morning of the next day, after taking a little warmed ale and a
few morsels of bread, I mounted my horse, who was lame and ailing, which
made riding more uncomfortable. By now I was in such a state that I
would have been better keeping warm in bed than mounted on horseback.
But that district is the most countrified, roughest, barren and
unattractive imaginable, the inhabitants are so idle; so that I
preferred to run away. The danger of brigands--it was very great in
those parts--or at least my fear of them, was driven out of my mind by
the discomfort of my illness.... After covering four miles on this ride
I reached Maastricht. There after a drink to soothe my stomach I
remounted and came to Tongres, about three miles away. This last ride
was by far the most painful to me. The awkward gait of the horse gave me
excruciating pains in the kidneys. It would have been easier to walk,
but I was afraid of sweating, and there was a danger of the night
catching us still out in the country. So I reached Tongres with my whole
body in a state of unbelievable agony. By now, owing to lack of food and
the exertion in addition, all my muscles had given way, so that I could
not stand or walk steadily. I concealed the severity of my illness by my
tongue--that was still working. Here I took a sup of ale to soothe my
stomach and retired to bed.

In the morning I ordered them to hire a carriage. I decided to go on
horseback, on account of the paving stones, until we reached an unpaved
road. I mounted the bigger horse, thinking that he would go better on
the paving and be more sure-footed. I had hardly mounted when I felt my
eyes clouding over as I met the cold air, and asked for a cloak. But
soon after this I fainted; I could be roused by a touch. Then my servant
John and the others standing by let me come to myself naturally, still
sitting on the horse. After coming to myself I got into the carriage....
By now we were approaching the town of St. Trond. I mounted once more,
not to appear an invalid, riding in a carriage. Once again the evening
air made me feel sick, but I did not faint. I offered the coachman
double the fare if he would take me the next day as far as Tirlemont, a
town six miles from Tongres. He accepted the terms. Here a guest whom I
knew told me how ill the Bishop of Liege had taken my leaving for Basle
without calling on him. After soothing my stomach with a drink I went to
bed, and had a very bad night.... Here by chance