The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can ReadBunyan, John
Religion
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read
Bunyan, John
Christian life -- Juvenile literature; Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Juvenile literature
Now, I saw in my dream, that Christian went forth not alone; for there
was one whose name was Hopeful (being so made by looking upon Christian
and Faithful in their words and behavior in their sufferings at the
fair,) who joined himself unto him, and, entering into a brotherly
pledge told him that he would be his companion. Thus one died to show
faithfulness to the truth, and another rises out of his ashes to be a
companion with Christian in his pilgrimage. This Hopeful also told
Christian that there were many more of the men in the fair that would
take their time and follow after.
[Sidenote: BY-ENDS OF FAIR-SPEECH]
So I saw that, quickly after they were got out of the fair, they
overtook one that was going before them, whose name was By-ends; so they
said to him, "What countryman, sir? and how far go you this way?" He
told them that he came from the town of Fair-speech, and he was going to
the Celestial City; but told them not his name.
CHRIS. "From Fair-speech! are there any that be good live there?"
BY. "Yes," said By-ends, "I hope."
CHRIS. Pray, sir, what may I call you?
BY. I am a stranger to you, and you to me: if you be going this way, I
shall be glad of your company; if not, I must be content.
CHRIS. This town of Fair-speech, I have heard of it; and, as I remember,
they say it's a wealthy place.
BY. Yes, I will assure you that it is; and I have very many rich kindred
there.
CHRIS. Pray, who are your kindred there? if a man may be so bold.
BY. Almost the whole town; but in particular my Lord Turnabout, my Lord
Timeserver, my Lord Fair-speech, from whose ancestors that town first
took its name; also Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Mr. Anything;
and the parson of our parish, Mr. Two-tongues, was my mother's own
brother by father's side; and to tell you the truth, I am become a
gentleman of good quality; yet my great-grandfather was but a waterman,
looking one way and rowing another, and I got most of my estate by the
same occupation.
CHRIS. Are you a married man?
BY. Yes, and my wife is a very virtuous woman, the daughter of a
virtuous woman; she was my Lady Feigning's daughter: therefore she came
of a very honorable family, and is arrived to such a pitch of breeding,
that she knows how to carry it to all, even to prince and peasant. 'Tis
true we somewhat differ in religion from those of the stricter sort, yet
but in two small points: First, we never strive against wind and tide;
secondly, we are always most zealous when Religion is well dressed and
goes in his silver slippers: we love much to walk with him in the
street if the sun shines and the people praise him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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