Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/176

172 'Tis in New England under such advance,

Receives there so much loving countenance,

As to be trimmed, new clothed, and decked with gems

That it might show its features and its limbs.

Yet more: so comely doth my Pilgrim walk,

That of him thousands daily sing and talk.

If you draw nearer home, it will appear,

My Pilgrim knows no ground of shame or fear;

City and Country will him entertain,

With Welcome, Pilgrim; yea, they can't refrain

From smiling, if my Pilgrim be but by,

Or shows his head in any company.

Brave gallants do my Pilgrim hug and love,

Esteem it much; yea, value it above

Things of a greater bulk; yea, with delight

Say, my lark's leg is better than a kite.

Young ladies, and young gentlewomen too,

Do no small kindness to my Pilgrim show:

Their cabinets, their bosoms, and their hearts,

My Pilgrim has; 'cause he to them imparts

His pretty riddles in such wholesome strains,

As yield them proﬁt double to their pains

Of reading: yea, I think I may be bold

To say some prize him far above their gold.

The very children that do walk the street,

If they do but my holy Pilgrim meet,

Salute him will, will wish him well, and say,

He is the only stripling of the day.

They that have never seen him, yet admire

What they have heard, of him, and much desire