第177页 / 共483页

The light became more and more oppressive to me, and the heat

wearying me as I walked, I sought a place where I could receive

shade. This was the forest near Ingolstadt; and here I lay by the

side of a brook resting from my fatigue, until I felt tormented

by hunger and thirst. This roused me from my nearly dormant

state, and I ate some berries which I found hanging on the trees

or lying on the ground. I slaked my thirst at the brook, and then

lying down, was overcome by sleep.

"It was dark when I awoke; I felt cold also, and half frightened,

as it were, instinctively, finding myself so desolate. Before I

had quitted your apartment, on a sensation of cold, I had covered

myself with some clothes, but these were insufficient to secure

me from the dews of night. I was a poor, helpless, miserable

wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing; but feeling pain

invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept.