is neighbors came to visit him, and some of them called him
wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for going with
Christian. Others again did mock at his cowardliness, saying, "Surely
since you began to go, you need not have been so base as to have given
out for a few difficulties." So Pliable sat like a coward among them.

Now as Christian was walking alone, he espied one afar off, come
crossing over the field to meet him. The gentleman's name was Mr.
Worldly Wiseman. He dwelt in a very great town, close by the one from
which Christian came. This man, then, meeting with Christian, began
thus to enter into some talk with him: "How now, good fellow, whither
are you going in this burdened manner?"

"A burdened manner indeed," said Christian. "I am going, sir, to
yonder Wicket-gate before me, for there, I am told, I shall be put
into a way to be rid of my heavy burden."

"Hast thou a wife and children?" asked Mr. Worldly Wiseman.

"Yes, but I am so laden with this burden that I cannot take that
pleasure in them as formerly."

"Will you hearken to me if I give thee counsel?"

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

"I would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get thyself rid
of thy burden, for thou wilt never be contented till then."

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

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

"A man that appeared to me a very great and honorable person. His
name, as I remember, is Evangelist."

"He has given thee foolish counsel. There is not a more dangerous and
troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath directed
thee. Thou hast met with some danger already, for I see the mud of the
Slough of Despond is upon thee. Hear me, I am older than thou. Thou
art likely to meet with, in the way which thou goest, painfulness,
hunger, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and death."

"Why, sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me than all
these things."

"But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers
attend it? Hadst thou but patience to listen, I could direct thee how
to get what thou desirest, without the danger that thou in this way
wilt run thyself into."

"Sir, I pray that t