My heart makes me wish to
go with him. But, my good Christian, do you know the way you are
going?"

"I am directed by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a
little gate that is before us, where we shall be told about the way."

"Come then, good neighbor," said Pliable, "let us be going." Then they
went both together.

"And I will go back to my place," said Obstinate. "I will be no
companion of such mistaken and foolish fellows."

Now I saw in my dream that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and
Pliable went talking over the plain. "I will tell you what my book
says of the country to which we are going, and of the people we shall
meet there," said Christian.

"But do you think the words of your book are certainly true?" said
Pliable.

"Yes," said Christian, "for it was written by Him who cannot lie."

"Well," said Pliable, "tell me about this country."

"In this country," said Christian, "we shall live for ever. There are
crowns of glory to be given us, and garments that will make us shine
like the sun."

"This is excellent," said Pliable; "and what else?"

"There shall be no more crying nor sorrow, for He that is the Owner of
the place will wipe all tears from our eyes," said Christian.

"And what companions shall we have there?" asked Pliable.

"There we shall be with those that will dazzle your eyes to look on.
There also you shall meet with thousands and tens of thousands that
have gone before us to that place. None of of them are hurtful, but
loving and holy. In a word, there shall we see some with their golden
crowns, there we shall see maidens with golden harps, there we shall
see men that here were cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten by
beasts, and drowned in the seas, all for the love they bare to the
Lord of this place. Now they are all well, and clothed with beautiful
garments."

And as Pliable heard of the excellence of the country and of the
company to which they were going, he said, "Well, my good companion,
glad I am to hear of these things. Come on, let us go with more
speed."

"I cannot go as fast as I would by reason of this burden that is on my
back," said Christian.

Now I saw in my dream that just as they ended their talk, they drew
nigh to a bog that was in the midst of the plain, and they being
heedless did both fall suddenly into it. The name of this bog was the
Slough of Despond. Here therefore they struggled for a time, being
grievously covered with dirt. A