Bunyan's Pilgrim's progress in words of one syllable

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Chapter I. The Den And The Dream

I’S I went through the wilds of this world, I came to a place where was a den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep ; and as I slept I dreamt a dream. I dreamt, and lo, I saw a man clad in rags, who , - stood in a spot, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great load on his back ! I saw him read in the book, G and as he read, he wept and shook ; and so full ^ was his heart, that he broke out with a sad cry, and said, “ What shall I do ?”

In this plight, then, he went home, and ^kept calm as long as he could, that his wife and bairns should not see his grief ; but he ^ could not long hold his speech, for that his

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woe grew more hard to bear. So at length he brake his mind to his wife and bairns ; and thus did he talk to them : “ Oh, my dear wife,” said he, “ and you, the bairns of my heart, I, your dear friend, am quite lost, for a load lies hard on me. More than this, I am told of a truth that this our town will be burnt with fire from the skies, and you, my sweet babes, shall come to grief, save (the which yet I see not) some way can be found to get clear of harm.” At this his kin were in sore fear ; not for that they thought that what he had said to them was true, but for that they had just cause to dread some dire ill had got hold of his head. Hence, as night then drew near, and as they thought sleep might soothe his brain, with all haste they got him to bed. But the night was as bad to him as the day, so that he found no rest, but spent it in sighs and tears. So, when morn was come, they would know how he did : and he told them, “Worse and worse.” He then set to, and spoke to them once more, but they gave no heed to his words, but strove to drive off the foul fumes of his brain by sour looks and

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harsh ways. One time they would jeer, then would they chide, and at last go so far as to leave him. Hence he went to his room to pray for them, and to ease his grief. He would, too, take lone walks in the fields, and read and pray at times : and thus for some days he spent his time.

Now I saw on a time, when he took a stray walk in the fields, that he was (as he was wont) bent on his book and in deep grief of mind ; and as he read he burst out as he had done at first, “ What ■shall I do?”

I saw, too, that his eyes went this way and that way, as if he would run ; yet he stood still, for (as I took note) he could not tell which way to go. I then saw a man whose name was Evangelist come to him and ask, “ Why dost thou cry ?” Quoth he, “ Sir, I see by the book in my hand that death is my doom, and that I am then to meet my Judge; and I find that I do notwill to do the first, while I dread the last” Then said Evangelist, “Why not will to die, since this life is full of ills ?” The man said, “The cause

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is I fear that this load that is on my back will sink me more low than the grave, and I shall go down to hell : and, sir, if I be not fit to go to gaol, I am not fit to hear my doom, and bear the bane : and the thoughts of these things make me cry/’

Then said Evangelist, “ If this be thy state, why dost thou stand still ?” Said he, “ It is for that I know not where to go.” Then he gave him a roll of smooth skin, on which were writ the plain words, “ Flee from the wrath to come.” The man hence read it, and, when he cast a keen look on Evangelist, said, “ To what place must I flee ?” Then said Evangelist (who did point to a wide field), “Do you see yon small gate?” The man .said, “ No.” Then said Evangelist, “ Do you see yon bright light ?” He said, “ I think I do.” Then said his guide, “ Keep that light in your eye, and go up at once to it, so shalt thou see the gate ; at which, when thou dost knock, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.”

So I saw in my dream that the man did run. Now he had not run far from his own

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door, but his wife and bairns saw it, and in a loud voice they strove to get him to come back ; but the man put the tips of his thumbs in his ears and ran on, while he did shout, “Life! life! life that has no end I” So he did not as much as look back, but fled in the way of the plain.

His friends, in like way, came out to see him run ; and as he ran some did jeer, more made threats, and some, in shrill tones, bade him haste back. Of those who did so, there were two that sought to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate ; and the name of the next. Pliable. Now by this time the man was got a good way off from them ; but they made up their minds to go in quest of him, which they did ; and in a short time they came up with him. Then said the man, “ Friends, for what are ye come ?” Quoth they, “ To urge you to go back with us T but he said, “ That can by no means be. You dwell,” said he, “ in the City of Destruction, the place, too, where I was born : I see it to be so ; and when, soon or late, you die there, you will sink more deep

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than the grave, down to a place that burns with fire, the flame of which is fed by a strange stone that yields foul fumes. Do take heed, good friends, and go forth with me.

“What!” said Obstinate, “and leave our friends and all that brings us joy and ease?”

“Yes,” said Christian (for that was his name), “ and the cause is, that all is of no worth if you weigh it with the least of that which I seek to get ; and if you will go with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I do ; for there where I go is much and to spare : come with me, and prove my words.”

Obs. — “What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them ?”

Chr. — “ I seek a life that can know no taint, is pure, and that fades not ; and it is laid up on high, and safe there. Read it so, if you will, in my book.”

“Tush!” said Obstinate, “I heed not your book : will you go back with us or no?”

“ No, not I,” said Christian, “ for I have laid my hand to the plough.”

Op.s. — “ Come then, friend Pliable, let us

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turn once more, leave him, and go home. There are a lot of these fops with soft heads, that when they take a whim by the end, are more wise in their own eyes than ten men that can give a cause.”

Then said Pliable, “ Do not chide : if what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks for are of more worth than ours. My heart doth urge me to go with my friend.”

Obs. — “ What ! more fools still ? Be led by me and go back ; who knows to what place a lout with so sick a brain will lead you ? Go back, go back, and be wise.”

Chr. — “ Come with me, friend Pliable ; there are such things to be had which I spoke of, and much m.ore bliss to boot. If you heed not what 1 say, read here in this book ; and for the truth of what is told in it, lo, all is made sure by the blood of him that made it.”

“Well, friend Obstinate,” saith Pliable, “ I fain would come to a point. I mean to go forth with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him. But, my good mate, do

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you know the way to the place we so long for?”

Chr. — “ I am told by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a small gate that is in front of us, where we shall be put in the right way.”

Pli. — “ Come then, good friend, let us go on.”

Then they went forth side by side.

“ And I will go back to my place,” said Obstinate. “ I will not make one of such flat fools.”

CHAPTER 11.

THE SLOUGH OF DESPOHD.

|OW I saw in my dream that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable spoke as they did walk on the plain ; and this was what they said : —

Chr. — “ Come, friend Pliable, how do you do ? I am glad you have been led to go with me. Had but Obstinate felt what I have felt of the force and fear of what is not yet seen, he would not in this light way have set his back on us.”

Pli. — “Come, friend Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now, what more the things are, and how we are to use them where we are bound.”

Chr. — “ I can best grasp them with my mind than speak of them with my tongue : but yet, since you seek to know, I will read of them in my book.”

Pli. — “And do you think that the words of your book are true ?”

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Chr. — “Yes, in sooth, for it was made by him that could not lie.”

Pli, — “Well said; what things are they ?”

Chr. — “ There is a realm in which to live that will last for aye ; where we shall not taste of death, that we may dwell in it.”

Pli. — “ Well said ; and what else ?”

Chr. — “ There are crowns of joy in store for us, and robes that will make us shine like the sun at noon.”

Pli. — “This is right good; and what else ?”

. Chr. — “There we shall not weep or grieve more ; for he that owns the place will wipe all tears from our eyes.”

Pli. — “ And with whom shall we be there ?”

Chr. — “ There we shall meet with those that will make your eyes blink to gaze on them. There, in like way, you shall meet with a great host that have gone long since to that place ; none of them do hurt, but are full of love and free from taint; each one doth walk in the sight of God, stands in view

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1 1 of his face, and finds joy in his grace. In a word, there we shall see those who did rule the Church, with their crowns of gold ; there we shall see those who trod in the steps of Christ, with their harps of gold ; there we shall see men that by the world were cut in bits, burnt in flames, thrown to beasts, and sunk in the seas, for the love that they bare to the Lord of the place ; all well, and clad with light as with a robe.”

Pli. — “ To hear this doth fill one’s heart with Joy. But are these things to form our bliss ? How shall we get to share in them ?”

Chr. — “ The Lord, the King of the realm, hath set down that in this book, the pith of which is, if we in truth seek to have it, he will, of his free grace, grant it to us.”

Pli. — “ Well, my good friend, glad am I to hear of these things. Come on, let us mend our pace.”

Chr. — “ I fain would go more fast, but am kept back by this load on my back.”

Now I saw in my dream that just as they had put an end to this talk they drew up nigh to a deep slough that was in the midst of the plain ; and as they did not heed it, both fell swap in the bog. The name of the slough was ])<^spond. Here, then, did they trudge for a time, so that they were foul from dirt ; and Christian, through the load that was on his back, sank in the mire.

Then said Pliable, “Ah, friend Christian, where are you now ?”

“ In sooth,” said Christian, “ I do not know.”

At that Pliable felt hurt, and said in sharp tones to the man who was with him, “Is this the bliss vou have told me all this while of? If we have such ill speed as we first set out, what may we not look for ere the time we get to the end of our road ? May I once get out with my life, you shall hold the brave land for me.” And with that he gave a bold stride or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the slough which was next his own house. So off he went, and Christian saw him no more.

Hence Christian was left to sprawl in the Slougli of Despond, with none to help him; but still he made for that side of the slough

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*3 that was most far from his own house, and next to the small gate ; the which he did, but could not get out from the load he had on his back. But I saw in my dream that a man came to him, whose name was Help, and did ask him what he did there.

“ Sir,” said Christian, “ I was bade go this way by a man known as Evangelist, who sent me in like way to yon gate, that I might scape the wrath to come.”

Help. — “ But why did you not look for the steps ?”

Chr. — “ Fear went with me so hard that I fled the next way, and fell in.”

Then said he, “ Give me thy hand.” So he gave him his hand, and he drew him out, and set him on sound ground, and let him go on his way.

Then I went to him that did pluck him out, and said, “ Sir, whence, since through this place is the way from the City of Destruction to yon gate, is it that this plat is not made whole, that those poor wights who pass this way may run no risk ?”

And he said to me, “ This slough is such

*4

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a place that none can mend it. It is the valve through which the scum and filth that go with a sense.of sin do run, and hence it goes by the name of the Slough of Despond ; for still, as he who sins is wrought up to a sense of his lost state, there spring forth in his soul fears, and doubts, and dark thoughts that scare, which all of them form in a heap and fix in this place ; and this is the cause why the road is so bad. It is not the King’s wish that this place should be as it is. Those who work for him have, by the wish of one who has chief charge of the road, been long, long years at work on this patch of ground, to see if it might be made right ; yea, and I know,” said he, “here have been lost vast loads of good and sage words, that have at all times of the year been brought from each part of the King’s realm — and they that can tell say that they are the best stuff to make good ground of the place, if so be it might be made sound — but it is the Slough of Despond still, and so will it be when they have done what they can. True, there are, by the help of him who frames the laws, some stout and

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firm steps found through the midst of this slough ; but at such time as this the place doth much spew out its filth, as it does when rain falls ; these steps are then all but hid, or if they be seen, men, through the light state of their heads, step on one side, and then they get all grime with mire, though 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. So those who dwelt near came to see him ; and some of them said he was a wise man for that he came back, and some did call him fool for the ' rash risk he took, and for that he was led to go with Christian. Some, too, did flout at his lack of nerve, and said, “ In sooth, since you made the move, I would not have been so base as to blench for a few slight bales.” So Pliable sat like a sneak in their midst. But at last he put on airs, and then they all did change their tales, and set on to gibe poor Christian, who was not there. And thus much that bears on Pliable.

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Chapter III. Worldly-wiseman

|S Christian took his lone walk he saw one, while yet a good way off, cross the field to meet him, and their hap was to meet just as they did cross the same way. The man’s name was Mr. Worldly-wiseman ; he dwelt in the town of Carnalpolicy, a great town, and hard by from whence Christian came. This man then fell in with Christian, of whom he had heard ; for that Christian had set forth from the City of Destruction was the talk of the town, and spread far and wide. Hence Master Worldly-wiseman, as he had some guess of him by his slow gait, his sighs and groans, and the like, thus held some talk with Christian.

WoR. — “ How now, good friend ; where dost thou go bent down with such a weight?”

CiiR. — “ As big a load, in sooth, as I think a poor wight had in his life! And as you ask where I go, I tell you, sir, I am bound for yon

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small gate in front of me : for there, as I am told, I shall be put in a way to be rid of my huge load.”

WoR. — “ Hast thou a wife and bairns ?”

Chr. — “ Yes ; but I am so bent with this pack on my back, that I have not joy in them as of yore ; I think I am as if I had none.”

WoR. — “ Wilt thou give heed to me, if I tell thee what course to take?”

Chr. — “ If what you say be good, I will ; for I stand in need of a wise guide.”

WoR. — “ I would urge thee, then, that thou with all speed get rid of thy load ; for thou wilt not have ease of mind till then : nor canst thou take joy in the gifts which God has dealt to thee till then.”

Chr. — “ That is that which I seek for, which is to be rid of this great load : but get it off of my own strength I must fail to do ; nor is there a man in our land that can take it off my back ; hence I go this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my load.”

WoR. — “ Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy load ?”

Chr. — “ A man that I thought was high

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i8 and great ; his name, as my mind serves me, is Evangelist.”

WoR. — “ Out on him for his pains ! There is not a more rough way, or one of such risk, to be found in the world than is that he hath bade thee take : and that thou shalt find if thou wilt be led by him. Thou hast met with some ill hap, I judge, ere this ; for I see the dirt of the Slough of Despond smears thee ; but that slough is but the first of the griefs those share that go in that way. Hear me : I have seen more years than thou. Thou art like to meet with, on the way which thou dost go, great griefs, pain, lack of food and clothes, sword, fierce beasts, gloom, and, in a word, death, and what not ! These things are most true, as some find to their cost. And why should a man run such risks, and make light of his life, just on the word of a strange guide ?”

CiiR. — “ Why, sir, this load on my back is more dread to me than all these things of which you have told : nay, I think I care not what things I meet with in the way, if so be 1 can but net case from my pack.”

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WoR. — “ How didst thou come by thy load at first ?”

Chr. — “ By means of this book in my hand.”

WoR. — “I thought so: and it has been with thee as with more weak men, who, when they touch things too high for them, do at once grow wild in their wits ; which wild wits make men fools (as thine, I see, have done thee), and run them on bold flights, in search of they know not what.”

Chr. — “ I know what I would get : it is ease from my great load.”

WoR. — “ But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, as such dire ills go with it? the more so, hadst thou but borne with me, I could aid thee to get what thou dost wish, free from the risks that thou in this way wilt run. Yea, and the cure is at hand This I will add, that in lieu of these risks thou shalt meet with much good luck, friends, and peace.”

Chr. — “ Pray, sir, make known this boon to me.”

WoR.— >“ Why, in yon town (the town is

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known as Morality) there dwells a squire whose name is Legality, a most shrewd man, and a man of good name, that has skill to help men off with such loads as thine from their backs ; yea, I know he hath done a great deal of good this way: ay, and more, too, he hath skill to cure those who grow out of their wits with their load. To him, as I said, thou canst go and get help in a trice. His house is not quite a mile from this place ; and if he should not be at home, he hath a fair young man to his son, whose name is Civility, that can do it (to speak on) as well as his sage sire. There, I say, thou canst get ease from thy load : and if thou dost not care to go back to thy late home, as in truth I would not wish thee, thou canst send for thy wife and bairns to thee to this town, where thou wilt not lack a house to live in, as scores of such are to let, one of which thou canst have at a fair rate. Food is there, in like way, cheap and good ; and that which will make thy life more bright is to be sure that thou shalt dwell by just folk, bear a good name, and live in right style.”

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Now was Christian at a stand what to do ; but soon he thought, “ If this be true which this squire hath said, my best course is to be led by him and with that he thus spake more.

Chr. — “ Sir, which is the way to this good man’s house?”

WoR. — “ Do you see yon high hill ?”

Chr. — “ Yes, quite well.”

WoR. — “ By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.”

So Christian went out of his way to go to Mr. Legality’s house for help. But lo, when he was got now hard by the hill, so high did it seem ; and more than this, that side of it that was next the path did hang so much, that Christian durst not move on, lest the hill should fall on his head ; for which cause there he stood still, and he wot not what to do. His load, too, felt of more weight to him than while he was in the way. But soon there came fierce flames of fire out of the hill, each flash of which made Christian dread he should be burnt : here, then, he sweat, and did quake for fear. And POW h§ was wroth for the heed he gave to Mr. Worldlywisenian’s words. And with that he saw Evangelist come forth to meet him ; at the sight of whom he could not but blush for shame. So Evangelist drew more and more near, and when he came up to him he gave him a stern look, and thus did he speak with Christian : —

“ What dost thou here ?” said he. At which words Christian knew not what to say ; whence for a while he stood dumb in his sight. Then said Evangelist to him, “Art not thou the man that I found in tears back of the wails of the City of Destruction ?”

Chr. — “ Yes, dear sir, I am the man.”

Evan. — “ Did I not tell thee the way to the small gate ?”

“ Yes, dear sir,” said Christian.

Evan. — “ How is it then that thou art so soon found in this place ? for thou art now out of the way.’"

CiiR. — “ I met with a squire, so soon as I had got clear of the Slough of Despond, who made me think that 1 might, in the town

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which did face me, find a man that could take off my load."

Evan. — “ What was he ?’’

Chk. — “ He had the airs of a squire, and spoke much to me, and got me at last to yield ; so I came to this place : but when I saw this hill, and how it hangs its brow, I at once made a stand, lest it should fall on my head.’’

Evan. — “ What said that squire to you ?’’

Chr. — “ Why, he fain would know to what place I was bound; and I told him.”

Evan. — “And what said he then?”

Chr. — “ He sought to know if I had a wife and bairns, and I told him : ‘ but,’ said I, ‘ 1 am so borne down with the load that is on my back, that I take not the same joy in them as I once did.’ ”

Evan. — “And what said he then?”

Chr. — “ He bid me with speed get rid oi my load, and I told him it was ease that 1 sought: and said I, ‘I am hence bound for yon gate to gain more news how I may get to the place where my load may be cast off.’ So he said that he would show me the best

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way, one less long, too, and not so rife with risks as the way, sir, that you set me in :

‘ which way,’ said he, ‘ will take you to a squire’s house that hath skill to take off these loads. So I put faith in him, and set out of that way till I came to this, if so be I might soon get ease from my load : but when I came to this place, and saw things as they are, I stood for fear, as I said, of harm : but now I know not what to do.”