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This man was true of heart, though weak in grace,
One might true godliness read in his face..

Then tell them of master Ready-to-halt;
A man with crutches, but much without fault:
Tell them how master Feeble-mind and he
Did love, and in opinion much agree;

And let all know, though weakness was their chance,
Yet sometimes one would sing, the other dance.
Forget not master Valiant-for-the-Truth,
That man of courage, though a very youth:
Tell every one, his spirit was so stout,
No man could ever make him face about:
And how Great-Heart and he could not forbear,
But put down Doubting Castle, slay Despair.
Overlook not master Despondency,

Nor Much-afraid, his daughter; though they lie
Under such mantles, as may make them look
(With some) as if their GOD had them forsook.
They softly went, but sure: and at the end
Found that the LORD of Pilgrims was their friend:
When thou hast told the world of all these things,
Then turn about, my Book, and touch these strings,
Which, if but touch'd, will such sweet music make,
They'll make a cripple dance, a giant quake.

Those riddles that lie couch'd within my breast,
Freely propound, expound: and for the rest
Of thy mysterious lines, let them remain
For those whose nimble fancies shall them gain,
Now, may this little Book a blessing be
To those who love this little Book and me:
And may its buyer have no cause to say,
His money is but lost, or thrown away,
Yea, may this second Pilgrim yield that fruit
As may with each good Pilgrim's fancy suit:
And may it some persuade that go astray,
To turn their foot and heart to the right way:
Is the hearty prayer of
The Author,
JOHN BUNYAN.

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Then he took her again by the hand and led her gently in.

THE

Pilgrims' Progress.

PART II.

COURTEOUS COMPANIONS:

SOME time since, to tell you my DREAM that I had of Christian the Pilgrim, and of his dangerous journey towards the Celestial Country, was pleasant to me, and profitable to you. I told you then also what I saw concerning his wife and children, and how unwilling they were to go with him on pilgrimage; insomuch that he was forced to go on his progress without them; for he durst not run the danger of that destruction, which he feared would come, by staying with them in the city of Destruction. Wherefore, as I then showed you, he left them and departed.

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

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

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

Then said Mr. Sagacity, (for that was his name,) "It is the city of Destruction, a populous place, but possessed with a very ill-conditioned and idle sort of people."

"I thought that was that city, (quoth I;) I went once myself through that town; and therefore I know that this report you give of it is true."

Sagacity. Too true, I wish I could speak truth in speaking better of them that dwell therein.

"Well, sir, (quoth I;) then I perceive you to be a wellmeaning man, and so one that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good: Pray, did you never hear what

happened to a man some time ago in this town, (whose name was Christian) that went on a Pilgrimage up towards the higher regions?"

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

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

Sagacity. Talk? The people talk strangely about him! Some say, that he now walks in white; that he has a chain of gold about his neck, and that he has a crown of gold, beset with pearls, upon his head: others say, that the shining ones, that sometimes showed themselves to him in his journey, are become his companions; and that he is as familiar with them in the place where he is, as here one neighbor is with another. Besides, it is confidently affirmed concerning him, that the King of the place where he is, has bestowed upon him already a very rich and pleasant dwelling at court, and that he every day eateth and drinketh, and walketh and talketh with him, and receiveth the smiles and favors of him that is judge of all there.+ Moreover, it is expected of some, that this prince, the lord of that country, will shortly come into these parts, and will know the reasons, if they can give any, why his neighbors set so little by him, and had him so much in derision, when they perceived that he would be a Pilgrim. For they say, that now he is so in the affections of his Prince, and that his sovereign is so much concerned with the indignities that were cast upon Christian, when he became a Pilgrim, that He will look upon all as done to himself; and no marvel; for it was for the love he had to his Prince, that he ventured as he did.

* Rev. iii. 4.-vi. 11.

† Zech. iii. 7. Note.--The Christian's king knoweth those that are his; and will take their part against every adversary.

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