The Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan

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      Truth’s golden Beams: nay, by this method may

      Make it cast forth its rays as light as day.

      And now, before I do put up my Pen,

      I’ll shew the profit of my Book, and then

      Commit both thee and it unto that hand

      That pulls the strong down, and makes weak ones stand.

      This Book it chalketh out before thine eyes

      The man that seeks the everlasting Prize;

      It shews you whence he comes, whither he goes,

      What he leaves undone, also what he does;

      It also shews you how he runs and runs,

      Till he unto the Gate of Glory comes.

      It shews 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 labour, and like Fools do die.

      This Book will make a Traveller 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?

      Wouldest 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 Burrs,

      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‘ th’ 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?