Now I beheld in my dream, that they had not journeyed far, but the river
and the way for a time parted, at which they were not a little sorry; yet they
durst not go out of the way. Now the way from the river was rough, and their
feet tender by reason of their travels; so the souls of the pilgrims were much
discouraged because of the way. Wherefore, still as they went on,
they wished for a better way. Now, a little before them, there was on the left
hand of the road a meadow, and a stile to go over into it, and that meadow is
called By-path meadow. Then said Christian to his fellow, If this meadow lieth
along by our wayside, let’s go over into it. Then he went to the stile to see,
and behold a path lay along by the way on the other side of the fence. It is
according to my wish, said Christian; here is the easiest going; come, good
Hopeful, and let us go over.
Hopeful: But how
if this path should lead us out of the way?
Christian: That
is not likely, said the other. Look, doth it not go along by the wayside? So
Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow, went after him over the stile. When
they were gone over, and were got into the path, they found it very easy for
their feet; and withal, they, looking before them, espied a man walking as they
did, and his name was Vain-Confidence: so they called after him, and asked him
whither that way led. He said, To the Celestial Gate. Look, said Christian, did
not I tell you so? by this you may see we are right. So they followed, and he
went before them. But behold the night came on, and it grew very dark; so that
they that went behind lost the sight of him that went before.
He therefore that
went before, (Vain-Confidence by name,) not seeing the way before him, fell
into a deep pit, which was on purpose there made, by the prince of those
grounds, to catch vain-glorious fools withal, and was dashed in pieces with his
fall.
Now, Christian
and his fellow heard him fall. So they called to know the matter, but there was
none to answer, only they heard a groaning. Then said Hopeful, Where are we
now? Then was his fellow silent, as mistrusting that he had led him out of the
way; and now it began to rain, and thunder, and lighten in a most dreadful
manner, and the water rose amain.
Then Hopeful
groaned in himself, saying, Oh that I had kept on my way!
Christian: Who
could have thought that this path should have led us out of the way?
Hopeful: I was
afraid on’t at the very first, and therefore gave you that gentle caution. I
would have spoke plainer, but that you are older than I.
Christian: Good
brother, be not offended; I am sorry I have brought thee out of the way, and
that I have put thee into such imminent danger. Pray, my brother, forgive me; I
did not do it of an evil intent.
Hopeful: Be
comforted, my brother, for I forgive thee; and believe, too, that this shall be
for our good.
Christian: I am
glad I have with me a merciful brother: but we must not stand here; let us try
to go back again.
Hopeful: But,
good brother, let me go before.
Christian: No, if
you please, let me go first, that if there be any danger, I may be first
therein, because by my means we are both gone out of the way.
Hopeful: No, said
Hopeful, you shall not go first, for your mind being troubled may lead you out
of the way again. Then for their encouragement they heard the voice of one
saying, “Let thine heart be toward the highway, even the way that thou wentest:
turn again.” But by this time the waters were
greatly risen, by reason of which the way of going back was very dangerous. (Then
I thought that it is easier going out of the way when we are in, than going in
when we are out.) Yet they adventured to go back; but it was so dark, and the
flood was so high, that in their going back they had like to have been drowned
nine or ten times.
