Two Pilgrims' Progress; from fair Florence, to the eternal city of Rome |
TWO PILGRIMS' PROGRESS BY JOSEPH AND ELIZABETH ROBINS PENNELL AUTHORS OF "A CANTERBURY PILGRIMAGE" BOSTON ROBERTS BROTHERS LONDON SEELEY & CO. 1887
Copyright, 1886, By Roberts Brothers. University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.
TWO Pilgrims' Progress FROM FAIR FLORENCE, TO The eternal City of ROME: Delivered under the Similitude of a RIDE Wherein is Discovered, The manner of their setting out, Their Dangerous Journey; And safe Arrival at the Desired City. And Behold they wrought a Work on the Wheels. IER.18.3 By Joseph & Elizabeth Robins Pennell. Licensed and Entred according to Order. And Published By ROBERTS BROS. BOSTON MDCCCLXXXVI
A FRIEND'S Apology For this Booke. By CHARLES G. LELAND. Loe! what is this which Ime to sett before ye? It is, I ween, a very pleasant Story, How two young Pilgrimes who the World would see, Did Wheele themselves all over Italy. One meant to write on't, whence it may be said That for the Nonce hers was the Wheelwright's trade; Which is a clever Crafte, for yee have heard What flits about as a familiar Word Which in a Workshopp often meets the Eare, "Bad Wheelwright maketh a good Carpentere," If of a bad one such a Saying's true, Oh what, I pray, may not a good one do? For by Experience I do declare 'Tis easier to make Books than build a Chaire. Experto crede—I have tried them Both, And sweare a Book is easier—on my Oathe! He who with her a Pilgriming did go,— That was her Husband. As this Book doth show, Rare skill he had when he would Sketches take, And from those Sketches prittie Pictures make. She with the Pen could well illuminate, He with the Pencil Nature illustrate. Oh, is't not strange that what they did so well In the Pen way meets in the Name Pen-nell? By which the Proverb doth approved appeare, Nomen est Omen,—as is plain and cleere. Which means to say that every Soule doth Bear A Name well suited to his charactere. Now, when this Couple unto Mee did come, And askt me iff I'de write a little Pome, That Tale and Picture as they rouled along Might have some small Accomp'niment of Song, I set my Pen to Paper with Delighte, And quickly had my Thoughts in Black and White. Even as John Bunyan said he did of yore, So I, because I'd done the like before. Since I was the first man of modern time Who on the bycicle e'er wrote a Rime, How I a Lady in a Vision saw Upon a Wheel like that of Budda's Law, Which kept the Path and went exceeding fast; Loe! now my Vision is fulfilled at last, In this brave writer who with ready Hand Hath guided well the Wheel ore many a Land, Showing the World by her adventurous Course How one may travel fast as any Horse, Without a Steed, and stop where'er ye will, And have for oats or stable nere a Bill. Now, for the Book I something have to say (Pray mark Mee well, good Reader, while you may). They say that in the Publick some there bee Who'll take it ill 'cause it doth Parody John Bunyan's Progress. That can ne'er be said By any who John Bunyan's Booke have read, Since he himself protests against the Whim Of those who said the selfsame thing of him, And thought he lightly treated solemn Things. List the Defence which to this Charge he brings: "This Book will make a Traveler of Thee, If by its Councill thou wilt guided be. And it 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." Now I can make no more Apologie Than Honest John did make for himself, d'ye see; As for the Rest—if you but cast your Eye Upon the Pictures ere the Booke ye buy, And if of Art you are a clever Judge, The Price for it you'll surely not begrudge. Now, Reader, I have praysed this Booke to Thee, I trust that Thou wilt scan Itt carefullie; 'Twill set before thee Portraiture of Townes, Castles and Towres, antient Villes and Downs, How rowling Rivers to ye Ocean hast, Of Roadside Inns and many a faire Palast, Served up, I ween, with so much gentle Mirthe, Thoulte fairly own thou'st gott thy Money's Worth. If thou art Cheated Mine shall bee the Sinn,— Turn o'er the Page, my Lady, and Begin!
Loe! Vanity Faire!—the Worlde is there, Hee and his Wife beside. Ye may see it afoot, or from the Traine, Or if on a Wheel you ride.
To CHARLES GODFREY LELAND, Who is responsible for our First Work Together, & Who has been the Great-Heart of many a Pilgrimage taken in his Company, We dedicate this Book.
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