The Pilgrim's Progress

men that looked over the top of the gate, Whence come you. and what would you have. He

answered, I have ate 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 show 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 in the side of the hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gate of heaven, as well as from the City of Destruction. So I awoke, and behold it was a dream.

CONCLUSION

Now, reader, I have told my dream to thee, See if thou canst interpret it to me, Or to thyself, or neighbor: 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 of my dross thou findest there, 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 ‘t will make me dream again.

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John Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress