This gave me so much ease, that I began to recover a little life, but so leisurely and by so small advances, that my first sentiments were much nearer the approaches of death than life: "Perche, dubbiosa ancor del suo ritorno, Non s'assicura attonita la mente." ["For the soul, doubtful as to its return, could not compose itself" -- Tasso, Gierus.

Lib., xii.

74.] The remembrance of this accident, which is very well imprinted in my memory, so naturally representing to me the image and idea of death, has in some sort reconciled me to that untoward adventure.

When I first began to open my eyes, it was with so perplexed, so weak and dead a sight, that I could yet distinguish nothing but only discern the light: "Come quel ch'or apre, or'chiude Gli occhi, mezzo tra'l sonno e l'esser desto." ["As a man that now opens, now shuts his eyes, between sleep and waking."-- Tasso, Gierus.

Lib., viii., 26.] As to the functions of the soul, they advanced with the same pace and measure with those of the body.