It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain
so bad. His labourers also have, by the direction of His
Majesty's surveyors, been for above these sixteen hundred years
employed about this patch of ground, if perhaps it might have
been mended: yea, and to my knowledge, said he, here have been
swallowed up at least twenty thousand cart-loads, yea, millions
of wholesome instructions, that have at all seasons been brought
from all places of the King's dominions, and they that can tell,
say they are the best materials to make good ground of the
place; if so be, it might have been mended, but it is the Slough
of Despond still, and so will be when they have done what they
can.

True, there are, by the direction of the Law-giver, certain good
and substantial steps, placed even through the very midst of
this slough; but at such time as this

place doth much spew out its filth, as it doth against change of
weather, these steps are hardly seen; or, if they be, men,
through the dizziness of their heads, step beside, and then they
are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there; but
the ground is good when they are once got in at the gate.

Now, I saw in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home
to his house again, so that his neighbours came to visit him;
and some of them called him wise man for coming back, and some
called him fool for hazarding himself with Christian: others
again did mock at his cowardliness; saying, Surely, since you
began to venture, I would not have been so base to have given
out for a few difficulties. So Pliable sat sneaking among them.
But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned
their tales, and began to deride poor Christian behind his back.
And thus much concerning Pliable.

Now, as Christian was walking solitarily by himself, he espied
one afar off, come crossing over the field to meet him; and
their hap was to meet just as they were crossing the way of each
other. The gentleman's name that met him was Mr. Worldly
Wiseman, he dwelt in the town of Carnal Policy, a very great
town, and also hard by from whence Christian came. This man,
then, meeting with Christian, and having some inkling of him, --
for Christian's setting forth from the City of Destruction was
much noised abroad, not only in the town where he dwelt, but
also it began to be the town talk in some other places, -- Mr.
Worldly Wiseman, therefore, having some guess of him, by
beholding his laborious going, by observing his sighs and
groans, and the like, began thus to enter into some talk with
Christian.

World. How now, good fellow, whither away after this burdened
manner?

Chr. A burdened manner, indeed, as ever, I think, poor creature
had! And whereas you ask me, Whither away? I tell you, Sir, I am
going to yonder wicket-gate before me; for there, as I am
informed, I shall be put into a way to be rid of my heavy
burden.

World. Hast thou a wife and children?

Chr. Yes; but I am so laden with this burden that I cannot take
that pleasure in them as formerly; methinks I am as if I had
none.

World. Wilt thou hearken unto me if I give thee counsel?

Chr. If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.

World. I would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get
thyself rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never be settled in thy
mind till then; nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the
blessing which God hath bestowed upon thee till then.

Chr. That is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy
burden; but get it off myself, I cannot; nor is there any man in
our country that can take it off my shoulders; therefore am I
going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden.

World. Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?

Chr. A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honourable
person; his name, as I remember, is Evangelist.

World. I beshrew him for his counsel! there is not a more
dangerous and troublesome way in the world than

is that unto which he hath directed thee; and that thou shalt
find, if thou wilt be ruled by his counsel. Thou hast met with
something, as I perceive, already; for I see the dirt of the
Slough of Despond is upon thee; but that slough is the beginning
of the sorrows that do attend those that go on in that way. Hear
me, I am older than thou; thou art like to meet with, in the way
which thou goest, wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils,
nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and, in a word,
death, and what not! These things are certainly true, having
been confirmed by many testimonies. And why should a man so
carelessly cast away himself, by giving heed to a stranger?

Chr. Why, Sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me
than all these things which you have mentioned; nay, methinks I