Chapter XXXVI: Part IV: Democracy and National Service

Now I saw still in my Dream, that they went on until they were come to the place that _Simple_ and _Sloth_ and _Presumption_ lay and slept in, when _Christian_ went by on Pilgrimage. And behold they were hanged up in irons, a little way off on the other side.

Then said _Mercy_ to him that was their Guide and Conductor, What are those three men? And for what are they hanged there?

GREAT-HEART: These three men were men of very bad qualities, they had no mind to be Pilgrims themselves, and whosoever they could they hindered. They were for sloth and folly themselves, and whoever they could persuade with, they made so too, and withal taught them to presume that they should do well at last. They were asleep when _Christian_ went by, and now you go by they are hanged.

MERCY: But could they persuade any to be of their opinion?

GREAT-HEART: Yes, they turned several our of the way. There was _Slow-pace_, that they persuaded to do as they. They also prevailed with one _Short-wind_, with one _No-heart_, with one _Linger-after-lust_, and with one _Sleepy-head_, and with a young woman her name was _Dull_, to turn out of the way and become as they. Besides they brought up an ill report of your Lord, persuading others that he was a Task-master. They also brought up an evil report of the good Land saying 'twas not half so good as some pretend it was. They also began to vilify his Servants, and to count the very best of them meddlesome troublesome busy-bodies.

_The Pilgrim's Progress_.

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