flavour more exquisite than all the spices of the East, or all the
profusion of land or sea! Remember this, grow hungry, and indulge
your sensuality.

Alas! my enjoyment was of short duration. I soon found that excess
is followed by pain and repentance. My fasting had weakened
digestion, and rendered it inactive. My body swelled, my water-jug
was emptied; cramps, colics, and at length inordinate thirst racked
me all the night. I began to pour curses on those who seemed to
refine on torture, and, after starving me so long, to invite me to
gluttony. Could I not have reclined on my bed, I should indeed have
been driven, this night, to desperation; yet even this was but a
partial relief; for, not yet accustomed to my enormous fetters, I
could not extend myself in the same manner I was afterwards taught
to do by habit. I dragged them, however, so together as to enable
me to sit down on the bare mattress. This, of all my nights of
suffering, stands foremost. When they opened my dungeon next day
they found me in a truly pitiable situation, wondered at my
appetite, brought me another loaf; I refused to accept it, believing
I nevermore should have occasion for bread; they, however, left me
one, gave me water, shrugged up their shoulders, wished me farewell,
as, according to all appearance, they never expected to find me
alive, and shut all the doors, without asking whether I wished or
needed further assistance.

Three days had passed before I could again eat a morsel of bread;
and my mind, brave in health, now in a sick body became
pusillanimous, so that I determined on death. The irons, everywhere
round my body, and their weight, were insupportable; nor could I
imagine it was possible I should habituate myself to them, or endure