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carried in unto the king, who, when he had read them, said, 'Where are the meu?' to whom it was answered, They are standing without the gate. The king then commanded to open the gate, "that the righteous nation," said he, "that keepeth truth, may enter in.*

Now I saw in my dream that these two men went in at the gate; and, lo! as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also that met them with harps and Crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream that all the bells in the city rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them, "Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, Blessing, honour, and glory and power, be to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and

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ever.

Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them, and behold the city shone like the sun; the streets also were paved with gold; and in them walked many men with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal.

There were also of them that had wings, and they answered one another without intermission, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.” And after that they shut up the gates which when I had seen, I wished my→ self among them.

Now, while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look back, and saw Ignorance come up to the river side: but he soon got over, and that without half that difficulty which the other two men met with. For it happened that there was then in that place one Vain-hope, a ferry-man, that with his boat helped him over; so he, as the other I saw, did ascend the hill, to come up to the gate; only he came alone; neither did any man meet him with the least encouragement. When he was come up to the gate, he looked up to the writing that was above, and then began to knock, sup

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posing that entrance should have been quickly administered to him but he was asked by the men that looked over the top of the gate, 'Whence came you and what he would have? He answered, 'I have eat and drank in the presence of the King, and he has taught in our streets.' Then they asked him for his certificate, that they might go in and shew it to the King; so he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then said they, ‘Have you none?' But the man answered never a word. So they told the King, but he would not come down to see him, but commanded the two shining ones that conducted Christian and Hopeful to the city, to go out and take Ignorance, and bind him hand and foot, and have him away. Then they took him up, and carried him through the air to the door that I saw on the side of the hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to Hell, even from the gates of Heaven, as well as from the city of Destruction.

So I awoke, and behold it was a dream.

THE CONCLUSION.

Now Reader, I have told my dream to thee,
See if thou canst interpret it to me,

Or to thyself or neighbour; but take heed

Of misinterpreting, for that, instead
Of doing good, will but thyself abuse:
By misinterpreting, evil ensues.
Take heed also that thou be not extreme,

In playing with the outside of my dream:
Nor let my figure or similitude

Put thee into a laughter or a feud:

Leave this for boys and fools; but as for thee,

Do thou the substance of my matter see.

Put by the curtains, look within my veil,
Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail;

There, if thou seekest them, such things thou'lt find
As will be helpful to an honest mind.
What if my dross thou findest here, be bold
To throw away, but yet preserve the gold.
What if my gold be wrapped up in ore?
None throw away the apple for the core.
But if thou shalt cast all away as vain,
I know not but 'twill make me dream again.

THE

Pilgrim's Progress.

PART II.

• THE

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

TO THE

SECOND PART.

Go now, my little BOOK, to every place,

Where my First Pilgrim has but shewn his face :
Call at their door: if any say, who's there?
Then answer thou, CHRISTIANA is here.
If they bid thee come in, then enter thou,
With all thy boys: and then thou knowest how;
Tell who they are, also from whence they came;
Perhaps they know them by their looks and name:
But if they should not, ask them yet again,
If formerly they did not entertain

One Christian a pilgrim? If they say
They did, and were delighted in his way,

Then let them know, that those related were

Unto him yea, his wife and children are.

Tell them, that they have left their house and home, Are turned pilgrims; seek a world to come :

That they have met with hardships in the way:
That they do meet with troubles night and day:
That they have trode on serpents, fought with devils;
Have also overcome as many evils:

Yea, tell them also of the next who have,
Of love to pilgrimage, been stout and brave
Defenders of that way; and how they still
Refuse this world, to do their Father's will.
Go tell them also of those dainty things
That pilgrimage unto the Pilgrims brings.
Let them acquainted be too, how they are
Beloved of the King, under his care;
What goodly mansions he for them provides,

Though they meet with rough winds and swelling tides;
How brave a calm they will enjoy at last,

Who to the Lord, and to his ways hold fast.

Perhaps with heart and hand they will embrace Thee, as they did my firstling, and will grace Thee and thy fellows with good cheer and fare, As shew well they of Pilgrims lovers are,

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