Things of a greater bulk: yea, with delight, Young ladies, and young gentlewomen too, The very children that do walk the street, They that have never seen him, yet admire Yea, some who did not love him at the first, Wherefore, my Second Part, thou need'st not be OBJECTION III. But some there be that say, He laughs too loud; This was written within six years of the first publication of the First Part. In that short period it had become so wonderfully popular as to have been circulated in the languages which the author names, and in America. After another four years, namely in 1688, upwards of one hundred thousand copies had been issued in English; and to the present time it has been steadily increasing in popularity, so that, after one hundred and seventy years have elapsed, it is more popular than ever. A fact without parallel in the annals of literature. Some say, His words and stories are so dark, ANSWER. One may, I think, say, Both his laughs and cries, Whereas some say, A cloud is in his head, I also know a dark similitude Wherefore, my book, let no discouragement Besides, what my first Pilgrim left conceal'd, OBJECTION IV. But some love not the method of your first; This second narrative is a key explaining many things which appeared dark in Christian's journey. ANSWER. My CHRISTIANA, if with such thou meet, But if they frown, I prithee on them smile; Has made them thus despise, or thus retort. Some love no cheese, some love no fish, and some Love not their friends, nor their own house or home; Some start at pig, slight chicken, love not fowl, More than they love a cukoo, or an owl; Leave such, my CHRISTIANA, to their choice, And seek those who to find thee will rejoice; By no means strive, but in humble-wise Present thee to them in thy Pilgrim's guise. Go, then, my little book, and show to all That entertain, and bid thee welcome shall, What thou shalt keep close, shut up from the rest, And wish what thou shalt show them may be blest To them for good, may make them choose to be Pilgrims better by far than thee or me. Go, then, I say, tell all men who thou art; Go also, tell them who and what they be, That now do go on pilgrimage with thee; Say, Here's my neighbour, Mercy, she is one That has long time with me a Pilgrim gone. Come, see her in her virgin face, and learn 'Twixt idle ones and Pilgrims to discern. Yea, let young damsels learn of her to prize The world which is to come, in any wise. When little tripping maidens follow God, And leave old doting sinners to his rod; "Tis like those days wherein the young ones cried, Hosanna! to whom old ones did deride. Next, tell them of old Honest, who you found With his white hairs, treading the Pilgrim's ground. Yea, tell them how plain-hearted this man was, Tell them also, how Master Fearing went And how, at last, he won the joyful prize. Tell them of Master Feeble-mind also, Then tell them of Master Ready-to-halt, A man with crutches, but much without fault; Did love, and in opinions much agree. And let all know, though weakness was their chance, Yet sometimes one could sing, the other dance. Forget not Master Valiant-for-the-truth, No man could ever make him face about; Overlook not Master Despondency, Nor Much-afraid, his daughter, though they lie Found that the Lord of Pilgrims was their friend. These riddles that lie couch'd within thy breast, Freely propound, expound; and for the rest Of thy mysterious lines, let them remain 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 persuade some that go astray, To turn their feet and heart to the right way, Is the hearty prayer of The Author, JOHN BUNYAN. |