This alternative quieted his transports in a moment: he was
terrified at the apprehension of being treated like a bedlamite,
being dubious of the state of his own brain; and, on the other
hand, had conceived such a horror and antipathy for his tormentors,
that, far from believing himself obliged by what they had done, he
could not even think of them without the utmost rage and detestation.
He, therefore, in the most tranquil voice he could assume, protested
that he never was less out of his senses than at present, though
he did not know how long he might retain them, if he should be
considered in the light of a lunatic: that, in order to prove his
being Compos mentis, he was willing to sacrifice the resentment he
so justly harboured against those who, by their malice, had brought
him to this pass; but, as he apprehended it would be the greatest
sign of madness he could exhibit to thank them for the mischiefs
they had brought upon him, he desired to be excused from making any
such concession; and swore he would endure everything rather than
be guilty of such mean absurdity.
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