in  innocence 

This  means  his  end  to  gain, 
And  still  be  a  right  honest  man, 

If  wealth  he  thus  obtain  ?" 
Now  Mr.  Money-love  replied  : 

"  Your  question  I  perceive — 
I  clearly  see  the  drift  of  it; 

And  by  my  company's  leave, 


INVERSE.  185 


I  will  endeavor  now  to  shape 

An  answer  unto  you. 
I  '11  first  speak  of  a  minister, 

And  see  his  matter  through. 
Now  sir,  suppose  a  minister, 

A  very  worthy  man, 
Receives  so  small  a  salary 

That  scarcely  live  he  can  ; 
But  has  in  view  a  larger  one, 

More  fat  and  plump,  you  see  ; 
And  has  an  opportunity 

Of  getting  it,  if  he 
Will  then  become  more  studious, 

And  show  more  preaching  fire ; 
Put  on  a  zeal  to  suits  the  folks, 

If  zeal  they  do  require. 
And,  (if  the  people  of  the  place 

Require  it  of  him,) 
Change  some  of  his  old  principles — 

I  see  no  harm  therein. 
I  see  no  reason  why  a  man 

Who  has  a  call,  may  not 
Do  all  of  this,  and  more  besides, 

If  hard  has  been  his  lot. 
He  still  may  be  an  honest  man, 

For  lawful  it  must  be 
When  one  can  sccarcely  make  ends  meet, 

To  get  more  salary  ; 
Since  it  has  been  before  him  set 

By  Providence  ;    and  then 
He  need  not  shrink  for  conscience'  sake, 

But  get  it  if  he  can. 
Besides,  his  great  desire  for 

That  benefice  will  make 
The  preacher  far  more  studious, 

And  zealous  for  its  sake.  *P 


186  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

'T  will  make  of  him  a  better  man ; 

Make  him  improve  his  parts, 
Which  is,  according  to  God's  mind, 

The  searcher  of  our  hearts. 
Now  as  for  his  complying  with 

The  temper  of  his  flock, 
And  laying  by  some  principles 

Which  might  their  feelings  shock, 

This  argueth  that  he  is  of 

A  self-denying  mind ; 
Of  sweet  deportment,  winning  too, 

And  also  very  kind. 
So  he  is  made  a  fitter  man 

The  sacred  desk  to  fill ; 
For  he  that  may  be  moved  upon, 

Will  others  cause  to  feel. 
I  then  conclude,  a  minister 

Who  changes  small  for  great, 
Should  not  be  judged  as  covetous 

For  changing  at  this  rate ; 
But  rather,  since  he  thus  improves 

In  parts  and  industry, 
We  ought  to  judge  him  better  now 

Than  he  was  formerly  ; 
And  count  him  one  who  doth  pursue 

His  calling  as  he  should  ; 
And  we  should  well  consider  too, 

That  he  can  do  more  good. 
Now  to  the  other  man  we  come, 

The  tradesman  spoken  of; 
Suppose  he  does  not  prosper  well, 

His  business  don't  improve, 
But  by  embracing  piety, 

His  market  he  can  mend ; 
Perhaps  may  get  a  wealthy  wife — 

One  who  will  him  befriend ; 


IN  VERSE.  181 


Or  more  and  better  customers, 

To  buy  things  from  his  shop ; 
If  piety  will  do  all  this, 

"Why  then  embrace  it  not? 
For  my  part,  I  no  reason  see 

Why  this  may  not  be  done ; 
For  surely  it  a  virtue  is, 

If  pious  we  become. 

It  matters  not  what  were  the  means 

If  we  the  end  have  gained ; 
Keligion  is  the  best  of  good 

That  man  has  e'er  obtained. 
Nor  is  it  an  unlawful  thing 

To  get  a  wealthy  wife ; 
Or  to  increase  one's  customers, 

To  help  us  on  in  life. 
Besides,  the  man  who  gets  these  things 

By  first  becoming  good, 
Gets  good  things  of  the  virtuous, 

And  it  is  right  he  should. 
By  this  he  has  a  good  wife  got— 

More  customers  we  find  ; 
And  all  by  getting  piety, 

Thus  all  was  well  designed." 
This  answer  made  by  Money-love, 

To  him  we  By-ends  call, 
Did  meet  with  very  great  applause, 

Because  it  pleased  them  well. 
Wherefore  they  did  conclude  at  last, 

That  it  upon  the  whole, 
Was  wholesome  and  advantageous, 

And  cheering  to  the  soul. 
And  now  because  they  thought  that  none 

Could  gainsay  this  at  all, 
And  as  they  knew  that  those  ahead 

Were  still  within  their  call, 


188  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 


They  to  each  other  this  proposed, 

To  which  they  all  agreed, 
"With  this  great  question  to  assault 

Those  Israelites  indeed. 
The  rather  this,  because  those  men 

This  By-ends  had  opposed 
Sometime  before,  when  he  his  views 

To  them  in  part  disclosed. 
They  now  called  after  those  two  men 

Before  them  on  the  road, 
"Who  stopped  till  they  had  all  come  up — 

A  short  time  there  they  stood. 
These  four  companions  had  agreed 

That  By-ends  should  not  speak, 
But  Hold-the-world  should  be  the  man 

An  answer  for  to  seek. 
For  they  supposed  an  answer  might 

Be  better  had  through  him, 
Because  when  they  did  By-ends  leave, 

They  were  severe  with  him. 

So  when  they  all  together  came, 

A  short  salute  went  round  ; 
Then  Mr.  Hold-the-world  straightway 

This  question  did  propound. 
To  Hopeful  and  to  Christian  now, 

Old  Hold-the-world  did  say  : 
"  This  question  answer  if  you  can, 

And  that  without  delay." 
"  One  in  religion  but  a  babe," 

Said  Christian,  "  may  reply 
To  many  thousand  questions,  such 

As  you  ask  he  and  I. 
For  if  'tis  an  unlawful  thing 

To  follow  Christ  for  loaves, 
Then  abominable  it  must  be 

To  act  the  part  of  those 


IN  VEESE.  189 


Who  make  of  him  a  stalking  horse, 

(And  of  religion  too,) 
To  get  the  world  and  it  enjoy — 

No  higher  end  in  view. 
Nor  do  we  any  other  find 

Than  heathens,  hypocrites, 
And  devils,  witches  and  the  like, 

Who  to  your  views  submit. 
First,  heathens  ;  for  when  Hamor  and 

When  Shechem  were  inclined 
To  Jacob's  daughter,  cattle  too, 

They  thus  made  up  their  minds : 
In  order  to  possess  those  things, 

(Yes,  this  way  they  devised,) 
To  do  as  Jacob's  people  did, 

That  is,  be  circumcised. 
They  said,  '  let  every  male  of  us- 

Be  circumcised  as  they  ; 
Shall  not  their  cattle  then  be  ours, 

And  all  their  things  straightway  ?' 
Their  daughters  and  their  cattle  were- 

What  they  sought  to  obtain  ; 
And  their  religion  thus  they  made 

A  stalking  horse  for  gain. 
Those  hypocrites,  the  Pharisees, 

So  used  religion  too ; 
Long  prayers  they  made  for  mere  pretence, 

Mere  gain  they  had  in  view. 
That  widows'  houses  they  might  get, 

No  doubt  was  their  intent ; 
But  their  damnation  will  be  great, 

To  hell  they  will  be  sent. 
The  devil,  Judas,  used  his  tongue 

To  speak  against  all  sin ; 
But  this  religion  he  put  on 

That  money  he  might  win. 


190  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

But  he  was  cast  away,  yea  lost, 

In  heaven  he  does  not  dwell; 
His  portion  is  with  hypocrites— 

The  miseries  of  hell. 
And  Simon,  who  a  wizard  was, 

Had  his  religion  too  ; 
He  wished  to  have  the  Holy  Ghost, 

But  money  was  in  view. 
This  sentence  fell  from  Peter's  mouth, 

(For  he  no  money  sought :) 
'  Thy  money  perish  and  thyself, 

With  Christ  thou  hast  no  lot.' 
Now  this  to  me  is  very  plain, 

That  one  who  doth  for  gain 
Take  up  religion,  also  will 

For  it  cast  off  the  same. 
Now  Judas  money  had  in  view 

When  pious  he  became ; 
His  master — his  religion  too, 

He  sold  for  worldly  gain. 
If  I  should  answer  as  you  wish- 
Such  answer  to  accept 
Is  heathenish  and  devilish, 

And  ill  reward  you  '11  get." 
These  men  upon  each  other  looked, 

But  they  made  no  reply  ; 
In  Christian's  answer  Hopeful  joined, 

You  know  the  reason  why. 
The  men  were  all  quite  silent  now ; 

By-ends  and  company 
Then  staggered  slowly  on  the  way, 

They  wished  behind  to  be ; 
That  Christian  and  good  Hopeful  might 

Outgo  them  on  the  way. 
Now  Christian  to  friend  Hopeful  spake, 

These  words  I  heard  him  say : 


INVERSE.  191 


"  If  these  men  cannot  stand  before 

The  sentence  of  mere  men, 
What  can  they  do  when  God  himself 

Shall  sentence  pass  on  them  ? 
If  vessels  of  mere  clay  will  cause 

Such  men  thus  to  retire, 
"What  will  they  do  when  they  shall  be 

Rebuked  by  flames  of  fire  ?" 
Now  Christian  and  good  Hopeful  too, 

Outwent  these  men  again  ; 
And  on  their  way,  they  came  up  to 

A  little  narrow  plain. 
This  little  plain  by  name  is  Ease- 
There  they  had  much  content; 
But  as  it  was  a  narrow  place, 

Soon  over  it  they  went. 
Now  at  the  further  side  of  it 

There  was  a  little  hill ; 
Twas  Lucre  called  in  olden  times, 

And  Lucre  it  is  still. 
A  silver  mine  was  in  that  hill, 

Which  some  turned  in  to  see 
Who  walked  along  that  way;  because 

It  was  a  rarity. 
But  going  too  near  the  mouth  of  it 

A  sight  of  it  to  gain, 
The  ground  beneath  their  feet  gave  way, 

And  many  thus  were  slain. 
Some  have  been  maimed  when  at  the  mine, 

(The  ground  would  oft  give  way,) 
They  never  were  themselves  again, 

Not  to  their  dying  day. 
Now  in  my  dream  I  saw  a  man 

A  little  off  the  road, 
Over  against  the  silver  mine — 

'T  was  Demas  who  there  stood. 


192  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

He  like  a  gentleman  stood  there 

The  passers  by  to  call 
Aside,  to  see  the  silver  mine, 

"Which  was  to  him  his  all. 
"When  Christian  and  his  fellow  passed, 

This  Demas  cried  out :  "  Ho  ! 
Come,  turn  aside  ye  travelers, 

A  thing  to  you  I'll  show." 
"  "What  thing  is  so  deserving,  as 

To  turn  us  from  our  way 
In  which  we  now  are  going,  sir  ?" 

Did  Christian  to  him  say. 
"A  silver  mine,"  then  Demas  said, 

"Some  here  are  digging  now  ; 
If  you  will  come,  a  little  pains 

"Will  rich  supply  allow." 
Said  Hopeful,  unsuspectingly, 

u  Come,  let  us  go  and  see." 
But  Christian  said  :  "  I've  heard  of  it, 

That  will  not  do  for  me ; 
For  many  have  been  slain,  they  say, 

While  in  the  silver  mine  ; 
Besides,  that  treasure  is  a  snare 

To  those  who  do  it  find. 
For  it  so  much  takes  up  their  time, 

And  doth  their  thoughts  engage, 
That  it  a  hindrance  becomes 

To  those  on  pilgrimage. 
Then  Christian  unto  Demas  called, 

And  thus  I  heard  him  say: 
"  Is  not  this  place  a  dangerous  one 

To  pilgrims  on  this  way  ?" 
11  Not  very  dangerous,"  Demas  said, 

"  Except  to  careless  men  ; 
If  things  they  do  not  manage  well, 

'T  is  somewhat  dang'rous  then." 


IN  VERSE.  193 


But  then  he  blushed  when  he  this  said, 

For  very  well  he  knew 
That  nearly  all  do  perish  there — 

Escape  do  but  a  few. 
To  Hopeful,  Christian  now  did  speak, 

These  words  I  heard  him  say : 
"  Let  us  not  move  a  step  aside, 

But  still  keep  on  our  way." 
Said  Hopeful :  "  When  By-ends  comes  up, 

If  he  be  called  as  we, 
I'll  warrant  you  he  will  turn  in 

The  silver  mine  to  see." 
Then  Christian  said:  "  No  doubt  of  this  ; 

His  principles  are  such 
That  they  will  lead  him  on  that  way — 

The  mine  will  please  him  much. 
A  hundred  chances  now  to  one 

That  By-ends  will  be  slain  ; 
For  he  will  into  dangers  rush 

In  hopes  of  getting  gain." 
To  Christian  Demas  called  again, 

"  Come,  will  you  not  ?"  said  he  ; 
"  Come  over  to  the  silver  mine, 

Now  only  for  to  see." 
Then  Christian  roundly  answered  thus: 

"Thou  Demas  art,"  I  say, 
"  An  enemy  to  the  right  ways 

Of  him  who  owns  this  way. 
Thou  hast  already  been  condemned 

For  having  turned  aside, 
By  one  of  his  own  judges,  sir, 

Will  this  not  damp  thy  pride? 
Why  seekest  thou  to  lead  us  in 

Such  condemnation  too, 
By  calling  us  to  turn  aside, 

And  dig  for  wealth  as  you? 


194  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Moreover,  if  we  turn  aside 

To  seek  mere  worldly  gain, 
Our  Lord  the  King  will  hear  thereof, 

And  put  us  both  to  shame. 
But  otherwise  'twill  be  with  us 

If  we  keep  on  the  way ; 
"With  boldness  then  we  can  appear 

Before  him  on  that  day." 
Then  Demas  said  that  he  was  one 

Of  their  fraternity ; 
That  if  they  would  but  stay  awhile 

They'd  have  his  company. 
Then  Christian  said  :   "  What  is  thy  name  ? 

We  both  have  taken  thee 
To  be  one  Demas  ;   now  tell  us 

If  we  mistaken  be." 
"Yes,"  Demas  said,  "  that  is  my  name, 

You  now  know  who  I  am; 
And  though  I'm  in  this  silver  mine, 

I'm  a  son  of  Abraham." 
"  I  know  you  well,"  then  Christian  said ; 

Of  Judas  you'r  a  son, 
Gehazi  your  grand-father  was, 

To  this  tribe  you  belong. 
These  were  your  fathers,  and  you  have 

In  the  same  footsteps  trod  ; 
Thou  usest  now  a  de\iiish  prank 

To  lead  us  off  the  road. 
Thy  father  was  a  traitor  hanged, 

How  sad,  sir,  was  his  lot; 
And  to  escape  this  same  disgrace, 

Thou  now  deservest  not. 
Assure  thyself  that  when  we  come 

Before  the  Lord  our  King, 
Thy  bad  behavior  in  this  place 

Before  him  we  will  bring." 


IN  YEESE.  195 


These  pilgrims  then  went  on  their  way; 

But  By-ends  then  came  on, 
Together  with  the  company 

That  did  to  him  belong. 
As  soon  as  Demas  saw  these  men, 

He  then  began  to  call : 
They  straightway  went  to  see  the  mine — 

They  halted  not  at  all. 
Now  whether  they  fell  in  the  pit 

While  looking  o'er  the  brink, 
Or  whether  they  went  down  to  dig, 

("Which  some  perhaps  may  think,) 
Or  whether  they  were  smothered,  by 

The  damps  that  oft  arise 
In  mines  like  this,  I  cannot  tell— 

This  others  may  surmise  ; 
But  this  much  I  am  certain  of, 

That  from  that  very  day 
They  never  have  been  seen  at  all 

By  any  in  the  way." 
Then  sang  Christian  : 

"  By-  ends  and  silver  Demas  both  agree ; 
One  calls,  the  other  runs,  that  he  may  be 
A  sharer  in  his  lucre:  so  these  two 
Take  up  in  this  world,  and  no  farther  go. 

I  saw  just  on  the  other  side 

Of  this  same  narrow  plain, 
A  place  where  stood  a  monument, 

To  it  the  pilgrims  came. 
This  monument  with  marks  of  age, 

Stood  by  the  highway  side  ; 
The  form  thereof  concerned  them  both, 

Soon  as  they  it  espied. 
The  form  of  it  seemed  very  strange ; 

To  them  it  did  appear 
As  if  a  woman  was  transformed 

Into  a  pillar  here. 


196  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


They  stood  and  looked — they  looked  awhile, 

But  could  not  for  a  time 
Tell  what  they  ought  to  make  of  it, 

The  sight  was  so  suhlime. 
But  Hopeful  then  at  last  espied 

A  writing  on  its  head, 
"Which  was  in  an  unusual  hand, 

By  him  could  not  be  read. 
For  he  but  a  little  learning  had — 

With  Christian  'twas  not  so ; 
He  therefore  called  to  Christian  now, 

This  writing  he  did  show. 
So  Christian  came,  the  letters  viewed, 

Together  them  he  laid ; 
"Remember  Lot's  wife,"  here  is  seen, 

To  Hopeful  Christian  said. 
Now  when  the  writing  had  been  read, 

Then  both  of  them  discerned 
That  this  the  pillar  was  of  salt 

To  which  Lot's  wife  was  turned, 
For  covetously  looking  back 

While  she  for  safety  fled 
From  Sodom :  where  her  neighbors  all 

Were  numbered  with  the  dead. 
This  sudden  and  amazing  sight 

Did  them  occasion  give 
For  this  discourse,  which  I'll  relate; 

Now  hear  this  all  who  live : 
Said  Christian :   "  Ah,  my  brother,  'tis 

A  seasonable  eight ; 
It  opportunely  came  to  us, 

That  we  might  act  aright. 
'Twas  seen  just  after  Demas  had 

Called  us  to  come  and  view 
The  hill  which  is  called  Lucre  hill— 

The  mine  of  silver  too. 


IN  VEESE.  197 


Now  had  we  yielded  to  his  call, 

As  thou  didst  wish  to  do — 
Had  we  gone  over  to  the  mine, 

"We  had  for  aught  I  know, 
Been  served  just  like  this  woman  was — 

A  warning  to  all  such 
Who  may  pass  by  on  pilgrimage, 

Yet  love  the  world  too  much." 
"  I'm  sorry  for  my  foolishness, 

And  wonder,"  Hopeful  said, 
"That  I  am  not  a  monument 

Like  Lot's  wife  here  was  made. 
"Wherein  is  now  the  difference 

Between  her  sir,  and  mine  ? 
She  looked  back  ;  the  mine  to  see 

"Was  truly  my  design. 
Let  grace  forever  be  adored — 

Let  shame  be  in  my  mind, 
That  ever  to  such  worldly  things 

My  heart  has  been  inclined." 
Said  Christian  :  "  Let  us  notice  here 

The  dreadful  fate  of  some, 
That  it  may  prove  a  help  to  us 

In  time  that  is  to  come. 

This  woman  did  escape  'tis  true, 

One  judgment  when  she  fled; 
"With  Sodom  she  was  not  destroyed, 

But  yet  she  soon  was  dead. 
Another  judgment  her  destroyed, 

(She  made  a  sinful  halt;) 
And  she  was  turned  quite  suddenly 

From  flesh  to  solid  salt." 
Said  Hopeful :  "  True,  this  woman  may 

To  us  a  caution  be  ; 
And  an  example  too,  that  we 

Her  sin  may  always  flee. 


198  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Yes,  an  example  of  what  will 

In  judgment  overtake 
All  those  who  will  not  cautious  be, 

But  gods  of  silver  make. 
So  Dathan  and  Abiram  too, 

And  Korah  with  the  men, 
Two  hundred,  yes,  and  fifty  more, 

Who  perished  in  their  sin, 
Have  all  been  made  a  sign  for  us — 

Examples  to  beware ; 
For  they  were  swallowed  in  the  earth- 
See  what  God's  judgments  are. 
But  now  above  all  spoken  of, 

I  wonder  at  this  thing ; 
How  Demas  and  his  company 

Their  minds  to  this  can  bring — 
So  confidently  there  to  stand, 

And  for  such  treasures  look; 
For  which  this  woman  was  made  salt, 

(We  read  this  in  The  Book.) 
She  did  not  step  one  foot  aside 

Out  of  the  proper  way ; 
She  only  turned  to  see  the  place 

From  which  she  came  away. 
Now  how  can  they  still  seek  for  wealth, 

While  this  is  plain  in  sight? 
This  shows  how  much  they  love  the  world- 

That  gain  is  their  delight. 
But  then  'tis  strange  that  this  can  be 

When  for  this  very  thing, 
To  be  a  warning  to  all  such 

God  did  this  judgment  bring. 
They  cannot  help  but  see  this  form, 

If  they  lift  up  their  eyes ; 
Now  how  they  can  so  careless  be 

Doth  fill  me  with  surprise." 


IN  VERSE.  199 


"  It  is  a  wonder,"  Christian  said, 

"  But  this  to  us  is  plain, 
That  desperate  have  their  hearts  become- 

They  fondly  love  such  gain. 
I  cannot  tell  who  to  compare 

These  men  so  fitly  to 
As  pocket-thieves,  who  steal  before 

A  judge  who  is  in  view. 
Or  to  such  men  who  purses  cut, 

Where  criminals  are  hung ; 
Yes,  to  such  men  as  these,  I  think, 

That  Demas  doth  belong. 
'Tis  said  of  all  the  Sodomites 

That  they  were  sinners  great; 
Indeed  we  this  can  plainly  see 

If  we  look  at  their  fate. 
Now  this  did  aggravate  the  sins 

Of  every  Sodomite ; 
Because  they  sinned  before  the  Lord, 

That  is,  in  his  eye-sight. 
Yes,  notwithstanding  that  the  Lord 

Had  kindness  to  them  shown  ; 
For  Sodom  was  like  Eden  once, 

With  good  things  overgrown. 
They  thus  provoked  to  jealousy 

The  Lord,  who  gave  them  breath ; 
He  therefore  6ent  the  hotest  fire — 

Which  burned  them  all  to  death. 
Now  this  conclusion  natural  is, 

That  such  as  live  in  sin 
Despite  examples  that  are  set, 

As  Lot's  own  wife  has  been, 
To  caution  them  to  take  good  heed 

And  not  turn  from  the  way, 
Shall  the  severest  sentence  have 

In  the  great  Judgment  Day." 


200  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

"Now  doubtless  you  do  speak  the  truth," 

To  Christian  Hopeful  said ; 
"  But  what  a  mercy  that  you  and  I 

Were  not  examples  made. 
This  gives  us  new  occasion  now 

To  thank  the  Lord,  and  fear ; 
And  not  forget  the  wile  of  Lot, 

Long  as  we  sojourn  here." 
They  went  their  way  and  soon  came  to 

A  river  smooth  and  broad  ; 
Which  David,  who  was  king,  did  call 

The  river  of  our  God. 
But  John  called  it  the  river 

And  the  water  too  of  life  ; 
Their  way  lay  just  upon  its  bank 

When  they  had  left  Lot's  wife. 
Here  Christian  and  his  fellow  walked 

Indeed  with  great  delight ; 
And  they,  too,  of  the  water  drank, 

Which  cheered  their  spirits  quite. 
Besides,  upon  this  river's  banks 

On  either  side  were  trees  ; 
Green  trees  that  bear  all  kinds  of  fruit, 

And  they  ate  of  the  leaves. 
They  did  not  eat  these  leaves  for  food, 

But  this  was  their  intent ; 
That  should  they,  traveling,  heat  their  blood, 

These  would  disease  prevent. 
This  river  had  on  either  side 

A  meadow  always  green  ; 
With  lilies  they  were  beautified — 

These  all  the  year  were  seen. 
Now  they  lay  down  and  safely  slept 

On  this  delightful  bank  ; 
When  they  awoke  they  gathered  fruit, 

And  of  the  waters  drank. 


IN  VERSE.  201 


They  then  again  lay  down  to  sleep, 

Did  so  some  nights  and  days; 
While  here  they  sang  in  gratitude 

This  lovely  song  of  praise: 

"  Behold  ye  how  these  crystal  streams  do  glide, 

To  comfort  pilgrims  by  the  high  svay  side  1 

The  meadows  green,  besides  their  fragrant  smell, 

Yield  dainties  for  them ;  and  he  who  can  tell 

"What  pleasant  fruit,  yea,  leaves,  these  trees  do  yield, 

Will  soon  sell  all,  that  he  may  buy  this  field." 

So  when  they  were  disposed  to  go — 

Their  journey  to  pursue, 
They  ate  and  drank,  departed  hence, 

And  passed  through  scenes  quite  new. 
I  noticed  too,  while  in  my  dream, 

They  had  not  journeyed  far, 
Before  this  river  and  the  way 

Both  separated  were. 
Although  this  was  but  for  a  time, 

These  pilgrims  sorry  grew ; 
Because  the  river  pleasant  was, 

This  road  did  not  seem  so. 
The  way  that  from  the  river  led 

Was  very  rough  they  found  ; 
Besides,  their  feet  quite  tender  were 

Through  walking  on  the  ground. 
Their  souls  became  quite  weary  too, 

Discouraged  I  may  say, 
By  reason  of  their  tender  feet 

And  roughness  of  the  way. 
Now  as  they  went  along  they  wished 

A  better  way  to  find; 
Oft  thinking  of  the  river  banks, 

Which  they  had  left  behind. 
Now  on  the  left  hand  of  the  road, 

And  just  before  them  too, 
There  was  a  meadow,  smooth  and  long— 

Of  this  they  had  a  view : 


202  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

And  to  get  over  into  it, 

There  was  a  little  stile ; 
Now  By-Path-Meadow  was  its  name: 

They  walked  in  it  awhile. 
Now  Christian  to  his  fellow  said, 

That  "  if  this  meadow  doth 
Lie  any  where  along  our  way, 

Let  us  go  in  it,  both." 
Then  Christian  went  up  to  the  stile, 

That  he  might  plainly  see ; 
And  now,  behold,  he  saw  a  path, 

Just  as  he  wished  't  might  be. 

And  though  this  path  was  o'er  the  fence, 

Said  Christian,  "  Well  I  know 
This  path  will  be  the  easiest, 

Come  Hopeful  let  us  go." 
"  How  if  this  easy  path  should  lead 

Both  you  and  I  astray ; 
"Would  we  not  into  trouble  get  ?" 

Did  Hopeful  to  him  say. 
"That  is  not  likely,"  Christian  said, 

"'Tis  close  by  the  way  side ;" 
So  he  persuaded  Hopeful  now, 

Who  did  in  him  confide. 
Yes,  Hopeful  after  reasoning 

With  Christian  for  awhile, 
Made  up  his  mind  to  follow  him— 

They  both  went  over  the  stile. 
Now  when  they  had  got  over  it, 

And  got  into  the  path, 
They  found  it  easy  for  their  feet 

Upon  the  meadow  grass. 
And  now  when  they  before  them  looked, 

They  saw  one  on  the  way, 
Who  was  by  name  Vain  Confidence, 

There  walkingjust  as  they. 


IN  YEESE.  203 


So  they  called  after  him,  and  asked 

Him  whither  that  way  led. 
"  It  leads  to  the  Celestial  Gate," 

Vain  Confidence  then  said. 
"  Look,"  Christian  said ;   "  You  see  by  this 

That  we  both  yet  are  right ; 
Did  I  not  tell  you  so  before  ? 

I  then  was  certain  quite." 
So  they  both  followed  after  him  ; 

He  l?ept  before  them  too  : 
But  now  behold  the  night  came  on, 

And  very  dark  it  grew; 
So  that  these  two  who  were  behind, 

Lost  sight  of  him  before  ; 
He  fell,  and  was  to  pieces  dashed, 

They  never  saw  him  more. 
The  prince  of  all  this  meadow  ground 

A  pit  has  in  it  made, 
To  catch  vain  glorious  fools  withal, 

Who  have  not  him  obeyed. 
Vain  Confidence  fell  in  this  pit, 

Because  there  was  no  light ; 
And  when  he  to  the  bottom  came, 

Was  dashed  to  pieces  quite. 
Christian  and  Hopeful  to  him  called, 

For  they  had  heard  him  fall ; 
But.  they  no  answer  got  from  him, 

The}'  heard  a  groan,  that's  all. 
Then  Hopeful  said:  "  Where  are  we  now  ?" 

Then  Christian  silent  was  ; 
Mistrusting  they  were  off  the  way — 

Of  this  he  was  the  cause. 

To  thunder  it  had  now  began, 

Also  began  to  rain  ; 
It  lightened  too,  most  fearfully, 

The  waters  rose  amain. 


204  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 


Then  Hopeful  groaned  within  himself, 

And  did  to  Christian  say : 
"  0  that  I  had  not  followed  thee, 

And  kept  right  on  the  way." 
Then  Christian  said :   "Who  would  have  thought 

This  path  could  us  have  led 
Out  of  the  way,  unto  this  pit  ? 

Vain  Confidence  is  dead." 
*  Well  brother,  at  the  very  first," 

His  fellow  Hopeful  said, 
When  I  the  gentle  caution  gave, 

Of  this  I  was  afraid. 
I  would  have  spoken  plainer  still; 

The  reason  I  did  not 
I  am  a  younger  man  than  thou, 

And  did  not  think  I  ought." 
"  Good  brother,"  then  did  Christain  say, 

'•  Offended  do  not  be  ; 
I  sorry  am  that  from  the  way 

I  have  persuaded  thee. 
And  that  I  have  by  this  same  act 

Brought  thee  in  danger  great ; 
For  had  we  fallen  in  the  pit, 

Death  would  have  been  our  fate. 
My  brother,  pray  forgive  me  this, 

I  heartily  repent; 
This  I  have  done  in  ignorance, 

Without  a  bad  intent." 
**  Be  comforted,"  then  Hopeful  said  ; 

"  My  brother,  I  forgive ; 
That  this  will  work  yet  for  our  good, 

I  also  new  believe." 
"  That  I  have  met  one  merciful," 

Said  Christian,    "  I  am  glad  ; 
But  we  must  not  stand  longer  here, 

Let  us  go  back,"  he  said. 


IN  VERSE.  205 


"Good  brother,  let  me  go  before," 

To  Christian,  Hopeful  said ; 
But  Christian  would  not  have  it  so, 

For  him  he  felt  afraid. 
"If  there  are  dangers,"  Christian  said, 

"Let  me  be  first  therein ; 
And  as  we  both  are  off  the  way, 

To  turn  we  must  begin." 
"Your  mind  is  troubled,"  Hopeful  said, 

"And  first  you  shall  not  go; 
For  that  may  lead  you  wrong  again, 

For  any  thing  we  know." 
And  now  for  their  encouragement, 

A  voice  they  heard  to  say  : 
"Thine  heart  let  it  be  turned  again 

Towards  the  King's  highway. 
Yes,  even  in  the  very  way 

Thou  wentest,  turn  again  ; 
Without  delay  retrace  thy  steps:" 

To  this  they  said  amen. 
The  waters  then  had  risen  so, 

The  floods  did  so  much  rage, 
That  it  was  dangerous  going  back, 

Unless  they  did  assuage. 
Thought  I  to  keep  the  way  while  in, 

Is  easier  by  far 
Than  it  is  to  return  again, 

When  out  of  it  we  are. 
Yet  still  they  ventured  to  go  back, 

But  'twas  so  dark  around — 
The  floods  so  high — that  both  of  them 

Were  very  nearly  drowned. 
The  tossing  floods — the  beating  rain — 

The  absence  too,  of  light, 
Perplexed  them  so  that  they  did  not 

Get  to  the  stile  that  ni?ht. 


206  BUN  FAN'S  PILGRIM 

A  little  shelter  though  they  found; 

Too  worn  to  keep  awake, 
They  6at  and  slept  beneath  it  then, 

Until  the  day  did  break. 
Kot  very  far  from  this  same  place, 

(The  shelter  where  they  were,) 
Behold  now  Doubting  Castle  was — 

Also  Giant  Despair. 
He  owned  this  castle,  and  the  grounds 

On  which  these  pilgrims  lay  ; 
And  getting  up  his  fields  to  walk, 

Soon  as  appeared  the  day, 
He  came  to  where  the  shelter  was — 

Christian  and  Hopeful  found ; 
But  they  were  yet  asleep — that  too 

Upon  the  Giant's  ground. 
Then  with  a  grim  and  surly  voice, 

He  bid  these  men  awake ; 
Said  he:  "These  grounds  belong  to  me, 

"Why  here  your  lodgings  make? 
From  whence  came  you  who  have  set  foot 

On  what  belongs  to  me  ? 
For  strangers,  I  should  rather  think 

You  have  been  making  free." 
"  Well,  Giant,  we  both  pilgrims  are," 

The  men  to  him  did  say ; 
"  We  thought  at  first  this  was  the  path, 

But  we  have  lost  our  way." 
The  Giant  said  :   "  This  very  night 

You  have  transgressed,  I  see, 
Upon  my  ground — upon  my  walks, 

You  now  must  go  with  me." 
So  they  were  forced  to  go  with  him — 

He  stronger  was  than  they ; 
And  knowing  they  were  in  a  fault, 

They  little  had  to  say. 


IN  VEKSE.  20 1 


Before  him  he  then  drove  these  men 

Unto  his  castle,  where 
There  was  a  stinking  dungeon,  dark; 

He  put  them  both  in  there. 
And  here  they  lay  from  Wednesday  morn 

Till  Saturday  at  night ; 
They  had  no  bread — not  even  drink— 

Nor  yet  one  spark  of  light. 
And  none  to  ask  them  how  they  did— 

Two  poor  afflicted  men  ; 
Their  friends  and  their  acquaintances, 

Were  all  far  off  from  them. 
Now  double  sorrow  Christian  had, 

How  could  it  be  any  less? 
For  they  through  his  unguarded  haste, 

Were  brought  to  this  distress. 
This  Giant  Despair  had  a  wife 

Who's  name  was  Diffidence, 
To  whom  when  he  had  gone  to  bed, 

He  told  all  these  events. 
He  told  her  that  two  prisoners 

He  had  obtained  at  last; 
That  he  had  them  for  tresspasses 

Into  his  dungeon  cast. 
He  asked  her  then  what  she  thought  best 

For  him  to  do  with  them  ; 
She  then  asked  him  what  these  men  were, 

Where  bound,  from  whence  they  came? 
Then  she  unto  the  Giant  said: 

"  When  morning  light  has  come, 
Arise  in  haste — these  pilgrims  beat, 

And  mercy  show  them  none." 
So  when  the  Giant  had  got  up 

A  cudgel  he  prepared  ; 
It  was  a  grevious  crab  tree  one, 

And  it  he  little  spared. 


208  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

For  he  into  the  dungeon  went, 

Then  fell  to  rating  them 
As  if  they  were  but  dogs  at  best ; 

Not  treating  them  like  men. 
They  gave  him  not  an  angry  word, 

To  do  this  they  were  loth  ; 
Yet  he  beat  them  most  dreadfully — 

Not  only  one  but  both. 
He  beat  them  so  that  help  themselves 

They  scarcely  could  at  all ; 
They  lay  quite  helpless  on  the  floor 

Where  he  had  made  them  fall. 
This  done,  he  left  them  to  themselves, 

Each  other  to  condole  ; 
But  all  that  day  was  spent  to  them 

In  bitterness  of  soul. 
Next  night  his  wife,  called  Diffidence, 

Then  spake  about  them  more, 
And  learning  they  were  yet  alive, 

She  then  did  him  implore, 
To  counsel  them  that  they  had  best 

Their  lives  now  take  away ; 
So  Giant  went  to  see  these  men 

As  soon  as  it  was  day. 
He  still  was  in  that  surly  mood 

That  he  was  in  before  ; 
And  seeing  that  the  stripes  he  gave 

Had  made  them  very  sore, 
He  told  them  as  it  certain  was 

They  there  their  days  must  spend ; 
The  better  way  with  them  would  be 

Of  life  to  make  an  end, 
With  poison,  halter,  or  a  knife ; 

"Why  wish  to  live,"  said  he, 
"A  life  of  so  much  bitterness, 

As  you  shall  have  by  me?" 


IN  VEESE.  209 


But  they  with  him  to  let  them  go, 

Did  piteously  plead ; 
At  this  he  gave  an  angry  look, 

And  rushed  at  them  with  speed. 
And  would  himself  have  made  an  end 

Of  both  these  pilgrim  men, 
If  he  had  not  fell  in  a  fit, 

"Which  came  upon  him  then. 
Sometimes  he  fell  into  great  fits, 

When  clear  the  sun  did  shine  ; 
He'd  lose  the  power  of  his  hands, 

"Which  lasted  for  a  time. 
As  he  had  done  before  with  them, 

He  quickly  withdrew ; 
And  left  them  there  to  meditate 

About  what  they  should  do. 
Then  did  the  prisoners  consult 

Between  themselves  while  there; 
"  Would  it  be  best  to  take,"  said  they, 

"  The  counsel  of  Despair  ?" 
"  Now  brother  Hopeful,"  Christian  said, 

"0  pray  what  shall  we  do? 
The  life  we  live  in  this  dark  place 

Is  misery,  you  know. 
Myself  I  cannot  well  decide 

What  is  for  us  the  best ; 
To  live,  or  die  and  go  to  where 

The  weary  are  at  rest. 
Strangling  and  death  my  soul  doth  choose 

This  dungeon  of  Despair 
I  long  to  leave,  and  seek  the  grave, 

And  be  a  sleeper  there. 
Tou  from  the  mouth  of  Giant  heard 

What  he  would  have  us  do ; 
Shall  we  be  guided  by  his  word? 

My  brother,  I  ask  you." 


210  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Then  Hopeful  said :  <4  Our  present  state, 

It  cannot  be  denied, 
Is  dreadful,  and  I'd  welcome  death 

Before  I'd  thus  abide. 
But  let  us  now  consider  this, 

That  Zion's  Lord  hath  said 
Thou  shalt  no  murder  do  at  all ; 

His  word  how  hast  thou  read  ? 
If  we  to  shed  our  neighbors  blood, 

Have  thus  forbidden  been, 
To  take  away  the  life  we  have, 

Must  be  as  great  a  sin. 
For  one  may  have  another  slain, 

Who  but  the  body  slew ; 
But  then  the  man  who  kills  himself 

Kills  soul  and  body  too. 
My  brother,  thou  dost  talk  of  ease, 

Found  in  the  grave  I  know  ; 
But  dost  thou  not  forget  that  Hell, 

Where  all  who  murder  go  ! 
No  murderer,  the  Scripture  saith 

Hath  got  eternal  life ; 
The  giant  doth  not  hold  the  Law, 

So  let  this  end  the  strife. 
Ourselves  are  not  the  only  ones, 

As  I  do  understand, 
That  have  been  taken  at  his  will, 

But  they  escaped  his  hands. 
Who  knows  but  God  who  made  the  world, 

And  spread  the  starry  sky, 
May  cause  this  giant  to  grow  sick — 

To  waste  away  and  die. 
Or  that  he  may  forget  sometime 

To  lock  the  dungeon  door, 
Or  he  may  soon  fall  in  a  fit, 

As  was  the  case  before. 


IN  VERSE.  211 


His  limbs  will  then  become  to  him, 

Of  very  little  use  ; 
If  this  should  ever  come  to  pass 

We'll  slip  from  his  abuse. 
For  my  part  I  have  this  resolved, 

(This  safety  doth  demand,) 
To  pluck  up  heart  and  try  my  best, 

To  free  me  from  his  hand. 
I  was  a  fool  that  I  did  not 

Try  this  to  do  before  ; 
But  brother  let  us  patient  be, 

And  for  a  while  endure. 
The  time  may  come  that  will  afford, 

A  merciful  release ; 
Then  let  us  not  be  murderers, 

But  wait  the  day  of  peace." 
With  these  words,  Hopeful  comforted 

His  brother's  burdened  mind  ; 
Though  in  the  dark  they  spent  that  day, 

And  no  release  could  find. 
Well  now  about  the  close  of  day, 

The  Giant  went  again, 
Down  in  the  dungeon  for  to  see, 

If  they  themselves  had  slain. 
The  prisoners  he  found  were  there, 

Alive,  but  that  was  all ; 
For  they  had  neither  eat  nor  drank, 

And  scarce  could  breathe  at  all. 
By  reason  of  the  wounds  he  made, 

These  men  were  very  low ; 
No  food  he  gave  them  all  the  while, 

This  made  them  weaker  grow. 
I  say  he  found  them  still  alive, 

This  threw  him  in  a  rage ; 
"  Worse  you  shall  fare  than  e'er  before," 

Said  he,  "  I  will  engage." 


212  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

Because  they  both  had  set  aside, 

The  counsel  which  he  gave, 
In  not  destroying  there  their  lives, 

He  got  into  this  rage. 
They  trembled  greatly  at  his  words, 

One  fell  into  a  swoon ; 
'Twas  Christian  ;  he  revived  again, 

And  talked  again  quite  soon. 
With  Hopeful,  Christian  soon  began 

This  question  to  discuss ; 
"  His  counsel  shall  we  take  or  not  ? 

Which  will  be  best  for  us  ?" 
Now  Christian  felt  again  inclined 

To  take  his  counsel  yet, 
As  if  he  in  the  silent  grave 

Would  all  his  griefs  forget. 
"  My  brother,"  Hopeful  then  replied, 

"  Reraemberest  thou  not 
How  valient  thou  wast  heretofore? 

Or  hast  thou  this  forgot  ? 
Apollyon  could  not  conquer  thee, 

Nor  all  that  thou  did'st  hear, 
Or  see,  while  in  the  vale  of  Death  ; 

Though  dreadful  things  appeared. 
Through  what  amazements,  terrors  too, 

Hast  thou  already  gone  ? 
And  now  art  thou  naught  else  but  fear! 

What  are  you  now  become? 
Thou  see'st  I  am  with  thee  here, 

A  weaker  man  than  thou  ; 
As  well  as  thou,  I've  wounded  been, 

And  bread  I  have  none  now. 
No  water  have  I  had  to  drink, 

The  day's  to  me  as  night ; 
For  I  am  now  as  well  as  you, 

Cut  off  from  seeing  light. 


IN  VERSE.  213 


More  patience  let  us  exercise, 

Let's  do  the  best  we  can ; 
Think  how  thou  did'st  when  at  the  fair 

So  bravely  act  the  man. 
Thou  wast  not  then  afraid  of  chains, 

Or  cage,  or  bloody  death, 
But  stood  a  witness  for  the  truth, 

And  praised  it  with  thy  breath. 
So  let  us  now  avoid  that  shame, 

That  doth  not  us  become, 
Who  have  put  on  the  Christian  name, 

Let  us  adorn  it  some." 
The  night  had  now  returned  again, 

The  Giant  went  to  bed  ; 
His  wife  then  talked  to  him  again, 

And  thus  to  him  she  said  : 

"  What  news  now  from  the  prisoners  ? 

Did  they  your  counsel  take  ? 
This  is  a  thing  I'd  like  to  know, 

An  explanation  make." 
To  this  the  Giant  then  replied : 

"  What  sturdy  rogues  these  two ; 
They'd  rather  bear  with  any  thing 

Before  they  that  would  do  " 
His  wife  then  gave  him  this  advice, 

"To-morrow  take  these  men 
Away  into  the  castle  yard, 

And  there  show  unto  them, 
The  skulls  and  bones  of  all  those  men, 

Which  thou  before  hast  slain  ; 
Make  them  believe  that  in  a  week, 

Their  fate  will  be  the  same." 
So  when  the  morning  did  appear, 

This  great  Giant  Despair 
Took  them  out  to  the  castle  yard, 

And  showed  them  what  was  there. 


214  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Said  he:   "  These  once  were  pilgrims  too, 

Who  chanced  this  way  to  come  ; 
And  who  had  trespassed  on  my  grounds, 

As  you  two  rogues  have  done. 
And  when  my  majesty  thought  fit, 

I  them  in  pieces  tore  ; 
And  so  within  ten  days  at  most 

You  two  will  be  no  more. 
Now  get  you  down  into  your  den, 

Go  quickly  down  I  say  ;" 
He  then  severely  beat  them  both, 

"While  they  were  on  the  way. 
On  Saturday  they  lay  all  day, 

In  a  most  wretched  state ; 
One  would  have  thought,  that  ere  this  time 

Death  would  have  been  their  fate. 
So  when  the  Giant  and  his  wife, 

Had  gone  to  bed  again, 
They  to  each  other  talked  awhile 

About  these  pilgrim  men. 
Then  Giant  said  he  wondered  much, 

That  all  the  blows  he  gave, 
And  counsel  too,  had  not  yet  caused 

These  men  to  seek  the  grave. 
To  him  his  wife  made  this  reply : 

Said  she,  "  I  fear  these  men 
Do  live  in  hope  that  some  may  come, 

And  give  relief  to  them. 
Or  that  about  them  are  picklocks, 

Or  something  of  that  shape  ; 
Through  which  they  do  indulge  the  hope, 

That  they  may  yet  escape." 
The  Giant  in  a  tone  somewhat 

Expressive  of  some  fear, 
Replied  to  Diffidence,  his  wife, 

"  Dost  thou  think  so  my  dear. 


IN  VERSE.  215 


Now  just  as  soon  as  day  has  dawned, 

I'll  to  the  dungeon  go, 
And  search  them  both  from  head  to  foot, 

Then  I  will  surely  know." 
Well,  Saturday  about  midnight 

These  men  began  to  pray, 
And  so  continued  fervently, 

Till  almost  break  of  day. 
A  little  now  before  day  break, 

Good  Christian  half  amazed, 
Broke  out  with  an  excited  voice, 

"  I  am  a  fool !"  he  said, 
"  This  stinking  dungeon  to  live  in, 

"When  I  have  here  a  key  ; 
A  key  called  Promise,  by  which  I  can 

Obtain  my  liberty. 
This  key  will  open  any  lock 

The  Giant  calls  his  own — 
The  firmest  lock  that  ever  was, 

In  Doubting  Castle  known." 
"  Good  news,  my  brother,  that's  good  news, 

Aloud  did  Hopeful  cry  ; 
Then  from  thy  bosom  pluck  it  out, 

And  now  the  key  do  try." 
Then  from  his  bosom  Christian  did 

The  key  of  Promise  take ; 
With  it  he  tried  the  dungeon  door — 

The  bolt  at  once  gave  back. 
With  ease  the  door  wide  open  flew, 

The  pilgrims  both  came  out ; 
Their  hearts  were  light  and  joyful  now, 

They  now  could  go  about. 
He  opened  then  the  outward  door — 

The  Castle  yard  went  through ; 
He  opened  too  the  Iron  gate 

Which  must  be  opened  too. 


216  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

But  this  lock  opened  very  hard, 

Yet  opened  it  he  did  ; 
The  gate  they  then  wide  open  thrust, 

Made  their  escape  with  speed. 
But  this  gate  made  a  cracking  noise, 

As  it  was  open  threw  ; 
This  woke  the  sleeping  Giant  up, 

Who  rose  them  to  pursue. 
But  while  he  was  pursuing  them, 

His  limbs  began  to  fail, 
His  fits  had  taken  him  again, 

He  now  could  only  rail. 
So  they  went  on  until  they  came 

Into  the  King's  highway, 
Which  lies  beyond  the  Giant's  ground, 

Then  safe  enough  were  they. 
When  they  had  crossed  the  stile  again, 

They  to  each  other  said : 
To  warn  all  those  who  come  this  way, 

A  plan  should  now  be  laid. 
That  all  of  By-Path-Meadow  may 

Forever  be  aware, 
And  not  fall  in  the  hands  of  him, 

Who's  called  Giant  Despair. 

So  they  concluded  to  erect 

A  pillar,  and  engrave 
This  sentence  on  the  face  of  it, 

Their  fellow  men  to  save. 
"The  path  that  crosses  o'er  this  stile, 

Is  known  to  be  the  way 
To  Doubting  Castle,  where  good  men 

Have  in  a  dungeon  lay. 
This  Castle  doth  a  Giant  keep, 

And  he  is  always  there  ; 
Yes,  he  that  owns  this  Castle  is 

The  Giant  of  Despair. 


INVERSE.  217 


This  Giant  doth  the  King  despise, 

Of  that  celestial  place, 
Where  pilgrims  rest  from  all  their  toil, 

Who  have  been  saved  by  grace. 
This  Giant  doth  such  pilgrims  seek, 

That  he  may  them  destroy, 
Before  they  reach  that  happy  place 

Where  God  they  can  enjoy." 
Now  many  that  came  after  them, 

Did  halt  a  while  and  read ; 
By  which  this  danger  they  escaped, 

Which  danger  was  indeed. 

Hopeful  and  Christian  then  sang  as  follows: — 


"  Out  of  the  way  we  went,  and  then  we  found 
What  'twas  to  tread  upon  forbidden  ground : 
And  let  them  that  come  after  have  a  care, 
Lest  they,  for  trespassing,  his  pris'ners  are, 
Whose  castle's  Doubting,  and  whose  name's  Despair. 


So  they  went  on  until  they  came 

Unto  a  mountain  range, 
Which  has  the  name  Delectable ; 

Here  are  things  new  and  strange. 
The  owner  of  this  mountain  is 

The  Lord  who  owns  the  hill, 
Of  which  we  spoke  some  time  ago, 

If  you  remember  still. 

They  up  into  the  mountains  went, 

That  they  might  their  behold 
The  gardens,  orchards,  vineyards  too, 

And  beauties  yet  untold. 
They  fountains  saw — of  these  they  drank 

They  washed  themselves  there,  too  ; 
And  freely  ate  of  all  the  fruit 

Which  in  the  vineyards  grew. 


218  BUN YAN'S  PILGEIM 

]\Tow  shady  groves  and  pastures  green 

Did  clothe  these  mountain  tops ; 
And  there  were  also  shepherds  there, 

To  guard  and  feed  their  flocks. 
I  saw  that  all  the  shepherds  stood 

Close  by  the  highway  side  ; 
The  pilgrims  straightway  to  them  went, 

Soon  as  they  them  espied. 
And  now  they  leaned  upon  their  staffs, 

(As  pilgrims  in  the  way 
Do  when  they  stop  to  speak  with  one,) 

And  thus  1  heard  them  say  : 
"  Whose  mountains  (now  so  beautiful, 

And  pleasant  too,)  are  these? 
And  whose  the  sheep  that  feed  on  them? 

Sirs,  tell  us  if  you  please." 
"  These  mountains  are  Emmanuel's  land,' 

The  shepherds  to  them  said  ; 
"  His  city  can  be  seen  from  them, 

These  sheep  his  own  were  made. 
He  laid  his  own  life  down  for  them, 

When  he  the  purchase  vat.de ; 
They  know  his  voice  and  follow  him, 

Through  sunshine  and  through  shade." 

Said  Christian:   "To  that  city  now 

Our  journey  we  pursue ; 
Good  shepherds,  are  we  in  the  way 

That  will  lead  us  thereto?" 
"  Just  in  the  way,"  the  shepherds  said  ; 

They  asked,  "To  it  how  far  ?" 
The  shepherds  said,  "Too  far  indeed 

For  those  who  get  not  there." 
"Is  this  way  safe  or  dangerous?" 

Said  Christian,  "  pray  tell  me." 
The  shepherds  said  :  " '  Tis  safe  for  those 

For  whom  'tis  safe  to  be. 


IN  VERSE.  219 


But  they  who  will  transgressors  be, 

Shall  surely  fall  therein  ; 
And  hard  falls  too  shall  all  such  get, 

By  reason  of  their  sin." 
"Is  there  relief  for  pilgrims  here," 

Then  Christian  to  them  said, 
"  When  they  are  faint,  and  weary  too, 

And  hunger  for  some  bread  ?" 
"The  Lord,  to  whom  these  mounts  belong," 

The  shepherds  then  replied, 
"Hath  given  us  this  solemn  charge, 

To  which  we  will  abide: 
That  strangers  we  to  entertain 

Must  not  forgetful  be ; 
For  some  his  angels  may  thus  feed, 

And  unawares  may  we." 
Now  when  the  shepherds  had  perceived 

These  were  wayfaring  men, 
They  thought  it  prudent  that  they  should 

Put  questions  now  to  them. 
They  answered  as  their  custom  was^ 

As  pilgrims  onght  to  do; 
They  asked  :   "  How  did  you  find  the  way  ? 

Good  men  from  whence  came  you  ? 
By  what  means  have  you  in  the  way 

Made  out  to  persevere  ? 
But  very  few  of  those  who  start 

Do  show  their  faces  here." 
But  when  the  shepherds  had  all  heard 

The  answers  which  they  made, 
They  looked  on  them  quite  lovingly, 

And  thus  to  them  they  said  : 
"These  mountains  which  so  pleasant  are, 

To  these  we  welcome  you  ? 
"We  wish  you  may  enjoy  yourselves, 

And  profit  by  us  too." 


220  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


These  shepherds,  who  these  names  did  bear, 

Experience,  Sincere, 
And  Knowledge,  yes  and  Watchful  too, 

The  pilgrims  to  endear, 
Took  them  like  brethren  by  the  hand, 

And  to  their  tents  them  led ; 
Made  them  partake  of  just  such  things 

As  they  at  present  had. 
"  That  we  may  more  acquainted  be, 

"We  would  that  you  should  stay 
Awhile  with  us — enjoy  yourselves," 

The  shepherds  then  did  say. 
The  pilgrims  to  the  shepherds  said : 

"  To  stay  we  are  inclined  ; 
For  rest  we  need,  and  it  has  now 

Grown  very  late  we  find." 
Now  when  the  morning  light  had  come, 

The  shepherds  called  them  up 
To  walk  with  them  a  little  while, 

Upon  the  mountain  top. 
Hopeful  and  Christian  then  went  forth — 

The  shepherds  were  their  guide ; 
All  had  a  pleasant  prospect  now, 

And  that  on  every  side. 
The  shepherds  to  each  other  said, 

"  Shall  we  some  wonders  show 
These  pilgrims  now  to  edify?" 

They  said,  "This  will  we  do." 
And  first  they  took  the  pilgrims  up 

On  top  of  Error  hill : 
The  farthest  side  was  very  steep, 

They  saw  it  very  well. 
They  bade  the  pilgrims  to  look  down 

Then  from  this  awful  height ; 
They  looked,  and  saw  the  whole  way  down, 

But  0  !  what  met  their  sight  ? 


IN  VEESE.  221 


Men  who  had  fallen  from  the  top, 

And  dreadful  was  their  fall ; 
For  they  were  all  to  pieces  dashed, 

Not  one  alive  at  all. 
Then  Christian  said  :  "  What  meaneth  this  ? 

What  were  we  shown  this  for?" 
The  shepherds  said  :   "  Have  you  not  heard 

That  some  were  made  to  err, 

By  heark'ning  to  Hymenseus, 

And  one  Philetus  too, 
Who  of  the  resurrection  held 

An  anti-scriptural  view  ?" 
To  this  the  pilgrims  answered  yes. 

The  shepherds  then  did  say: 
"  Those  whom  you  at  the  bottom  see, 

Were  all  such  men  as  they. 
They  have  continued  to  this  day 

Unburied  ;  there  they  lie 
That  others  seeing  them  may  fear, 

And  never  climb  too  high. 
That  they  before  they  go  too  far, 

May  stop  awhile  to  think 
What  danger  there  's  in  rushing  on, 

To  near  this  mountain's  brink." 
Soon  after  this  they  took  them  on 

Another  mountain's  top; 
The  name  of  this  is  Caution  hill — 

They  here  awhile  did  stop. 
The  shepherds  bid  them  look  far  off, 

Which  when  they  did,  they  saw 
(They  thought,)  some  men  among  the  tombs, 

Which  filled  their  minds  with  awe. 
They  too  perceived  the  men  were  blind — 

Upon  the  tombs  they'd  fall; 
And  could  not  find  their  way  out  from 

Among  the  tombs  at  all,  *S 


222  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

Then  Christian  said  :  "  What  meaneth  this?" 

The  shepherds  then  did  say  : 
"Did  you  not  see  a  stile  below, 

On  left  side  of  the  way  ?" 
The  pilgrims  answered  :  "  Yes,  we  did." 

The  shepherds  said  :  "  It  leads 
To  Doubting  Castle,  by  a  path 

Which  goes  through  grassy  meads ; 
And  these  men  (pointing  to  the  men 

Who  were  among  the  tombs,) 
Came  to  the  stile  on  pilgrimage, 

But  they  too  much  presumed. 
Because  the  right  way  there  was  rough, 

They  crossed  the  stile  that's  there — 
Walked  in  the  meadows ;  there  they  met 

The  Giant  of  Despair. 
He  to  his  dungeon  took  these  men, 

Regardless  of  their  sighs ; 
And  after  they  were  there  awhile, 

He  cut  out  all  their  eyes, 
And  led  them  off  among  the  tombs, 

Where  wandering  are  they, 
E'er  since  their  eyes  were  taken  out 

Unto  this  present  day. 
In  them  this  scripture  is  fulfilled — 

The  words  the  wise  man  said : 
'  He  that  wandereth  off  the  way, 

Shall  dwell  among  the  dead.'" 
The  pilgrims  on  each  other  looked, 

And  both  fell  into  tears; 
They  nothing  to  the  shepherds  said, 

But  thought  of  former  fears. 
The  shepherds  now  took  them  away, 

To  show  them  something  more, 
Which  was  below  a  little  hill ; 

In  it  they  saw  a  door. 


IN  VERSE.  223 


The  shepherds  opened  wide  the  door — 

The  pilgrims  then  looked  in  ; 
But  smoke  and  darkness  now  was  all 

That  could  by  them  be  seen. 
But  then  a  rumbling  noise  they  heard — 

Like  fire  this  did  sound  ; 
A  cry  of  some  tormented  too, 

They  heard  beneath  the  ground. 
The  scent  of  brimstone,  too,  they  thought, 

They  smelt  while  they  were  there; 
This  they  supposed  come  from  the  pit, 

And  rose  into  the  air. 

Then  Christian  said :  "  "What  doth  this  mean  ? 

Good  shepherds,  can  you  tell  ?" 
They  answered  him  :   "  This  is  indeed 

A  by-way  down  to  Hell. 
A  way  that  hypocrites  go  in — 

Such  who  their  birth-right  sell ; 
As  Esau,  and  like  Judas;  such 

As  do  their  Master  sell. 
All  such  as  Alexander,  who 

The  Gospel  do  blaspheme ; 
As  Ananias,  Sapphira,  too, 

Who  lie  for  a  good  name." 
Then  Hopeful  to  the  shepherds  said: 

"These  all  I  do  perceive 
Had  on  a  show  of  pilgrimage, 

Which  many  has  deceived." 
"  Indeed  they  had,"  the  shepherds  said, 

"Held  it  a  long  time  too  ; 
They  had  a  show  of  piety, 

But  then  it  was  not  true." 
"  How  far,"  said  Hopeful,  "  might  they  go 

As  pilgrims  in  their  day ; 
Since  they  were,  notwithstanding  this, 

Destroyed  and  cast  away  ?" 


224  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

"Some  farther,  others  not  so  far," 

(The  shepherds  then  replied  ;) 
"Some  had  just  to  these  mountains  come, 

Some  farther  had  arrived." 
The  pilgrims  to  each  other  said  : 

"Now  we  have  need  to  cry- 
To  him  who  's  strong  to  give  us  strength, 

Or  we  may  fail  and  die." 
"  Yes,"  said  the  shepherds,  "  and  you  will 

Have  need  to  use  it  too. 
When  you  have  got  it,  for  much  strength 

You  '11  need  to  take  you  through." 
Christian  and  Hopeful  now  desired 

Their  journey  to  pursue ; 
The  shepherds  said:   "That  you  should  go 

Is  our  desire  too." 
To  6how  these  pilgrims  something  more, 

The  shepherds  did  intend  ; 
So  all  of  them  together  walked 

Towards  the  mountain's  end. 
One  shepherd  to  another  said : 

"  Let  us  to  these  men  show 
The  gates — the  great  Celestial  gates, 

To  which  they  mean  to  go. 
If  they  have  only  skill  to  look, 

(For  some  skill  they  will  need,) 
Through  our  great  perspective  glass, 

These  they  can  see  indeed." 
The  pilgrims  now  accepted  this, 

That  quite  lovingly  too; 
So  they  all  went  upon  the  hill 

Called  Clear,  to  take  a  view. 

The  shepherds  gave  to  them  the  glass, 
Through  which  a  view  to  take  ; 

They  tried  to  look,  but  now  their  hands 
Near  all  the  time  did  shake. 


IN  VERSE.  225 


T  was  the  remembrance  of  the  things 

The  shepherds  showed  them  last, 
That  caused  their  hands  so  much  to  shake — 

They  scarce  could  use  the  glass. 
But  yet  they  thought  they  something  saw, 

Like  the  Celestial  gate — 
Some  glory  also  of  the  place — 

This  did  them  much  elate. 

Then  they  went  away  and  sang  : 

"  Thus  by  the  shepherds  secrets  are  reveal'd, 
Which  from  all  other  men  are  kept  conceal'd : 
Come  to  the  shepherds,  then,  if  you  would  see 
Things  deep,  things  hid,  and  that  mysterious  be." 

Now  when  they  were  about  to  go, 

(No  longer  would  they  stay,) 
One  of  the  shepherds  gave  to  them 

A  note  to  teach  the  way. 
Of  flatterers  another  bid 

The  pilgrims  to  beware  ; 
The  third  said :  "  The  enchanted  ground 

Take  heed,  and  sleep  not  there." 
The  fourth  then  bid  the  men  "  God  speed." 

How  real  things  did  seem ; 
But  I  awoke,  I  nothing  saw, 

I  found  it  all  a  dream. 
Again  I  slept,  and  dreamed  again 

I  saw  these  men,  and  they 
Were  going  down  the  mountain  side, 

Along  the  King's  highway. 
These  pilgrims  then  were  bidding  fair 

The  City  to  get  to  ; 
For  they  did  press  towards  it  now 

As  if  the  way  they  knew. 
Not  far  below  these  mountains  lies 

The  country  of  Conceit ; 
Into  the  King's  highway  there  comes 

A  crooked  lane  from  it. 


226  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

Now  here  these  pilgrims  met  a  lad, 

And  very  brisk  he  was ; 
But  Ignorance  was  his  true  name, 

And  from  Conceit  he  was. 
Said  Christian  :  "  May  I  ask  of  you 

The  place  from  whence  you  came, 
And  where  you  now  are  going  to, 

And  also  what's  your  name?" 
"  Sir,  I  was  in  that  country  born, 

That  to  our  left  doth  lie  ; 
To  the  Celestial  City  now, 

I'll  get  there  by-and-by." 
Then  Christian  said :   "  How  do  you  think 

To  get  admittance  there  ? 
You  may  some  difficulty  find 

Of  which  you're  not  aware." 
Then  Ignorance  made  this  reply: 

"As  other  good  men  do, 
I  now  am  going  to  the  gate, 

Expecting  to  get  through." 
Then  Christian  said  :  "  But  what  have  you 

When  at  the  gate,  to  show 
That  they  may  open  it  to  you  ? 

Now  this  you  ought  to  know." 
Said  Ignorance  :   "  I  know  his  will — 

Have  a  good  liver  been ; 
I  pay  to  every  man  his  own, 

I'm  sure  I  can  get  in. 
I  pay  my  tithes,  and  alms  I  give, 

I  pray,  and  also  fast ; 
I  left  my  country  there  to  go, 

I  shall  get  there  at  last." 
♦'Thou  didst  not  enter  by  the  gate 

That  heads  the  narrow  way; 
Thou  earnest  through  that  crooked  lane," 

Did  Christian  to  him  say. 


IN  VERSE.  227 


"I  therefore  fear,  (however  much 

Thou  art  self  justified,) 
That  when  the  reckoning  day  shall  come, 

This  charge  thou  must  abide: 
That  'thou  a  thief  and  robber  art, 

And  thou  hast  lived  in  sin  ;' 
Away  thou  sbalt  bo  driven  then, 

Instead  of  getting  in." 
"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  Ignorance, 

"  You  strangers  are  to  me  ; 
Your  own  religion  follow  now, 

Whatever  that  may  be  ; 
And  I  will  try  to  follow  mine, 

I  hope  all  will  be  well. 
That  wicket  gate  that  heads  the  way, 

Of  which  I  heard  you  tell, 

I  'm  sure  that  all  the  world  doth  know, 

Is  very  far  away 
From  the  great  country  of  Conceit, 

I  know  the  truth  I  say. 
I  cannot  think  that  any  man 

In  all  our  parts,  doth  know 
The  way  that  leadeth  to  that  gate, 

And  just  as  well  't  is  so  ; 
Since  we  have  such  a  pleasant  lane — 

It's  green  too,  I  can  say — 
That  comes  down  from  our  country,  sir, 

And  leads  into  this  way." 
When  Christian  saw  that  this  brisk  lad 

Was  wise  in  self-conceit, 
lie  softly  spake  in  Hopeful's  ear, 

"  With  such  we  often  meet. 
More  hope  I  can  have  for  a  fool, 

Than  I  can  have  of  him  ; 
For  fools  will  sometimes  take  advice, 

When  counseled  they  have  been. 


228  BTJNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

"We  read,  'When  he  that  is  a  fool 

Doth  walk  along  the  "way, 
His  wisdom  faileth  him,  and  he 

"I  am  a  fool,"  will  say.' 
"What,  shall  we  farther  talk  with  him, 

Or  shall  we  him  outgo, 
And  leave  him  to  think  of  what  we  've  said? 

Now  this  him  good  might  do. 
"We  afterwards  might  stop  for  him, 

If  it  is  best  we  should  ; 
In  this  way  we  may  by  degrees, 

Do  Ignorance  some  good." 

Then  said  Hopeful : 

"  Let  Ignorance  a  little  while  now  mnse 

On  what  is  said,  and  let  him  not  refuse 

Good  counsel  to  embrace,  lest  he  remain 

Still  ignorant  of  what's  the  chiefest  gain. 

God  saith,  those  that  no  understanding  have, 

(Although  he  made  them,)  them  he  will  not  save." 

Then  Hopeful  farther  added  this : 

"I  think  it  is  not  best 
To  say  all  to  this  man  at  once, 

But  leave  his  mind  to  rest. 
"We  can  talk  to  him  by-and-by — 

A  word  say  here  and  there ; 
No  more  we  '11  leave  upon  his  mind 

Than  he  can  safely  bear." 
So  they  went  on ;  and  Ignorance 

Did  follow  after  them ; 
"When  they  had  passed  him  a  short  ways, 

They  entered  a  dark  lane. 
Now  in  this  lane  they  met  a  man 

"Whom  seven  devils  had  bound 
With  seven  cords,  all  very  strong ; 

They  tied  him  all  around. 


IN  VERSE.  229 


These  devils  now  were  taking  him 

To  that  place  in  the  hill, 
"Which  had  been  shown  to  these  good  men— 

This  they  remembered  still. 

Now  Christian  trembled  very  much,, 

And  so  did  Hopeful  too ; 
Yet  Christian  tried  to  see  the  man, 

For  him  he  thought  he  knew. 

He  thought  it  was  one  Turn-away 

These  devils  had  thus  bound, 
Who  once  dwelt  in  Apostacy, 

A  very  ancient  town. 

But  Christian  did  not  see  his  face, 

He  so  much  hung  his  head  ; 
Just  like  a  thief  that  had  been  caught, 

To  them  he  nothing  said. 

But  Hopeful  turned  to  see  the  man, 

When  he  had  past  them  gone  ; 
He  saw  a  paper  on  his  back, 

With  this  inscription  on  : 

"  Wanton  professor,  and  damnable  apostate." 

Then  Christian  to  his  fellow  said  : 

"I  now  coll  to  my  mind 
What  I  've  been  told  of  a  good  man 

"Who  here  did  trouble  find. 

This  good  man's  name  was  Little-Faith; 

And  I  also  did  hear 
That  he  was  quite  a  timid  man — 

His  home  was  in  Sincere. 

The  thing  I  think  of  now  is  this: 

Where  enters  in  this  lane, 
There  comes  right  down  from  Broadway-Gate, 

A  lane  called  Dead-Man's-Lane  :  T 


230  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

So  called  because  of  murders  that 

Are  commonly  done  there — 
More  frequently  than  any  one 

Is  apt  to  be  aware. 
This  Little-Faith,  as  we  are  now, 

Was  then  on  pilgrimage ; 
He  chanced  to  sit  down  there  and  sleep, 

But  rogues  did  him  outrage. 
For  down  the  lane  from  Broadway-Gate, 

Three  sturdy  rogues  then  came ; 
Faint-Heart  and  Guilt,  and  too  Mistrust- 
Three  brothers — so  they  're  named. 
Now  they  espying  Little-Faith, 

All  galloped  up  with  speed  ; 
Now  this  good  man  had  just  awaked 

Out  of  his  sleep,  indeed. 
And  he  was  too  just  getting  up, 

His  journey  to  pursue; 
But  all  these  rogues  came  up  to  him, 

And  much  alarmed  him  too. 
They  then  commanded  him  to  stop, 

Or  we  '11  do  so  and  so  ; 
Poor  Little-Faith  looked  very  pale, 

He  could  not  fight  nor  go. 
Then  Faint-Heart  said :  "  Give  up  thy  purse  !" 

But  this  he  did  refuse  ; 
For  Little-Faith  was  very  loth 

His  money  now  to  lose. 
Another  one  ran  up  to  him — 

Mistrust  was  this  one's  name — 
And  in  his  pocket  thrust  his  hand, 

And  out  some  silver  came. 
"Thieves!  Thieves!"  did  Little-Faith  cry  out, 

To  make  himself  be  heard  ; 
But  very  soon  his  mouth  was  stopped — 

He  feared  to  say  a  word. 


IN  VEESE.  231 


The  other  rogue,  called  Guilt,  came  up 

And  struck  him  on  the  head, 
(With  a  great  club  he  had  with  him,) 

Till  he  was  almost  dead. 
Now  while  this  Little-Faith  there  laid, 

Still  groaning  in  his  blood, 
The  thieves  stood  by  until  they  heard 

Some  others  in  the  road  ; 
And  fearing  now  that  it  might  be 

Great-Grace  from  Confidence, 
They  in  a  hurry  fled  away — 

They'd  done  a  great  offence. 
But  Little-Faith  revived  again, 

And  then  without  delay, 
He  raised  himself  and  tried  his  best 

To  scramble  on  the  way." 
Said  Hopeful :  "  Did  they  take  from  him 

All  that  he  ever  had?" 
"No,  where  his  jewels  were  concealed, 

They  searched  not,"  Christian  said. 
"But  I  was  told  that  this  good  man 

Did  suffer  from  the  loss 
Of  so  much  spending  money,  which 

These  thieves  had  come  across. 
A  few  odd  pence  he  had  left, 

But  it  is  true,  my  friend, 
That  he  had  scarce  enough  to  bring 

Him  to  his  journey's  end. 
He  was  obliged  to  beg  his  way, 

(So  some  one  did  me  tell,) 
To  keep  himself  alive,  for  he 

Would  not  his  jewels  sell. 
And  though  he  beg'd  from  time  to  time, 

He  went  (as  oft  we  say,) 
With  many  a  hungry  belly  too, 

The  balance  of  the  way." 


232  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"Is  it  not  strange,"  then  Hopeful  said, 

"That  his  certificate 
Was  left  to  him,  which  was  to  gain 

Admittance  at  the  gate  ?" 
"  It  is  a  wonder,"  Christian  said, 

"That  all  the  rogues  should  miss 
In  all  their  plunderings,  a  thing 

So  valuable  as  this. 
They  missed  it  not  by  any  strength, 

Or  cunning  art  of  his, 
For  he  was  then  so  much  dismayed 

And  frightened  by  the  thieves, 
That  he  had  neither  strength  nor  skill 

To  hide  things,  as  I  said  ; 
So  it  was  more  by  Providence 

Than  his  endeavors  made." 
Said  Hopeful :   "  It  must  comfort  him 

To  have  his  jewels  yet ; 
No  doubt  he  very  thankful  was 

That  these  they  did  not  get." 
Then  Christian  said  :  "  It  might  have  been 

Great  comfort  to  the  man, 
Had  he  but  used  it  as  he  should, 
'  And  as  he  first  began. 
But  they  that  me  this  story  told, 

Of  this  thing  then  did  say, 
That  he  made  little  use  of  it 

While  he  was  on  the  way. 
A  great  part  of  his  journey  now 

He  did  it  quite  forget ; 
His  mind  was  so  much  taken  up 

With  that  which  he  had  met 
Besides,  when  it  at  any  time 

His  mind  would  come  into 
And  comfort  him,  thoughts  of  his  loss 

Would  hide  it  from  his  view." 


IN  TERSE.  233 


"  Alas,  poor  man  !"  then  Hopeful  said, 

"This  must  have  been,  indeed, 
Great  grief  to  him,  thus  losing  it 

When  he  did  money  need." 
Then  Christian  did  to  Hopeful  say: 

"  A  grief  would  it  not  be  ' 

To  you  or  I,  if  we  'd  been  robbed, 

And  wounded  too,  as  he  ? 
He  was  a  stranger  in  that  place- 
He  thought  not  of  a  thief; 
I  wonder  that  he  lives  at  all, 

And  did  not  die  of  grief. 
I  was  informed  that  after  this 

Along  the  way  he  strewed 
Complaints,  most  bitter,  doleful  ones, 

Of  how  his  matters  stood. 
To  every  one  he  overtook, 

He  would  the  story  tell ; 
To  those  too,  who  came  up  to  him, 

Upon  this  theme  he'd  dwell. 
Where  he  was  robbed,  how  it  was  done, 

"Who  all  were  in  the  strife  ; 
What  he  had  lost,  how  wounded  too, 

Scarce  getting  off  with  life." 
"It  is  a  wonder,"  Hopeful  said, 

"That  he  did  not  then  sell 
Some  of  his  jewels  on  the  way, 

Although  he  loved  them  well." 
"Thou  talkest  like  one  on  whose  head 

Remaineth  yet  the  shell," 
Did  Christian  then  to  Hopeful  say  ; 

"  To  whom  would  he  them  sell  ? 
!STo  man  in  all  that  country,  where 

He  met  with  this  abuse, 
His  jewels  could  appreciate, 

Or  understand  their  use.  *T 


234  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

Nor  did  he  want  for  that  relief 

That  could  from  thence  be  found  ; 
And  if  he  sold  his  jewels  there, 

It  would  his  hope  confound. 
For  when  at  the  Celestial  Gate, 

(This  Little-Faith  well  knew,) 
That  if  his  jewels  all  were  gone, 

He  never  could  go  through. 
That  would  have  been  far  worse  for  him, 

As  you  and  I  believe, 
Than  il  he  'd  met  while  on  his  way, 

Ten  thousand  of  such  thieves." 
"  My  brother,  why  art  thou  so  tart  ?" 

To  Christian,  Hopeful  said. 
"Esau  his  birth-right  sold,  you  know, 

With  it  for  pottage  paid. 
The  greatest  jewel  Esau  had 

Indeed,  was  his  birth-right; 
If  he  might  sell,  why  not  this  man 

Have  then  an  equal  right?" 
"  Esau  his  birth-right  sold  indeed, 

So  many  others  do," 
Said  Christian;  "But  by  doing  so 

They  forfeit  blessings  too. 
And  then  there  is  a  difference 

Between  these  two,  you  know; 
Esau's  birth-right  was  typical, 

Faith's  jewels  were  not  so. 
And  Esau's  belly  was  his  god, 

But  Little-Faith's  was  not; 
Esau  would  gratify  his  flesh, 

Hence  he  the  pottage  bought. 
Faith's  wants  did  not  lie  in  the  flesh, 

With  Esau  't  was  not  so ; 
For  he  could  nothing  further  see 

Than  fleshy  lusts  would  go. 


IN  VERSE.  235 


All  this  is  clear  enough  to  me, 

And  I  will  tell  you  why; 
He  said  :   'This  birth-right  profits  not, 

I  am  about  to  die.' 
But  Little-Faith,  though  't  was  his  lot 

To  have  but  little  faith, 
"Was  by  it  kept  from  many  lusts 

"Which  hurtful  are,  One  saith. 
His  jewels  he  was  made  to  see, 

And  prize  too  much  to  sell 
To  gratify  the  appetite, 

As  Esau,  you  know  well. 
You  nowhere  read  of  Esau's  faith, 

Of  little  or  of  much  ; 
No  wonder  then  his  flesh  bore  sway — 

This  is  the  case  with  such. 
His  birth-right,  yes,  his  soul  and  all, 

Those  who  've  no  faith  will  sell, 
To  any  one  who'll  buy  of  them, 

Yes,  to  the  devil  of  hell. 
It  is  with  such  as  with  the  ass, 

(As  I  have  heard  some  say,) 
1  In  her  occasions  she  will  not 

At  all  be  turned  away.' 
For  when  their  minds  upon  their  lusts 

Have  once  been  fully  set, 
"Whatever  be  the  cost,  their  lusts 

"Will  then  indulgence  get. 
But  Little-Faith,  you  see,  was  of 

Another  temper  quite — 
His  mind  was  set  on  things  divine, 

In  these  he  took  delight. 
His  livelihood  was  from  above,— 

Now  therefore  to  what  end 
"Would  one  of  such  a  temper  sell 

His  jewels,  now  my  friend  ? 


236  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Would  such  a  man  sell  all  for  naught? 

Will  any  man,  I  pray, 
One  penny  give  that  he  may  buy 

A  belly  full  of  hay  ? 
Can  you  persuade  the  turtle  dove 

On  carrion  to  live — 
To  relish  it  just  like  the  crow, 

And  it  for  food  receive  ? 
Though  faithless  ones  for  carnal  lusts 

Will  freely  pawn  or  sell 
All  they  possess,  and  give  themselves 

To  boot,  and  call  it  well. 
But  they  who  have  true  faith,  indeed, 

Though  little,  won  't  do  so  ; 
Here,  brother,  is  thy  great  mistake 

"  Which  I  have  tried  to  show." 
Said  Hopeful,   "  I  acknowledge  it, 

But  you  have  been  severe 
In  talking  to  me  on  this  point — 

I  angry  was  quite  near." 
"  Why  make  thee  angry  ?"  Christian  said, 

"  I  did  but  thee  compare 
To  some  birds  of  the  brisker  sort 

More  spry  than  others  are, 
Which  with  the  shell  upon  their  heads 

Untrodden  paths  will  run  ; 
But  now  pass  by  that  trifling  thing — 

Let  our  debate  go  on." 
"  But  these  three  fellows,  Hopeful  said, 

Were  cowards  I  perceive, 
Then  ran  when  sound  of  feet  they  heard- 

This  shows  it  I  believe. 
Why  did  not  Little-Faith  pluck  up 

Far  greater  courage  then  ? 
Methinks  he  might  have  stood  one  brush, 

At  least,  with  these  three  men." 


IN  TERSE.  237 


Then  answered  Christian,   "  That  they  are 

Great  cowards  some  have  said, 
But  few  who  have  a  trial  had 

Have  found  them  much  afraid. 
Now  Little-Faith  did  not  possess 

Great  courage  as  do  some. 
And  now,  my  brother,  I  perceive 

That  you  would  soon  be  done. 
You  seem  to  speak  of  just  one  brush 

And  after  that  to  yield  ; 
Now  this  is  not  great  courage,  sir, 

So  soon  to  quit  the  field." 
Said  Christian:  "Verily  since  this 

Is  all  thy  stomach's  height, 
When  they  are  such  a  distance  off, 

How  would  they  thee  afright, 
Should  they  appear  to  thee  as  when 

With  Little-Faith  they  fought? 
You'd  then  very  timid  feel 

And  take  a  second  thought. 
Now  think  again,  these  thieves  are  all, 

Indeed,  but  journeymen, 
The  King  of  the  infernal  pit 

Is  at  the  head  of  them. 
If  him  they  need,  he  to  their  aid 

Is  always  sure  to  come  ; 
His  voice  is  like  a  lion's  roar, 

And  this  much  hurt  has  done. 
I  have  myself  been  in  the  place 

That  Little-Faith  was  in ; 
And  now  to  say  the  least  of  it, 

It  was  a  dreadful  thing. 
These  three  notorious  villains  once 

Did  set  themselves  on  me, 
And  I  beginning.  Christian  like, 

Them  to  resist,  you  see, 


238  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 


They  did  but  call — their  master  came; 

This  did  me  so  dismay, 
That  for  one  penny  I  would  then 

Have  given  my  life  away. 
But  as  the  Lord  would  have  it  then 

I  had  proof  armor  on  ; 
But  with  it  all  I  found  it  hard 

To  put  true  courage  on. 
In  such  a  combat,  none  can  tell 

What  things  may  him  attend, 
But  those  who  have  been  in  that  place 

And  saw  how  things  did  end." 
"  Well,  but  they  ran  when  they  supposed 

That  Great  Grace  was  close  by — 
If  they  were  not  afraid,  why  run  ?" 

Did  Hopeful  now  reply. 
Said  Christian,  "They  have  often  fled, 

They  and  their  mother  too, 
When  Great-Grace  hath  but  just  appeared 

Among  the  hellish  crew. 
Great-Grace  is  the  King's  Champion— 

A  difference  there  is 
Between  this  one  and  Little-Faith — 

I  think  you  must  see  this. 
Now  the  King's  subjects  are  not  all 

His  champions  you  see, 
For  when  they're  tried,  they  fail  to  do 

Such  feats  of  war  as  he. 
Now  is  it  meet  to  think  a  child — 

A  little  child  should  slay 
Goliah,  should  just  as  David  did?" 

To  this  what  can  you  say  ? 
Or  that  the  strength  that's  in  an  ox 

Should,  too,  be  in  a  wren  ? 
If  not,  then  there 's  a  difference 

Between  believing  men. 


IN  VERSE.  239 


And  some  great  faith  possess ; 
Some  little  have  ;  this  man  was  one, 

And  this  he  did  confess." 
"  I  would,"  said  Hopeful,  "  it  had  been 

(For  their  sakes)  this  Great-Grace  ; 
I  wish  these  thieves  had  set  on  him 

Instead  of  Little-Faith." 
Said  Christian:  "If  it  had  been  he 

His  hands  might  have  been  filled, 
Though  he  wields  weapons  with  much  skill 

And  has  his  many  killed. 
I  know  he  can  do  well  enough 

In  fighting  out  his  way, 
Long  as  he  has  them  at  sword's  po'nt, 

This  I  can  safely  say. 
But  if  they  do  within  this  get 

Faint-heart,  Mistrust,  or  Guilt, 
It  will  no  doubt  go  hard,  but  they 

His  heels  may  upward  tilt; 
And  when  a  man  is  down  you  know 

He  can  but  little  do, 
Yes,  even  Great-Grace  may  thus  fall ; 

Now  what  I  've  said  is  true. 
Whoever  looks  on  Grace 's  face 

There  scars  and  cuts  may  see, 
And  this  confirms  the  truth  of  what 

I  just  have  said  to  thee. 

Yea,  I  once  heard  that  he  had  said 

When  in  a  dreadful  strife, 
1  Things  fared  with  us  in  such  a  way 

That  we  despaired  of  life.' 
How  did  such  rogues  in  ancient  times 

Make  David  groan  and  roar  ? 
They  so  afflicted  that  great  man 

That  he  felt  very  sore. 


240  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

Yea,  Heman,  Hezekiah  too, 

Though  champions  they  were, 
Were  forced,  when  such  did  them  assault, 

Themselves  much  to  bestir. 
Yet  notwithstanding,  they  both  had 

Their  coats  well  brushed  by  them 
Before  their  conflicts  were  all  o'  er, 

With  such  ungodly  men. 
And  Peter  the  Apostle  once 

Did  try  what  he  could  do, 
But  yet  with  all  his  energy 

They  handled  him  hard  too. 
They  even  made  him  feel  afraid 

Of  but  a  wicked  girl, 
When  he  denied  his  having  known 

The  Saviour  of  the  world. 
Besides  their  king  is  very  nigh, 

A  whistle  will  him  bring, 
So  when  they  are  put  to  the  worst 

They  help  get  from  their  king. 
'  The  sword  of  him  that  doth  contend 

With  this  one,'  is  said, 
'  Will  never  hold,  nor  dart,  nor  spear' — 

Of  these  he 's  not  afraid. 
1  The  iron  doth  esteem  as  straw 

And  bass  as  rotten  wood, 
The  arrow  will  not  make  him  fly 

And  sling  stones  never  could. 
As  stubble  he  doth  count  the  dart, 

The  shaking  of  a  spear 
Doth  make  him  laugh  ;  he  feareth  not;' 

What  can  a  man  do  here  ? 
'Tis  true,  if  one  could  have  Job's  horse 

At  every  turn  to  ride, 
And  courage,  too,  along  with  him, 

And  skill  this  horse  to  guide, 


IN  VERSE.  241 


He  might  do  things  quite  notable, 

For  such  a  horse  is  he. 
"  His  neck  it  is  with  thunder  clothed, 

He  fears  no  enemy. 
The  glory  of  his  nostrils,  too, 

Is  terrible  indeed, 
And  in  his  strength  he  doth  rejoice, 

And  also  in  his  speed. 
He  goeth  out  armed  men  to  meet 

And  doth  but  mock  at  fear, 
Is  not  affrighted  nor  turned  back 

By  either  sword  or  spear. 
The  quiver  rattleth  'gainst  him  much, 

The  glittering  spear,  the  shield, 
The  ground  with  rage  he  swalloweth, 

To  fear  he  will  not  yield. 
This  horse  will  not  believe  that  he 

Doth  hear  the  trumpet's  sound, 
He  saith  among  the  trumpet's,  Ha ! 

Cares  not  for  all  around. 
He  smells  the  battle  though  far  off, 

The  thunderings  he  doth  hear 
Of  Captains,  and  their  shoutings  too, 

As  if  these  all  were  near." 
As  footmen  such  as  you  and  I 

Let  us  desire  not 
To  come  across  an  enemy, 

So  wish  we  never  ought. 
And  when  we  hear  of  others  who 

In  battle  have  been  foiled, 
Let  us  not  vaunt  as  if  we  could 

The  enemy  have  spoiled. 
Such  commonly  do  fare  the  worst 

When  they  are  fully  tried  ; 
Take  Peter,  whom  I  named  before, 

In  this  case  as  a  guide.  U 


242  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

He  once  unto  the  Saviour  said, 

*  Thee  I  will  not  forsake 
Though  every  other  person  should  ; 

For  thee  my  life  I'll  stake.' 
But  who  was  more  than  Peter  foiled, 

Or  more  run  down  than  he, 
By  just  such  men  as  robbed  our  friend 

Of  whom  I  sjDake  to  thee  ? 
Now  as  such  robberies  are  done 

Upon  the  king's  highway, 
There  are  two  things  that  we  should  do 

And  that  without  delay. 
First,  we  should  have  good  harness  on 

And  with  us  take  a  shield ; 
For  want  of  this  one  could  not  make 

The  Leviathan  yield. 
If  this  be  wanting,  then  indeed 

He  fears  us  not  at  all. 
Now,  therefore,  he  who  skill  possessed 

Gave  this  advice  to  all : 
'  Above  all  take  the  shield  of  faith 

Wherewith  ye  shall  succeed 
In  quenching  all  the  fiery  darts 

Of  wicked  ones  indeed.' 
And  we  should  also  ask  the  king 

To  6end  us  a  convoy, 
Or  come  himself  and  give  his  aid 

Our  enemies  to  destroy. 
Now  this  king  David  made  rejoice 

When  in  the  Vale  of  Death, 
And  others  may  rejoice  in  it — 

Yes,  in  their  dying  breath. 
And  Moses  would  have  rather  died 

When  he  the  highway  trod 
Than  to  proceed  one  step  without 

The  helping  hand  of  God. 


IN  VERSE.  243 


Now,  0 !  my  brother,  if  the  Lord 

Along  with  us  will  go, 
We  need  not  fear  ten  thousand  foes 

Whatever  they  may  do. 
But  those  who  boast  their  mighty  strength 

And  seek  not  help  from  God, 
Will  surely  fall,  with  all  their  strength — 

"lis  so  with  all  the  proud. 
In  such  affrays  I  've  been  myself, 
r"And  though  I  'm  yet  alive, 
I  cannot  boast  my  native  strength, 

Through  God  I  still  survive. 
Glad  shall  I  be  if  I  no  more 

In  such  affrays  will  get, 
Though  I  much  fear  that  we've  not  gone 

Beyond  all  danger  yet. 
Now  since  the  lion  and  the  bear 

Have  not  devoured  me, 
I  hope  that  God  will  lend  his  aid 

When  other  foes  I  see." 

Then  Christian  sang : 

"Poor  L'ttle- Faith  !  hast  been  among  the  thieves? 
"Wast  robb'd?  Remember  this,  whoso  believes, 
And  get  more  faith  ;  then  shall  you  victors  be 
Over  ten  thousand,  else  scarce  over  three." 

So  they  went  on  and  Ignorance 

Came  after  these  two  men, 
For  he  would  be  a  pilgrim  too, 

He  Heaven  wished  to  gain. 
Now  soon  they  came  up  to  a  place 

Where  much  perplexed  were  they, 
For  there  they  saw  a  way  that  came 

Direct  into  their  way. 
It  seemed  withal  to  lie  as  straight 

As  that  which  they  should  go, 
But  which  of  these  they  ought  to  take 

These  pilgrims  did  not  know. 


244  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

The j  saw  that  both  these  roads  were  straight, 

They  seemed  so  much  alike ; 
That  here  they  both  stood  still  awhile 

To  think  which  way  was  right. 
While  standing  here  they  saw  a  man 

Who  was  quite  black  in  flesh, 
And  who  was  clothed  with  a  light  robe  ; 

This  man  did  them  address : 
"Well,  gentlemen,  why  stand  you  here?" 

They  this  reply  did  make: 
"To  Zion  we  would  go  if  we 

Did  know  which  way  to  take." 
Now  this  the  black  man  to  them  said : 

"  Come  on  and  follow  me, 
'Tis  there  that  I  am  going  too, 

I  will  your  leader  be." 
They  took  this  man  to  be  their  guide, 

He  led  them  in  the  way 
Which  by  degrees  did  turn  and  turn 

And  led  them  both  astray. 
For  soon  their  backs  were  turned  towards 

The  place  where  they  would  go, 
But  still  they  followed  after  him 

Not  knowing  this  was  so. 
But  by-and-by,  before  they  had 

Perceived  their  danger  yet, 
He  led  the  pilgrims  both  within 

The  compass  of  a  net. 
In  this  they  were  entangled  so 

They  knew  not  what  to  do ; 
The  white  robe  now  fell  off  the  man, 

His  blackness  came  to  view. 
The  pilgrims  saw  then  where  they  were— 

Some  time  they  crying  lay, 
For  they  could  not  themselves  get  out, 

So  helpless  now  were  they. 


IN  VERSE.  245 


Then  Christian  to  his  fellow  said: 

"  I  now  do  plainly  see 
That  I  have  in  an  error  been, 

Now  hard  it  is  with  me. 
Did  not  the  Shepards  tell  us  both 

'Of  flatterers  beware?' 
We  careless  were  and  now  we  're  caught ; 

How  sad  is  this  atfair. 
This  maketh  true  the  Scripture  words 

Which  I  will  now  repeat : 
•  He  that  his  neighbour  flattereth 

A  net  spreads  for  his  feet.' " 
Then  Hopeful  said  :  "  They  also  gave 

A  note  to  teach  the  way, 
But  we  forgot  therein  to  read 

And  so  we  've  gone  astray. 
We  have  not  kept  ourselves,  indeed, 

From  the  destroyer's  path — 
Here  David  was  more  wise  than  we 

For  this  he  plainly  saith: 
'Concerning  all  the  works  of  men 

I  by  thy  words  have  kept 
Myself  from  the  destroyer's  path.' 

At  this  the  pilgrims  wept. 
And  thus  they  did  bewail  themselves 

While  in  the  net  they  lay, 
Lamenting  that  they  did  neglect 

The  note  that  taught  the  way. 
At  last  they  spied  a  Shining  One 

Whose  glory  was  most  grand, 
Towards  them  coming  with  a  whip 

Of  small  cords  in  his  hand. 
Now  when  this  one  had  reached  the  place 

Where  these  two  pilgrims  were, 
He  asked  them  whence  they  came  and  what 

They  then  were  doing  there.  *U 


246  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Said  they :   "  We  are  poor  pilgrims,  sir, 

Who  were  in  Zion's  way, 
A  black  man  who  was  clothed  in  white 

Hath  led  us  both  astray. 
The  black  man  bid  us  follow  him, 

We  thought  the  man  was  true, 
He  said  :   '  I  will  your  leader  be, 

There  I  am  going  too.'  " 
"  He  was  the  Flatterer,"  then  said 

The  one  who  shone  so  bright : 
"  A  false  Apostle  in  the  form 

Of  an  angel  of  light." 
The  Shining  One  then  rent  the  net 

And  set  the  pilgrims  free, 
At  the  same  time  he  said  to  them, 

"Come  on  and  follow  me, 
That  I  may  put  you  in  the  way 

Which  you  have  left  for  this, 
The  King's  highway  of  holiness, 

The  only  way  of  peace." 
So  he  led  both  the  pilgrims  back 

And  set  them  in  the  way 
From  which  the  Flatterer  did  lead 

Them  craftily  astray. 
The  Shining  One  then  asked  them  where 

The  last  night  they  did  lie  ; 
"  We  with  the  shepherds  spent  the  night," 

These  pilgrims  made  reply. 
He  asked  them  then  if  they  had  not 

A  note  of  all  the  way — 
A  note  that  showed  them  where  to  go  ? 

To  this  they  answered,  yea. 
"Did  you,"  said  he,  "  when  at  a  stand, 

Pluck  out  and  read  your  note  ?" 
They  answer  "no."     He  asked  them  "why?' 

They  answered,  "  we  forgot." 


IN  VERSE.  247 


The  Shining  One  then  further  asked: 
"  Did  not  the  shepherds  say, 

'  Beware  of  the  vile  Flatterer, 
As  you  go  on  your  way  V  " 

"Yes,  but  imngine  we  did  not 

That  such  a  man  was  he  ; 
He  was  a  pleasant  spoken  man, 

We  thought  it  could  not  be." 

Now  in  my  dream  I  saw  that  he 
Then  bade  them  down  to  lie; 

"When  this  they  did,  he  chastised  them, 
Quite  sorely  too,  and  why  ? 

To  teach  them  of  the  way  wherein 
They  afterwards  should  walk  ; 

And  as  he  laid  on  them  the  whip, 
I  heard  him  this  way  talk : 

"  As  many  as  I  love,  dear  friends, 

I  chasten  and  rebuke ; 
Be  zealous  therefore,  and  repent ;" 

This  counsel  they  both  took. 

This  done,  he  bid  them  go  their  way, 
And  take  more  earnest  heed 

To  all  the  shepherds  did  direct ; 
All  will  be  well  indeed. 

They  thanked  him  for  his  kindness  now, 

And  then  went  softly  on  ; 
They  now  were  in  the  right  way  too, 

And  now  they  sang  this  song : 


"  Come  hither,  you  that  walk  along  the  way, 

See  how  the  pilgrims  fare  that  go  astray: 

They  catched  are  in  an  entangled  net, 

'Cause  they  good  counsel  lightly  did  forget : 

'Tis  true  they  rescued  were;  but  yet  you  see, 

They  're  scourged  to  boot:  let  this  your  caution  be." 


Now  after  this  they  one  perceived 

Far  off  upon  the  way; 
To  meet  them  now  he  softly  came; 

And  then  did  Christian  say : 
"  Now  Hopeful  yonder  is  a  man 

Whose  back's  to  Zion  turned, 
And  he  is  coming  to  meet  us 

If  rightly  I  've  discerned." 
"  Yes,"  Hopeful  said,  "  I  see  the  man, 

And  let  us  now  take  heed 
Lest  he  should  prove  a  Flatterer 

As  one  before  him  did." 
He  still  drew  nearer  and  at  last 

He  to  the  pilgrims  came, 
He  asked  them  whither  they  were  bound: 

Now  Atheist  was  his  name. 
Then  Christian  answered  this  strange  man, 

"  We  to  Mount  Zion  go." 
Then  Atheist  aloud  did  laugh 

Because  they  answered  so. 
11  Why  do  you  laugh  ?"  then  Christian  said, 

"  What  doth  your  laughter  mean  ? 
There 's  nothing  here  at  which  to  laugh 

In  what  you  Ve  heard  or  seen." 
"  I  laugh,"  said  Atheist,  "  to  see 

How  ignorant  you  are, 
To  take  a  journey  of  that  kind 

So  tedious  and  so  far. 
And  yet  it  very  likely  is 

That  you  will  nothing  gain, 
But  weariness  is  all  you  '11  get 

To  pay  you  for  your  pains." 
"  Why,  man,"  said  Christian,  ««  do  you  think 

We  shall  not  be  received  ?" 
Said  Atheist:  "There's  no  such  place, 

In  this  you  are  deceived." 


IN  VERSE.  249 


""Why,  sir,  there  is,"  then  Christian  said, 

"  Such  in  the  world  to  come." 
"I  heard  of  that,"  said  Atheist, 

"  When  I  was  yet  at  home  ; 
In  my  own  country  this  I  heard, 

I  then  set  out  to  see, 
And  have  been  seeking  twenty  years — 

No  Zion  yet  I  see." 
"We  both  have  heard  and  do  believe 

That  place  is  to  be  found," 
Said  Christian  now  to  Atheist, 

As  he  maintained  his  ground. 
"  Now  had  not  I,"  said  Atheist, 

"  At  first  believed  all  this, 
I  never  would  have  come  so  far 

To  seek  what  I  might  miss. 
If  such  a  plaee  had  been  I  would 

Have  found  it  long  ago, 
For  I  have  further  gone  in  search 

Than  you  have :  this  I  know. 
I  now  am  going  back  again 

To  things  I  cast  away 
When  I  set  out  to  seek  this  place — 

Near  to  my  heart  they  lay." 
Then  Christian  unto  Hopeful  said : 

"  Companion,  is  it  true 
What  this  man  Atheist  doth  say  ? 

How  does  it  seem  to  you?" 
"This  is  one  of  the  Flatterers," 

Said  Hopeful,  "Now  take  heed — 
Remember  what  it  cost  us  once 

For  hearing  such,  indeed. 
What!  no  Mount  Zion?     Did  we  not 

The  gates  of  it  once  see 
When  we  were  on  the  mountain  top 

Where  the  good  Shepherds  be  ? 


250  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

And  also  are  we  not  to  walk 

By  faith  and  not  by  sight? 
Let  us  go  on,  he  with  the  whip 

Again  may  set  us  right. 
This  lesson  me  you  should  have  taught— 

1  My  son,  cease  thou  to  hear 
Instruction  that  will  make  thee  from 

The  words  of  knowledge  err.' 
I  say,  my  brother,  cease  to  hear 

This  man  who's  but  a  strole, 
And  let  us  both  believe  unto 

The  saving  of  the  soul." 
Said  Christian  :  "  I  did  not  at  all 

The  question  put  to  thee 
Because  I  doubted  thy  belief — 

I  would  thy  firmness  see. 
I  only  wished  to  prove  thy  heart 

So  honest  and  so  true, 
I  did  suppose  thy  faith  was  firm, 

I  wished  to  prove  it  too. 
As  for  this  Atheist  I  know 

His  eyes  have  blinded  been 
By  Him  who  's  God  of  this  vain  world 

Or  else  he  would  have  seen. 
Let  you  and  I  go  on  our  way, 

The  truth  we  both  believe, 
No  lie  is  of  the  truth  we  know 

For  truth  cannot  deceive." 

"I  do  rejoice,"  said  Hopeful,  "in 

r  God's  glory  now  this  day." 

And  now  they  turned  from  Atheist, 

Who  laughing  went  his  way. 
Now  in  my  dream  I  saw  that  they 

Went  on  until  they  came 
Into  a  country  where  the  air 

Them  almost  overcame. 


IN  VERSE.  251 


This  air  doth  naturally  tend 

To  make  one  drowsy  grow, 
At  least  if  they  be  strangers  there, 

And  many  find  it  so. 
Now  Hopeful  here  began  to  be 

Quite  dull  and  wished  to  sleep, 
And  he  to  Christian  said,   "  I  can 't 

My  eyes  now  open  keep — 
Let  us  lie  down."     He  farther  said, 

"One  nap  let  us  now  take 
For  I  do  feel  so  drowsy  now 

I  cannot  keep  awake." 
"  It  will  not  do,"  then  Christian  said, 

"  While  here,  a  nap  to  take ; 
If  here  we  now  should  fall  asleep 

"We  never  more  may  wake." 
Said  Hopeful:  "Sleep  is  sweet  indeed, 

You  know,  to  laboring  men — 
We  may  by  it  be  quite  refreshed 

And  go  much  better  then." 
"  Do  you  remember,"  Christian  said, 

"  One  Shepherd  said  beware 
Of  the  Enchanted  Ground  ?     He  meant 

We  should  not  sleep  while  there. 
Let  us  not  sleep  as  others  do 

But  watch  and  sober  be, 
No  time  to  sleep  have  we  while  here 

For  watch  and  pray  ought  we." 
M  Much  in  a  fault,"  did  Hopeful  say, 

"  Myself  I  now  must  own, 
I  would  have  run  the  risk  of  death 

Had  I  been  here  alone. 
The  wise  man  saith  and  it  is  true, 

4  Two  better  are  than  one  ;' 
Thy  company  my  mercy  was 

And  your  reward  shall  come.", 


252  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

Then  Christian  unto  Hopeful  said : 

"  Lest  we  should  drowsy  grow, 
Let  us  discourse  on  something  good 

'Twill  wake  us  up  you  know." 
u  With  all  my  heart,"  did  Hopeful  say. 

Said  Christian:  "  Where  begin?" 
"Where  God  began  with  us,"  replied 

Good  Hopeful  unto  him. 

"  Do  you  begin  now  if  you  please," 
Hopeful  to  Christian  said. 

"I  will,  but  first  I  '11  sing  this  song," 
Was  the  reply  he  made : 


"  When  saints  do  sleepy  grow,  let  them  come  hither, 

And  hear  how  these  two  pilgrims  talk  together; 

Yea,  let  them  learn  of  them  in  any  wise, 

Thus  to  keep  ope  their  drowsy,  slumb'ring  eyes. 

Saints'  fellowship,  if  it  be  managed  well, 

Keeps  them  awake,  and  that  in  spite  of  hell." 


Then  Christian  did  begin  and  said  : 

"  A  question  I  '11  ask  you — 
How  come  you  at  the  first  to  think 

Of  doing  as  you  do  ?" 
"  ISTow  this  you  mean,"  did  Hopeful  say, 

"If  you  I've  understood, 
How  I  was  led  to  think  upon 

My  soul's  eternal  good  ?" 
"  'Tis  this  I  mean,"  said  Christian  then, 

"  How  you  were  led  to  think 
Of  your  condition  when  secure, 

You  stood  on  ruin's  brink?" 
Said  Hopeful :   "I  continued  long 

In  vain  delights  to  share — 
In  all  those  things  that  could  be  seen 

And  sold  at  our  Fair. 


IN  VERSE.  253 


These  things  I  long  delighted  in, 

But  then  I  would  have  found, 
Had  I  continued  in  them  still, 

Myself  in  ruin  drowned." 
14  What  things  were  they,"  then  Christian  said, 

"In  which  you  did  delight, 
And  which,  had  you  persisted  in, 

Would  you  have  ruined  quite  ?" 
"  All  the  vain  treasures  of  the  world, 

I  once  delighted  in  ; 
I  revelled,  drank,  yea,  lied  and  swore — 

Done  most  all  kinds  of  sin. 
But  by  hearing  and  reflecting, 

On  things  that  are  divine, 
(Which  things  I  heard  from  your  own  mouth, 

And  Faithful's  in  his  time, 
Who  at  the  Fair  was  put  to  death, 

Because  he  served  the  Lord.) 
(I  noticed  his  behaviour  there; 

He  spake  no  evil  word.) 
I  found  at  last  that  all  these  thing?, 

In  death  would  surely  end  ; 
And  for  these  things  the  wrath  of  God 

Will  on  such  men  descend." 

Said  Christian,  "  Did  you  presently, 

Beneath  conviction  fall  ?" 
"No,"  Hopeful  said,  "I  wished  not  then, 

To  see  my  6ius  at  all. 
Nor  the  damnation  that  awaits 

Those  who  such  things  commit ; 
I  strove  conviction  still  to  shun — 

I  would  not  cherish  it. 
But  when  my  mind  began  to  be, 

Awakened  by  the  word, 
I  shut  my  eyes  against  the  light, 

My  ears  to  what  I  heard." 


254  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Said  Christian,  "  Why  did  you  oppose 

God's  Spirit,  when  with  you 
It  strove,  that  it  your  stubborn  heart, 

Might  soften  and  renew  ?" 
Said  Hopeful,  "  One  cause  must  have  been, 

I  knew  not  it  was  He ; 
I  little  thought  his  Spirit  then, 

Was  striving  with  poor  me. 
I  never  thought  that  it  was  by 

Awakening  for  sin, 
That  God  doth  in  a  sinner's  heart, 

The  work  of  grace  begin. 
Another  cause  :  sin  to  my  flesh, 

Was  very  sweet  indeed  ; 
To  leave  it  I  was  very  loth, 

On  it  my  soul  did  feed. 
I  did  not  know  how  I  could   with 

My  old  companions  part ; 
Their  presence  and  their  actions  too, 

Lay  very  near  my  heart. 
The  hours  of  my  conviction  did 

So  dreadful  to  me  seem, 
That  I  was  loth  to  think  of  them, 

I  wished  they  had  not  been. 
Said  Christian,  "Then  it  seems  you  could 

Your  troubles  lay  aside?" 
"Yes,  but  they  returned  again," 

Hopeful  then  replied. 
"  And  then  they  were  as  troublesome- 
Nay,  worse  now  than  before  ; 
The  often er  they  returned  again, 

They  troubled  me  the  more." 
Said  Christian,  "What  was  it  that  brought 

Your  sins  to  mind  again  ?" 
Said  Hopeful,  "Very  many  things, 

I  some  of  them  will  name. 


IN  VEPwSE.  255 


If  I  a  righteous  man  would  meet, 

While  walking  in  the  streets, 
Or  if  I  heard  the  Bible  read, 

These  things  my  heart  would  reach. 
Or  if  I  but  began  to  feel. 

An  aching  in  my  head  ; 
Or  heard  that  one  was  taken  sick, 

Or  that  some  one  was  dead. 
And  this,  too,  brought  my  sins  to  mind, 

The  sudden  death  of  some ; 
But  more  especially  the  though^ 

I  must  to  Judgment  come." 
Then  Christian  said,  "  Could  you  with  ease, 

Get  off  the  guilt  of  sin, 
When  you  by  any  of  these  ways 

Had  thus  convicted  been?" 
"  0  no,  not  I ;   my  conscience  was 

Still  harder  wrought  upon; 
And  if  I  thought  of  sinning  more- 
More  torment  would  come  on. 
Then  Christian  said,  "What  did  you  then, 

If  sin  you  dare  not  do  f 
Your  mind  was  turned  against  them  now, 

As  I  have  learned  from  you." 
"  I  thought,"  said  Hopeful,  "I  must  try 

From  hence,  my  life  to  mend  ; 
Or  else,  thought  I,  I'm  sure  to  be 

Eternally  condemned." 
Then  Christian  asked  him  if  he  did 

Endeavor  to  amend, 
When  he  had  such  a  view  of  what 

Would  be  his  final  end. 
"  I  fled  not  only  from  my  sins— • 

From  my  companions  too, 
Who  practiced  sin  as  I  once  did — 

I  tried  to  live  anew. 


256  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Keligious  duties  I  performed 

Read,  prayed,  and  wept  for  sin  • 
The  truth  I  to  my  neighbor  spake, 

'Twas  thus  I  did  begin. 
These  things  I  did  and  many  more, 

(My  efforts  then  were  great,) 
Yes,  many  things  too  tedious 

At  present  to  relate." 
Said  Christian:  "Did  you  think  yourself 

All  well,  when  so  you  done?" 
Said  Hopeful :  "  For  awhile  I  did, 

But  trouble  soon  came  on.' ' 
Said  Christian  :  "  Since  you  were  reformed, 

"What  brought  your  troubles  on  ?" 
Said  Hopeful:  "Sayings  of  this  kind, 

I  then  would  think  upon  : 
"  As  filthy  rasrs  our  righteousness," 

"  By  works  no  man  can  be, 
Before  the  Lord  now  justified  ;." 

These  sayings  troubled  me. 
"  When  ye  have  done  all  that  ye  canr 

In  trying  to  obey, 
Ye  are  unprofitable  still  ;" 

These  things  the  Scriptures  say. 
And  many  other  sayings,  which 

In  meaning  are  the  same, 
For  many  sayings  of  this  kind, 

The  Scriptures  do  contain. 
Then  with  myself  I  reasoned  thus  : 

If  all  our  righteousness, 
Is  like  mere  filthy  rags, 

And  if  the  keeping  of  the  law, 
Doth  no  man  justify ;  and  if  when  we 

Have  done  all  that 's  in  our  power, 
Unprofitable  and  worthless  still  we  be 

Then  it  is  vain  to  think  of  heaven  by  the  law. 


IN  VERSE.  257 


I  further  thought,  if  I  should  run 

A  hundred  pounds  in  debt, 
But  afterwards  should  strictly  pay, 

For  every  thing  I  get ; 

Yet  if  the  debt  be  in  the  book, 

And  found  uncrossed  at  last, 
The  merchant  can  demand  his  pay, 

And  me  in  prison  cast, 
Until  I've  paid  the  whole  amount 

Of  what  is  yet  behind. 
But  while  in  prison  this  to  do, 

No  one  a  way  can  find." 
"But  how  did  you  now  to  yourself," 

Said  Christian,    "this  apply, 
To  make  it  any  use  to  you, 

Or  teach  yourself  thereby?" 
Said  Hopeful,    "  To  myself  I  thought 

A  great  way  I  have  run, 
Into  God's  debt;  upon  his  book 

My  sins  have  greatly  grown; 
And  that  my  reformation  will, 

The  old  score  never  pay. 
I  thought,  that  though  I  had  reformed, 

I  yet  must  find  a  way, 
Through  which  I  can  be  freed  from  that 

Damnation  I  have  brought 
Myself  in  danger  of  by  sins, 

That  I  before  had  wrought." 
"The  application,"  Christian  said, 

Is  very  good  indeed. 
But  pray  go  on,  your  story  tell, 

I'll  hear  as  you  proceed." 
"  Another  source  of  trouble  is, 

Since  I  reformed  have  been, 
If  I  look  closely  to  my  ways, 

I  still  perceive  new  sin.  *V 


258  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Yes,  sin  I  find  will  mix  itself, 

With  the  best  deeds  I  do ; 
So  of  myself,  I  now  am  forced 

To  take  this  humbling  view; 
That  in  one  day  I've  sinned  enough, 

To  6end  my  soul  to  Hell, 
Though  all  my  former  life  had  been 

In  every  moment  well." 
He  further  said  :  "  I  did  not  know 

What  step  I  ought  to  take, 
Until  my  mind  with  all  its  cares, 

I  unto  Faithful  broke. 
With  him  I  was  acquainted  well ; 

He  said  to  me,  unless 
I  found  a  man  who  never  sinned, 

And  get  his  righteousness, 
My  own,  nor  yet  the  righteousness 

Of  all  the  world  beside, 
Could  save  me  from  the  wrath  of  God 

However  much  I  tried." 
"And  did  you  think  he  spake  the  truth," 

Then  Christian  to  him  said  ; 
"  When  he  your  best  performances, 

So  very  worthless  made  ?" 
Then  Hopeful  said  :  "  Had  he  said  so, 

When  all  with  me  seemed  right — 
When  I  was  suited  with  my  works, 

I'd  thought  him  foolish  quite. 
But  since  my  own  infirmities, 

I  have  been  made  to  see  ; 
And  sins  which  cleave  to  my  best  works, 

I  think  the  same  as  he." 
"  But  did  you  think,  when  he  at  first 

Suggested  it  to  you, 
That  such  a  man  was  to  be  found- 
Had  you  such  one  in  view — 


IN  VERSE.  259 


A  man  of  whom  it  might  be  said, 

Injustice,  too,  indeed; 
In  all  his  life,  one  sin  was  not 

In  word,  nor  thought,  nor  deed." 
"  His  words  at  first  seemed  strange  to  me, 

But  then  more  talk  with  him, 
Did  me  convince  that  such  a  one, 

Once  in  the  world  had  been." 
"  Did  you  ask  him,"  then  Christian  said, 

"Whatman  this  was,  and  how 
Toumust  be  justified  by  him, 

Your  only  Saviour  now?" 
Said  Hopeful :  "  Yes  he  told  then, 

'Twas  Jesus  Christ,  the  Lord, 
Who  liveth  and  doth  intercede 

At  the  right  hand  of  God. 
Said  he,  "  You  can  now  by  this  man 

Be  freely  justified, 
By  trusting  to  what  he  hath  done, 

When  he  was  crucified. 
To  what  he  done  while  in  the  flesh, 

His  perfect  righteousness ; 
His  death  and  suff 'rings  on  the  cross, 

(How  great  was  his  distress!") 
Now  after  Faithful  had  thus  said, 

To  Faithful  then  said  I, 
How  can  that  man's  righteousness 

Another  justify  ?" 
"  Because  He  is  the  Mighty  God," 

He  then  to  me  replied  ; 
"Not  for  himself  hath  he  done  this, 

For  such  as  you  he  died  ; 
That  if  thou  dost  believe  in  Him, 

His  merits  shall  be  thine ; 
Thy  sins  shall  all  be  laid  to  him, 

The  sacrifice  divine." 


260  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

But  to  believing  on  him  then, 

Objections  I  did  raise; 
I  thought  that  he  not  willing  was, 

A  man  like  me  to  save." 
Said  Christian  :  "  What  did  Faithful  say 

To  your  objections  now?" 
"  He  bid  me  go  to  him  and  see, 

What  mercy  he  would  show." 
To  Faithful  then,  I  made  reply, 

Presumption  this  would  be, 
For  sinful  man  to  go  to  him — 

At  least  it  would  for  me." 
Said  Faithful :  "  No,  for  you  have  been 

Invited  there  to  come ; 
Ten  thousand  worse  than  you  have  gone, 

And  yet  he  cast  out  none." 
He  then  gave  me  a  book,  which  he 

Said  Jesus  did  indite; 
That  I  might  take  encouragement, 

To  come  with  freedom  quite. 
He  said  concerning  this  same  book, 

When  speaking  of  its  worth, 
One  jot,  or  title  shall  not  fail — 

Though  fail  both  heaven  and  earth. 
I  asked  him  then  "what  I  must  do, 

If  I  to  Jesus  come?" 
"  Entreat  the  Father  on  your  knees, 

Reveal  to  me  the  Son. 
With  all  thy  heart  and  soul,"  said  he, 

"  Bring  in  thy  worthy  plea  ; 
O  Father,  show  to  me  thy  Son, 

For  He  hath  died  for  me." 
"I  asked  him  further,  how  I  must 

The  Son  of  God  entreat?" 
Said  he:  "Just  go  and  thou  shaltfind 

Him  on  a  mercy  seat ; 


IN  VERSE.  261 


Where  He  sits  all  the  rolling  year, 

To  pardon  and  forgive; 
To  bid  the  doubting  soul  believe— ■ 

The  dying  sinner  live." 
"  I  told  him,  that  I  knew  not  what 

To  say  when  there  I  came." 
Said  he:  "Say  thou  to  this  effect: 

"With  faith  in  Jesus'  name : 

0  God,  I  am  a  sinful  man, 
Be  merciful  to  me  ; 

Make  me  to  know,  and  trust  thy  Son 

While  here  I  plead  with  thee. 
For  if  his  perfect  righteousness, 

Had  never  been  I  know, 
(Or  if  I  have  not  faith  in  it,) 

I  must  to  ruin  go. 
Lord,  I  have  heard  how  merciful, 

And  gracious,  too,  thou  art ; 
And  that  thy  Son  thou  hast  ordained, 

Salvation  to  impart. 
And  also,  that  thou  willing  art, 

The  Saviour  to  bestow, 
Upon  a  6inner  such  as  I, 

Though  I  have  grieved  thee  so. 
This  opportunity,  Lord,  take 

To  show  thy  mercy,  then, 
In  saving  my  poor  soul  through  Christ, 

My  prayer  hear.    Amen." 
"Now  did  you  do  as  he  told  you  ?" 

Christian  to  Hopeful  said  ; 
He  answered  :  "  Many  times  I  have 

In  this  same  manner  prayed." 
Said  Christian  :  "  Did  the  Father  then 

Reveal  the  Son  to  you  ; 

1  mean,  that  you  could  have  of  him, 
A  spiritual  view  ?" 


262  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


"No,"  Hopeful  said  ;  "  Not  at  the  first, 

Nor  second,  nor  third  time  ; 
I  saw  not  at  the  fifth  or  sixth, 

That  vision  so  divine." 
Said  Christian  :  "  What  did  you  do  then  ? 

Did  you  not  now  despair, 
And  think  you  might  as  well  give  up, 

And  also  leave  off  prayer  ?" 
"  Yes,  and  a  hundred  times  twice  told," 

Said  Hopeful,  "  1  thus  thought, 
But  still  I  did  not  give  up  all; 

This  I  desired  not." 
"What  was  the  reason,"  Christian  said, 

That  so  you  did  not  do  ?" 
"Because,"  said  Hopeful,  "I  believed 

What  Faithful  said  was  true. 
To  wit:  "The  righteousness  of  Christ 

Alone  could  reach  my  case ;" 
I  thought  if  I  must  die,  1  shall 

Die  at  the  throne  of  grace. 
For  if  I  do  leave  off  I  will 

Be  very  sure  to  die; 
An  answer  to  my  plea  may  come— 

At  least.  I  still  can  try. 
Withal  this  came  into  my  mind, 

"  Wait,  though  it  tarry  long; 
It  will  be  sure  to  come  at  last ;" 

I  saw,  to  doubt  was  wrong. 
So  I  continued  praying  still; 

I  did  not  leave  the  throne, 
Until  the  Father  showed  to  me, 

In  love,  his  only  Son." 
Said  Christian  :  "  How  was  he  at  last 

To  your  poor  soul  revealed, 
Who  seemed  to  be  so  very  long, 

In  darkest  clouds  concealed?" 


IN  VERSE.  263 


"I  did  not  see  him,"  Hopeful  said, 

"With  these  material  eyes; 
But  with  my  understanding  though, 

And  to  my  great  surprise. 
One  day  when  I  was  very  sad, 

Much  sadder  than  before  ; 
From  seeing  that  my  sins  did  now 

Amount  to  many  score  ; 

And  looking  now  for  for  nothing  but 

A  place  at  last  in  Hell, 
Yes,  while  I  was  so  very  sad, 

1  saw,  how  good  to  tell, 
I  thought,  my  Jesus  looking  down, 

From  Heaven,  then  on  me, 
Saying,  "Believe  in  Jesus  Christ, 

And  saved  thou  then  shalt  be." 
But  I  replied,  (hou  kuowest,  Lord, 

My  sins  are  very  great." 
Said  he:  "  My  grace  will  reach  your  case, 

Whatever  be  your  6tate." 
What  is  beliving,  Lord?  I  said  ; 

I  then  saw  for  the  first 
What  this  doth  mean,    '  he  that  believes 

On  me,  shall  never  thirst.' 
'And  he  that  cometh  unto  me, 

Shall  hunger  not  again  ;' 
I  saw  that  coining,  and  believing, 

In  substance  are  the  same; 
And  that  all  who  come  to  him, 

With  all  their  heart  indeed; 
Preferring  him  to  all  things  else — 

Such  ones  in  truth  believe. 
I  further  asked,  '  may  such  a  one, 

Oh  Lord,  as  sinful  me, 
Who  has  against  thee  sinned  so  much, 

Be  owned,  and  saved  by  thee?' 


264  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

I  heard  the  Saviour  in  reply, 

Say,  "  Sinner  do  not  doubt, 
For  him  that  coraeth  unto  me 

In  nowise  I'll  cast  out." 
I  further  asked,  "  Lord  how  must  I 

Consider  now  of  thee  ; 
That  I  may  come,  and  that  my  faith, 

Be  as  it  ought  to  be  ?" 
"aChrist  Jesus  came  into  the  world" — 

He  then  to  me  replied ; 
"  To  seek  and  save  poor  sinful  men, 

It  was  for  this  he  died. 
And  of  the  law  he  is  the  end, 

Of  righteousness  to  all, 
Who  truly  do  believe  in  him, 

E'en  if  their  faith  be  small. 
To  make  atonement  for  our  sins, 

Did  Jesus  come  to  die ; 
And  from  the  dead  he  rose  again, 

That  he  might  justify. 
He  loved  us  and  he  washed  us  too, 

In  his  own  precious  blood ; 
He  is  the  mediator  too, 

Between  us  and  our  God. 
He  ever  liveth,  that  he  may 

For  sinners  intercede; 
Before  the  throne  he  standeth  now, 

His  precious  blood  to  plead." 
From  all  I  gathered  that  I  must, 

For  righteousness  now  look 
To  his  own  person  ; — for  our  sins, 

He  hath  upon  him  took  ; 
And  to  the  law  he  hath  for  sins, 

Full  satisfaction  made; 
All  its  requirements  fulfilled, 

His  blood  our  debt  has  paid. 


IN  VEESE.  265 


Yes,  this  was  shed  for  all  who  will 

With  thankful  hearts  receive, 
The  labors  of  his  dying  love, 

And  in  his  name  believe. 
And  now  my  heart  was  full  of  joy, 

Mine  eyes  were  full  of  tears ; 
Of  love  were  my  affections  full, 

And  gone  were  all  my  fears. 
This  love  brought  Jesus  near  my  heart, 

His  people  and  his  ways ; 
I  felt  his  people  now  were  mine, 

My  heart  was  filled  with  praise." 
"  How  clear  this  revelation  was, 

Of  Jesus  Christ  to  you," 
Then  Christian  said  :  "  but  tell  me  more — 

How  it  affected  you." 
u  It  made  me  see  that  all  the  world, 

In  condemnation  is; 
Yes,  notwithstanding  all  it  has, 

Of  good  or  righteousness. 
It  made  me  see  that  God  himself, 

So  holy  and  so  just, 
Can  thus  the  sinner  justify, 

That  cometh,  though  tne  worst. 
It  also  made  me  feel  ashamed, 

That  I  so  vile  had  been ; 
And  it  confounded  me,  for  then 

My  ignorance  was  seen. 
For  I  had  never  thought  there  was, 

No,  never  once  before, 
Such  beauty,  and  such  loveliness, 

In  him  whom  I  adore. 
It  made  me  love  a  holy  life, 

I  something  wished  to  do, 
In  honor  to  the  name  of  Christ, 

And  for  his  people  too.  W 


266  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

I  thought  had  I  a  hundred  times 

My  body  full  of  blood ; 
I  would  delight  to  spill  it  all, 

In  honor  of  my  God." 
I  saw  that  Hopeful  looking  back, 

Did  Ignorance  espy 
Upon  the  road ;    to  follow  them, 

Poor  man,  he  seemed  to  try. 
"  Look,"  Hopeful  now  to  Christian  said, 

"How  very  far  behind 
Yon  youngster  loitereth  along. 

He  this  way  seems  inclined." 
*       Said  Christian  :  "  Yes,  I  see  him  too, 

But  then  he  careth  not, 
To  have  our  company  at  all — 

At  least,  this  is  my  thought." 
"  I  trow,"  said  Hopeful,  "  it  would  not 

Have  hurt  the  lad  at  all, 
Had  he  kept  pace  with  us  before ; 

But  he  behind  would  fall." 
Said  Christian:  "He  thinks  otherwise, 

This  I  will  warrant  you  ; 
Although  what  you  have  said  of  him, 

Indeed,  is  very  true." 
"I  think  he  doth,"  did  Hopeful  say, 

"  But  let  us  wait  for  him." 
Now  this  they  did,  and  Ignorance 

At  last  came  up  to  them. 
Then  Christian  said  to  Ignorance  : 

"  Come,  come,  man  come  away, 
Why  do  you  loiter  so  behind  ? 

What  need  of  such  delay?" 
Said  Ignorance :  M I  pleasure  take 

In  walking  quite  alone; 
Much  more  than  in  such  company 

That  I  have  lately  known." 


IN  VERSE.  267 


Christian  to  Hopeful  softly  said  : 

"  Did  I  not  tell  you  so  ? 
He  cares  not  for  our  company— 

His  actions  this  doth  show. 
And  since  we  now  are  walking  in 

A  solitary  place, 
Let  us  now  talk  the  time  away 

On  this  important  case." 
Then  he,  addressing  Ignorance, 

Said  :  "  Sir,  how  do  you  do  ? 
Pray  tell  me,  man,  how  does  it  stand 

Between  your  God  and  you  ?" 
Said  Ignorance :  "  I  hope  all 's  well ; 

My  mind  is  much  upon 
Religious  things,  which  comfort  me, 

While  I  am  walking  on." 
"Pray  what  good  thoughts  do  you  still  have," 

Said  Christian,  "  as  you  walk  ?" 
"I  think  of  God  and  heaven,"  he  said, 

"  Of  these  I  sometimes  talk." 
"The  devils  and  damned  souls  do,  too," 

Said  Christian,  "think  on  God." 
"  But  I  desire  as  well  as  think, 

As  I  walk  on  this  road." 
Said  Christian  :  "Many  wish  for  heaven 

Who  never  will  get  there; 
The  sluggard  he  desires  too, 

But  nothing  doth  he  share." 
"I  think  of  them,"  said  Ignorance, 

"For  them  I  leave  my  all." 
"I  doubt  that."  Christian  then  replied, 

"  That  matter's  not  so  small ; 
To  leave  all  for  an  unseen  world — 

On  God  cast  all  our  care, 
Is  harder  to  be  done,  indeed, 

Than  many  are  aware. 


268  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

But  why,"  said  Christian,  "  Or  by  what 

Art  thou  persuaded  thus ; 
That  thou  hast  left  thy  all  for  Heaven? 

Now  this  explain  to  us." 
Said  Ignorance  :  "  Tis  no  guess  work, 

I  have  left  all  I  know; 
For  I  can  feel  it  in  my  heart, 

"Which  tells  me  this  is  so." 
Said  Christian  in  reply  to  him  : 

"  The  wise  man  doth  say  this, 
'  He  that  doth  trust  in  his  own  heart 

Is  but  a  fool,' — hear  this." 
Said  Ignorance  :  "An  evil  heart, 

Trust  in  we  never  should  ; 
But  such  an  one  as  mine,  why  not  ? 

For  mine  I  know  is  good." 

Then  Christian  said :  "  How  dost  thou  prove 

Thy  heart  indeed  is  right? 
A  Holy  God  may  see  thy  heart, 

In  quite  another  light." 
Said  Ignorance:  "My  heart  doth  say, 

'  There  is  a  Heaven  for  thee ;' 
This  comforts  me,  with  the  bright  hope, 

That  I  that  Heaven  shall  see." 
"That  may  be  its  deceitfulness," 

Said  Christian,  "for  man's  heart, 
Is  such  that  it  may  comfort  him, 

When  none  it  should  impart." 
"But  then,"  said  Ignorance,  "my  heart 

And  life  do  so  agree, 
That  I  a  hope  well  grounded  have, 

Deceived  I  cannot  be." 
Said  Christian:  "Who  hath  told  thee  that 

Thy  heart  and  life  agree  ? 
Perhaps  thou  dost  not  see  thyself, 

As  others  do  thee  see." 


IN  VERSE.  269 


Then  Ignorance  to  Christian  said: 

"  My  heart,  if  you  must  know, 
Hath  been  my  teacher  in  this  thing — 

Tis  it  that  tells  me  so." 
"Except  the  word  of  God,  for  thee 

Is  witness  in  this  case, 
All  other  testimony  should 

Be  here  allowed  no  place." 
"  Is  not  a  heart  that  has  good  thoughts, 

To  be  considered  good  ? 
A  life  that  is  as  God  commands, 

Is  such  a  life  not  good  ?" 
"Yes,"  Christian  said,  M  that  heart  is  good, 

That  hath  good  thoughts,  'tis  true  ; 
That  life  that  is  as  God  commands, 

We  own  a  good  life  too. 
'Tis  one  thing  to  possess  these  things, 

Another,  so  too  think. 
If  we  possess  them,  all  is  well, 

If  not,  on  ruin's  brink." 
Said  Ignorance :  "  What  count  you  theD, 

Good  thoughts  and  good  life  too; 
According  to  all  God's  commands? 

This  I  would  learn  of  you." 
"There  are  good  thoughts  of  many  kinds, 

Respecting  many  things ;" 
Said  Christian  :  "  Some  respect  ourselves, 

And  some  the  King  of  kings." 
"What  are  good  thoughts,"  said  Ignorance, 

"That  do  ourselves  respect?" 
"Such  thoughts  as  with  God's  word  agree," 

He  said,  "we  can't  reject." 
Said  Ignorance  :  "  When  do  our  thoughts 

Of  self,  with  that  agree  ? 
You  seem  to  think  that  I  am  not, 

What  I  profess  to  be."  *W 


270  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

Said  Christian  :  "  When  we  judgment  pass, 

Upon  ourselves  the  same 
As  that  passed  by  the  word  of  God ; 

Now  this  I'm  sure  is  plain. 
Now  to  explain  myself  to  thee  : 

The  word  of  God  doth  say, 
Of  persons  yet  unchanged  by  grace, 

Unrighteous  still  are  they. 
In  other  words,  the  Scriptures  do 

Of  all  such  persons  say, 
There's  none  that  doeth  good  at  all, 

They  all  have  gone  astray. 
It  saith  of  man  who  is  unchanged, 

That  such  a  heart  has  he, 
"Which  doth  imagine  evil  things — 

And  that  continually. 
That  man's  imagination  hath 

Been  evil  from  his  youth ; 
Now  though  this  doctrine  may  seem  hard, 

Yet  God  doth  speak  the  truth. 
Now  when  we  of  ourselves  think  thus, 

And  all  this  truly  see, 
Such  thoughts  as  these  are  good,  for  they 

With  God's  word  do  agree." 
Then  Ignorance  replied  again 

To  Christian,  and  he  said  : 
"I  never  will  believe  my  heart 

To  be  so  very  bad." 
Said  Christian:  "  Then  in  all  thy  life, 

Thou  hast  not  had  one  thought 
About  thyself,  that  God  would  own 

As  good  ;  and  so  I  thought. 
So  hear  me  as  I  now  proceed— • 

The  word  doth  judgment  pass 
Upon  our  hearts  and  ways  alike; 

It  weighs  the  pilgrim's  path. 


IN  VERSE.  271 


Our  thoughts  and  lives  if  we  compare, 

With  God's  word  as  we  should, 
And  find  they  both  agree  with  it, 

"We  then  may  call  them  good." 
Said  Ignorance:  "Your  meaning  now 

Make  out,  that  I  may  know 
What  doctrine,  sir,  you  mean  to  teach, 

Or  what  you  wish  to  show." 
To  Ignorance  then  Christian  said: 

"  Tis  God's  own  word  that  says, 
That  man  unchanged  does  no  good  thing, 

His  ways  are  crooked  ways. 
Instead  of  good  they  are  perverse, 

The  word  of  him  doth  say; 
By  nature  he  doth  not  at  all, 

Walk  in  the  better  way. 
Instead  of  having  walked  therein, 

The  way  they  have  not  known ; 
Man's  natural  depravity, 

By  this  is  clearly  shown. 
Now  when  thou  thinkest  on  thy  ways, 

With  humble,  broken  heart, 
And  seest  them  in  the  light  of  truth 

The  Scriptures  do  impart, 
'Tis  then  thy  thoughts  of  self  are  right, 

Because,  as  thou  canst  see, 
They  do  with  what  God's  word  declares, 

In  all  these  things  agree." 
Said  Ignorance:  "What  do  you  call 

Good  thoughts  concerning  God?" 
Then  Christian  said  :  "  Those  thoughts  are  good. 

That  with  his  word  accord. 
When  we  think  of  him,  what  the  word 

Doth  make  him  out  to  be, 
So  that  our  thoughts,  and  his  own  word 

Concerning  him,  agree— 


272  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

His  attributes  and  all,  by  which 

He  maketh  himself  known, 
Of  which  I  cannot  now  at  large, 

Discourse  with  thee  upon. 
To  speak  of  God,  with  reference 

To  us,  His  creatures  men  ; 
'Tis  right  to  think  He  knows  our  hearts, 

Much  better  than  we  can. 
We  have  right  thoughts  of  God,  I  say, 

When  we  believe  that  He 
Can  see  much  sin  in  us,  where  we 

Ourselves  not  any  see. 
Yes,  when  we  think  He  knows  our  thoughts- 

Our  inmost  thoughts  that  rise, 
And  that  our  heart,  with  all  its  depths, 

Is  open  to  His  eyes. 
Our  thoughts  are  right  when  we  believe, 

Our  righteousness  doth  stink 
Within  God's  nostrils,  when  of  ourselves, 

We  do  the  highest  think ; 
And  that  he  therefore  can't  abide, 

To  see  a  sinful  worm, 
Before  Him  stand  in  confidence, 

When  He  good  deeds  perform." 
"  Why,  dost  thou  think  I'm  such  a  fool," 

Did  Ignorance  reply ; 
"  As  for  to  think  that  God  can  see 

No  farther,  sir,  than  I  ? 
Or  that  I  up  to  God    would  in 

My  best  performance  come? 
I  am  not  so  self  righteous,  sir, 

In  what  I  do,  as  some." 
"How  dost  thou  in  this  matter  think?" 

Then  Christian  to  him  said. 
"  I  think  I  must  believe  in  Christ," 

Was  the  reply  he  made. 


IN  VERSE.  273 


"  How,  think  thou  must  believe  in  Christ, 

When  yet  thou  seest  not, 
Thy  need  of  him  who  hath  alone 

To  man  salvation  brought. 
Thou  dost  not  see  original, 

Nor  actual  sin  in  thee  ; 
But  hast  such  an  opinion  of 

Thyself,  I  plainly  see, 
And  of  thy  good  performances, 

As  proves  thee  now  to  be, 
A  man  that  hath  thy  need  of  Chirst 

Been  never  made  to  see — 

Of  righteousness  which  he  imputes, 

Lost  man  to  justify ; 
How  canst  thou  then  say  '  I  believe,' 

Or  that,  '  To  him  I  fly  V  " 
To  Christian,  Ignorance  replied: 

"I  well  enough  believe, 
Although  I  do  not  see  my  sins, 

As  you  do  them  perceive." 
Said  Christian  :  "Pray,  what  are  thy  views, 

Or  how  dost  thou  believe  ? 
Be  careful  now,  that  thou  in  this 

Dost  not  thyself  deceive." 
"I  do  believe,"  said  Ignorance, 

"  That  Christ  for  sinners  died  ; 
And  that  I  shall  before  my  God, 

Be  freely  justified. 
Through  his  acceptance  of  my  own 

Obedience  to  the  law; 
(Tis  here  I  place  my  confidence, 

From  this  I  comfort  draw.) 
Or  thus  Christ  makes  my  duties  all 

Acceptable  to  God ; 
He  to  the  Father  offers  them, 

As  washed  in  his  own  blood." 


274  BUNTAN'S  PILGRIM 

'  ■  To  this  confession  of  thy  faith, 

Let  me  an  answer  give," 
Did  Christian  say,  *'  for  I  cannot 

Thy  faith  as  sound,  receive. 
Thy  faith  is  all  fantastical, 

For  it  is  not  described, 
In  any  part  of  God's  own  word; 

It  therefore  can't  abide. 
Thy  faith  is  false,  because  it  doth 

Not  rest  in  Christ  alone 
For  righteousness,  but  goes  about 

To  justify  thy  own. 
This  faith  doth  not  make  Jesus  Christ, 

To  justify  the  man; 
But  only  justify  his  deeds — 

But  this  is  not  the  plan. 
For  justify  thy  actions  thus, 

Just  for  thy  actions  sake, 
Christ  never  will — thy  faith  is  false, 

And  great  is  thy  mistake. 
This  faith  deceitful  is  indeed  ; 

Poor  man,  it  will  leave  thee. 
When  God  doth  thee  to  judgment  bring, 

In  endless  misery. 
For  true  and  justifying  faith, 

Doth  not  make  one  in  awe, 
To  seek  for  safety,  or  for  peace, 

By  flying  to  the  law  : 
But  to  the  righteousness  of  Christ, 

For  refuge  it  doth  fly  ; 
Which  righteousness  is  not  designed 

Good  deeds  to  justify — 
To  make  thine  own  obedience, 

Owned  and  approved  of  God  ; 
But  Christ's  obedience  God  accepts, 

Because  he  shed  his  blood. 


IN  VERSE.  27 5 


This  is  the  righteousness,  I  say, 

True  faith  lays  hold  upon  ; 
'Tis  here  the  soul  a  refuge  finds, 

When  all  false  hopes  are  gone." 
"  What,  have  us  trust,"  said  Ignorance, 

"To  what  Christ  once  hath  done, 
In  his  own  person,  without  us? 

You  have  in  error  run. 
Why,  this  conceit  would  give  loose  reins 

To  all  our  lusts,  dear  sir; 
Then  we  might  live  just  as  we  please — 

For  what  need  us  deter. 
What  matter  is  it  how  we  live, 

If  justified  from  sin, 
By  Christ's  own  righteousness  alone, 

If  we  have  faith  therein  ?" 
Said  Christian  :  "  Ignorance  's  thy  name, 

And  as  thy  name,  so  thou — 
The  answer,  does  this  prove  to  me, 

Which  thou  hast  given  now. 
Kow  justifying  righteousness, 

What  that  is,  I  must  say, 
Thou  knowest  not  more  than  a  babe  ; 

Thy  words  do  this  display. 
And  thou  art  ignorant  how  thou, 

Through  faith  in  it,  may'st  shun 
The  wralh  of  the  Almighty  God, 

Which  on  the  vile  will  come. 
Yea,  thou  art  also  ignorant, 

Of  what  effect  iUiath  ; 
When  we  in  Christ's  own  righteousness, 

Possess  a  saving  faith, 
Which  is  to  bow  the  stubborn  heart — 

Surrender  it  to  God  ; 
To  give  a  love  to  Christ — His  ways — 

His  people  and  His  word. 


276  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

"  'Tis  not  as  thou  in  ignorance 

Imagin'st,  at  all, 
We  shall  not  to  our  lusts  give  way, 

But  strive  against  them  all." 
"  This  question  ask,"  said  Hopeful  then, 

"  To  you  hath  Jesus  been 
Revealed  from  Heaven,  so  that  you 

His  loveliness  hath  seen?" 
"  Now,"  Ignorance  then  made  reply, 

"I  see  that  you  believe, 
In  revelations  from  the  Lord — 

That  men  such  do  receive. 
I  do  believe  that  what  both  you, 

And  all  your  company 
Say  of  this  matter,  is  the  fruit 

Of  brains  that  crazy  be." 
"  Why  man,"  said  Hopeful,  "  Christ  in  God 

Is  so  completly  hid, 
From  what  our  nature  apprehends, 

We  revelations  need." 
"That's  your  faith,"  Ignorance  replied, 

"  It  in  nowise  is  mine  ; 
Yet  mine,  I  doubt  not  is  as  good, 

In  every  point  as  thine. 
Although  I  have  not  in  my  head 

Admitted  to  be  true, 
So  many  whimsies  of  this  kind, 

As  are  received  by  you." 
Said  Christian:  "Give  me  leave  I  pray, 

To  put  a  word  in  here ; 
You  speak  too  lightly  of  this  thing, 

Poor  Ignorance,  I  fear. 
For  this  I  boldly  do  affirm, 

As  Hopeful  just  hath  done, 
That  no  man  can  know  Jesus  Christ — 

God's  own  Eternal  Son — 


IN  TERSE.  277 


But  by  a  revelation  from 

The  Father  to  the  soul, 
Which  seems  to  speak  within  the  heart- 

'T  is  Jesus  makes  thee  whole. 
Yea,  faith  that  layeth  hold  on  Christ 

Must  by  the  power  of  God 
Be  wrought  within  the  human  heart — 

Now  so  doth  say  his  word. 
The  working  of  this  faith  I  see 

Thou  never  yet  hast  known  ; 
Then  be  awakened,  Ignorance, 

Thy  ignorance  now  own. 

0,  try  to  see  thy  wretchedness — 

In  haste  to  Jesus  fly ; 
Look  to  the  merits  of  his  blood, 

Thy  soul  to  justify. 

This  righteousness  which  he  imputes 

By  virtue  of  his  blood, 
Indeed  is  righteousness  divine, 

For  he  himself  is  God. 

Now  flee  to  it  and  thou  shalt  be 

From  condemnation  free; 
Repent!  for  he  hath  said,  '  my  grace 

Sufficient  is  for  thee.' 
"You  go  so  fast,"  said  Ignorance, 

"  For  me  't  is  all  in  vain 
To  try  at  keeping  pace  with  you, 

So  I'll  behind  remain." 
Then  they  said : 

"  "Well,  Ignorance,  wilt  thou  yet  foolish  he, 
To  slight  good  counsel  ten  times  given  thee? 
And  if  thou  yet  refuse  it,  thou  shalt  know, 
Ere  long,  the  evil  of  thy  doing  so. 
Remember,  man,  in  time ;  stoop,  do  not  fear : 
Good  counsel,  taken  well,  saves;  therefore  hear: 
But  if  thou  yet  shalt  slight  it.  thou  wilt  be 
The  looser,  Ignorance,  I'll  warrant  thee." 


278  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Then  Christian  did  address  himself 

To  Hopeful,  speaking  thus: 
"Well,  come,  good  Hopeful,  I  perceive, 

Walk  by  ourselves  we  must." 
Now,  in  my  dream  I  saw  that  they 

Went  on  apace  before, 
And  Ignorance  came  after  them, 

The  best  he  could,  once  more. 
To  his  companion  Christian  said, 

"This  man  I  pity  much; 
It  will  go  ill  with  him  at  last : 

It  ever  doth  with  such." 
"Alas!"  said  Hopeful,  "in  our  town 

Are  such,  and  not  a  few  ; 
Whole  families,  and,  yes,  whole  streets, 

And  that  of  pilgrims,  too. 
Now,  if  there  are  so  many  there, 

How  many,  would  you  guess, 
Must  be  where  Ignorance  was  born? 

They  surely  are  no  less." 
Then  Christian  answered  in  this  way: 

"  We  m  the  word  do  read 
That  he  hath  blinded  such  as  he, 

Lest  they  should  see  indeed  ; 
But  now,  since  we  are  by  ourselves, 

Of  such  men,  what  think  you? 
Have  they  convictions  at  no  time, 

Of  Bin  have  they  no  view? 
Do  they  not  sometimes  fear  that  they 

Are  in  a  dangerous  state, 
In  which  they  may  perhaps  remain 

Till  death  shall  seal  their  fate?" 
"Do  you  that  answer,"  Hopeful  said, 

"Good  Christian,  if  you  can; 
I  leave  it  now  to  you,  because 

You  are  the  older  man." 


IN  VERSE.  2 V9 


Then  Christian  said,   "I  think  they  do, 

But  they  don  't  comprehend 
The  nature  of  such  things  as  these — 

And  that  for  good  they  tend. 
And,  therefore,  thev  great  efforts  make 

To  stifle  and  subdue 
All  thoughts  that  would  conviction  bring, 

If  they  were  listened  to. 
Themselves  they  do  presumptuously 

Still  flatter  in  their  ways; 
The  way  their  sinful  hearts  incline, 

They  follow  all  their  days." 
"I do  believe,"  then  Hopeful  said, 

"  That  fear  in  every  age 
Hath  done  much  good  in  causing  men 

To  go  on  pilgrimage." 
Said  Christian:   "  without  doubt  it  hath, 

If  right:  for,  saith  the  word, 
That  wisdom  doth  in  us  begin 

When  we  first  fear  the  Lord." 
Then  Hopeful  unto  Christian  said: 

"How  will  you  it  describe, 
Right  fear?  for  all  fenr  can't  be  right, 

This  cannot  be  denied." 
Then  Christian  said,  "  we  may  observe, 

Right  fear  will  thus  begin  ; 
"We  feel  it  first  when  we  do  see 

The  sinfulness  of  sin. 
It  drives  the  soul  to  lay  fast  hold 

On  Christ,  and  cry  '  Lord,  save ; 
I  feel  there  is  an  awful  Hell 

That  lies  beyond  the  grave.' 
It  doth  beget  within  the  soul 

Great  reverence  for  God  ; 
Of  things  that  do  pertain  to  him— 

His  holy  ways  and  word. 


280  BUNYAtf'S  PILGRIM 

It  also  tender  makes  the  heart — 

Makes  it  afraid,  at  all 
To  turn,  to  either  right  or  left, 

To  sins  however  small — 
To  things  that  do  dishonor  God, 

That  peace  of  soul  will  break; 
The  spirit  grieve,  or  cause  the  foe 

Reproachfully  to  speak." 
Then  Hopeful  said  in  his  reply : 

"  All  true,  thy  views  are  sound ; 
Are  we  now,  Christian,  almost  past 

This  dull  Enchanted  Ground?" 
Said  Christian,  "  Why,  of  this  discourse 

Do  you  now  weary  grow  ?" 
"  No,  verily,"  did  Hopeful  say, 

"But  where  we  are,  I'd  know." 
Then  Christian  said,  "  we  have  not  now 

Above  two  mile3  to  go, 
Till  past  all  the  Enchanted  Ground, 

Which  we  have  dreaded  so  ; 
But  to  our  subject  of  discourse 

Let  us  return  again; 
This  matter  of  great  moment  is 

Which  I  wish  to  explain. 
I  say  the  ignorant  are  so, 

That  they  do  not  discern 
Convictions  to  be  for  their  good, 

So  slow  are  they  to  learn. 
Convictions  that  put  them  in  fear 

They  will  not  hearken  to, 
But  strive  against  them  all  they  can, 

That  they  may  them  subdue." 
"How  do  they  seek  to  stifle  them?" 

Hopeful  to  Christian  said: 
"  For  such  convictions  I  have  found 

Are  not  so  easy  stayed." 


IN  VERSE.  281 


"  They  think,"  said  Christian,  •■  that  their  fears 

Are  by  the  Devil  wrought, 
Though  they,  indeed,  are  all  of  God, 

To  them  in  mercy  brought. 
And,  thinking  so,  they  them  resist, 

Because  that  this  they  know, 
All  that  is  by  the  Devil  wrought, 

Will  be  their  overthrow. 
They  also  fear  these  fears  do  tend 

Their  hope  and  faith  to  spoil, 
"When  they,  poor  men,  alas,  possess 

No  saving  faith  at  all. 
And,  therefore,  they  against  such  fears 

Their  hearts  do  harden  quite; 
They  do  presume  thoy  ought  not  fear, 

So  all  such  fears  they  slight. 
Presumptuous  confidence  they  have  ; 

They  see  those  fears  will  take 
From  them  their  old  self-holiness ; 

So  they  resistance  make." 
And  now  to  Christian  Hopeful  said : 

■  Of  this  I  something  know: — 
Before  I  knew  myself,  it  was 

With  me,  dear  brother,  so." 
Said  Christian,  *  well,  we  now  will  leave 

Our  neighbor  Ignorance; 
Another  question  fall  upon, 

And  profit  draw  from  hence. 
One  Temporary,  Christian  said, 

Sir,  did  you  ever  know  ? 
He  once  resided  in  your  parts, 

About  ten  years  ago. 
He  was  (and  we  do  often  find 

This  very  class  of  men) 
A  very  forward  person  in 

Things  of  religion  then."  *X 


282  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Said  Hopeful,  "know  him?  yes  I  did: 

He  dwelt  in  Graceless  town, 
About  two  miles  from  Honesty, 

Next  door  to  Turnback's  home." 
Said  Christian,  "true,  I  recollect, 

I  once  that  town  was  in ; 
He  dwelt  beneath  the  self-same  roof, 

Or  else  next  door  to  him. 
That  man  was  once  awakened,  too— 

To  some  extent  did  view 
The  sins  which  had  defiled  his  soul : — 

The  wages  to  them  due." 
"I  am  of  your  mind,"  Hopeful  said, 

"We  dwelt  three  miles  apart ; 
He  oft  times  came  to  me  in  tears, 

And  with  a  troubled  heart. 
I  truly  pitied  that  poor  man, 

But  had  some  hope  for  him : 
But  I  now  see,  not  all  that  cry 

'Lord,  Lord,'  shall  enter  in." 
Said  Christian,  "this  man  told  me  once, 

That  he  would  soon  engage 
In  the  good  work  of  setting  out, 

As  we,  on  pilgrimage. 
But  on  a  sudden,  with  Save-Self, 

This  man  acquainted  grew ; 
A  6tranger  he  became  to  me, 

All  on  a  sudden,  too." 
Said  Hopeful,  "  since  we  have  this  talk, 

Let  us  inquire  why 
Such  men  do  suddenly  backslide, 

And  their  convictions  die?" 
Said  Christian,  this  may  prove  indeed 

A  profitable  theme; 
But  I  will  now  expeet  of  you 
This  discourse  to  begin." 


IN  VERSE.  283 


"  Well,  then,"  said  Hopeful,  ■  I  presume, 

Four  reasons  there  must  be 
For  such  a  sudden  turning  back 

Of  all  such  men  as  he. 
One  reason  :  though  the  consciences 

Of  such  men  are  awaked, 
But  yet  their  minds  remain  unchanged, 

So  they  no  progress  make. 
And,  therefore,  when  the  power  of  guilt 

Doth  wear  away  from  them, 
That  which  caused  their  rightousness 

"Will  also  leave  them  then. 
And  so  they  naturally  turn 

To  their  old  course  again, 
And  often  to  their  dying  day 

They  careless  do  remain. 
Just  like  the  dog  made  sick  by  food: 

Long  as  that  sickness  lasts, 
All  that  his  stomach  doth  contain, 

He  from  his  6tomach  casts. 
Not  that  with  his  free  will  he  doth 

Cast  up  his  food  at  all, 
But  as  it  much  distresses  him, 

He  's  forced  to  cast  up  all. 
But  when  he  feels  no  longer  sick — 

His  stomach  free  from  pain- 
He  to  his  vomit  turns  about, 

And  licks  it  up  again. 
And  so  we  find  what's  written  true — 

The  dog  again  is  turned 
To  hi6  own  vomit — licks  it  up — 

A  thing  he  once  so  spurned. 
And  thus,  I  say,  those  hot  for  heaven 

Because  that  hell  they  fear, 
Will  soon  lose  all  their  righteousness, 

When  hell  seems  not  60  near. 


284  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

So  then  it  comes  to  pass,  that  when 

Their  6ense  of  guilt  is  gone, 
And  also  fear,  their  zeal  for  heaven 

Doth  with  these  pass  along. 
Another  reason  :     They  have  fears 

That  do  outraaster  them ; 
I  speak  now  of  the  slavish  fears 

They  have  of  other  men. 
'The  fear  of  man,'  the  wise  man's  words 

Most  plainly  do  declare, 
Is  dangerous,  because  it  doth 

Upon  us  bring  a  snare. 
So  then,  though  they  are  hot  for  heaven 

Long  as  the  flames  of  hell 
Are  raging  hot  about  their  ears ; 

When  that  subsides,  farewell 
To  all  their  thoughts  of  things  above, 

For  they  take  second  thought, 
And  then  think  this — that  they'll  be  wise, 

Their  all  to  hazard  not : 
That  they  will  not  the  hazard  run 

Of  losing  all  they  have, 
And  bringing  troubles  on  themselves, 

Which  they  as  well  can  save. 
And  now  in  with  the  world  again, 

They  do  consent  to  fall ; 
And  all  their  thoughts  are  fixed  on  it, 

And  it  is  now  their  all. 
The  shame  the  world  doth  cast  upon 

Religion,  I  will  say, 
Doth  prove  to  them  a  stumbling  block, 

And  doth  stop  up  their  way. 
And  they  are  proud  and  haughty  too ; 

Religion  in  their  eye 
Appeareth  low — contemptible, 

And  so  they  pass  it  by. 


IN  VERSE.  285 


And  therefore  when  their  sense  of  hell 

And  wrath  to  come  is  gone, 
They  to  their  former  6inful  course 

Immediately  return. 
A  sense  of  guilt  and  thoughts  that  do 

Their  minds  with  terror  fill, 
Are  grievous  to  them  ;  they  wish  not 

To  see  what  once  they  '11  feel. 
And  now  because  they  shun  the  thoughts 

Of  terror  and  of  guilt, 
"When  their  alarming  fears  are  gone, 

"Which  have  indeed  been  built 
Upon  the  terror  and  the  wrath 

Of  God,  whose  eyes  are  pure, 
Their  hearts  they  harden  wilfully, 

And  make  their  ruin  sure." 

Said  Christian  :  "  Brother  Hopeful,  you 

Have  told  this  matter  well ; 
The  bottom  of  it  is  for  want 

Of  change  of  mind  and  will. 
And  therefore  of  this  class  of  men, 

I  think  that  I  may  say, 
They're  like  the  felon  when  draws  near 

His  final  sentence  day. 
When  he  doth  stand  before  the  judge, 

He  quakes  and  trembles  too, 
And  seems  as  if  he  did  repent; 

But  then  he  has  in  view 
The  halter  and  the  pain  of  death  ; 

'Tis  not  that  he  detests 
The  vile  offence  that  brought  him  there — 

But  fear  disturbs  his  breast. 
The  truth  of  this  is  evident ; 

Let  this  man  but  be  free 
And  he  will  still  remain  a  thief — 

A  rogue,  at  liberty. 


286  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


Whereas,  if  this  man's  mind  were  changed 

He  would  do  otherwise  ; 
He  then  would  act  from  principle ; 

Such  conduct  would  despise." 
Said  Hopeful :  "  I  have  shown  to  you 

The  reason  some  backslide; 
Do  you  the  manner  show  to  me, 

Your  views  now  open  wide." 
Said  Christian  :   "Yes,  I  willingly 

Will  show  you  how  'tis  done; 
They  draw  their  thoughts  away  from  God, 

And  judgment  that  will  come. 
Then  by  degrees  they  lay  aside 

What  private  duties  are  ; 
As  curbing  lusts,  and  watchfulness- 
Repentance — closet  prayer. 
And  soon  they  altogether  shun 

The  place  where  christians  meet; 
Because  that  christian  fellowship 

No  more  to  them  is  sweet. 

To'ards  puhlic  duty  they  grow  cold, 

Love  not  to  hear  or  read ; 
Grow  cold  to  godly  conference, 

And  all  such  like  indeed. 

They  then  begin  to  find  much  fault 

With  some  who  godly  are; 
And  that  too  very  dev'lishly, 

For  their  good  names  they  mar. 
And  all  this,  too,  that  it  may  seem 

That  they  have  good  excuse 
For  casting  their  religion  off — 

They  say  its  of  no  use. 

And  they  associate  themselves 

With  carnal,  wanton  men  ; 
Yes,  they  will  seek  such  company, 

And  much  delight  in  them. 


IN  VERSE.  287 


They  also  yield  to  secret  sins, 

Are  glad  if  they  can  6ee 
Such  things  in  one  who  is  esteemed 

A  righteous  man  to  be. 
That  they  may  for  example  have 

Such  men,  to  make  them  bold 
In  the  unrighteous  deeds  they  do — 

Which  are  both  new  and  old. 
Then  after  this  they  do  begin 

With  little  sins  to  play  ; 
Not  when  alone — but  openly, 

For  now  so  bold  are  they. 
Now  being  hardened,  what  men  think 

They  do  not  seem  to  care; 
And  now  they  do  show  openly 

What  wicked  men  they  are. 
Thus  being  launched  again  into 

The  gulf  of  misery, 
Unless  a  miracle  of  grace 

Prevent,  they'll  ruined  be." 
Now  in  my  dream  I  saw  that  they 

Had  passed  the  Enchanted  Ground, 
And  in  the  land  of  Beulah  were — 

This  they  delightful  found. 
Now  in  this  land  they  were  refreshed, 

Its  air  was  very  sweet ; 
Their  way  lay  through  this  pleasant  land- 
Sweet  sounds  their  ears  did  greet. 
Here  every  day  they  saw  sweet  flowers — 

The  birds  most  sweetly  sang; 
They  also  heard  the  turtle's  voice 

Souud  over  all  the  land. 
Now  here  the  sun  doth  not  go  down, 

And  here  there  is  no  night ; 
A  candle  in  their  houses  they 

Do  never  need  to  light. 


288  BUNYAN'S  PILGPwIM 

This  was  beyond  the  Valley  of 

The  very  Shade  of  Death ; 
They  seemed  to  praise  the  Lord  while  here, 

With  almost  every  breath. 
This  also  was  beyond  the  reach 

Of  Giant  called  Despair  ; 
His  Doubting  Castle  they  could  not 

So  much  as  see  from  here. 
But  they  could  have  from  here,  indeed, 

A  most  delightful  view 
Of  that  great  City  which  they  both 

Were  on  a  journey  to. 
Here  some  of  the  inhabitants 

The  holy  pilgrims  met ; 
They  knew  them,  though  they  never  had 

Been  in  the  City  yet. 
Now  in  this  land  the  Shining  Ones 

Are  often  seen  to  walk ; 
For  it  on  heaven's  borders  is — 

And  here  they  sweetly  talk. 
Between  the  bride  and  bridegroom  here, 

The  contract  was  renewed  ; 
Her  everlasting  dwelling  place 

The  bride  with  rapture  viewed. 
Now  as  the  bridegroom  doth  rejoice 

When  present  with  his  bride, 
So  did  their  God  rejoice  o'er  them, 

In  him  they  did  confide. 
Here  was  no  want  of  corn  and  wine, 

For  in  this  place  had  they 
Abundance  of  what  they  had  sought, 

While  pilgrims  on  the  way. 
Now  from  the  city  voices  came, 

Which  sounded  loudly  here  : 
11  Speak  ye  to  Zion's  daughter ;  say 

Salvation  draweth  near. 


IN  VEESE.  289 


Behold  with  him  is  his  reward; 

To  give  to  every  one 
That  hath  a  faithful  servant  been, 

A  mansion  near  his  throne." 

Xow  all  this  land's  inhabitants 

Did  say  with  one  accord, 
"  These  are  the  holy  people — yea, 

Redeemed  too  of  the  Lord. 
Ji'ow  they  had  more  rejoicing  here, 

While  walking  in  this  land, 
Than  in  the  parts  chat  were  remote, 

The  prospect  was  so  grand. 
And  drawing  near  the  city,  which 

They  now  were  going  to, 
These  pilgrims  had  a  splendid,  yea, 

A  still  more  perfect  view. 
Of  glittering  pearls  and  precious  stones, 

Was  this  great  city  reared  ; 
The  streets  thereof  are  paved  with  gold, 

And  glorious  it  appeared. 
Its  natural  glory  was  so  great, 

(The  sunbeams  on  it  shone 
In  splendor  on  the  golden  streets, 

Each  pearl  and  precious  stone,) 
That  Christian  at  the  sight  of  it 

Pell  sick  with  pure  desire 
That  he  might  very  soon  get  there, 

To  love  and  to  admire. 
.And  Hopeful  of  the  same  disease 

Had  here  a  fit  or  two  ; 
And  here  they  lay  and  cried  to  all 

Who  passed  within  their  view: — 
"  If  you  do  my  beloved  see, 

Tell  Him  !  'in  sick  of  love; 
I  long  to  be  in  his  embrace, 

And  dwell  with  him  above." 


290  BUNYAN'3  PILGRIM 

But  being  soon  somewhat  revived, 

They  rose  from  where  they  lay ; 
They  bore  their  sickness  better  now, 

And  they  went  on  their  way. 
They  came  yet  nearer,  and  more  near, 

Until  they  came  up  where 
Were  orchards,  vineyards,  gardens,  too, 

And  all  was  pleasant  there. 
I  saw  that  all  the  gates  thereof 

"Were  so  arranged  that  they 
From  all  these  places  opened  wide. 

Into  the  King's  highway. 
As  they  up  to  these  places  came, 

They  to  the  gard'ner  said  : 
'Whose  goodly  gardens  and  vineyards? 

For  whom  have  they  been  made  ?' 
He  answered,  '  they  are  all  the  Kings ; 

For  his  delight  they  are, 
And  for  the  solace  of  all  such, 

Who  're  pilgrims  from  afar.' 

The  gardener  took  the  pilgrims  then 

Into  the  vineyards  all, 
And  bid  them  there  refresh  themselves 

With  dainties  great  and  small. 
The  walks  and  arbors  of  the  King's, 

Where  he  delights  to  be, 
He  showed  to  them,  and  here  they  slept- 

They  had  full  liberty. 
Now,  I  perceived,  that  in  their  sleep, 

These  pilgrims  talked  much  more 
Than  they  in  all  their  journey  had, 

Which  they  had  come  before. 
While  I  was  musing  thereabout, 

The  gard'ner  6aid  to  me, 
"  Why  do  you  at  this  matter  muse  ? 

Tis  nothing  strange  to  me; 


IN  VERSE.  291 


It  is  the  nature  of  these  grapes 

To  go  down  just  so  sweet, 
That  they  will  cause  the  lips  of  them 

That  are  asleep,  to  speak." 
I  also  saw,  when  they  awoke, 

They  both  set  out  anew 
To  go  up  to  the  city,  which 

They  had  so  long  in  view. 
But  now  the  sun  upon  it  shone, 

It  they  could  not  behold 
With  open  face,  for  it  was  all 

Of  pure  and  shining  gold. 

But  here  they  had  an  instrument 

That  was  on  purpose  made 
The  brilliant  city  to  behold  ; 

Their  vision  it  would  aid. 
I  saw  that  as  the  pilgrims  went, 

They  came  across  two  men, 
(Whose  faces  shone  as  doth  the  light,) 

Who  spake,  and  said  to  them  : 
"Now  tell  us,  men,  from  whence  came  you?" 

The  pilgrims  straightway  told 
These  men,  whose  faces  shone  as  light, 

Whose  garments  were  pure  gold. 
They  asked  them  too,  where  they  had  lodged, 

With  what  things  they  had  met — 
What  pleasures  they  had  on  the  way — 

What  dangers  them  beset? 
When  they  had  told  these  Shining  Ones 

All  things  about  the  way, 
"  But  two  things  more  you  have  to  meet," 

Did  these  men  to  them  say ; 
"Two  difficulties  more  to  meet, 

Till  you  the  city  gain, 
Whce  pilgrims  from  their  labors  rest — ■ 

From  sorrow,  toil  and  pain."  2Y 


292  BUJSTYAN'S  PILGEIM 

The  pilgrims  then  asked  these  two  men, 

Along  with  them  to  go ; 
"  We  will"  said  they,  "  but  your  own  faith 

Must  gain  that  place  for  you." 
So  in  my  dream,  I  saw  that  they 

All  kept  in  company, 
Till  they  so  near  the  city  were, 

That  they  the  gate  could  see. 
I  saw  between  them  and  the  gate, 

A  river  very  deep ; 
]Sk>  bridge  at  all  was  over  it, 

Yet  they  must  forward  keep. 
The  pilgrims  at  the  sight  of  this, 

Were  greatly  stunned  indeed ; 
But  then  the  men  who  with  them  went, 

Their  steps  aright  to  lead, 
Said,  "  you  must  through  these  waters  go, 

Good  pilgrims,  soon  or  late, 
If  ever  you  the  city  gain — 

Or  even  reach  the  gate." 
The  pilgrims  to  the  Shining  Ones, 

Now  in  their  strait  did  say : 
"To  the  Celestial  City  gate, 

Is  there  no  other  way  V 
To  which  they  answered,  "yes  there  is, 

But  none  this  path  have  trod, 
Save  Enoch  and  Elijah,  since 

The  heavens  were  spread  abroad. 
E"o  mortal  man  has  8ince  these  two, 

That  other  pathway  found  ; 
And  none  shall  ever  go  that  way, 

Till  the  last  trump  shall  sound." 
The  pilgrims,  to  despond  in  mind, 

By  this  time  did  begin  ; 
They  also  looked  this  way  and  that — 

Afraid  to  venture  in. 


IN  VEKSE.  293 


But  no  way  could  be  found  by  them, 

By  which  they  might  escape  ; 
The  river  they  must  now  go  through 

To  reach  the  city  gate. 
The  pilgrims  then  said  to  these  men, 

"Since  we  must  through  this  go, 
Is  this  great  water  of  one  depth?" 

To  which  they  answered,  "No." 
Yet  they  could  not  the  the  pilgrims  help, 

In  that  most  trying  place  ; 
But  said,  "You'll  find  the  depth  to  be 

According  to  your  faith ; 
For  if  your  faith  is  very  weak, 

In  him  who  is  the  King 
Of  that  blest  place  to  which  you  go, 

It  will  the  deeper  seem." 
The  pilgrims  after  hearing  this, 

Did  then  begin  to  wade ; 
But  Christian  soon  began  to  sink, 

And  crying  out  he  said  : 
"  My  good  friend  Hopeful,  here  I  sink 

In  waters  deep  you  see  ; 
The  billows  do  go  o'er  my  head — 

The  waves  go  over  me." 

Then  Hopeful  unto  Christian  said : 

"My  brother  have  good  cheer, 
I  feel  the  bottom,  it  is  good, 

We  nothing  have  to  fear." 
"  But  ah .'  my  friend,"  said  Christian  then, 

"  Death's  sorrows  are  no  doubt 
Upon  me,  and  do  compass  me, 

Like  floods  all  round  about. 
That  land  I  once  did  hope  to  see, 

Where  milk  and  honey  flow; 
I  think  of  it,  I  must  despair, 

To  it  I'll  never  go."  3Y 


294  BUNYAN'S  PILGKIM 

And  now  great  darkness  fell  on  him, 

And  also  horror,  too; 
So  that  he  could  not  see  at  all — 

He  knew  not  what  to  do. 
And  also,  in  a  measure,  here 

His  senses  now  were  gone, 
That  he  could  not  now  orderly, 

Past  comforts  talk  upon  ; 
For  he  remembered  little  now, 

The  comforts  he  had  seen, 
Which  proved  refreshing  to  his  soul, 

While  he  was  journeying. 
But  all  his  words  still  brought  to  view 

The  horror  of  his  mind, 
Lest  he  should1  in  the  river  die, 

And  Heaven  never  find. 
Here  also,  they  who  stood  by  him, 

At  this  time  did  perceive, 
That  he  about  his  former  sins 

Did  not  a  little  grieve. 
The  sins  that  were  committed,  both 

Before  and  ever  since, 
He  did  with  a  determined  will 

His  pilgrimage  commence. 
It  was  observed,  that  he  sometimes, 

Would  apparitions  see, 
Of  hobgoblins,  and  all  such  things, 

That  evil  spirits  be. 
For  he  would  every  now  and  then, 

Some  apparition  name, 
By  which  it  might  be  clearly  seen, 

His  thoughts  were  on  the  same. 
As  Christian  had  so  many  fears, 

Hopeful  had  much  to  do 
To  keep  his  brother's  head  above, 

While  they  were  going  through. 
/ 


IN  VEKSE.  295 


Sometimes  he  would  be  quite  gone  down, 

The  waves  closed  o'er  his  head; 
Then  in  a  while  would  rise  again, 

When  he  was  almost  dead. 
Then  Hopeful  would,  to  comfort  him, 

Say,  "brother  now  I  see 
The  gate,  and  men  who're  waiting  there 

To  welcome  you  and  me." 
But  Christian  would  make  this  reply: 

"They're  waiting  there  for  you^ 
For  you  have  Hopeful  been  e'er  since 

The  first  of  you  I  knew." 
"  Good  brother  you  have  also  been 

Kept  up  by  hope,"  said  he, 
Through  all  your  pilgrimage  thus  far, 

And  now  in  good  hopes  be." 
Then  he  replied,  "  If  I  was  right, 

The  Lord  would  now  be  near — 
He  would  not  leave  me  so  alone, 

In  this  Jeep  water  here  ; 
But  for  my  sins  he  hath  brought  me 

Into  a  dreadful  snare; 
To  reap  such  fruit  as  I  deserve, 

He's  left:  ill''  thus  to  fare." 
Then  Hopeful  said,  "  My  brother,  dear, 

You  think  not  oi 
Where  it  is  of  the  wicked  said, 

'Me  ■  .i'il. 

But  all  their  strength  remaineth  firm — 

Great  troubles  seize  not  them  ; 
They  are  not  plagued  e'en  at  their  last, 

As  are  some  righteous  men.'" 
"These  troubles,"  Hopeful  said  to  him, 

"  Which  you  are  passing  through 
In  these  deep  waters,  are  not  signs 

That  God's  forsaken  you. 


296  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

But  to  this  end  they  have  been  sent, 

That  they  your  faith  might  try ; 
To  see  if  you  would  call  to  mind, 

His  help  in  days  gone  by — 
And  live  upon  him  in  distress, 

When  waves  around  you  roll; 
The  same  as  when  his  presence  did 

A  feast  prove  to  your  soul." 
Now  I  perceived  that  Christian  was, 

Awhile  in  quite  a  muse  ; 
Then  Hopeful  said,   "  Christ  makea  thee  whole, 

His  mercy  don't  refuse." 
Then  Christian  spake  in  a  loud  voice, 

"  This  Jesus  Christ  I  see ; 
He  tells  me  '  when  thou  passeth  through 

The  waves,  I'll  be  with  thee, 
And  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not 

At  all  thee  overflow  ;' 
For  I  control  both  wind  and  wave, 

And  I  will  with  thee  go." 
These  pilgrims  then  fresh  courage  took, 

They  no  mure  felt  alone; 
And  after  this  the  enemy 

Was  still  as  is  a  stone. 
And  Christian  presently  found  ground, 

That  he  could  stand  upon  ; 
The  river  now  was  shallow,  till 

They  over  it  had  gone. 
And  now  upon  the  river  bank, 

But  on  the  other  side  ; 
They  saw  the  same  two  shining  men, 

There  waiting  them  to  guide. 

The  pilgrims  both  had  waded  through, 

And  coming  up  the  shore, 
The  shining  men  saluted  them — 

(Now  safe  for  evermore — ) 


IN  YEE9E.  297 


"  We  ministering  spirits  are 

To  minister  sent  forth, 
To  those  who  shall  salvation  have, 

And  who  're  redeemed  from  earth." 
And  now  the  pilgrims  went  with  these, 

Who  on  the  bank  did  wait; 
(They  were  quite  lovely  company,) 

Towards  the  city  gate, 
Now  you  must  note,  the  city  on 

A  mighty  hill  did  stand ; 
But  up  the  pilgrims  went  with  ease, 

They  had  a  helping  hand. 
Their  mortal  garments  they  had  not, 

For  these  they  left  behind  ; 
They  in  the  river  left  them  all — 

Yes,  all  of  mortal  kind. 
They  therefore  went  up  here  with  ease, 

Agility  and  speed  ; 
Though  the  celestial  city  did 

The  clouds  in  height  exceed. 
Yes,  its  foundation  did  exceed 

The  highest  clouds  in  height ; 
To  it  they  went  up  through  the  air, 

And  that  with  great  delight. 
They  talked,  too,  sweetly  as  they  went, 

Glad  that  their  journey's  end 
Was  just  at  hand,  and  that  there  did 

Such  company  attend. 
Their  talk  with  these  two  shining  ones, 

While  going  up  through  space, 
Was  now  about  the  beauty  and 

The  glory  of  the  place. 
The  shining  ones  then  said  to  them, 

"  You  for  yourselves  can  see 
Its  beauties  inexpressible ; 

There  you  will  happy  be. 


298  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 

There  is  Mount  Zion,  which  is  called 

The  New  Jerusalem ; 
And  angels  without  number,  too, 

And  spirits  of  just  men. 
ISTow  very  soon  you  both  shall  reach, 

The  Paradise  of  God ; 
There  you  shall  see  the  tree  of  life, 

And  eat  its  wholesome  food. 
The  fruits,  the  tree  of  life  doth  yield, 

You  shall  eat  of  when  there; 
And  this  fruit  will  forever  last — 

With  none  will  it  compare. 
When  you  get  there,  robes  white  as  light 

Shall  your  apparel  be  ; 
You  with  the  King,  shall  walk  and  talk, 

Throughout  eternity. 
There  you  shall  never  see  again, 

Such  things  as  you  have  seen, 
When  you  were  pilgrims  on  the  earth, 

Where  you  have  strangers  been. 
Sickness  and  sorrow  pain  and  death, 

You  never  more  shall  see  ; 
The  former  things  are  passed  away, 

For  all  eternity. 
You  soon  shall  be  with  Abraham, 

And  Isaac,  too,  at  home; 
With  Jacob,  and  the  prophets,  too, 

Saved  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
Men  who've  been  taken  home  to  God, 

To  their  eternal  rest ; 
Each  walking  in  true  righteousness, 

And  all  forever  blest." 
The  men  then  asked,  "  what  must  we  do, 

When  we  are  dwelling  there?" 
To  them  this  answer  then  was  made  : 

"  You  golden  crowns  shall  wear  ; 


IN  VERSE.  299 


A  rich  reward  you  shall  receive, 

For  all  your  toil  and  pain  ; 
Joy  for  your  sorrow — and  for  loss, 

Eternal  life  you'll  gain. 
You  there  must  reap  what  you  have  sown — 

The  fruits  of  all  your  prayers, 
And  tears  and  sufferings  for  the  King; 

There  you'll  be  free  from  cares. 
Yes,  in  that  place  vau  shall  enjoy, 

And  see  the  HOLY  ONE  ; 
You  there  shall  see  him  as  he  is, 

His  glory  look  upon. 
HIM,  you  shall  serve  continually. 

With  shouting  and  with  praise  ; 
And  with  thanksgiving,  whom  you  strived, 

To  serve  in  earthly  days, 
But  with  nr.ich  difficulty  too, 

Because  the  flesh  was  weak; 
Though  you  a  willing  spirit  had, 

Obedient  to  keep. 
Your  eyes  shall  there  behold  his  face, 

Your  ears  shall  hear  his  voice  ; 
The  voice  of  the  ALMIGHTY  ONE, 

That  makes  all  heaven  rejoice. 
There  yon  shall  all  your  friends  enjoy, 

That  have  before  you  gone  ; 
And  all  that  follow  you  to  God — 

You  shall  see  every  one. 
With  majesty  you  shall  be  clothed — 

Equipage  you  shall  have. 
All  tit  to  ride  out  with  the  King, 

Who  you  from  Hell  did  save. 
When  he  shall  come  with  trumpet  sound, 

And  in  the  clouds  appear — 
Shall  come  as  on  the  wings  of  wind, 

To  bid  the  world  draw  near — 


300  BUNTAN'S  PILGKIM 

You  too  shall  come,  and  then  when  he 

Sits  on  the  judgment  throne, 
You  shall  sit  by  him  till  the  doom 

Of  all  men  shall  be  known. 
And  when  he  shall  pass  sentence  on 

Those  who  have  of  their  choice 
Been  workers  of  iniquity, 

In  this  you'll  have  a  voice. 
It  will  not  matter  what  they  are, 

Angels  or  mere  men; 
For  all  were  his  and  your  foes  too  ; 

With  him  you  shall  condemn. 
When  he  to  Zion  shall  return — 

The  city  enter  in, 
With  souud  of  trumpet,  you  shall  go 

And  ever  be  with  him." 

Now  while  they  thus  were  drawing  nigh, 

To  the  celestial  gate. 
Some  of  the  heavenly  host  came  out, 

The  pilgrims  now  to  meet — 
To  whom  the  shining  ones  did  say, 

Who  with  the  pilgrims  came  ; 
"  These  are  the  men  who  loved  the  Lord — 

Left  all,  to  bear  bis  name. 
And  he  hath  sent  us  after  them, 

That  we  might  bring  them  home  ; 
So  we  have  brought  them  on  their  way, 

And  they  have  thus  far  come, 
That  they  may  enter  in  and  see, 

Their  blest  Redeemer's  face, 
Who  bought  their  pardon  with  his  blood, 

And  saved  them  by  his  grace." 
The  heavenly  host  then  gave  a  shout, 

Said  "  praise  the  great  I  AM  ; 
For  blest  are  they  who  are  the  called, 

T'the  supper  of  the  Lamb — 


IN  VERSE.  301 


The  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb; 

That  they  may  drink  and  eat, 
And  follow  him  where  e'er  lie  goes, 

To  walk  each  golden  street." 
There  came  to  meet  them  trumpeters, 

All  sent  out  by  the  King  ; 
With  garm  and  sounds  so  sweet, 

They  made  the  heavens  ring. 
These  trumpeters  did  now  salute 

The  pilgrims  as  they  came, 
"With  many  thousand  welcomes  from 

This  world  of  sin  and  shame. 
K"ow  this  they  did  with  many  shouts, 

And  with  the  trumpets,  sound; 
And  then  they  compassed  them  about, 

On  every  side,  ail  round. 
Some  went  before  and  some  behind, 

Some  on  the  left  and  r 


That  they  might  guide  them  safely  up 

To  everlasting  light. 
Their  trumpets  sounded  all  the  while, 

And  that  most  sweetly  too; 
This  sight  was  very  glorious — 

Like  heaven  seemed  the  view. 
Now  tlins  they  all  together  went, 

And  with  the  joyful  sounds, 
-o  trumpeters  would  gestures  make, 

To  ^how  their  joy  around. 

ires  they  would  show, 

To  both  these  pilgrim  men, 
That  they  were  glad  to  see  them  there — 

That  they  rejoiced  in  them. 
It  seemed  as  if  they  were  in  Heaven, 

Though  they  were  not  yet  there  ; 
For  they  the  lovely  angels  saw — 

Their  music  they  did  hear. 


302  BUNYAN'S  PILGRIM 

Here  also  they  the  city  saw, 

For  plainly  'twas  in  view  ; 
They  thought  they  heard  the  bells  all  ring, 

To  welcome  them  thereto. 
But  this  sweet  thought  did  crown  their  joys, 

That  they  should  always  dwell 
With  such  delightful  company, 

And  never  say,  farewell. 
Oh !  by  what  tongue  or  pen,  can  all 

Their  raptures  be  expressed  ! 
For  now  they  came  up  to  the  gate, 

To  be  forever  blessed. 
Now  over  it  this  writing  was, 

In  letters  of  pure  gold  : — 
(Which  when  they  read,  they  felt  in  heart 

What  tongue  hath  never  told,) 
"They blessed  are — forever  blest, 

Who  His  commandments  do, 
That  they  may  see  the  Tree  of  Life, 

And  have  a  right  thereto." 
The  shining  men  then  bid  them  call 

At  the  celestial  gate  ; 
They  called,  and  some  looked  over  then, 

To  see  who  there  did  wait. 
They  who  looked  over  from  above, 

Were  known  to  be  these  three — 
Elijah,  Moses,  Enoch  too, 

Who  all  in  glory  be. 
To  them  'twas  said,  "  these  pilgrims  ar« 

Both  from  Destruction  come  ; 
The  love  they  bear  to  Christ  our  King, 

Hath  brought  them  both  therefrom." 
And  then  the  pilgrims  each  gave  in 

His  own  certificate, 
Which  at  the  first  he  had  received, 

To  hand  in  at  the  gate. 


IN  VEESE.  303 


And  now  both  these  were  carried  in 

Unto  the  King,  and  when 
lie  read  these  two  certificates, 

He  said,  "  where  are  the  men  ?" 
This  answer  He  received :  that  thej 

Both  stood  without  the  gate. 
Then  he  commanded  that  they  should 

.Not  any  longer  wait. 
"How  open  wide  the  city  gate," 

Thus  spake  the  Mighty  King  ; 
"That  all  the  righteous  ones  who  keep 

The  truth,  may  enter  in." 
I  tli  en  perceived  that  these  two  men, 

Did  enter  through  the  gate; 
]So  more  had  they  to  stand  without, 

And  fur  admittance  wait. 
And  lo!  ae  they  did  enter  in, 

They  both  tran  .  «re  ; 

And  raiment  that  did  shine  like  gold, 

Was  put  upon  them  there. 
Some  also  met  them,  having  crowns, 

And  harps  to  give  to  them; 
The  harps  they  gave  to  praise  withal — 

The  crowns  to  honor  them. 
And  now  the  city  bells  I  heard, 

For  joy  they  rang  again; 
A  voice  said,  "  enter  into  the 

Joy  of  your  Lord,  good  men." 
I  also  heard  the  men  themselves, 

Sing  with  loud  voice  this  song: 
•All  blessing,  honor,  glory,  power, 

Unto  our  Lord  belong. 
To  Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne, 

Doth  all  this  praise  belong, 
And  to  the  Lamb  for  evermore  ;" 

They  sweetly  sang  this  song. 


304  BUNYAN'S  PILGEIM 


Just  as  the  gates  were  open  wide, 

For  these  two  pilgrim  men, 
That  I  might  see  the  holy  place, 

1  looked  in  after  them. 
Behold  the  city,  like  the  sun 

In  all  its  glory,  shone; 
The  streets  were  also  paved  with  gold, 

And  many  walked  thereon. 
I  saw  that  crowns  were  on  their  heads, 

And  harps  were  in  their  hands 
Of  purest  gold,  to  praise  withal, 

And  in  their  hands  were  palms. 
And  there  were  also  some  with  wings, 

Who  to  each  other  said  : 
"  Holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord," 

This  constantly  they  said. 
Now  after  this  the  gates  were  shut, 

And  when  1  this  had  seen, 
I  wished  that  I  had  been  there  too, 

And  with  them  taken  in. 
While  I  was  gazing  on  these  things, 

I  backwards  cast  a  glance, 
And  saw  one  at  the  river  side; 

Now  this  was  Ignorance. 
But  he  soon  gained  the  other  side, 

He  little  trouble  found, 
Compared  with  what  the  others  did, 

For  they  were  almost  drowned. 
For  now  it  happened  that  a  man 

Was  there  ;  it  was  Yain-Hope ; 
He  was  a  ferry-man  by  trade — 

He  helped  him  with  his  boat. 
So  he,  as  others  that  I  saw, 

Did  now  the  hill  ascend, 
To  go  up  to  the  city  gate, 

But  he  had  not  a  friend. 


X92 


IN  VERSE.  305 


None  with  the  least  encouragement, 

Came  out.  this  man  to  meet; 
No  shining  one?  to  guide  him  home, 

To  walk thef golden  street. 
When  be  up  to  the  gate  hud  come, 

The  writing  he  could  see 
Above  the  gate  ;  now  he  supposed, 

That  very  quickly  he 
"Would  find  admittance  at  the  gate, 

Into  the  Holy  Place. 
Now  at  the  gate  he  stood  aud  knocked, 

But  awful  was  his  ease; 
For  he  was  questioned  by  the  men, 

Wno  overlooked  the  gate, 
From  whence  he  came,  what  he  would  have, 

And  what  he  had  to  state. 
He  answered,  "  I  have  ate  and  drank, 

In  presence  of  the  King; 
And  he  in  our  streets  hath  taught, 

This  is  the  word  I  bring." 
They  asked  for  his  certificate, 

That  they  might  have  ii  shown, 
To  see  if  he  might  enter  in  ; 

But  Ignorance  had  none. 
"Have  you  got  no  certificate?" 

Said  they,  and  this  he  heard, 
But  he  was  so  confounded  that 

He  answered  not  a  word. 
They  told  the  King,  but  he  would  not 

Conic  down  the  man  to  sec, 
But  did  command  the  shining  ones, 

Who  his  attendants  be, 
To  go  and  take  poor  Ignorance, 

And  bind  him  foot  and  hand, 
And  take  him  from  the  city  gate — 

Yes,  this  did  lie  command. 


306  BUNTAN'S  PILGKIM 

They  then  took  this  poor  Ignorance — 

Him  carried  through  the  air, 
Unto  the  door  on  side  the  hill, 

And  put  the  man  in  there. 
And  now  I  saw  there  was  a  way, 

To  Hell  from  Heaven's  gate, 
As  well  as  from  the  city,  which 

Destruction  doth  await. 
So  I  awoke,  and  behold — it  was  a  dream. 


**** 

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*      ft? 

**        *^*      A^       Deacidified  usin9  the  Bookkeeper  process, 
r  *f*V         Neutralizing  agent:  Magnesium  Oxide 

<•    *.  Treatment  Date:  Feb.  2009 

>    v^%p»;*     «,      ^  PreservationTechnologies 

V*        '  A  V     A  WORLD  LEADER  IN  COLLECTIONS  PRESERVATION 


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PRESERVATION 
111  Thomson  Park  Drive 
Cranberry  Township,  PA  16066 
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