Leave such, my Christiana, to their choice,
And seek those who to find thee Will rejoice:
By no means strive, but, in most humble wise,
Present thee to them in thy Pilgrim’s guise.
Go then, my little Book, and show to all
That entertain, and bid thee welcome shall,
What thou shalt keep close shut up from the rest,
And wish What thou shalt show them may he blast
To then: for good, and make them choose to be
Pilgrims better by far than thee or me.
Go then, I say, tell all men who thou art;
Say, I am Christiana, and my part
ls now, with my four sons, to tell you what
it is for men to take a Pilgrim’s lot.
Go, also, tell them who and What they he
That now do go on pilgrimage with thee:
Say, Here’s my neighbour, Mercy; she is one
That has long time with me a Pilgrim gone.
Come, see her in her Virgin face, and learn
'Twixt idle ones and Pilgrims to discern.
Yea, let young damsels learn of her to prize
The world which is to some, in any Wise.
When little tripping; maidens follow God,
And leave old doting sinners to his rod,
'Tis like those days wherein the young ones cried
Hosanna! to Whom old ones did deride.
Next tell them of old Honest, whom you found
With his White hairs, treading the Pilgrim's ground;
Yea, tell them how plain-hearted this man was,
How after his good Lord he have his cross.
Perhaps with some gray head this may prevail
With Christ to fall in love, and sin bewail.
