“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.  And Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.  Then said Pliable, “Ah, Neighbor Christian, where are you now?”

“Truly,” said Christian, “I do not know.”

At this Pliable began to be offended, and said angrily, “Is this the happiness you have told me of all this while?  If I get out again with my life, you shall possess the wonderful country alone.”

And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the bog which was next to his own house.  So away he went, and Christian saw him no more.  Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone.  But still he tried to struggle to that side of the Slough that was further from his own house, and next to the Wicket-gate.  But he could not get out because of the burden that was upon his back.

And I beheld in my dream that a man came to him, whose name was Help, and asked him what he did there.  “Sir,” said Christian, “I was bid to go this way by a man called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, and as I was going thither I fell in here.”

“Why did you not look for the steps?” said Help.

“I was so full of fear,” answered Christian, “that I fled the next way and fell in.”

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