If I open a command console and execute...

xterm -geometry 50x3 -bg cyan -fg red +sb

I get a nice little xterm started up with my (badly) chosen colours.

But - if I try -e to make it run something...

xterm -geometry 50x3 -bg cyan -fg red +sb -e pwd
(in this case, I want the new xterm to show current working directory)
...the xterm closes as soon as the command is executed

Main Question:
What option do I use to keep it open?

Other Questions:
Also how might I string commands together into the new xterm using the -e without making a whole 'nother shell script (e.g; I might want the new (pop up) xterm windows to perform ls $HOME && echo -n "You are in " && pwd && sleep 5
...I've noticed using an exclamation mark ( echo "boo!" ) causes "bash: !": event not found" errors. Is there a way around this?

Okay - I found the -hold option works with xterm to make it stop it from disappearing. Bow all I need to know is those other questions about how to string commands together ans the echo '!" problem.