The seventh and last of the books is the plays of Shakespeare. A play always contains a story, and it is the stories of some of Shakespeare's dramas that are given here. In the real plays there is much more than stories, however, because Shakespeare was not only a story-teller but also a poet. A poet must express what he sees and thinks in a way to give pleasure and he must see more than other people. Now when Shakespeare puts a thought into words, we find that no one else has expressed it so well. Moreover, he sees more clearly than any other writer how a person would feel and behave in various circumstances. As we read the plays, we say to ourselves of one character after another, "That is just the way I should feel if I were that person." We think of them as real people. We talk of what they would have done if circumstances had been different. It is only a great genius who can make out of words characters that seem almost as real as the people around us, but this is what William Shakespeare has done. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS CHRISTIAN PASSES THROUGH THE WICKET GATE _By John Bunyan_ In process of time _Christian_ got up to the Gate. Now over the Gate there was written, _Knock and it shall be opened unto you_. He knocked therefore more then once or twice, saying,-- "May I now enter here? Will he within Open to sorry me, though I have bin An undeserving Rebel? Then shall I Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high." At last there came a grave Person to the Gate named _Good-Will_, who asked Who was there? and whence he came? and what he would have? _Chr._ Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the City of _Destruction_, but am going to Mount _Zion_, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come. I would therefore, Sir, since I am informed that by this Gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let me in. _Good-Will._ I am willing with all my heart, said he; and with that he opened the Gate. So when _Christian_ was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said _Christian_, What means that? The other told him, A little distance from this Gate, there is erected a strong Castle, of which _Beelzebub_ is the Captain; from thence both he and they that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this Gate, if haply they may dye before they can enter in. Then said _Christian_, I rejoyce and tremble. So when he was got in, the Man of the Gate asked him, Who directed him thither? _Chr._ _Evangelist_ bid me come hither and knock (as I did); and he said that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do. _Good-Will._ An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it. _Chr._ Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards. _Good-Will._ But how is it that you came alone? _Chr._ Because none of my Neighbours saw their danger, as I saw mine. _Good-Will._ Did any of them know of your coming?