118 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

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.”

Now, I saw in my dream that Christian and Hopeful forsook him, and kept their
distance before him; but one of them, looking back, saw three men following Mr. By-
ends; and, behold, as they came up with him, he made them a very low congé, and
they also gave him a compliment. The men’s names were Mr. Hold-the-world, Mr.
Money-love, and Mr. Save-all; men that Mr. By-ends had been formerly acquainted
with; for in their minority they were schoolfellows, and taught by one Mr. Gripe-man,
a schoolmaster in Love-gain, which is a market town in the county of Coveting, in
the North. This schoolmaster taught them the art of getting, either by violence,
cozenage, flattery, lying, or by putting on a guise of religion; and these four gentlemen
had attained much of the art of their master, so that they could each of them have kept
such a school themselves.

Well, when they had, as I said, thus saluted each other, Mr. Money-love said to Mr.
By-ends, “Who are they upon the road before us?” for Christian and Hopeful were
yet within view.

By. They are a couple of far countrymen, that, after their mode, are going on
pilgrimage.

Monry. Alas! why did they not stay, that we might have had their good company ?
for they, and we, and you, sir, I hope, are all going on pilgrimage.

By. We are so, indeed; but the men before us are so rigid, and love so much their
own notions, and do also so lightly esteem the opinions of others, that, let a man be
ever so godly, yet, if he jumps not with them in all things, they thrust him quite out
of their company.

Save. That is bad; but we read of some that are righteous overmuch, and such
men’s rigidness prevails with them to judge and condemn all but themselves. But, I
pray, what and how many were the things wherein you differed ?

By. Why, they, after their headstrong manner, conclude that it is their duty to rush
on their journey all weathers; and I am for waiting for wind and tide. They are for
hazarding all for God at a clap; and I am for taking all advantages to secure my life
and estate. They are for holding their notions, though all other men be against them ;
but I am for religion in what, and so far as, the times and my safety will bear it.
They are for Religion when in rags and contempt; but I am for him when he walks
in his golden slippers, in the sunshine, and with applause.

Hoxp. Ay, and hold you there still, good Mr. By-ends; for, for my part, I can