Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress: In Words of One Syllable

  CHAPTER III.

  WORLDLY-WISEMAN.

  AS Christian took his lone walk he saw one cross the field to meet him,and their hap was to meet just as they did cross the same way. Theman's name was Mr. Worldly-wiseman. Hence Mr. Worldly-wiseman thus heldsome talk with Christian.

  _Wor._--"How now, good friend; where dost thou go bent down with such aweight?"

  CHRISTIAN AND WORLDLY-WISEMAN]

  _Chr._--"As big a load, in sooth, as I think a poor wight had in hislife! I am bound for yon small gate in front of me; for there, as I amtold, I shall be put in a way to be rid of my huge load."

  _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 wiseguide."

  _Wor._--"Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy load?"

  _Chr._--"A man that I thought was high and great; his name, as my mindserves me, is Evangelist."

  _Wor._--"There is not a more rough way to be found in the world than isthat he hath bade thee take; and that thou shalt find if thou wilt beled by him. Hear me: I have seen more years than thou. Thou art like tomeet with, on the way which thou dost go, great griefs, pain, lack offood and clothes, sword, fierce beasts, gloom, and, in a word, death,and what not! And why should a man run such risks, just on the word ofa strange guide?"

  _Chr._--"Why, sir, I think I care not what things I meet with in theway, if so be I can get ease from my pack."

  _Wor._--"But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, as such dire ills gowith it? the more so, hadst thou but borne with me, I could aid thee toget what thou dost wish, free from the risks that thou in this way wiltrun."

  _Chr._--"Pray, sir, make known this boon to me."

  _Wor._--"Why, in yon town (the town is known as Morality) there dwellsa squire whose name is Legality, a man of good name, that has skill tohelp men off with such loads as thine from their backs. To him, as Isaid, thou canst go and get help in a trice; and if he should not beat home, he hath a fair young son, whose name is Civility, that can doit as well as his sage sire."

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

  _Chr._--"Sir, which is the way to this good man's house?"

  _Wor._--"By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at ishis."

  So Christian went out of his way to go to Mr. Legality's house forhelp. But lo, when he was got now hard by the hill, that side of itthat was next the path did hang so much, that Christian durst not moveon, lest the hill should fall on his head: for which cause there hestood still, and he wot not what to do. But soon there came fierceflames of fire out of the hill, each flash of which made Christiandread he should be burnt. And now he was wroth for the heed he gave toMr. Worldly-wiseman's words. And with that he saw Evangelist come forthto meet him; and thus did he speak with Christian:

  "What dost thou here?" said he. At which words Christian knew not whatto say. Then said Evangelist to him, "Art not thou the man that I foundin tears back of the walls of the City of Destruction?"

  _Chr._--"Yes, dear sir, I am the man. I met with a squire, so soon as Ihad got clear of the Slough of Despond, who made me think that I might,in the town which did face me, find a man that could take off my load."

  _Evan._--"What said that squire to you?"

  _Chr._--"He bid me with speed get rid of my load; and said I, 'I amhence bound for yon gate to gain more news how I may get to the placewhere my load may be cast off.' So he said that he would show me thebest way: 'which way,' said he, 'will take you to a squire's house thathath skill to take off these loads.' So I put faith in him, and set outof that way till I came to this, if so be I might soon get ease from myload."

  Then said Evangelist, "Stand still a short time, that I may show theethe words of God."

  Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, and did cry, "Woe is me,for I am lost!" At the sight of which Evangelist caught him by theright hand, and said, "Be not frail, but have faith."

  Then Evangelist went on, and said, "Give heed to the things that Ishall tell thee of. The man that met thee is one Worldly-wiseman, andhe bears a fit name; in part, for that his creed is what the worldholds; and in part, for that he loves such faith best, for it saves himfrom the cross. Now, there are three things in this man's words thatthou must be sure and shun--his scheme to turn thee out of the way; hiswish to make the cross a shame to thee; and his guile, which did temptthee to set thy feet in that way that leads to death.

  "And for this thou must bear in mind to whom he sent thee, no less thanhis lack of skill to rid thee of thy load. He to whom thou wast sentfor ease, by name Legality, has not the gift to set thee free from thyload. No man, as yet, got rid of his load by him: no, nor till the endof time is like to be. 'By the works of the law none can be made just,'for by the deeds of the law no man that lives can be rid of his load;and as for his son, Civility, though he wears soft looks, he is but aknave, and must fail to help thee. Trust me, there is naught else inall this noise that thou hast heard of this spot but a scheme to lurethee of thy soul's bliss."

  Now Christian felt sure fear of death, and burst out in a shrillcry, full of woe, as he did curse the time in which he met with Mr.Worldly-wiseman. Still did he say he was the chief of fools for theheed he gave to him. This done, he spoke to Evangelist in words andsense thus:

  _Chr._--"Sir, what think you? Is there hope? May I now go back and goup to the small gate? Shall I not be sent back from thence in shame?"

  Then said Evangelist to him, "Thy sin is most great, for by it thouhast done two bad deeds: thou hast left the way that is good to treadin wrong paths, yet will the man at the gate let thee pass, for he has_good-will_ for men."

  Then did Christian make up his mind to go back, and Evangelist, when hedid kiss his cheek, gave him a smile, and bid him God speed.