clearly the doom which prepared , and congratulated myself timely accident I had escaped Another step before my fall, world had seen me no more death just avoided, was very character which I had regarded as fabulous and frivolous tales respecting the Inquisition victims tyranny, the choice of death with its direst physical agonies, or death with its most hideous moral horrors I reserved latter By long suffering my nerves unstrung, until I trembled sound own voice, and had become in every respect fitting subject species of torture which awaited me

Shaking in every limb, I groped my way back wall; resolving there to perish rather than risk the terrors wells, my imagination now pictured many in various positions dungeon In other conditions of mind had courage to end my misery at once by plunge into abysses; but now I veriest of cowards Neither could I forget what I had read pits -- sudden extinction of life formed no part most horrible plan

Agitation of spirit kept me awake for many long hours; but I again slumbered Upon arousing, by my side, as before, loaf and pitcher of water burning thirst consumed me, and I emptied the vessel at draught It must drugged; for scarcely had I drunk, before I became irresistibly drowsy deep sleep fell upon me -- sleep like that of death How long it lasted , not; but when, once again, I unclosed my eyes, the objects around me were visible By wild sulphurous lustre, the origin at first determine, enabled the extent and aspect prison

In its size I greatly mistaken The whole circuit walls exceed twenty-five yards For some minutes this fact occasioned me world of vain trouble; vain indeed ! for what of less importance, under the terrible circumstances which environed me, then the mere dimensions dungeon ? But my soul took wild interest in trifles, and I busied myself in endeavors to account error I had committed in my measurement The truth flashed upon me In my first attempt at exploration I had counted fifty-two paces, period when I fell; then within pace or two fragment of serge; , I had nearly performed the circuit vault I then slept, and upon awaking, returned upon my steps -- thus supposing the circuit nearly double what it actually was My confusion of mind prevented me from observing that I began my tour wall left, and ended it wall right

I deceived, too, in respect shape enclosure In feeling my way I had found many angles, and thus deduced an idea of great irregularity; so potent effect of total darkness upon one arousing from lethargy or sleep ! The angles were simply those of few slight depressions, or niches, at odd intervals The general shape prison was square What I had taken for masonry seemed now iron, or some other metal, in huge plates, whose sutures or joints occasioned the depression The entire surface metallic enclosure was rudely daubed in all the hideous and repulsive devices charnel superstition monks rise The figures of fiends in aspects of menace, with skeleton forms, and other more really fearful images, overspread and disfigured the walls I observed outlines monstrosities were sufficiently distinct, but colors seemed faded and blurred, effects of damp atmosphere I now noticed the floor, too, of stone centre yawned the circular pit from whose jaws I had escaped; but it dungeon

All this indistinctly and by much effort: personal condition greatly changed during slumber I now lay upon my back, and at full length, on species of low framework of wood securely bound by long strap resembling surcingle It passed in many convolutions limbs and body, leaving at liberty only my head, and my left arm to such extent that , by dint of much exertion, supply myself with food from an earthen dish which lay by my side floor , to my horror, pitcher removed to my horror; for consumed with intolerable thirst This thirst it appeared the design persecutors to stimulate: food dish was meat pungently seasoned

Looking upward, I surveyed the ceiling prison some thirty or forty feet overhead, and constructed much side walls In one panels very singular figure riveted my whole attention It painted figure as commonly represented, save that, in lieu of scythe, he held what, at casual glance, I supposed the pictured image of huge pendulum such see on antique clocks something, however, appearance machine which caused me to regard it more attentively While I gazed directly upward at it (for its position was immediately over my own) I fancied that it in motion In an instant afterward the fancy was confirmed Its sweep was brief, and slow I watched it for some minutes, somewhat in fear, but more in wonder Wearied with observing its dull movement, I turned my eyes other objects cell

slight noise attracted my notice, and, looking floor, several enormous rats traversing it They had issued well, which lay just within view to my right Even then, while I gazed, they came up in troops, hurriedly, with ravenous eyes, allured scent meat it required much effort and attention to scare them away

It half an hour, perhaps even an hour, (for in cast my take but imperfect note ) before I again cast my eyes upward What I then saw confounded and amazed me The sweep pendulum had increased in extent by nearly yard As natural consequence, its velocity was also much greater But what mainly disturbed me idea that had perceptibly descended I now observed -- with what horror needless -- that its nether extremity was formed of crescent of glittering steel, about foot in length from horn to horn; the horns upward, under edge evidently as keen of razor Like razor also, it seemed massy and heavy, tapering edge into solid and broad structure above appended to weighty rod of brass, whole hissed as it swung air

no longer doubt the doom prepared by monkish ingenuity in torture My cognizance pit had become known inquisitorial agents -- the pit whose horrors destined for so bold recusant as myself -- the pit, typical of hell, and regarded by rumor Ultima Thule of all their punishments The plunge pit I had avoided merest of accidents, that surprise, or entrapment into torment, formed an important portion of all the grotesquerie dungeon deaths Having failed , no part demon plan to hurl me abyss; and thus (there being no alternative) different and milder destruction awaited me Milder ! I half smiled in my agony as application term

What boots it long, long hours of horror more than mortal, during which I counted the rushing vibrations steel ! Inch by inch -- line by line -- with descent only appreciable at intervals that seemed ages -- down and still down it came ! Days passed -- it that many days passed -- ere it swept so closely over me fan me with its acrid breath The odor sharp steel forced itself into my nostrils I prayed -- I wearied heaven with my prayer for its more speedy descent I grew frantically mad, and struggled to force myself upward against the sweep fearful scimitar And then I fell suddenly calm, and lay smiling glittering death, as child at some rare bauble

another interval of utter insensibility; brief; for, upon again lapsing into life there no perceptible descent pendulum But it long; for there were demons who took note swoon, and who arrested the vibration at pleasure Upon my recovery, too, very -- oh, inexpressibly sick and weak, through long inanition Even amid the agonies period, the human nature craved food With painful effort I outstretched my left arm as far as my bonds permitted, and took possession small remnant which spared me rats As I put portion of it within my lips, there rushed to my mind half formed thought of joy -- of hope Yet what business had I with hope ? , as , half formed thought -- man has many such which are never completed of joy -- of hope; but felt also had perished in its formation In vain I struggled to perfect -- to regain it Long suffering had nearly annihilated all my ordinary powers of mind an imbecile -- an idiot