40 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

Curis. By reading this book in my hand.

Wortp. I thought so. And it has happened unto thee as unto other weak men,
who, meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into thy distractions ;
which distractions do not only unman men, as thine I perceive have done thee, but
they run them upon desperate ventures, to obtain they know not what.

Curis. I know what I would obtain ; it is ease for my heavy burden.

Wortp. But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend
it? Especially since (hadst thou but patience to hear me), I could direct thee to the
obtaining of what thou desirest, without the dangers that thou in this way wilt run
thyself into. Yea, and the remedy is at hand. Besides, I will add that, instead of
those dangers, thou shalt meet with much safety, friendship, and content.

Curis. Sir, I pray, open this secret to me.

Wortp. Why, in yonder village (the village is named Morality), there dwells a gen-
tleman whose name is Legality, a very judicious man, and a man of very good name,
that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine is from their shoulders; yea,
to my knowledge he hath done a great deal of good this way; aye, and besides, he
hath skill to cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits with their burdens. To
him, as I said, thou mayest go, and be helped presently. His house is not quite a mile
from this place; and if he should not be at home himself, he hath a pretty young man
to his son, whose name is Civility, that can do it (to speak on) as well as the old gen-
tleman himself. There, I say, thou mayest be eased of thy burden; and if thou art
not minded to go back to thy former habitation (as indeed I would not wish thee),
thou mayest send for thy wife and children to thee in this village, where there are
houses now standing empty, one of which thou mayest have at a reasonable rate; provi-
sion is there also cheap and good; and that which will make thy life the more happy
is, to be sure there thou shalt live by honest neighbors, in credit and good fashion.

Now was Christian somewhat at a stand; but presently he concluded, “If this be
true which this gentleman hath said, my wisest course is to take his advice;” and
with that, he thus further spake :

Curis. Sir, which is my way to this honest man’s house?

Wortp. Do you see yonder high hill?

Curis. Yes, very well.

Wortp. By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.

So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr. Legality’s house for help; but,
behold, when he was got now hard by the hill, it seemed so high, and also that side of
it that was next the wayside did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to ven-