Walk in Wisdom
Going Aside into Bypath Meadow
They had not journeyed far when the river and the highway parted, at which they were displeased, because the road by the river had been smooth. Now the way was rough, and their feet were sore from travel. A little before them, on the left hand of the road was a meadow and a stile leading to a path on the other side of the fence. On the stile were the words, “Bypath Meadow.” When they came to the stile, Christian said, “If this meadow lies along by our road, let us go over.” And he went to the stile to see. He saw a smooth path along by the way on the other side of the fence. “It is as I wished,” said Christian: “here is easier going. Come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.”
Christian and Hopeful are refreshed at the River of the Water of Life.
HOPEFUL: But what if this path should lead us away from the road?
CHRISTIAN: That is not likely. Look, does it not go along by the highway?
So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow companion, followed Christian over the fence. They found the path in the meadow easier on their feet. Before them walked a vain man whose name was Self-Confidence. Christian called to him and asked where this path led.
“To the Celestial Gate,” he cried.
“Now,” said Christian, “did I not tell you? By this we know we are right,” and they followed Self-Confidence. But soon the night came on, and in the darkness they lost sight of Self-Confidence, who, not seeing the way, fell into a deep pit which was made by the owner of the grounds to catch wayward travelers. Christian and Hopeful heard him fall and called to know what had happened, but there was no answer. They heard only a groan.
Then said Hopeful, “Where are we now?” Christian was silent, regretting that he had led his fellow out of the way. It began to thunder and rain, and water rose over the low grounds. Then Hopeful groaned, saying, “Oh, that we had kept on our way!”
CHRISTIAN: Who would have thought that this path would lead us away from the road?
HOPEFUL: I was afraid of it at the very first, and therefore gave you the gentle warning. I would have spoken plainer, but you are older than I.
CHRISTIAN: Good brother, do not be offended. I am sorry I led you astray and have put you to such imminent danger. Please forgive me; I did it with no evil intent.
HOPEFUL: Don’t worry, my brother, I forgive you, and I believe that in some way this must be for our good.
CHRISTIAN: I am truly glad I have with me a merciful brother. But we must not stand still. Let us try to go back again to the road.
HOPEFUL: All right, good brother, but let me go before.
CHRISTIAN: No, if you please, let me go first, so that if there is any danger I will be the first to take the risk and to suffer, because I am to blame for our present plight.
HOPEFUL: No, no, brother, you shall not go first. Since your mind is troubled, you might lead us the wrong way again.
Then they heard a voice, saying, “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” But by this time the waters were so high that it was exceedingly dangerous to go either way. Then they remembered the saying, “It is much easier to get out of the right way, than to get back in once you are out.” Yet they still went back toward the stile, but the night was so dark and the water so high that they almost drowned.
And they did not make it back to the stile that night. At last, coming to a little shelter on higher ground, they sat down to wait for the dawn. But, being weary, they fell asleep.
Not far from where they lay there was an old castle called Doubting Castle, owned by one Giant Despair; and it was on his grounds they were sleeping. And, as his habit was, the giant rose early and was inspecting his grounds and fences after the rain when he came upon Christian and Hopeful sleeping on his premises. With a gruff voice he told them to wake up, and commanded them to tell where they were from and what they were doing on his grounds. They told him that they were pilgrims and had lost their way.