The Slough of Despond

"...


Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew nigh to a very miry Slough that was in the midst of the plain; and they being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the Slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.


PLIABLE: Ah, neighbor Christian, where are you now?


CHRISTIAN: Truly, I do not know.
At this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow:


PLIABLE: Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of? If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this and our journey's end? May I get out again with my life, and you shall possess the brave country alone for me!


And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the SLough which was next to his own house; so away he went, and Christian saw him no more.


Wherefore, Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone; but still he endeavored to struggle to that side of the Slough that was farthest 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.

..."

from Dictionary.com

de·spond

–verb (used without object)

1.

to be depressed by loss of hope, confidence, or courage.

–noun

2.

despondency.

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Origin:
1670–80;  < L dēspondēre  to give up, lose heart, promise, equiv. to dē- de-  + spondēre  to promise

here, we see how PLIABLE easily gave up and left without helping Christian. However, even though Christian was stuck, he still MOVE AWAY from this house and towards the promised Kingdom..