THE HALL OF THE PIT The days and the nights went by, but which was day and which was night I knew not, save for the visits of the jailers with my meals--I who was blind, I who should never see the light again.

At first I suffered much, but by degrees the pain died away.

Also a physician came to tend my hurts, a skilful man.

Soon I discovered, however, that he had another object.

He pitied my state, so much, indeed, he said, that he offered to supply me with a drug that, if I were willing to take it, would make an end of me painlessly.