So I saw, that quickly after they were got out of the fair, they
overtook one that was going before them, whose name was By-ends; so they said
to him, What countryman, sir? and how far go you this way? He told them, that
he came from the town of Fair-speech, and he was going to the Celestial City;
but told them not his name.
By-Ends: Yes,
said By-ends, I hope so.
Christian: Pray,
sir, what may I call you? said Christian.
By-Ends: I am a
stranger to you, and you to me: if you be going this way, I shall be glad of
your company; if not, I must be content.
Christian: This
town of Fair-speech, said Christian, I have heard of; and, as I remember, they
say it’s a wealthy place.
By-Ends: Yes, I
will assure you that it is; and I have very many rich kindred there.
Christian: Pray,
who are your kindred there, if a man may be so bold?
By-Ends: Almost
the whole town; and in particular my Lord Turn-about, my Lord Time-server, my
Lord Fair-speech, from whose ancestors that town first took its name; also, Mr.
Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Mr. Any-thing; and the parson of our parish,
Mr. Two-tongues, was my mother’s own brother, by father’s side; and, to tell
you the truth, I am become a gentleman of good quality; yet my
great-grandfather was but a waterman, looking one way and rowing another, and I
got most of my estate by the same occupation.
Christian: Are
you a married man.
By-Ends: Yes, and
my wife is a very virtuous woman, the daughter of a virtuous woman; she was my
Lady Feigning’s daughter; therefore she came of a very honorable family, and is
arrived to such a pitch of breeding, that she knows how to carry it to all, even
to prince and peasant. ‘Tis true, we somewhat differ in religion from those of
the stricter sort, yet but in two small points: First, we never strive against
wind and tide. Secondly, we are always most zealous when religion goes in his
silver slippers; we love much to walk with him in the street, if the sun shines
and the people applaud him.
Then Christian
stepped a little aside to his fellow Hopeful, saying, it runs in my mind that
this is one By-ends, of Fair-speech; and if it be he, we have as very a knave
in our company as dwelleth in all these parts. 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 nickname 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.
Christian: 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.
Christian: 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.
Christian: If you
will go with us, you must go against wind and tide; the which, I perceive, is
against your opinion: you must also own Religion in his rags, as well as when
in his silver slippers; and stand by him, too, when bound in irons, as well as
when he walketh the streets with applause.
By-Ends: You must
not impose, nor lord it over my faith; leave me to my liberty, and let me go
with you.
Christian: Not a
step farther, unless you will do, in what I propound, as we.
Then said
By-ends, I shall never desert my old principles, since they are harmless and
profitable. If I may not go with you, I must do as I did before you overtook
me, even go by myself, until some overtake me that will be glad of my company.
