The Pit And The Pendulum

Is it night or is it day?

I've been here so long, I really couldn't say

Sentenced by the Inquisition, condemned by fate

To die in Toledo's womb, the mother of all hate

Fear and stench fills the room

I may be dead and this my tomb

There's no light, the walls feel cold

My breath is short, I've never felt so cold

Taking a nervous step and feeling with my toes

Lashing at the darkness, my arms give warning blows

Obstacles that may have been were figments of my mind

There's menace all around me, I walk on though still blind

Suddenly I'm falling, spinning round

Landing hard on stony ground

A pit was breathing, haunting cries

Its hungry mouth was eager for a prize

Trapped by the infamous torturers from hell

Whose prison walls surround me and whose presence I can smell

Lords of suffering, masters of decay

Let me shank you by the throat so I can thank you for my stay

I drank from a rusty jug, I ate infested bread

Closed my eyes and prayed, wishing I were dead

A deep sleep came upon me and when I did wake

I was bound from head to foot, gazing at my fate

A scythe of silver steel was swishing to and fro

Cutting through the air, descending very slow

I saw two eyes staring, then a hundred burning red

A horde of rats were gathering, hungry for the bread

Sharp teeth pierced my bonded wrists, cold lips sought my own

The scythe was getting closer now, hungry for my bones

I felt the ropes loosen, the rats had aided me

As the hairy blade swept down it missed and I was free

My freedom was short lived as the room was filled with light

Shining from inside the walls, the heat was only slight

As it grew stronger, the walls began to close

This time there'd be no escape, the slats began to glow

And here was I, the strongest of the strong

Who had survived the pit and scythe would die in fire's sweet song

I heard discordant voices, who they were I could not tell

The fiery walls rushed back and someone caught me as I fell