THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. PART II. WHEREIN IS SET FORTH THE MANNER OF THE SETTING OUT OF CHRISTIAN'S WIFE AND CHILDREN; THEIR DANGEROUS JOURNEY AND SAFE ARRIVAL AT THE DESIRED COUNTRY. THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THE SECOND PART. Go now, my little book, to every place, Where my First Pilgrim has but shown his face; Call at their door; if any say, Who's there? Then answer thou, Christiana is here. If they bid thee come in, then enter thou, With all thy boys; and then, as thou knowest how, Tell who they are, also from whence they came; Perhaps they know them by their looks or name; But if they should not, ask them yet again, If formerly they did not entertain One Christian, a Pilgrim? If they say They did, and were delighted in his way, Then let them know, that these related were Unto him; yea, his wife and children are. Tell them, that they have left their house and home, Are turned Pilgrims; seek a world to come; Have also overcome a many evils. How brave a calm they will enjoy at last, Perhaps with heart and hand they will embrace Thee, as they did my firstling, and will grace Thee and thy fellows with such cheer and fare, As show well they of Pilgrims lovers are. OBJECTION I. But how, if they will not believe of me That I am truly thine; 'cause some there be That counterfeit the Pilgrim and his name, Seek, by disguise, to seem the very same; And, by that means, have brought themselves into The hands and houses of I know not who. ANSWER. 'Tis true, some have, of late, to counterfeit My Pilgrim, to their own my title set; Yea, others half my name, and title too, Have stitched to their books, to make them do, But yet they, by their features, do declare Themselves not mine to be, whose e'er they are. If such thou meet'st with, then thine only way Before them all, is to say out thy say In thine own native language, which no man Now useth, or with ease dissemble can. If, after all, they still of you shall doubt, Thinking that you like gypsies go about, In naughty-wise, the country to defile; Or that you seek good people to beguile With things unwarrantable, send for me, And I will testify you Pilgrims be; Yea, I will testify that only you My Pilgrims are, and that alone will do. OBJECTION II. But yet, perhaps, I may inquire for him, Of those who wish him damned life and limb: What shall I do, when I at such a door For Pilgrims ask, and they shall rage the more? ANSWER. Fright not thyself, my book; for such bug-bears Are nothing else but ground for groundless fears; My Pilgrim's book has travelled sea and land, Yet could I never come to understand That it was slighted or turn'd out of door, By any kingdom, were they rich or poor. In France and Flanders, where men kill each other, My Pilgrim is esteem'd a friend, a brother. My Pilgrim is, with some, worth more than gold; My Pilgrim should familiar with them be. As to be trimm'd, new cloth'd, and deck'd with gems, That it may show its features and its limbs. If you draw nearer home, it will appear, Brave gallants do my Pilgrim hug and love, Young ladies, and young gentlemen too, They that have never seen him, yet admire Yea, some that did not love him at the first, But call'd him fool and noddy, say they must, Now they have seen and heard him, him commend, And to those whom they love, they do him send. Wherefore, my Second Part, thou need'st not be Afraid to show thy head: none can hurt thee, OBJECTION III. But some there be that say, he laughs too loud; ANSWER. One may (I think) say, both his laughs and cries May well be guess'd at by his wat'ry eyes. Whereas some say, A cloud is in his head, Will on the curious fancy more intrude, Wherefore, my Book, let no discouragement To thee, thy Pilgrims, and thy words embrace. Besides, what my first Pilgrim left conceal'd, Thou, my brave second Pilgrim, hast reveal'd: What Christian left lock'd up, and went his way, Sweet Christiana opens with her key. OBJECTION IV. But some love not the method of your first: Romance they count it, throw't away as dust. If I should meet with such, what should I say? Must I slight them as they slight me, or nay? ANSWER. My Christiana, if with such thou meet, By all means, in all loving wise, them greet; Render them not reviling for revile; |