Bunyan's Pilgrim's progress, in verse

Front matter

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C^ V.

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Preface

When this metrical version of Pilgrim's Progress was commenced, years ago, I did not think of making a book, though I have always shared with the multitude in the admiration of the genius of Bunyan. While meditating on the duties and trials of the Christian life, I took up Pilgrim's Progress, and began to read, pen in hand, for my own benefit. The more fully to enter into the spirit of the allegory, and the more easily to remember what I read, it occurred to me, as I went on, to throw portions of the narrative into verse. I did so, till I found, to my surprise, that my scraps of versification covered m.any pages.

Finding my children interested in the perusal of m.y manuscript, as, from time to time, a few stanzas were added, I continued, at intervals, to read and meditate and write. At length it occurred to me that I would write out the entire allegory as I had begun, in a round hand, and leave the written volume a simple legacy to

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IV PREFACE.

my children. To furnish each a written copy would involve much manual labor, for which I had neither time nor inclination. I wrote out one copy, and had it bound. Numerous friends to whom portions of it had been read, and clergymen who had read parts of the work in my study, urged its publication, and requested copies.

By request I read portions of the manuscript to my peoj^le at the Wednesday evening lectures. Finding my meetings much increased in numbers, both of old and young, I concluded to assume the expense and responsibility of putting the book in print, in the earnest hope that this- metrical version may be to the reader, as it has been to the writer, a source of pleasure and spiritual profit. My hope is that it may prove a readable and useful volume, both in private and Sabbath school libraries, in the parlor and closet, for the aged and the young, a pleasant and profitable companion in travel, and a neat, safe, entertaining, and valuable gift-book. I am aware that many imperfections cleave to the work, —

"But all is in His hand whose praise I seek; In vain the poet sings and the world hears, If He regard not, though divine the theme. 'Tis not in artful measures, in the chime And idle tinkling of a minstrel's lyre, To charm His ear whose eye is on the heart. Whose frown can disappoint the proudest strain, Whose approbation — prosper even mine."

E. P. D.

Canto I

The Den.— The Man. — His Distress. — Evangelist.— The Wicket Gate. — Obstinate. — Pliable. — Prospects. — Slough of Despond. — Pliable's Return. — Help. — Worldly Wiseman. — Mr. Legality. — The terrible burning Mountain. — Evangelist. — His Instruction. — Pilgrim's Return. — His Apprehensions ii

Canto II

The Gate. — Goodwill. — The Castle. — The Interpreter's House. —The Picture. —The dusty Parlor. — The two Children. — The Fire against the Wall. — The Palace. — The Iron Cage. — The Chamber. — The Interpreter's Benediction 37

Canto III

The Cross. — The Sepulchre. — The three Shining Ones. — The three Men asleep. — Formalist and Hypocris}'. — The Spring at Foot of Difficulty Hill. — The two Ways, Danb CONTENTS.

ger and Destruction. — The hill-side Arbor. — Meets Timorous and Mistrust. — Misses his Roll. — Finds it. — The Palace Beautiful. — The two Lions. — Watchful, the Porter.

— The four Maidens, Discretion, Prudence, Pietj, and Charitj. — The local Rarities. — The Study. — The Records. — Relics. — The Armory. — View from the House-top. — Christian clad in Armor 59

Canto IV

Descent of the Hill. — Valley of Humiliation. — Christian meets Apollyon.— His Conflict with him. — The Victory.

— Healing Leaves. — The Valley of the Shadow of Death.

— The Ditch. — The Quag. — The Mouth of Hell. — The two Giants, Pope and Pagan 91

Canto V

Christian sees Faithful before, and overtakes him. — They discourse together. — Faithful's Escape from Wanton. — The old Man and his three Daughters. -r Adam the First.

— Moses. — Discontent. — Shame. — Talkative. — His Character 109

Canto VI

Evangelist. — His Counsel. — Vanity Fair. — Its Antiquity.

— Its Traffic. — Its Greatness. — Entrance of Christian and Faithful. — The Hubbub. — Their Apparel and Speech. — The Pilgrims arrested. — Caged. — Jury summoned. — Charges laid. — Witnesses examined. — The Law expounded by Judge Hate-good. — Unanimous Verdict. — Faithful condemned and executed. — The triumphal Chariot. — Christian's Escape and Song 144

CONTENTS. 7

Canto VII

Christian's new Companion, Hopeful. — Bj-ends. — Town of Fair-speech. — Their Discourse. — The three Men, Hold-the-world, Monej-love, and Save-all. — The Question proposed by Mr. Bj-ends. — Mr. Hold-the-world's Answer. — Christian's Answer. — Demas and the Silver Mine. — His Progenitors. — Mr. Bj-ends and his Companions visit Demas, and are seen no moi-e on the Pilgrim Path. . . i66

Canto VIII

The strange Monument. — The Writing on it. — The pleasant River. — By-path Meadow. — Vain Confidence. — Giant Despair. — Doubting Castle. — Mrs. Diffidence. — Their Sufferings. — The bright Key. — Their Escape. — The Pillar set up at the Stile. — The Inscription on it i86

Canto IX

The Delectable Mountains. —The Shepherds. — The Hill Error. — The Mount Caution. — The blind Men among the Tombs.— The Door in the Side Hill. — The Hill Clear. — The perspective Glass. — The Shepherd's Farewell. . . . 206

Canto X

The brisk Lad Ignorance. — Turnaway. — Story of Littlefaith's Robbery. — The black Man in white Raiment. — The Net. —The Shining One, with Whip of small Cords. — Atheist 214

S CONTENTS.

Canto XI

The Enchanted Ground. — Hopeful tells how he was converted.— Christian and Hopeful hold Discourse on Christian Experience. — Christian holds Discourse with Ignorance 237

Canto XII

Discourse of Christian and Hopeful. — Temporary. — The Land of Beulah. — Its charming Air, its Delights, its glorious Landscape. — The Celestial City in Sight. — The dark River. — Thej cross it. — Their Welcome by the Angels. — The Glory of the City. — The Doom of Ignorance. . 263

TRIBUTE TO BUNYAN.

" O Thou, whom borne on fancy's eager wing Back to the season of life's happy spring, I pleased remember, and, while memory yet Holds fast her office here, can ne'er forget ; Ingenious Dreamer, in whose well-told tale Sweet fiction and sweet truth alike prevail ; Whose humorous vein, strong sense, and simple style May teach the gayest, make the gravest smile ; Witty, and well employed, and like thy Lord Speaking in parables his slighted word ; I name thee not, lest so despised a name Should move a sneer at thy deserved fame, Yet e'en in transitory life's late day, That mingles all my brown with sober gray, Revere the man, whose Pilgrim marks the road. And guides the Progress of the soul to God."

COWPER.

PROEM

I sing the pilgrimage from earth to heaven ! The snares and perils of that thorny road, The sinner travels, ere — his sins forgiven — His weary footsteps reach the Mount of God ; — How, when he spies the Cross, he drops his load, And lifts his voice the Savior's praise to sing ; — Pursuing thence the path by pilgrims trod, With all the fears, doubts, terrors, everything Which tries him while he seeks the City of the King.

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

Canto I

The man, when first awakened To see his lost estate,

Is bidden bj Evangelist To seek the wicket gate.

As I walked through the world's wide wilderness, (A lowly stranger in mine own esteem,) I lighted once upon a certain place, Where was a den, which very dark did seem ; There, where the sun withheld his cheering 'beam, I laid me down — as weary travellers can — To sleep ; and, as I slept, I dreamed a dream ! I dreamed, and lo ! — for thus my dream began, — I in a certain place beheld a lonely man !

II

I saw him stand in filthy garments clad, His face averted from his native land ; A little volume in his hand he had, And on his back a burden contraband. He read, w^ept, trembled, till he scarce could stand : His burden ever}^ moment heavier grew, And when his grief he could no more command, He lamentably cried, "What shall I do?" But none could him direct, for none his anguish knew.

In this plight, therefore, went he home apace, And tried his inward anguish to restrain. Lest wife and children see his sore distress ; But growing trouble gave him growing pain, Nor could he long his anxious lips refrain ; Wherefore he brake his mind, and thus began : — " O, my dear wife and children, it is plain, I, your dear friend, do whatsoe'er I can. Am wretched and undone — a burdened, ruined man!

IV

" Moreover, this sad city, now our home, With fire from heaven I learn shall burned be ; And in its fearful overthrow shall come Ruin to our sv^'eet babes, and me and thee. Except some way, which now I cannot see. For our deliverance shall be brought to view." His friends expressed amaze in high degree ; Not that their hearts believed his story true : They thought distemper sad had turned his brain askew.

BUNYAN S PILGRIM S PROGRESS.

Night coming on, in hope that slumber deep His brain might settle, and allay his fears, They hastened him to bed, but not to sleep, For all the night he spent in sighs and tears ; And when the morning light once more appears. And they of his condition fain would know, He told them, " Worse and worse," and filled their ears With words of warning and entreaty so. That they began, from that, more hardened still to grow.

To drive his sad distemper quite away, They tried derision, and neglect, and scorn ; But to his chamber he retired to pray. To pity them, and mourn his case forlorn. Sometimes at eve, and sometimes in the morn, He walked the solitary fields, intent On reading in the book which did him warn, Or pouring forth in prayer his anguish pent : And thus for several days his precious time he spent.

vn.

Now, on a time, when he a ramble took, As he was wont, in fields to meditate, I saw that he was reading in his book. And greatly in his mind distressed thereat ; And as he read, he burst out, as of late, " What shall I do to save my soul from hell?" I also saw he looked this way and that. As if he fain would run ; yet could not well, Because which way to go, I saw, he could not tell.

VIII.

One named Evangelist the man then met, Who kindly asked him, "■ Wherefore dost thou cry? " Sir, I perceive," said he, " the day is set For judgment, and condemned am I to die ; But most unwilling for the last am I, Because this heavy burden w^hich I bear Will sink me down to Tophet ; so I sigh, For fear of sinking in that deep despair ; For from my book I learn there's no deliverer there."

IX.

"If this thy sad state be, why linger here?" Evangelist inquired. " Because I know," He answered, as he brushed away a tear, " I know not whither from this spot to go." Then kind Evangelist, his way to show. Gave for his guide a written parchment roll. Which warned him of the fiery deeps below ; And, lest the wrath to come o'erwhelm his soul, Bade him escape for life, and seek salvation's goal.

He read, then asked he, " Whither must I fly To reach salvation ere it be too late?" Pointing, Evangelist thus made reply : " Seest thou across the field yon wicket gate?" The man said, " No ; " nor did his fear abate. "Then dost thou see," said he, "yon shining light?" " I think I do," groaned he, beneath his weight. " Then keep that light in view, and speed thy flight. And knock thou at the gate, and one shall guide thee right."

Then ran the man apace ; but scarce began, Ere wife and children begged hirn to return ; But he put fingers in his ears, and ran. His household mourned to be thus left forlorn, But on he pressed, and left them still to mourn. " Life ! life ! eternal life ! " he cried amain, Nor looked behind ; but on, by swift feet borne. He hasted towards the middle of the plain, If he by any means the wicket gate might gain.

XII.

His neighbors saw him run, and cried and mocked, And two there were who thought to fetch him back ; For at his folly Obstinate was shocked ; So he and Pliable pursued his track, And soon o'ertook him, burdened with his pack. He asked them, " Neighbors, wherefore are ye come?" And they to give him answer are not slack : " We come to ask you whither you would roam, And you by all means urge to turn your footsteps home."

XIII.

"No, never," said the man ; " for where you dwell, Destruction is the city's dreadful name ; There was I born, and, dying there, will hell Seize on your souls with its devouring flame ; And when I learned the fact I hither came. Determined from such dreadful death to flee. So, neighbors, be content, despise the shame ; I seek a refuge ; go along with me." But Obstinate would not ; not such a fool was he !

" What ! leave behind our comforts and our friends?" " Yes," answered he (now Christian called by some) ; "For what I seek shall more than make amends For all the comforts you would leave at home ; And if you both along with me will come, And follow this rough path, then you shall fare As well as I ; for there is ample room. Blessings enough for need, and some to spare : Come, join me, prove my words, and seek a portion there."

XV.

*' What are the things you seek," cried Obstinate, " That you leave all the world to find them, pray?" " I seek," said Christian, " for a blest estate. That's undefiled, and fadeth not away ; 'Twill be bestowed at an appointed day On all who seek it diligently now. Read in my book, and mark what it doth say." " Tush ! " Obstinate replied ; " say, back wilt thou?" " No," Christian said ; " not I ! my hand is on the plough."

XVI.

" Come, Pliable," said he, " then let us go. And leave this wilful crazy-brain behind ; He's not alone, but hundreds are, you know. Of this same crazy-headed, coxcomb kind, Who leave substantial good, and hope to find Some fancied bliss that sparkles in their e3^es ; They seem to worldly good so strangely blind, And in their own esteem so strangely wise. Seven reasonable men their mad conceit defies."

BUNYAN S PILGUIIM S PROGRESS. 1 7

" Nay, neighbor Obstinate, pray don't revile," Said Pliable ; " for if what Christian speaks Is strictly true, I'm thinking, all this while, Better than ours are those good things he seeks, And half my heart to join this neighbor aches." " What ! more fools still ! No ; hearken unto me : Go back, be wise," cried Obstinate ; " he takes A dangerous path ; and what its end shall be Who knows ? Shall he lead vou ? A brain-sick fellow he ! "

" Nay, neighbor Pliable," said Christian then, " Come thou with me ; there are such gifts in store As those of which I spake for sinful men ; Yes, and ten thousand richer glories more. Believe not me, but read the record o'er In this my book. Its author with his blood Confirmed its truth by sealing it of yore ; And by this seal he shows his promise good. And count it so I must, as every Christian should."

" Well, neighbor Obstinate," said Pliable, " With him I mean to go, though you will not ; He seems a good man, and, since go he will, I think I will with him cast in my lot. But one thing, Christian, which escaped my thought ; Knovv'st thou the way to this delightful place?" " Yes," Christian said ; " Evangelist me taught Towards yonder wicket gate to set my face." Then both together walked, with earnest, hurried pace. 2

XX.

While homeward Obstinate, with railing, went, Christian and Pliable thus held discourse : " Glad am I, neighbor Pliable, you've bent Your footsteps to pursue with me this course ; And, O, had Obstinate but felt the force, As I have felt, of terrors yet unseen, He would have thought it doing vastly w^orse To turn his back, and hasten home again, Than join our pilgrim path across this desert plain."

Said Pliable, " Now we two are alone. What things are those, and how enjoyed so well. In that blest place to which we journey on?" '' I know them better than my tongue can tell," Christian replied ; " but that they far excel The joys w^e leave, I in my book will read." " And think you that the words," said Pliable, " Of your book certainly are true indeed?" Yes, for Pie cannot lie who spake them," Christian said

"Well, tlien," said Pliable, " what are those things? " An endless kingdom," Christian said, " of rest ; An endless life, where Christians reign as kings ; And crowns of glory for the good and blest ; And garments bright in which they all are dressed. And which for lustre with the sun may vie : There is no sorrow there, none there distressed ; For he who owns the place in love draws nigh. And kindly wipes all tears from every weeping eye."

*' Well, this," said Pliable, " most pleasant seems. And how think we for company shall fare?" " There we shall be," said he, " with seraphims And chernbims of dazzling brightness rare ; Thousands and tens of thousands, too, meet there, Who, gone before us to that blissful land, — Loving and holy, beautiful and fair. Now walking in God's sight, a joyous band, — Forever with acceptance in his presence stand.

" There, in a word, the elders we shall see, x\rrayed in raiment white, with crowns of gold ; The holy virgins, from defilement free. With golden harps, we there, too, shall behold ; And men who suffered agonies untold, — Who died by sword, flames, beasts, or in the sea, For love they bare to Him who was from old Lord of the place, — all well ; henceforth to be As with a garment clothed with immortality."

XXV.

" O, 'tis enough to ravish all one's heart," Said Pliable, " to hear what you declare ; But will the Ruler all these things impart? And how shall we obtain of them a share?" " The Lord who governs all the country there," Christian replied, " hath written, long ago, All in this book, in record plain and fair. All we could ask, and all we need to know. That, if we will receive, he freely will bestow."

"Well, glad am I, companion true and good, These things to hear ; come, let us not be slack." " I cannot speed," said Christian, " as I would, By reason of this burden on my back." — Now saw I in my dream, as Christian spake, They both drew nigh the middle of the plain. Where lurked a miry slough, deep, foul, and black ; But, heedless both, they onward pressed amain, As if to hearts like theirs all caution would be vain.

XXVII.

So in this bog they suddenly both fell ; — This miry slough Despond is rightly named ; — Here wallowed they, how long I cannot tell, Bedaubed with dirt, and wofully ashamed ; And Christian, conscious he was justly blamed, The burden on his back began to rue. And sink in mire; when Pliable exclaimed, "Ah, neighbor Christian, tell me — where are you?" " That," Christian said, " is what I do not know, 'tis true."

At this poor Pliable began to be Offended, and to Christian sharply said, " Is this the joy of which you spake to me? If, setting out, so ill our journey speed, It may, before the end, be sad indeed. May I get out with life, my journey's o'er ; You'll seek alone the land of which you read." Then, struggling, got he out towards his own door. And homeward went ; and him sad Christian saw no more.

Wherefore poor Christian all alone was left, To tumble in the slough of deep Despond ; But, though of his companion thus bereft, He seemed not of his native land so fond, But struggled towards the wicket gate beyond ; Yet he could not get out, with all his care. Because his back still felt his burden's bond. But then I saw a man to him repair, Whose name was Help, who asked what he was doing there.

XXX.

" Sir," answered Christian, " I was bid to go, B}'^ one Evangelist, this very way ; He bade me seek yon wicket gate, and so Escape the wrath of Heaven's avenging day ; And as I thither went, without delay, I fell in here." Then answered Help, " But why Did not you look to find the steps, I pray?" " Fear followed me so hard," said Christian, " I, Fleeing the nearest way, fell in, and here I lie ! "

" Give me thine hand," said Help. So Christian gave His hand to Help, who from the miry clay Outdrevv, and saved him from a dismal grave ; Set on firm ground, he bade him go his way. Then stepped I unto Help, and thus did say : " Sir, wherefore, since the path to yonder gate From old Destruction's city leads for aye Across this place, do not they mend the plat, That travellers might go in some securer state ? "

Help answered me, " Because this miry slough Is such a place as cannot mended be ; It always has been, as you see it now, A low descent, wherein, as you may see, The scum and filth do run continually, Which evermore from sin's conviction rise ; And hence called Slough Despond 'tis rightfully ; For when to his lost state the sinner's eyes First opened are, alas ! what doubts and fears arise !

XXXIII.

" His apprehensions and his doubts and fears Together run, and settle in this place ; The reason for the badness hence appears Of this bad ground, upon its very face. 'Tis not the pleasure of the King of Grace That this bad place should always bad remain ; His Majesty's surveyors, for the space Of sixteen hundred years have viewed this plain, In hopes to mend this slough, but all has been in vain.

XXXIV.

" And laborers thus long employed have been To mend this patch, If mended it might be ; Two thousand cart-loads multiplied by ten Have to my knowledge here been swallowed, yea ! Instructions wholesome, and the best," said he, " By millions at all seasons, hither brought From all the King's dominions constantly, To fill this miry place in vain have sought. Though best materials these to make good ground, 'tis thought.

XXXV.

" And hence Despond this miry slough is, still, And will be so when they have done their best, For no materials can the deep bog fill ; 'Tis true that, by the Lawgiver's behest. E'en through its midst substantial steps are placed ; But when the place spews filth, they are not seen. Or, if they are, through giddiness or haste Men step aside, and are bemired therein, Although the ground is good when once the gate they win."

And now by this time saw I in my dream That Pliable, returning, had got home ; And so his neighbors came to visit him : So-me called him wise for coming back, and some A fool so far with Christian thus to roam ; Some mocked his cowardice, and, taunting, cried, " Since you began, 'twas base thus back to come." So Pliable sat sneaking by their side ; But soon they all began poor Christian to deride.

XXXVII.

Now Christian, walking by himself alone, Espied one crossing o'er the field, who came And met him, where their ways athwart did run. And Mr. Worldly Wiseman was his name ; He dwelt in Carnal Policy — the same A very great town, noted far and near For men illustrious for worldly fame. This Worldly Wiseman had his dwelling here. Hard by the city doomed whence Christian fled in fear.

24 BUNYAN S PILORIM S PROGRESS.

XXXVIII.

This man, then, meeting Christian on the road, And having got some inlcHng of the man, — For Christian's setting out was noised abroad. Not in his own town only, but his phui In other towns to be town talk began, — This Mr. Worldly Wiseman, having guessed. By marking how laboriously he ran, W^ith sighs and groans, that he was sore oppressed, Sought thus from Christian's lips the secrets of his breast

XXXIX.

" How now, good fellow? whither, say, dost thou. After this burdened manner, haste away?" Said Christian, " 'Tis a burdened manner now As e'er poor creature had, I well may say ; And since you ask me whither now I stray, I tell you, sir, I aim to go with care To yonder wicket gate, which, plain as day, Lies just before me. I am told I there Shall learn how I may lose this burden which I bear."

" Hast thou," thus Worldly Wiseman to him spake,

'" A wife and children?" Christian answered, " Yes,

But cannot now such pleasure in them take

As formerly I took, I must confess.

So much this burden doth my back oppress.

They are to me as if they all were dead."

Said Worldly Wiseman, " Wilt thou acquiesce

If now I give thee counsel?" Christian said.

If it be good, I will ; good counsel much I need."

BUxNYAN S PILGRIM S PROGRESS. 25

XLI.

" This, then," he said, " is my advice to thee : Get rid of this thy burden now with speed ; Till then in mind thou wilt not settled be. Therefore make haste ; to my advice give heed ; For till then this thy burden will forbid Enjoyment of the blessings God bestows." '* That," Christian said, " I seek for — to be freed From this sad burden which more heavy grows ; But how to lift it oft^ none in our country knows.

XLII.

" I therefore, as I told you, go this way To get rid of my burden, if I can." "Who bade thee go this way for riddance, pray?" Said Worldly Wiseman. Christian answered plain, "A very great and honorable man. As I remember, named Evangelist." Him answering. Worldly Wiseman thus began: " Then I beshrew him for his counsel's gist, For that he's madly wrong I earnestly insist.

XLIII.

" There's not a way in all the world, I know, More dangerous and troublesome than that In which he hath directed thee to go. Though he may honorable be, and great ; And thou wilt find it so, perhaps too late, If thou wilt by his counsel governed be. Thou hast, as I perceive, already met With something evil, for Despond, I see, Hath left the filthy dirt of its deep slough on thee.

XLIV.

" That slough, I tell thee, — and my words are true, — Is but the dawn of sorrows that attend Those who go on that way ; — nay, hear me through, For I am older than thyself, my friend ; — Thou in that way mayst wearied be, and pained ; Art like to meet with nakedness and sword, With lions, and strange perils without end ; Darkness and fiery dragons ; — in a word. Death, and I know not what dread evils for thee stored.

XLV.

" These things are certain ; they confirmed have been By testimonies many, and are true ; And should a man be rash and careless, then, And cast himself away, as many do, By giving heed to such a stranger, too?" " Why, sir," said he, " my burden is, of late, Alore terrible than all that's named by you ; So that I care not what may me await, If I deliverance find from this my burdened state."

" How cam'st thou. Christian, burdened first to be?" Said he, " By reading this book in my hand." " Ah, yes," said Worldly Wiseman, tauntingly, " I thought as much, and now I understand ; As other weak men have been all unmanned, So now the same has happened to thy lot ; By meddling with high things, distractions and Bewilderment they on themselves have brought, And desp'rate ventures run t' obtain they know not what."

BUNYAN S PILGRIM S PROGRESS. 2*J

XLVII.

" I know what I," said Christian, " would obtain ; From this sore burden I desire release." " But why," said Worldly Wiseman, " seek to gain Ease by this way, where dangers never cease? Especially since I, who seek thy peace, — Hadst thou but patience my advice to hear, — Could presently direct thee to that ease Thou seekest for in vain, as doth appear, By this way, thronged with doubts, with dangers, and with fear.