三、 偶遇老世故先生 （1）
Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone: but still he endeavoured to struggle to that side of the slough that was still further from his own house, and next to the wicket-gate; the which he did, but could not get out, because of the burden that was upon his back: but I beheld in my dream, that a man came to him, whose name was Help, and asked him, What he did there?
因此基督徒只剩下一个人在灰心沼里打滚；不过他还是挣扎着，他向离他家更远的一头，朝着更靠近那个小门的方向挣扎过去；结果他到了那一面，可是由于背上的重负，他爬不上来，这时候我在梦里看见一个叫做援助的人走近他，问他在那儿干什么。 
CHR. Sir, said Christian, I was bid go this way by a man called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, that I might escape the wrath to come; and as I was going thither I fell in here.
基督徒说：先生，一个叫宣道师的人，指点我走这条路的；他还指示我到那边小门那儿去，以便避免天罚；我在往那儿去的路上掉进这里来。
HELP. But why did not you look for the steps?
援助说：你为什么不留心找石头台阶呢？
CHR. Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way, and fell in.
基督徒说：我心里非常害怕，避过隔壁的一条路，因此跌了下来。 
HELP. Then said he, Give me thy hand: so he gave him his hand, and he drew him out, and set him upon sound ground, and bid him go on his way.
援助说：那么把手伸给我。他伸手给援助，后者把他拉出来，带到坚实的地上（1），叫他继续向前走去。
Then I stepped to him that plucked him out, and said, Sir, wherefore, since over this place is the way from the City of Destruction to yonder gate, is it that this plat is not mended, that poor travellers might go thither with more security? And he said unto me, This miry slough is such a place as cannot be mended; it is the descent whither the scum and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and therefore it is called the Slough of Despond; for still, as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition, there ariseth in his soul many fears, and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them get together, and settle in this place. And this is the reason of the badness of this ground.
于是我走近拉他出来的那个人，对他说，先生，既然从毁灭城到那边小门得经过这个地方，为什么不把这片空地修好，让可怜的旅客们可以安全走路？他对我说，这泥沼无法修好；因为随悔罪而来的污秽不断朝这块低地流下来，因为罪人一旦觉悟到自己的无望的情况，他心灵里就产生了许多恐惧、疑虑和不安的情绪，它们都聚合拢来停留在这个地方。所以这块地才这样糟。
It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain so bad. His labourers also have, by the direction of His Majesty's surveyors, been for above these sixteen hundred years employed about this patch of ground, if perhaps it might have been mended: yea, and to my knowledge, said he, here have been swallowed up at least twenty thousand cart-loads, yea, millions of wholesome instructions, that have at all seasons been brought from all places of the King's dominions, and they that can tell, say they are the best materials to make good ground of the place; if so be, it might have been mended, but it is the Slough of Despond still, and so will be when they have done what they can.
国王并不愿意这块地这样糟（2）。为了修补这块地，他的工人在皇上的监工们的指导下已经工作了一千六百多年了。他说，不但如此，据我所知，从国王的领域里的各个地方陆续不断运来的至少有两万车的材料，是的，数以万计的有益的教训都用在这块地上。内行的人都说，这些东西是修补这个地方的最好的材料；如果这样，它是可能修好的，不过现在还是灰心沼，而且将来也还是，尽管工人们都会尽力地修理。
True, there are, by the direction of the Law-giver, certain good and substantial steps, placed even through the very midst of this slough; but at such time as this place doth much spew out its filth, as it doth against change of weather, these steps are hardly seen; or, if they be, men, through the dizziness of their heads, step beside, and then they are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there; but the ground is good when they are once got in at the gate. 
由于国王的命令，的确已经在泥沼中间铺下了相当好而坚固的石头台阶；可是在这个时候，这地方涌出了那样多的垃圾，气候改变的时候它就这样，因此那些石级几乎看不见了；或者即使看见了，但是人们由于头昏，一失足就弄得满身泥污，所以有了石级也并不保险；不过走进那个小门以后，地面就好了（3）。 
Now, I saw in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home to his house again, so that his neighbours came to visit him; and some of them called him wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for hazarding himself with Christian: others again did mock at his cowardliness; saying, Surely, since you began to venture, I would not have been so base to have given out for a few difficulties. So Pliable sat sneaking among them. But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned their tales, and began to deride poor Christian behind his back. And thus much concerning Pliable.
当时我在梦里看见柔顺已经回到家里。邻居们都来看他；有的说他及时回来很聪明，有的说他跟基督徒去冒险很傻，另外一些人笑他胆小，说：你既然已经开了头，的确不应该这样没志气，为了一些困难就退却啦。柔顺就这样鬼头鬼脑地处身在他们中间。到最后他变得更无耻了，而他们也就转移了攻击的对象，在背后嘲骂起基督徒来了。关于柔顺的事，到此为止。 
Now, as Christian was walking solitarily by himself, he espied one afar off, come crossing over the field to meet him; and their hap was to meet just as they were crossing the way of each other. The gentleman's name that met him was Mr. Worldly Wiseman, he dwelt in the town of Carnal Policy, a very great town, and also hard by from whence Christian came. This man, then, meeting with Christian, and having some inkling of him,--for Christian's setting forth from the City of Destruction was much noised abroad, not only in the town where he dwelt, but also it began to be the town talk in some other places,--Mr. Worldly Wiseman, therefore, having some guess of him, by beholding his laborious going, by observing his sighs and groans, and the like, began thus to enter into some talk with Christian.
且说，基督徒独个儿走路的时候，远远看见一个人从田野那边向他走来，因为他们的路线彼此交叉，正好相遇。那个来人是老世故先生，他住在享乐主义城，一个离基督徒的家很近的大城市。这个人碰见基督徒，他已经知道一些关于他的事——因为基督徒从毁灭城启程，人们都传说纷纭，不但在他住的城里，在别的地方大家也都在议论这件事——,因此老世故先生看到他那样吃力地走着，又是叹息又是呻吟的，以及诸如此类的情形，就猜到他是谁了；他这样开始跟基督徒谈话：——
WORLD. How now, good fellow, whither away after this burdened manner?
老世故说：好朋友，你这样辛苦地走着，要到哪儿去呀？
CHR. A burdened manner, indeed, as ever, I think, poor creature had! And whereas you ask me, Whither away? I tell you, Sir, I am going to yonder wicket-gate before me; for there, as I am informed, I shall be put into a way to be rid of my heavy burden.
基督徒说：我想的确没有人走过比我更辛苦的路程！既然你问我上哪儿去，我告诉你，先生，我是到那边的小门去；因为有人告诉我，到了那儿之后，就有办法解脱我的重负。
WORLD. Hast thou a wife and children?
老世故说：你有妻子和儿女吗？
CHR. Yes; but I am so laden with this burden that I cannot take that pleasure in them as formerly; me thinks I am as if I had none. 
基督徒说：有；但是重负这么压着我，使我对他们不像以往那样感兴趣了；我觉得，我根本就像个没有妻子和儿女的人（4）。
WORLD. Wilt thou hearken unto me if I give thee counsel?
老世故说：要是我给你劝告，你肯听吗？
CHR. If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.
基督徒说：如果是好的劝告，我肯听的；因为我非常需要好的劝告。
WORLD. I would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get thyself rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never be settled in thy mind till then; nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessing which God hath bestowed upon thee till then.
老世故说：那么我劝你尽快解除你的重负；因为它若没有解除，你心里就永远不会平安，你也就不能享到上帝赐给你的福份。 
CHR. That is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden; but get it off myself, I cannot; nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders; therefore am I going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden.
基督徒说：这正是我的目的，我就是要解除这重负；但是我自己无法摆脱它；再说，我的家乡也没有一个人能把它从我的肩上拿下来；所以我才走这条路。我不是刚刚告诉过你了吗，这正是为了要解除我的重负呀。
WORLD. Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?
老世故说：谁告诉过你，走这条路就可以把它解除呢？ 
CHR. A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honourable person; his name, as I remember, is Evangelist.
基督徒说：是一个看上去非常高尚而可敬的人；他的名字，我记得，是宣道师。
WORLD. I beshrew him for his counsel! there is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath directed thee; and that thou shalt find, if thou wilt be ruled by his counsel. Thou hast met with something, as I perceive, already; for I see the dirt of the Slough of Despond is upon thee; but that slough is the beginning of the sorrows that do attend those that go on in that way. Hear me, I am older than thou; thou art like to meet with, in the way which thou goest, wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions,dragons, darkness, and, in a word, death, and what not! These things are certainly true, having been confirmed by many testimonies. And why should a man so carelessly cast away himself, by giving heed to a stranger?
老世故说：他真该死，给你这种劝告！世界上没有一条比他指点给你的更难走、更危险的路了；你如果听他的话，以后一定会发现我这话说得没错。我看得出，你在路上遇到了什么啦；因为我看见你身上有灰心沼的泥污；不过那只是走上这条路的人不可避免的苦难的开端。我年纪比你大，你听着：在你走的这条路上，你还会碰到疲乏、痛苦、饥饿、艰险、无衣无食、刀剑、黑暗、狮子、毒龙，总而言之，死亡，以及其他的一切。这些事情完全是真实的，因为许多人都曾证实过。为什么去听一个陌生人的胡扯而随便把自己毁了？ 
CHR. Why, Sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me than all these things which you have mentioned; nay, methinks I care not what I meet with in the way, if so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden.
基督徒说：哎呀，先生，我背上的重负比你所说的那些东西更可怕；不但如此，我还觉得在路上无论碰到什么我都不在乎，只要能解除我的重负就是。
WORLD. How camest thou by the burden at first?
老世故说：最初你怎样发觉这重负的？ 
CHR. By reading this book in my hand.
基督徒说：看了我手里的这本书以后才发觉的。 
WORLD. I thought so; and it is happened unto thee as to 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.
老世故说：我早就猜着了；因为有好多软弱的人都是如此，他们也爱探讨这种太高深的问题，结果都弄得神经错乱；这种迷乱不但叫人失魂落魄，就像我在你身上所看到的情形一样，并且还会使人不顾一切地冒险追求他们自己也莫名其妙的东西。
CHR. I know what I would obtain; it is ease for my heavy burden.
基督徒说：我知道我会得到什么；我的重负会得到解除。
WORLD. 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.
老世故说：可是既然明知道这样做有许多危险，为什么还要用这种方式去获得解除呢？尤其是，只要你耐心听我讲，我就能够指点你达到目的，同时还不至遇到走这条路的许多危险；而且办法就近在咫尺。我还要加一句，不但没有危险，你还会得到安全、友谊和满足。 
CHR.
 Pray, Sir, open this secret to me.

基督徒说：先生，请告诉我这个秘密。
WORLD. Why, in yonder village--the village is named Morality-- there dwells a gentleman 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 are from their shoulders: yea, to my knowledge, he hath done a great deal of good this way; ay, 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 gentleman 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 to this village, where there are houses now stand empty, one of which thou mayest have at reasonable rates; provision 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 neighbours, in credit and good fashion.
老世故说：唔，就在那边有个乡村——叫做道学村，那儿住着一个叫做合法的绅士，他是个非常公正而负有声誉的人，他能帮助人从肩上卸除像你这种负担；而且，据我所知，他已经做了不少这种好事；同时还能医治人们由于重负所引起的神经病。就像我对你说的，你可以去找他，马上会得到他的帮助。他的家离这儿不到一英里路，要是他不在家，他有个年青漂亮的儿子叫做学礼，说起来，他的本领也不下于那老头儿；我说，你的重负在那儿可以获得解除；如果你不想回到原来的住处（我的确也不希望你回去），你可以把妻子和儿女搬到这个村子里来住，这儿有好多空房子，你花不了多少钱就可以租到一幢；这儿吃的东西又便宜又好；无疑的，你的生活会更幸福，因为你会跟一些名誉既好、气派又大的体面人做邻居。 
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 spoke.
基督徒这时候真是进退两难；不过，他不一会就作出了结论，他想，要是这位绅士说的是真话，我就该听他的劝告；于是他抱着这样的想法和他继续谈下去。 
CHR. Sir, which is my way to this honest man's house?
基督徒说：先生，从哪条路可以到达那个体面人的家？ 
WORLD. Do you see yonder hill?
老世故说；你看见那边有座小山吗？
CHR. Yes, very well.
基督徒说：看得很清楚。
WORLD. By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.
老世故说：你走过小山，看见第一幢房子就是他的家。
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 venture further, lest the hill should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still and wotted not what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was in his way. There came also flashes of fire out of the hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burned. Here, therefore, he sweat and did quake for fear. 
基督徒就这样离开了他原来所走的路，转向合法先生的家去求助了；但是，哎呀，他一走到那座小山的跟前，小山看上去却显得那么高，而且靠近路旁的一边是那么陡削，以致他不敢再往前冒险，生怕小山会崩坍下来，压在他的头上；因此他忽地站住，不知所措了。同时他的负担好像也比先前在路上时更重了。小山还发出一闪一闪的火光（5），基督徒害怕身上会着火，直吓得冒出一身冷汗来，而且不住地发抖（6）。
1《旧约全书·诗篇》第40篇第2节： 他从祸坑里，从淤泥中，把我拉上来，使我的脚立在磐石上，使我脚步稳当。 
 2《旧约全书·以赛亚书》第35章第3、4节： 你们要使软弱的手坚壮，无力的膝稳固。对胆怯的人说：“你们要刚强，不要惧怕。看哪！你们的神必来报仇，必来施行极大的报应，他必来拯救你们。” 

 3《旧约全书·撒母耳记上》第12章第23节： 至于我，断不停止为你们祷告，以致得罪耶和华，我必以善道正路指教你们。 
 4《新约全书·哥林多前书》第7章第29节： 从此以后，那有妻子的，要像没有妻子。 

5《旧约全书·出埃及记》第19章第18节：  西乃全山冒烟，因为耶和华在火中降于山上；山的烟气上腾，如烧窑一般，遍山大大地震动。 
《旧约全书·出埃及记》第19章第16节：  到了第三天早晨，在山上有雷轰、闪电和密云，并且角声甚大；营中的百姓尽都发颤。 
 6《新约全书·希伯来书》第12章第21节： 所见的极其可怕，甚至摩西说：“我甚是恐惧战兢。” 
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