We were dead almost, and now we lived.

We were parched with thirst, and now the brightest of crystal streams invited us to stoop and drink.

We were starved so that we had looked at each other with maniac thoughts, and now we placed in our mouth the very fat of the land.

We had seen our cattle almost perishing; seen them grow gaunt and tottering; seen them slowly plod along with hanging heads and only the supremacy of human will over animal instinct had kept them from lying down never to rise again.

Now they were in pastures of sweet grass, chewing the cud of content and satisfaction.