PILGRIM’S PROGRESS IN VERSE

CHAPTER V.

Christian comes to the Gate, and is kindly received by Goodwill—Conversation between Christian and Goodwill.

Then Christian did address himself,
His journey back to take;
Evangelist gave him a kiss,
Said, “Speed thee to the gate.”

So he went on with haste, nor spoke
To any by the way;
If questions were proposed to him,
He said not yea nor nay.

He went like one who all the while
Treads on forbidden ground;
Nor could he feel himself secure,
Till he the right way found.

The time soon came when Christian reached
The much desired gate,
To see his duty, when once there,
He had not long to wait:

For over it was written, “Knock!
I’ll open unto thee.”
He knocked, and knocked, and knocked again,
And thus I heard him say—

“May I now enter here? Will he within
Open to sorry me, though I have been
An undeserving rebel? Then shall I
Not fail to sing, his lasting praise on high.”

A grave-faced man came to the gate,
Who was Goodwill, by name,
He ask’d “Who’s here? what would he have?
Also from whence he came?”

Said Christian, “I’m a burdened man,
And one that’s prone to sin,
Since this way leads to Zion’s gate,
I pray thee let me in.

My native city I have left,
Her dreadful end to shun:
My face I have set Zionward,
I fear the wrath to come.”

“I’ll let you in with all my heart,”
To Christian said Goodwill;
Then open wide he threw the gate,
That leads to Zion’s hill.

When Christian was just going in,
The other to him said—
As he gave him a gentle pull—
“There’s something yet ahead;

A little distance from this place,
There is a castle strong,
The capain’s name’s Beelzebub.
To him it doth belong.

Now he and they that with him are,
Shoot arrows not a few;
To kill all those who reach the gate,
Before they get quite through.”

“Now I rejoice and tremble too,”
Said Christian when he thought
Of passing where Beelzebub
With other men had fought.

Then said the man who kept the gate,
To Christian when safe in:
“Who hath directed thee this way?
Pray who so wise hath been?

Said Christian, “One Evangelist,
Bade me come here and knock,
Said you would tell me what to do,
So now I’ll hear you talk.”

“I see your face is Zionward,
And now to such as those,
An open door is ever set,
No man on earth can close!”

“Now, I begin to reap, said he,
The benefits that rise,
From running into hazards, sir,
In this great enterprise.”

“But how is it that you have come,
This journey quite alone;
’Tis said in time of dangers two
Are better far than one!”

“Because that I my danger saw,
My neighbors saw not theirs;
I’m here to shape my way alone,
And so with me it fares.”

“That you had thoughts of coming here,
Did any of them know?
Have you warn’d them that they will meet
A dreadful overthrow?”

“Yes, at the first my wife saw me,
My children they did grieve;
But with my fingers in my ears,
I took a final leave.

On every side I was opposed,
My neighbors cried return!
My wife would not come with me here,
So she is left to mourn.”

“Did no one follow after you,
That they might you persuade,
In some way to return with them,
When they their plea had made?”

“Yes, Obstinate and Pliable,
But they could not prevail!
Soon Obstinate gave me the back,
And then began to rail.

“Since Pliable left Obstinate,
Did differ now you see;
He went not back, he did not rail,
But came some way with me.”

“Since Pliable left Obstinate,
To come so far with you;
Where is he now, why has he fail’d
To come the journey through?”

“We came together, he and I,
While all was going well;
But on the way there is a slough,
And into it we fell.

Here my poor neighbor Pliable,
Let all his courage fail,
Got out but next to his own house,
And thus began to rail!”

“Now this brave place you may possess,
You may possess for me,
And I’ll go back to what I have,
And leave it all to thee.”

“So Pliable forsook me too,
As I do here relate;
Went railing back to Obstinate,
While I came to this gate.”

Then Goodwill said: “Alas, poor man,
Is glory in his eyes,
Celestial glory little worth,
By him esteemed no prize?

That he will not in view of it,
Small difficulties bear;
When he might soon, yes very soon,
Celestial glory share!”

Said Christian, “I of Pliable,
Have spoken truth indeed,
But might have spoken of myself,
And much the same have said.

True, he went back to his own house,
And that with railing breath,
But also I have turned aside,
To go the way of death.

Persuaded by the arguments
Of one whose words are fair,
One carnal Worldly-Wiseman, sir,
A man of talent rare.”

So Worldly-Wiseman talked to you,
He’d have you seek for ease;
From old Legality, the cheat,
The rogue, sir, if you please.

No doubt, they both are cunning cheats,
And men must be awake;
Since he his counsel gives so free,
Did you his counsel take?”

(To be continued)

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