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The man that seeks the everlasting prize: It shows you whence he comes, whither he goes, What he leaves undone; also what he does: It also shows you how he runs, and runs, Till he unto the gate of glory comes.
It shows, too, who set out for life amain, As if the lasting crown they would obtain; Here also you may see the reason why They lose their labor, and like fools do die.
This book will make a traveler of thee, If by its counsel thou wilt ruled be; It will direct thee to the Holy Land, If thou wilt its directions understand Yea, it will make the slothful active be; The blind also delightful things to see.
Art thou for something rare and profitable.
Or would’st thou see a truth within a fable.
Art thou forgetful. Wouldest thou remember From New-Year’s day to the last of December.
Then read my fancies; they will stick like burs, And may be, to the helpless, comforters.
This book is writ in such a dialect As may the minds of listless men affect: It seems a novelty, and yet contains Nothing but sound and honest gospel strains.
Would’st thou divert thyself from melancholy.
Would’st thou be pleasant, yet be far from folly.
Would’st thou read riddles, and their explanation.
Or else be drowned in thy contemplation.
Dost thou love picking meat. Or would’st thou see A man i’ the clouds, and hear him speak to thee.
Would’st thou be in a dream, and yet not sleep.
Or would’st thou in a moment laugh and weep.
Would’st thou lose thyself and catch no harm, And find thyself again without a charm.
Would’st read thyself, and read thou know’st not what, And yet know whether thou art blest or not, By reading the same lines. O then come hither, And lay my book, thy head, and heart together.
JOHN BUNYAN.
9 John Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress
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