The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

they, not paying attention, fell suddenly into the bog. The name of the
swamp was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being
greatly smeared with filth. Christian, because of the burden which was
on his back — began to sink in the mire.
Then Pliable cried out, "Ah! Christian, where are we now?"
"Truly," said Christian, "I do not know!"
Being offended, Pliable angrily said to his companion, "Is this the
happiness you have told me of? If we have such trouble at our first
setting out — what may we expect before our journey's end? If I can get
out of here with my life — you can have your noble country without
me!"
And with that, Pliable, after a desperate struggle — got out of the mire
on that side of the swamp which was nearest to his own house. So away
he went — and Christian saw him no more.
So Christian was left in the Swamp of Despond alone; but he still
struggled toward that side of the swamp which was furthest from his
own house, and closest to the narrow-gate. But he could not get out,
because of the heavy burden which was upon his back.
I then beheld in my dream, that a man came to him, whose name was
Help, and asked him what he was doing there.
"Sir," Christian said, "I was told to go this way by a man called
Evangelist, who directed me to yonder narrow-gate, that I might escape
the wrath to come. And as I was going — I fell into this swamp!"
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