John Bunyan (1628–1688). The Pilgrim’s Progress.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| The Conclusion |
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| NOW Reader, I have told my Dream to thee; | |
| See if thou can’st interpret it to me, | |
| Or to thyself, or Neighbor; but take heed | |
| Of mis-interpreting; for that, instead | |
| Of doing good, will but thyself abuse: | 5 |
| By mis-interpreting, evil ensues. | |
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| Take heed also, that thou be not extreme, | |
| In playing with the out-side of my Dream: | |
| Nor let my figure or similitude | |
| Put thee into a laughter or a feud; | 10 |
| Leave this for Boys and Fools; but as for thee, | |
| Do thou the substance of my matter see. | |
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| Put by the Curtains, look within my Vail; | |
| Turn up my Metaphors, and do not fail | |
| There, if thou seekest them, such things to find | 15 |
| As will be helpful to an honest mind. | |
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| 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 throws away the Apple for the Core. | 20 |
| But if thou shalt cast away all as vain, | |
| I know not but ’twill make me Dream again. | |
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