I AM IN BONDAGE


The woolly gag removed, I said, in the dark, "Fra Palamone, so sure as
God lives and reigns, you shall pay me for this."

He replied, "My dear lad, I am paid already, and twice paid. It is the
certain conviction that I am hereafter to be much blessed in your
society that has forced me to take this liberty. May I now have the
pleasure of setting you free? It wounds me in my tenderest part to know
how these cords must bruise you. Your aching wounds--my aching heart.
Come, a fair exchange! Be free, and set me free." A great shadow of him
settled down over my eyes, the impending bulk of his huge body; heat and
garlic came in waves about me, his furnace breath.

"Not yet, Fra Palamone," I said firmly. "You will do well to leave me as
I am until I know more of your intentions. You used the word 'freedom'
just now: how am I to understand it? I warn you that, so far as I know,
the first use I shall make of my freedom will be to kill you." I meant
it at the time, for I was beside myself with rage.

He began to swear gently to himself, walking to and fro before my feet,
coupling (as his manner was) the names of his Maker, Redeemer and Divine
Advocate with those of dishonourable animals. Having thus eased himself,
as a pump gets rid of foul water in the pipes before its uses can begin,
he began to answer my objections. "If to have the play of young limbs,
the prerogative of two-footed creation, be not liberty," said he, "then
there is no liberty in the world. And if to be loosed from sin and
shame, by means however abrupt, be not liberty of the most exalted,