Render them not reviling for revile; But, if they frown, I pr'ythee on them smile: Has made them thus despise; or thus retort. Some love no fish, some love no cheese, 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 cuckoo 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 most 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, and make them choose to be Pilgrims by better far than thee or me. Go then, I say, tell all men who thou art; Say, I am Christiana; and my part Is now, with my four sons, to tell you what It is for men to take a Pilgrim's lot. Go, also, tell them who and what they be "Tis like those days wherein the young ones cried, Hosanna! when the old ones did deride. Next tell them of old Honest, whom you found, With his white hairs treading the Pilgrim's ground; Yea, tell them how plain-hearted this man was, How after his good Lord he bare the cross. Perhaps with some gray head this may prevail 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, And let all know, though weakness was their chance, Overlook not Master Despondency, Nor Much-afraid his daughter, though they lie When thou hast told the world of all these things, Those riddles that lie couch'd within thy breast, Freely propound, expound; and for the rest Of thy mysterious lines, let them remain Is the hearty prayer of The Author, JOHN BUNYAN. |