CONCLUSION.

Nor let my figure or similitude
Put thee into a laughter or a feud;

Leave this to boys and fools; but as for thee,
Do thou the substance of the matter see;

Put by the curtains, look within the veil,
Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail.

There, if thou seekest them, such things thou'lt find,
As will be helpful to an honest mind.

What of my dross thou findest here, be bold
To throw away, but yet preserve the gold.
What if my gold be wrapped up in ore?
None throws away the apple for the core.
But if thou shalt cast all away as vain.
I know not but 'twill make me dream again.

END OF FIRST PART

THE

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS,

FROM THIS WORLD TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME.

DELIVERED UNDER THE SIMILITUDE OF A DREAM.

PART II.

THE

AUTHOR'S WAY

OF SENDING FORTH

HIS SECOND PART

OF THE

PILGRIM.

Go now, my little Book, to every place

Where my First Pilgrim has but shewn 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 thou knowest how.
Tell who they are, also from whence they came;
Perhaps they know them by their looks and 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 those 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 :

That they have met with hardships in the way:
That they do meet with troubles night and day:
That they have trod on serpents, fought with devils :
Have also overcome as many evils;

Yea, tell them also of the next that have,
Of love to pilgrimage, been stout and brave
Defenders of that way; and how they still
Refuse this world to do their Father's will.

Go tell them also of those dainty things
That pilgrimage unto the pilgrims brings;
Let them acquainted be too, how they are
Beloved of their King, under his care;
What goodly mansions he for them provides,
Tho' they meet with rough winds and swelling tides;
How brave a calm they will enjoy at last

Who to the LORD and to his ways hold fast.
Perhaps with heart and hand they will embrace
Thee, as they did my firstling, and will grace
Thee and thy fellows with good cheer and fare,
As shew 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,