The Pilgrims Progess | Page 4

state, doubts and fears rise up in his soul, and all of them drain down and sink in this place: and it is this that makes the ground so bad. True there are good and sound steps in the midst of the slough, but at times it is hard to see them; or if they be seen, men's heads are so dull that they step on one side, and fall in the mire. But the ground is good when they have once got in at the gate.
Now I saw in my dream that by this time Pliable had gone back to his house once more, and that his friends came to see him: some said how wise it was to come home, and some that he was a fool to have gone. Some, too, were found to mock him, who said--Well, had I set out, I would not have been so base as to come back for a slough in the road. So Pliable was left to sneak off; but at last he got more heart, and then all were heard to turn their taunts, and laugh at poor Christian. Thus much for Pliable.
Now as Christian went on his way he saw a man come through the field to meet him, whose name was Mr. Worldly Wiseman, and he dwelt in the town of Carnal Policy, which was near that whence Christian came. He had heard some news of Christian; for his flight from The City of Destruction had made much noise, and was now the talk far and near. So he said, How now, good Sir, where do you go with such a load on your back?
Christian.--In truth, it is a load; and if you ask me where I go, I must tell you, Sir, I must go the The Wicket Gate in front of me, for there I shall be put in a way to get quit of my load.
Worldly Wiseman.--Have you not a wife and babes?
Christian.--Yes, but with this load I do not seem to care for them as I did; and, in truth, I feel as if I had none.
Worldly Wiseman.--Will you hear me if I speak my mind to you?
Christian.--If what you say be good, I will, for I stand much in need of help.
Worldly Wiseman.--I would urge you then, with all speed, to get rid of your load; for you will not be at rest till then.
Christian.--That is just what I seek to do. But there is no man in our land who can take if off me.
Worldly Wiseman.--Who bade you go this way to be rid of it?
Christian.--One that I took to be a great and true man; his name is Evangelist.
Worldly Wiseman.--Hark at what I say: there is no worse way in the world than that which he has sent you, and that you will find if you take him for your guide. In this short time you have met with bad luck, for I see the mud of the Slough of Despond is on your coat. Hear me, for I have seen more of the world than you; in the way you go, you will meet with pain, woe, thirst, the sword too,--in a word, death! Take no heed of what Evangelist tells you.
Christian.--Why, Sir, this load on my back is worse to me than all those things which you speak of; nay, I care not what I meet with in the way, if I can but get rid of my load.
Worldly Wiseman.--How did you come by it at first?
Christian.--Why, I read this book.
Worldly Wiseman.--Like more weak men I know, who aim at things too high for them you have lost heart, and run in the dark at great risk, to gain you know not what.
Christian.--I know what I would gain, it is ease for my load.
Worldly Wiseman.--But why will you seek for ease thus, when I could put you in the way to aid it where there would be no risk; and the cure is at hand.
Christian.--Pray, Sir, tell me what that way is.
Worldly Wiseman.--Well, in yon town, which you can see from hence--the name of which is Morality--there dwells a man whose name is Legality, a wise man, and a man of some rank, who has skill to help men off with such loads as yours from their backs; I know he has done a great deal for good in that way; aye, and he has the skill to cure those who, from the loads they bear, are not quite sound in their wits. To him as I said, you may go and get help. His house in but a mile from this place, and should he not be at home, he has a son whose name is Civility, who can do it just as well as his sire.