AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER.

   29/01/2019

     

AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER.
 

    • SOME say the ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ is not mine,
    •       Insinuating as if I would shine
    • In name and fame by the worth of another,
    •       Like some made rich by robbing of their brother.
    • Or that so fond I am of being sire,
    •       I’ll father bastards; or, if need require,
    • I’ll tell a lie in print to get applause.
    •       I scorn it: John such dirt-heap never was,
    • Since God converted him. Let this suffice
    •       To show why I my ‘Pilgrim’ patronize.
    • It came from mine own heart, so to my head,
    •       And thence into my fingers trickled;
    • Then to my pen, from whence immediately
    •       On paper I did dribble it daintily.
    • Manner and matter, too, was all mine own,
    •       Nor was it unto any mortal known
    • Till I had done it; nor did any then
    •       By books, by wits, by tongues, or hand, or pen,
    • Add five words to it, or write half a line
    •       Thereof: the whole, and every whit is mine.
    • Also for THIS, thine eye is now upon,
    •       The matter in this manner came from none
    • But the same heart, and head, fingers, and pen,
    •       As did the other. Witness all good men;
    • For none in all the world, without a lie,
    •       Can say that this is mine, excepting I
    • I write not this of my ostentation,
    •       Nor ’cause I seek of men their commendation;
    • I do it to keep them from such surmise,
    •       As tempt them will my name to scandalize.
    • Witness my name, if anagram’d to thee,
          The letters make – ‘Nu hony in a B.’

 

Author: Godfrey Gregg