WHAT WAS SAID IN THE CITY. 87

grimage. But I did believe, and do still, that the end of our city will be with fire and
brimstone from above; and therefore I have made my escape.

Curis. Did you hear no talk of neighbor Pliable ?

Farru. Yes, Christian; I heard that he followed you till he eame to the Slough of
Despond, where, as some said, he fell in; but he would not be known to have so done;
but I am sure he was soundly bedabbled with that kind of dirt.

Curis. And what said the neighbors to him?

Farry. He hath, since his going back, been held greatly in derision, and that among
all sorts of people: some do mock and despise him, and scarce any will set him on
work. He is now seven times worse than if he had never gone out of the city.

Curis. But why should they be so set against him, since they also despise the way
that he forsook ?

Farrn. “Oh,” they say, “hang him; he is a turncoat! he was not true to his pro-
fession!” I think God has stirred up even his enemies to hiss at him and make him
a proverb, because he hath forsaken the way.”

Curis. Had you no talk with him before you came out?

Farr. I met him once in the streets, but he leered away on the other side, as one
ashamed of what he had done; so I spake not to him.

Curis. Well, at my first setting out, I had hopes of that man, but now I fear he will
perish in the overthrow of the city. For it has happened to him according to the true
proverb, “The dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her
wallowing in the mire.” ™

Farru. These are my fears of him too; but who can hinder that which will be?

Curis. “Well, neighbor Faithful,” said Christian, “let us leave him, and tall of
things that more immediately concern ourselves. Tell me now what you have met
with in the way as you came; for I know you have met with some things, or else it
may be writ for a wonder.”

Farru. I escaped the slough that I perceive you fell into, and got up to the gate
without that danger; only I met with one whose name was Wanton, that had like to
have done me a mischief.

Curis. It was well you escaped her net: Joseph was hard put to it by her, and le
escaped her as you did; but it had like to have cost him his life"? But what did she
do to you?

Farrn. You cannot think (but that you know something) what a flattering tongue
she had; she lay at me hard to turn aside with her, promising me all manner of
content.