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Bunyan, John, 1628-1688

"The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come, delivered under the similitude of a dream, by John Bunyan"

Then said Hopeful, Ask him; methinks he should
not be ashamed of his name. So Christian came up with him again,
and said, Sir, you talk as if you knew something more than all the
world doth; and if I take not my mark amiss, I deem I have half a
guess of you: Is not your name Mr. By-ends, of Fair-speech?
BY-ENDS. This is not my name, but indeed it is a nick-name that is
given me by some that cannot abide me: and I must be content to
bear it as a reproach, as other good men have borne theirs before
me.
{247} CHR. But did you never give an occasion to men to call you
by this name?
BY-ENDS. Never, never! The worst that ever I did to give them an
occasion to give me this name was, that I had always the luck to
jump in my judgment with the present way of the times, whatever it
was, and my chance was to get thereby; but if things are thus cast
upon me, let me count them, a blessing; but let not the malicious
load me therefore with reproach.
{248} CHR. I thought, indeed, that you were the man that I heard
of; and to tell you what I think, I fear this name belongs to you
more properly than you are willing we should think it doth.
BY-ENDS. Well, if you will thus imagine, I cannot help it; you
shall find me a fair company-keeper, if you will still admit me
your associate.


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