Межзвёздный скиталец

           I,whohadaskedofGod’smercynomorethanputridmeattoeatandasufficiencyofwaternottoobrackish,wasnosoonerblessedwithanabundanceofcuredmeatandsweetwaterthanIbegantoknowdiscontentwithmylot.Ibegantowantfire,andthesavourofcookedmeatinmymouth.AndcontinuallyIwoulddiscovermyselflongingforcertaindelicaciesofthepalatesuchaswerepartofthecommondailyfareonthehometableatElkton.StriveasIwould,evermyfancyeludedmywillandwantonedinday-dreamingofthegoodthingsIhadeatenandofthegoodthingsIwouldeatifeverIwererescuedfrommylonelysituation.

           ItwastheoldAdaminme,Isuppose—thetaintofthatfirstfatherwhowasthefirstrebelagainstGod’scommandments.Moststrangeisman,everinsatiable,everunsatisfied,neveratpeacewithGodorhimself,hisdaysfilledwithrestlessnessanduselessendeavour,hisnightsaglutofvaindreamsofdesireswilfulandwrong.Yes,andalsoIwasmuchannoyedbymycravingfortobacco.Mysleepwasoftenatormenttome,foritwasthenthatmydesirestooklicencetorove,sothatathousandtimesIdreamedmyselfpossessedofhogsheadsoftobacco—ay,andofwarehousesoftobacco,andofshiploadsandofentireplantationsoftobacco.

           ButIrevengedmyselfuponmyself.IprayedGodunceasinglyforahumbleheart,andchastisedmyfleshwithunremittingtoil.Unabletoimprovemymind,Ideterminedtoimprovemybarrenisland.