BY-ENDS, OF FAIR-SPEECH. 117

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 earry 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, 1 deem I have half a guess of you. Is not your
name Mr. By-ends, of Fair-speech ?”

By. 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 asa reproach, as other good
men have borne theirs before me.

Curis. But did you never give an occasion to men to call you by this name?

By. Never, never! The worst that ever I did to give them an occasion to give me
this name was, that [ 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.

Curis. 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. Well, if you will thus imagine, I cannot help it: you shall find me a fair com-
pany-keeper if you still admit me your associate.

Curis. 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. You must not impose or lord it over my faith; leave it to my liberty, and let
me go with you.

Curis. Not a step farther. unless you will do in what I propound as we.

By. Then said By-ends, “T will never desert my old principles, since they are