PILGRIM’S PROGRESS IN VERSE

CHAPTER I (continued)

Pilgrim meets Obstinate and Pliable

Now, by this time, the man had got
Some distance off from them;
But so resolved, and swift their feet,
They soon caught up to him.

The man then said, when they drew nigh,
“Friends, wherefore are ye come?”
“To take you back with us,” they said—
“Back to your native home.”

The man then said: “This cannot be:
By no means I’ll return;
Your city is Destruction, sirs—
There also was I born.

And all that die there, I am told,
Sink lower than the grave,
Where flames of sulph’rous fire arise,
And round their spirits rave.

Oh, then, good neighbors, be content,
And go along with me;
Your city is a fearful place,
I have been made to see.”

Said Obstinate: “What! leave our friends
And comforts all behind?
I never will do this, I’m sure,
Unless I change my mind.”

“All you forsake,” then Christian said,
(For Christian was his name), .
“Cannot be worthy to compare
With what will be your gain.

If you will go along with me,
You like myself, shall share;
I’m going where there is enough,
And also some to spare.”

Said Obstinate: “What are the things
You leave your all to find—
The things you think outvalue all
That you must leave behind.”

“I seek a treasure,” Christian said,
“That fadeth not away,
Laid up in heaven—not on earth,
Where all things must decay.

This treasure is bestowed on all
Who diligently seek:
The broken heart—the contrite ones—
The penitent—the meek.

I will now, for the truth of this,
Refer you to my book,
Where you can read what I have said,
Just condescend to look.”

“Your book away,” said Obstinate:
“What for your book care I?
Will you go back with us, or not?—
We’re going by-and-by.”

Said Christian: “I will not go back,
Nor dare I look back now;
I have my face set Zion-ward,
My hand put to the plough.”

Said Obstinate to Pliable:
“It’s time we start for home;
If he will not go back with us,
We’ll let the fool alone.

Some men when they get hold upon
A thing that doth them please,
Know more, they think, than seven men,
Who can a reason give.

Said Pliable: “Do not revile;
If what he says be true,
He looks, no doubt, for better things
Than either I or you.

I feel melined to go with him,
That unseen coast explore:
I may find solid treasures there
When landed on the shore.”

Said Obstinate to Pliable:
“What, are there more fools still!
Who knows where he would lead you to,
If you would do his will?”

Said Christian: “Neighbor Pliable,
Come! go along with me;
Those things that I have told you of
You certainly shall see.

Things far more glorious you shall have
Than eye hath seen beside;
This is recorded in my book,
Which is a certain guide.

The promise of these glorious things
Has been confirmed by blood—
The precious blood of Jesus slain,
The only son of God.”

Said Pliable to Obstinate:
“I think I will decide
To go along with this good man,
If he will be my guide.”

(To be Continued)

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