y beautified with lilies; and it was green all the year
long. In this meadow they lay down and slept, for here they might lie
down safely. When they awoke, they gathered again of the fruit of the
trees, and drank again of the water of the river, and then lay down
again to sleep. Thus they did several days and nights. Then they sang:

Behold ye how these crystal streams do glide,
To comfort pilgrims by the highway-side,
The meadows green, besides their fragrant smell,
Yield dainties for them; and he who can tell
What pleasant fruit, yea, leaves, these trees do yield,
Will soon sell all, that he may buy this field.

So when they were disposed to go on--for they were not as yet at their
journey's end--they ate and drank, and departed.

Now I beheld in my dream, that they had not journeyed far, but the river
and the way for a time parted, at which they were not a little sorry;
yet they durst not go out of the way. Now the way from the river was
rough, and their feet tender by reason of their travels; so the souls of
the pilgrims were much discouraged because of the way. Wherefore still
as they went on, they wished for a better way. Now a little before them,
there was on the left hand of the road a meadow, and a stile to go over
into it, and that meadow is called By-path Meadow. Then said Christian
to his fellow, If this meadow lieth along by our wayside, let's go over
into it. Then he went to the stile to see, and behold a path lay along
by the way on the other side of the fence. It is according to my wish,
said Christian; here is the easiest going; come, good Hopeful, and let
us go over.

_Hope._ But, how if this path should lead us out of the way?

That is not likely, said the other. Look, doth it not go along by the
wayside? So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow, went after him over
the stile. When they were gone over, and were got into the path, they
found it very easy for their feet; and withal, they looking before them,
espied a man walking as they did, and his name was Vain Confidence; so
they called after him, and asked him whither that way led. He said, To
the celestial gate. Look, said Christian, did not I tell you so? by this
you may see we are right. So they followed, and he went before them. But
behold the night came on, and it grew very dark; so that they that were
behind lost the sight of him that went before.

He therefore that went before--Vain Confidence by name--not seeing the
way b