John Bunyan

Mr Valiant-for-Truth

I am going to my Fathers, and tho’ with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword, I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me, that I have fought his battles, who will now be my rewarder.

He that is down needs fear no fall,

Who would true valour see,

So I awoke, and behold it was a dream.

A man that could look no way but downwards, with a muckrake in his hand.

Then I saw that there was a way to Hell, even from the gates of heaven.

Yet my great-grandfather was but a waterman, looking one way, and rowing another.

It beareth the name of Vanity-Fair, because the town where ‘tis kept, is lighter than vanity.

Hanging is too good for him, said Mr Cruelty.

Down into the valley of Humiliation.

A foul Fiend coming over the field to meet him; his name is Apollyon.

As I walked through the wilderness of this world.

The name of the slough was Despond.

He that is down, needs fear no fall, He that is low, no pride.

Who would true valor see, Let him come hither; One here will constant be, Come wind, come weather. There’s no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avow’d intent

Some said, “John, print it”; others said, “Not so.” Some said, “It might do good”; others said, “No.”