nine until noon
He never sought to evade the conditions of his captivity or to plead for its being lightened . The courtesies that were offered to him , in so far as the Governor was warranted in offering such civilities , he took as his due ; but he never craved a greater indulgence or went one step in word or in deed to obtain a surcease from his harsh and cruel lot . He would rise at six of the clock both in winter and summer , and apply himself with great ardour to his private devotions and to good studies until eight , when his breakfast , a tankard of furmety and a small measure of wine , was brought him . And from nine until noon he would again be at his studies , and then have dinner of such meats as were in season . From one to three he was privileged to walk either on the narrow strip of masonry that encompassed his prison-house , and with a soldier with his firelock on hip following his every step , or else to wander up and down in the various chambers of the Castle , still followed by a guard . Now he would tarry awhile in the guard-room , and stand over against the soldier 's table , his head resting very sadly against the chimney , and listen to their wild talk , which was , however , somewhat hushed and shaped to decency so long as he abided there . And anon he would come into the Governor 's apartment , and hold Colonel Glover for some moments in grave discourse on matters of history , and the lives of Worthy Captains , and sometimes upon points and passages of Scripture , but never upon anything that concerned the present day .