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nydus/The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, GentlemanPublic

A man describes his birth and upbringing through the adventures of his family.

Page 191 of 810
Table of Contents

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the sentence again.]⁠⸺“Behold this helpless victim delivered up to his tormentors,⁠—his body so wasted with sorrow and confinement, you will see every nerve and muscle as it suffers. > > “Observe the last movement of that horrid engine!”⁠—[I would rather face a cannon, quoth Trim , stamping.]⁠—“See what convulsions it has thrown him into!⁠⸺⁠Consider the nature of the posture in which he now lies stretched,⁠—what exquisite tortures he endures by it!”⁠—[I hope ’tis not in Portugal .]⁠—“ ’Tis all nature can bear! Good God! see how it keeps his weary soul hanging upon his trembling lips!” [I would not read another line of it, quoth Trim , for all this world ;⁠—I fear, an’ please your Honours, all this is in Portugal , where my poor brother Tom is. I tell thee, Trim , again, quoth my father, ’tis not an historical account,⁠—’tis a description.⁠—’Tis only a description, honest man, quoth Slop , there’s not a word of truth in it.⁠⸺⁠That’s another story, replied my father.⁠—However, as Trim reads it with so much concern,⁠—’tis cruelty to force him to go on with it.⁠—Give me hold of the sermon, Trim ,⁠—I’ll finish it for thee, and thou may’st go. I must stay and hear it, too, replied Trim , if your Honour will allow me;⁠—though I would not read it myself for a Colonel’s pay.⁠⸻Poor Trim! quoth my uncle Toby . My father went on.]⁠— > > “⁠⸺⁠Consider the nature of the posture in which he now lies stretched,⁠—what exquisite torture he endures by it!⁠—’Tis all nature can bear! Good God! See how it keeps his weary soul hanging upon his trembling lips,⁠—willing to take its leave,⁠⸺⁠but not suffered to depart!⁠—Behold the unhappy wretch led back to his cell!”⁠⸺[Then, thank God, however, quoth Trim

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