The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Golden Asse, by Lucius Apuleius

Published：2026-07-31 22:09:18 Source: best nesting cups Author: Clay and Dough

The building sets for 3 year olds under 100 dollarsGolden Asse

by Lucius Apuleius “Africanus”

Translated by William Adlington

First published 1566 This version as reprinted
from the edition of 1639. The original spelling,
capitalisation and punctuation have been retained.

Contents

Dedication

The Life of Lucius Apuleius Briefly Described

The Preface of the Author To His Sonne, Faustinus

THE FIRST BOOKE

THE FIRST CHAPTER

THE SECOND CHAPTER

THE THIRD CHAPTER

THE FOURTH CHAPTER

THE FIFTH CHAPTER

THE SIXTH CHAPTER

THE SEVENTH CHAPTER

THE SECOND BOOKE

THE EIGHTH CHAPTER

THE NINTH CHAPTER

THE TENTH CHAPTER

THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER

THE THIRD BOOKE

THE TWELFTH CHAPTER

THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER

THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER

THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER

THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER

THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER

THE FOURTH BOOKE

THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER

THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER

THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER

THE TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER

THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHES

THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER

THE SIXTH BOOKE

THE TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTER

THE SEVENTH BOOKE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

THE TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTER

THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER

THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER

THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER

THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER

THE THIRTY-FIRST CHAPTER

THE EIGHTH BOOKE

THE THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTER

THE THIRTY-THIRD CHAPTER

THE THIRTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

THE THIRTY-FIFTH CHAPTER

THE THIRTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

THE NINTH BOOKE

THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER

THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER

THE THIRTY-NINTH CHAPTER

THE FORTIETH CHAPTER

THE FORTY-FIRST CHAPTER

THE FORTY-SECOND CHAPTER

THE FORTY-THIRD CHAPTER

THE TENTH BOOKE

THE FORTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

THE FORTY-FIFTH CHAPTER

THE FORTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

THE ELEVENTH BOOKE

THE FORTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER

THE FORTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER

Dedication

To the Right Honourable and Mighty Lord, THOMAS EARLE OF SUSSEX, ViscountFitzwalter, Lord of Egremont and of Burnell, Knight of the most noble Order ofthe Garter, Iustice of the forrests and Chases from Trent Southward; Captain ofthe Gentleman Pensioners of the House of the QUEENE our Soveraigne Lady.

After that I had taken upon me (right Honourable) in manner of that unlearnedand foolish Poet, Cherillus, who rashly and unadvisedly wrought a big volume inverses, of the valiant prowesse of Alexander the Great, to translate thispresent booke, contayning the Metamorphosis of Lucius Apuleius; being moovedthereunto by the right pleasant pastime and delectable matter therein; Ieftsoones consulted with myself, to whom I might best offer so pleasant andworthy a work, devised by the author, it being now barbarously and simplyframed in our English tongue. And after long deliberation had, your honourablelordship came to my remembrance, a man much more worthy, than to whom so homelyand rude a translation should be presented. But when I again remembred thejesting and sportfull matter of the booke, unfit to be offered to any man ofgravity and wisdome, I was wholly determined to make no Epistle Dedicatory atall; till as now of late perswaded thereunto by my friends, I have boldlyenterprised to offer the same to your Lordship, who as I trust wil accept thesame, than if it did entreat of some serious and lofty matter, light and merry,yet the effect thereof tendeth to a good and vertuous moral, as in thefollowing Epistle to the reader may be declared. For so have all writers intimes past employed their travell and labours, that their posterity mightreceive some fruitfull profit by the same. And therfore the poets feined nottheir fables in vain, considering that children in time of their first studies,are very much allured thereby to proceed to more grave and deepe studies anddisciplines, whereas their mindes would quickly loath the wise and prudentworkes of learned men, wherein in such unripe years they take no spark ofdelectation at all. And not only that profit ariseth to children by such feinedfables, but also the vertues of men are covertly thereby commended, and theirvices discommended and abhorred. For by the fable of Actaeon, where it isfeigned that he saw Diana washing her selfe in a well, hee was immediatelyturned into an Hart, and so was slain of his own Dogs; may bee meant, That whena man casteth his eyes on the vain and soone fading beauty of the world,consenting thereto in his minde, hee seemeth to bee turned into a brute beast,and so to be slain by the inordinate desire of his owne affects. By Tantalusthat stands in the midst of the floud Eridan, having before him a tree ladenwith pleasant apples, he being neverthelesse always thirsty and hungry,betokeneth the insatiable desires of covetous persons. The fables of Atreus,Thiestes, Tereus and Progne signifieth the wicked and abhominable facts wroughtand attempted by mortall men. The fall of Icarus is an example to proud andarrogant persons, that weeneth to climb up to the heavens. By Mydas, whoobtained of Bacchus, that all things which he touched might be gold, is carpedthe foul sin of avarice. By Phaeton, that unskilfully took in hand to rule thechariot of the Sunne, are represented those persons which attempt thingspassing their power and capacity. By Castor and Pollux, turned into a signe inheaven called Gemini, is signified, that vertuous and godly persons shall berewarded after life with perpetuall blisse. And in this feined jest of LuciusApuleius is comprehended a figure of mans life, ministring most sweet anddelectable matter, to such as shall be desirous to reade the same. The which ifyour honourable lordship shall accept and take in good part, I shall not onelythinke my small travell and labour well employed, but also receive a furthercomfort to attempt some more serious matter, which may be more acceptable toyour Lordship: desiring the same to excuse my rash and bold enterprise at thistime, as I nothing doubt of your Lordships goodnesse. To whome I beseechAlmighty God to impart long life, with encrease of much honour.

From Vniversity Colledge in Oxenforde, the xviij. of September, 1566.

Your Honours most bounden,

WIL. ADLINGTON.

The Life of Lucius Apuleius Briefly Described

LUCIUS APULEIUS African, an excellent follower of Plato his sect, born inMadaura, a Countrey sometime inhabited by the Romans, and under thejurisdiction of Syphax, scituate and lying on the borders of Numidia andGetulia, whereby he calleth himself half a Numidian and half a Getulian: andSidonius named him the Platonian Madaurence: his father called Theseus hadpassed all offices of dignity in his countrey with much honour. His mothernamed Salvia was of such excellent vertue, that she passed all the Dames of hertime, borne of an ancient house, and descended from the philosopher Plutarch,and Sextus his nephew. His wife called Prudentila was endowed with as muchvertue and riches as any woman might be. Hee himselfe was of an high and comelystature, gray eyed, his haire yellow, and a beautiful personage. He flourishedin Carthage in the time of Iolianus Avitus and Cl. Maximus Proconsuls, where hespent his youth in learning the liberall sciences, and much profited under hismasters there, whereby not without cause hee calleth himself the Nource ofCarthage, and the celestial Muse and venerable mistresse of Africke. Sooneafter, at Athens (where in times past the well of all doctrine flourished) hetasted many of the cups of the muses, he learned the Poetry, Geometry, Musicke,Logicke, and the universall knowledge of Philosophy, and studied not in vainethe nine Muses, that is to say, the nine noble and royal disciplines.

Immediately after he went to Rome, and studied there the Latine tongue, withsuch labour and continuall study, that he achieved to great eloquence, and wasknown and approved to be excellently learned, whereby he might worthily becalled Polyhistor, that is to say, one that knoweth much or many things.

And being thus no lesse endued with eloquence, than with singular learning, hewrote many books for them that should come after: whereof part by negligence oftimes be now intercepted and part now extant, doe sufficiently declare, withhow much wisdome and doctrine hee flourished, and with how much vertue heeexcelled amongst the rude and barbarous people. The like was Anacharsis amongstthe most luskish Scythes. But amongst the Bookes of Lucius Apuleius, which areperished and prevented, howbeit greatly desired as now adayes, one wasintituled Banquetting questions, another entreating of the nature of fish,another of the generation of beasts, another containing his Epigrams, anothercalled “Hermagoras”: but such as are now extant are the foure booksnamed “Floridorum”, wherein is contained a flourishing stile, and asavory kind of learning, which delighteth, holdeth, and rejoiceth the readermarvellously; wherein you shall find a great variety of things, as leaping onefrom another: One excellent and copious Oration, containing all the grace andvertue of the art Oratory, where he cleareth himself of the crime of artMagick, which was slanderously objected against him by his Adversaries, whereinis contained such force of eloquence and doctrine, as he seemeth to passe andexcell himselfe. There is another booke of the god of the spirit of Socrates,whereof St. Augustine maketh mention in his booke of the definition of spirits,and description of men. Two other books of the opinion of Plato, wherein isbriefly contained that which before was largely expressed. One booke ofCosmography, comprising many things of Aristotles Meteors. The Dialogue ofTrismegistus, translated by him out of Greeke into Latine, so fine, that itrather seemeth with more eloquence turned into Latine, than it was beforewritten in Greeke. But principally these eleven Bookes of the “GoldenAsse”, are enriched with such pleasant matter, with such excellency andvariety of flourishing tales, that nothing may be more sweet and delectable,whereby worthily they may be intituled The Bookes of the “GoldenAsse”, for the passing stile and matter therein. For what can be moreacceptable than this Asse of Gold indeed. Howbeit there be many who wouldrather intitule it “Metamorphosis”, that is to say, atransfiguration or transformation, by reason of the argument and matter within.

The Preface of the Author To His Sonne, Faustinus

And unto the Readers of this Book

That I to thee some joyous jests
    may show in gentle gloze,
And frankly feed thy bended eares
    with passing pleasant prose:
So that thou daine in seemly sort
    this wanton booke to view,
That is set out and garnisht fine,
    with written phrases new.
I will declare how one by hap
    his humane figure lost,
And how in brutish formed shape,
    his loathed life he tost.
And how he was in course of time
    from such a state unfold,
Who eftsoone turn’d to pristine shape
    his lot unlucky told.

What and who he was attend a while, and you shall understand that it was evenI, the writer of mine own Metamorphosie and strange alteration of figure.Hymettus, Athens, Isthmia, Ephire Tenaros, and Sparta, being fat and fertilesoiles (as I pray you give credit to the bookes of more everlasting fame) beplaces where myne antient progeny and linage did sometime flourish: there Isay, in Athens, when I was yong, I went first to schoole. Soone after (as astranger) I arrived at Rome, whereas by great industry, and without instructionof any schoolmaster, I attained to the full perfection of the Latine tongue.Behold, I first crave and beg your pardon, lest I should happen to displease oroffend any of you by the rude and rusticke utterance of this strange andforrein language. And verily this new alteration of speech doth correspond tothe enterprised matter whereof I purpose to entreat, I will set forth unto youa pleasant Grecian feast. Whereunto gentle Reader if thou wilt give attendanteare, it will minister unto thee such delectable matter as thou shalt becontented withall.

THE FIRST BOOKE

THE FIRST CHAPTER

How Apuleius riding in Thessaly, fortuned to fall into company with twostrangers, that reasoned together of the mighty power of Witches.

As I fortuned to take my voyage into Thessaly, about certaine affaires which Ihad to doe (for there myne auncestry by my mothers side inhabiteth, descendedof the line of that most excellent person Plutarch, and of Sextus thePhilosopher his Nephew, which is to us a great honour) and after that by muchtravell and great paine I had passed over the high mountaines and slipperievallies, and had ridden through the cloggy fallowed fields; perceiving that myhorse did wax somewhat slow, and to the intent likewise that I might repose andstrengthen my self (being weary with riding) I lighted off my horse, and wipingthe sweat from every part of his body, I unbrideled him, and walked him softlyin my hand, to the end he might pisse, and ease himself of his weariness andtravell: and while he went grazing freshly in the field (casting his headsometimes aside, as a token of rejoycing and gladnesse) I perceived a littlebefore me two companions riding, and so I overtaking them made a third. Andwhile I listened to heare their communication, the one of them laughed andmocked his fellow, saying, Leave off I pray thee and speak no more, for Icannot abide to heare thee tell such absurd and incredible lies; which when Iheard, I desired to heare some newes, and said, I pray you masters make mepartaker of your talk, that am not so curious as desirous to know all yourcommunication: so shall we shorten our journey, and easily passe this high hillbefore us, by merry and pleasant talke.

But he that laughed before at his fellow, said againe, Verily this tale is astrue, as if a man would say that by sorcery and inchantment the floods might beinforced to run against their course, the seas to be immovable, the aire tolacke the blowing of windes, the Sunne to be restrained from his naturall race,the Moone to purge his skimme upon herbes and trees to serve for sorceries: thestarres to be pulled from heaven, the day to be darkened and the dark night tocontinue still. Then I being more desirous to heare his talke than hiscompanions, sayd, I pray you, that began to tell your tale even now, leave notoff so, but tell the residue. And turning to the other I sayd, You perhappesthat are of an obstinate minde and grosse eares, mocke and contemme thosethings which are reported for truth, know you not that it is accounted untrueby the depraved opinion of men, which either is rarely seene, seldome heard, orpasseth the capacitie of mans reason, which if it be more narrowly scanned, youshall not onely finde it evident and plaine, but also very easy to be broughtto passe.

THE SECOND CHAPTER

How Apuleius told to the strangers, what he saw a jugler do in Athens.

The other night being at supper with a sort of hungry fellowes, while I didgreedily put a great morsel of meate in my mouth, that was fried with theflower of cheese and barley, it cleaved so fast in the passage of my throat andstopped my winde in such sort that I was well nigh choked. And yet at Athensbefore the porch there called Peale, I saw with these eyes a jugler thatswallowed up a two hand sword, with a very keene edge, and by and by for alittle money that we who looked on gave him, hee devoured a chasing speare withthe point downeward. And after that hee had conveyed the whole speare withinthe closure of his body, and brought it out againe behind, there appeared onthe top thereof (which caused us all to marvell) a faire boy pleasant andnimble, winding and turning himself in such sort, that you would suppose he hadneither bone nor gristle, and verily thinke that he were the naturall Serpent,creeping and sliding on the knotted staffe, which the god of Medicine isfeigned to beare. But turning me to him that began his tale, I pray you (quothI) follow your purpose, and I alone will give credit unto you, and for yourpaynes will pay your charges at the next Inne we come unto. To whom he answeredCertes sir I thank you for your gentle offer, and at your request I wil proceedin my tale, but first I will sweare unto you by the light of this Sunne thatshineth here, that those things shall be true, least when you come to the nextcity called Thessaly, you should doubt any thing of that which is rife in themouthes of every person, and done before the face of all men. And that I mayfirst make relation to you, what and who I am, and whither I go, and for whatpurpose, know you that I am of Egin, travelling these countries about fromThessaly to Etolia, and from Etolia to Boetia, to provide for honey, cheese,and other victuals to sell againe: and understanding that at Hippata (which isthe principall city of all Thessaly), is accustomed to be soulde new cheeses ofexceeding good taste and relish, I fortuned on a day to go thither, to make mymarket there: but as it often happeneth, I came in an evill houre; for oneLupus a purveyor had bought and ingrossed up all the day before, and so I wasdeceived.

Wherefore towards night being very weary, I went to the Baines to refresh myselfe, and behold, I fortuned to espy my companion Socrates sitting upon theground, covered with a torn and course mantle; who was so meigre and of sosallow and miserable a countenance, that I scantly knew him: for fortune hadbrought him into such estate and calamity, that he verily seemed as a commonbegger that standeth in the streets to crave the benevolence of the passers by.Towards whom (howbeit he was my singular friend and familiar acquaintance, yethalf in despaire) I drew nigh and said, Alas my Socrates, what meaneth this?how faireth it with thee? What crime hast thou committed? verily there is greatlamentation and weeping for thee at home: Thy children are in ward by decree ofthe Provinciall Judge: Thy wife (having ended her mourning time in lamentablewise, with face and visage blubbered with teares, in such sort that she hathwell nigh wept out both her eyes) is constrained by her parents to put out ofremembrance the unfortunate losse and lacke of thee at home, and against herwill to take a new husband. And dost thou live here as a ghost or hogge, to ourgreat shame and ignominy?

Then he answered he to me and said, O my friend Aristomenus, now perceive Iwell that you are ignorant of the whirling changes, the unstable forces, andslippery inconstancy of Fortune: and therewithall he covered his face (eventhen blushing for very shame) with his rugged mantle insomuch that from hisnavel downwards he appeared all naked.

But I not willing to see him any longer in such great miserie and calamitie,took him by the hand and lifted him up from the ground: who having his facecovered in such sort, Let Fortune (quoth he) triumph yet more, let her have hersway, and finish that which shee hath begun. And therewithall I put off one ofmy garments and covered him, and immediately I brought him to the Baine, andcaused him to be anointed, wiped, and the filthy scurfe of his body to berubbed away; which done, though I were very weary my selfe, yet I led the pooremiser to my Inne, where he reposed his body upon a bed, and then I brought himmeat and drinke, and so wee talked together: for there we might be merry andlaugh at our pleasure, and so we were, untill such time as he (fetching apittifull sigh from the bottom of his heart, and beating his face in miserablesort), began to say.

THE THIRD CHAPTER

How Socrates in his returne from Macedony to Larissa was spoyled and robbed,and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe a Witch.

Alas poore miser that I am, that for the onely desire to see a game of triallof weapons, am fallen into these miseries and wretched snares of misfortune.For in my returne from Macedonie, wheras I sould all my wares, and played theMerchant by the space of ten months, a little before that I came to Larissa, Iturned out of the way, to view the scituation of the countrey there, and beholdin the bottom of a deep valley I was suddenly environed with a company oftheeves, who robbed and spoiled me of such things as I had, and yet wouldhardly suffer me to escape. But I beeing in such extremity, in the end washappily delivered from their hands, and so I fortuned to come to the house ofan old woman that sold wine, called Meroe, who had her tongue sufficientlyinstructed to flattery: unto whom I opened the causes of my long peregrinationand careful travell, and of myne unlucky adventure: and after that I haddeclared to her such things as then presently came to my remembrance, sheegently entertained mee and made mee good cheere; and by and by being prickedwith carnall desire, shee brought me to her own bed chamber; whereas I pooremiser the very first night of our lying together did purchase to my selfe thismiserable face, and for her lodging I gave to her such apparel as the theevesleft to cover me withall.

Then I understanding the cause of his miserable estate, sayd unto him, In faiththou art worthy to sustaine the most extreame misery and calamity, which hastdefiled and maculated thyne owne body, forsaken thy wife traitorously, anddishonoured thy children, parents, and friends, for the love of a vile harlotand old strumpet. When Socrates heard mee raile against Meroe in such sort, heheld up his finger to mee, and as halfe abashed sayd, Peace peace I pray you,and looking about lest any body should heare, I pray you (quoth he) I pray youtake heed what you say against so venerable a woman as shee is, lest by yourintemperate tongue you catch some harm. Then with resemblance of admiration,What (quoth I) is she so excellent a person as you name her to be? I pray youtell me. Then answered hee, Verily shee is a Magitian, which hath power to rulethe heavens, to bringe downe the sky, to beare up the earth, to turne thewaters into hills and the hills into running waters, to lift up the terrestrialspirits into the aire, and to pull the gods out of the heavens, to extinguishthe planets, and to lighten the deepe darknesse of hell. Then sayd I untoSocrates, Leave off this high and mysticall kinde of talke, and tell the matterin a more plaine and simple fashion. Then answered he, Will you hear one ortwo, or more of her facts which she hath done, for whereas she enforceth notonely the inhabitants of the countrey here, but also the Indians and theEthiopians the one and the other, and also the Antictons, to love her in mostraging sort, such as are but trifles and chips of her occupation, but I prayyou give eare, and I will declare of more greater matters, which shee hath doneopenly and before the face of all men.

THE FOURTH CHAPTER

How Meroe the Witch turned divers persons into miserable beasts.

In faith Aristomenus to tell you the truth, this woman had a certaine Lover,whom by the utterance of one only word she turned into a Bever, because heloved another woman beside her: and the reason why she transformed him intosuch a beast is, for that it is his nature, when hee perceiveth the hunters andhounds to draw after him, to bite off his members, and lay them in the way,that the hounds may be at a stop when they find them, and to the intent itmight so happen unto him (for that he fancied another woman) she turned himinto that kind of shape.

Semblably she changed one of her neighbours, being an old man and one that soldwine, into a Frog, in that he was one of her occupation, and therefore she barehim a grudge, and now the poore miser swimming in one of his pipes of wine, andwell nigh drowned in the dregs, doth cry and call with an hoarse voice, for hisold guests and acquaintance that pass by. Like wise she turned one of theAdvocates of the Court (because he pleaded and spake against her in a rightfulcause) into a horned Ram, and now the poore Ram is become an Advocate. Moreovershe caused, that the wife of a certain lover that she had should never bedelivered of her childe, but according to the computation of all men, it iseight yeares past since the poore woman first began to swell, and now shee isencreased so big, that shee seemeth as though she would bring forth some greatElephant: which when it was knowne abroad, and published throughout all thetowne, they tooke indignation against her, and ordayned that the next day sheeshould most cruelly be stoned to death. Which purpose of theirs she preventedby the vertue of her inchantments, and as Medea (who obtained of King Creon butone days respit before her departure) did burn all his house, him, and hisdaughter: so she, by her conjurations and invocations of spirits, (which sheuseth in a certaine hole in her house, as shee her selfe declared unto me thenext day following) closed all the persons in the towne so sure in theirhouses, and with such violence of power, that for the space of two dayes theycould not get forth, nor open their gates nor doore, nor break downe theirwalls, whereby they were inforced by mutuall consent to cry unto her, and tobind themselves strictly by oaths, that they would never afterwards molest orhurt her: and moreover, if any did offer her any injury they would be ready todefend her. Whereupon shee, mooved by their promises, and stirred by pitty,released all the towne. But shee conveyed the principal Author of thisordinance about midnight, with all his house, the walls, the ground, and thefoundation, into another towne, distant from thence an hundred miles, scituateand beeing on the top of an high hill, and by reason thereof destitute ofwater, and because the edifices and houses were so nigh built together, that itwas not possible for the house to stand there, she threw it downe before thegate of the towne. Then I spake and said O my friend Socrates you have declaredunto me many marvellous things and strange chances, and moreover stricken mewith no small trouble of minde, yea rather with great feare, lest the same oldwoman using the like practice, should fortune to heare all our communication.Wherefore let us now sleepe, and after that we have taken our rest, let us risebetimes in the morning, and ride away hence before day, as far as we canpossible.

THE FIFTH CHAPTER

How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one Chamber, and how they werehandled by Witches.

In speaking these words, and devising with my selfe of our departing the nextmorrow, lest Meroe the witch should play by us as she had done by divers otherpersons, it fortuned that Socrates did fall asleepe, and slept very soundly, byreason of his travell and plenty of meat and wine wherewithall hee had filledhim selfe. Wherefore I closed and barred fast the doores of the chamber, andput my bed behinde the doore, and so layed mee downe to rest. But I could in nowise sleepe, for the great feare which was in my heart, untill it was aboutmidnight, and then I began to slumber. But alas, behold suddenly the chamberdoores brake open, and locks, bolts, and posts fell downe, that you wouldverily have thought that some Theeves had been presently come to have spoyledand robbed us. And my bed whereon I lay being a truckle bed, fashioned in formeof a Cradle, and one of the feet broken and rotten, by violence was turnedupside downe, and I likewise was overwhelmed and covered lying in the same.Then perceived I in my selfe, that certaine affects of the minde by nature dothchance contrary. For as teares oftentimes trickle downe the cheekes of him thatseeth or heareth some joyfull newes, so I being in this fearfull perplexity,could not forbeare laughing, to see how of Aristomenus I was made like unto asnail [in] his shell. And while I lay on the ground covered in this sort, Ipeeped under the bed to see what would happen. And behold there entred in twoold women, the one bearing a burning torch, and the other a sponge and a nakedsword; and so in this habit they stood about Socrates being fast asleep. Thenshee which bare the sword sayd unto the other, Behold sister Panthia, this ismy deare and sweet heart, which both day and night hath abused my wantonyouthfulnesse. This is he, who little regarding my love, doth not only defameme with reproachfull words, but also intendeth to run away. And I shall beforsaken by like craft as Vlysses did use, and shall continually bewaile mysolitarinesse as Calipso. Which said, shee pointed towards mee that lay underthe bed, and shewed me to Panthia. This is hee, quoth she, which is hisCounsellor, and perswadeth him to forsake me, and now being at the point ofdeath he lieth prostrate on the ground covered with his bed, and hath seene allour doings, and hopeth to escape scot-free from my hands, but I will cause thathee will repente himselfe too late, nay rather forthwith, of his formerintemperate language, and his present curiosity. Which words when I heard Ifell into a cold sweat, and my heart trembled with feare, insomuch that the bedover me did likewise rattle and shake. Then spake Panthia unto Meroe and said,Sister let us by and by teare him in pieces or tye him by the members, and socut them off. Then Meroe (being so named because she was a Taverner, and lovedwel good wines) answered, Nay rather let him live, and bury the corpse of thispoore wretch in some hole of the earth; and therewithall shee turned the headof Socrates on the other side and thrust her sword up to the hilts into theleft part of his necke, and received the bloud that gushed out, into a pot,that no drop thereof fell beside: which things I saw with mine own eyes, and asI thinke to the intent that she might alter nothing that pertained tosacrifice, which she accustomed to make, she thrust her hand down into theintrals of his body, and searching about, at length brought forth the heart ofmy miserable companion Socrates, who having his throat cut in such sort,yeelded out a dolefull cry, and gave up the ghost. Then Panthia stopped up thewide wound of his throat with the Sponge and said, O sponge sprung and made ofthe sea, beware that thou not passe by running river. This being said, one ofthem moved and turned up my bed, and then they strid over mee, and clappedtheir buttocks upon my face, and all bepissed mee until I was wringing wet.When this was over they went their wayes, and the doores closed fast, the postsstood in their old places, and the lockes and bolts were shut againe. But Ithat lay upon the ground like one without soule, naked and cold, and wringingwet with pisse, like to one that were more than half dead, yet reviving myselfe, and appointed as I thought for the Gallowes, began to say Alasse whatshall become of me to morrow, when my companion shall be found murthered herein the chamber? To whom shall I seeme to tell any similitude of truth, when asI shall tell the trueth in deed? They will say, If thou wert unable to resistthe violence of the women, yet shouldest thou have cried for help; Wouldst thousuffer the man to be slaine before thy face and say nothing? Or why did theynot slay thee likewise? Why did they spare thee that stood by and saw themcommit that horrible fact? Wherefore although thou hast escaped their hands,yet thou shalt not escape ours. While I pondered these things with my selfe thenight passed on, and so I resolved to take my horse before day, and goe forwardon my journey.

Howbeit the wayes were unknown to me, and thereupon I tooke up my packet,unlocked and unbarred the doors, but those good and faithfull doores which inthe night did open of their owne accord, could then scantly be opened withtheir keyes. And when I was out I cried, O sirrah Hostler where art thou? Openthe stable doore for I will ride away by and by. The Hostler lying behinde thestable doore upon a pallet, and half asleepe, What (quoth hee) doe you not knowthat the wayes be very dangerous? What meane you to rise at this time of night?If you perhaps guilty of some heynous crime, be weary of your life, yet thinkeyou not that we are such Sots that we will die for you. Then said I, It is wellnigh day, and moreover, what can theeves take from him that hath nothing? Doestthou not know (Foole as thou art) if thou be naked, if ten Gyants shouldassaile thee, they could not spoyle or rob thee? Whereunto the drowsie Hostlerhalf asleepe, and turning on the other side, answered, What know I whether youhave murthered your Companion whom you brought in yesternight, or no, and nowseeke the means to escape away? O Lord, at that time I remember the earthseemed ready to open, and me thought I saw at hell gate the Dog Cerberus readyto devour mee, and then I verily beleeved, that Meroe did not spare my throat,mooved with pitty, but rather cruelly pardoned mee to bring mee to theGallowes. Wherefore I returned to my chamber, and there devised with my selfein what sort I should finish my life. But when I saw that fortune shouldminister unto mee no other instrument than that which my bed profered me, Isaid, O bed, O bed, most dear to me at this present, which hast abode andsuffered with me so many miseries, judge and arbiter of such things as weredone here this night, whome onely I may call to witnesse for my innocency,render (I say) unto me some wholesome weapon to end my life, that am mostwilling to dye. And therewithal I pulled out a piece of the rope wherewith thebed was corded, and tyed one end thereof about a rafter by the window, and withthe other end I made a sliding knot, and stood upon my bed, and so put my neckinto it, and leaped from the bed, thinking to strangle my selfe and so dye,behold the rope beeing old and rotten burst in the middle, and I fell downtumbling upon Socrates that lay under: And even at that same very time theHostler came in crying with a loud voyce, and sayd, Where are you that madesuch hast at midnight, and now lies wallowing abed? Whereupon (I know notwhether it was by my fall, or by the great cry of the Hostler) Socrates aswaking out of sleepe, did rise up first and sayd, It is not without cause thatstrangers do speake evill of all such Hostlers, for this Catife in his commingin, and with his crying out, I thinke under a colour to steale away something,hath waked me out of a sound sleepe. Then I rose up joyfull with a merrycountenance, saying, Behold good Hostler, my friend, my companion and mybrother, whom thou didst falsly affirme to be slaine by mee this might. Andtherewithall I embraced my friend Socrates and kissed him: but hee smelling thestinke of the pisse wherewith those Hagges had embrued me, thrust me away andsayd, Clense thy selfe from this filthy odour, and then he began gently toenquire, how that noysome sent hapned unto mee. But I finely feigning andcolouring the matter for the time, did breake off his talk, and tooke him bythe hand and sayd, Why tarry we? Why lose wee the pleasure of this fairemorning? Let us goe, and so I tooke up my packet, and payed the charges of thehouse and departed: and we had not gone a mile out of the Towne but it wasbroad day, and then I diligently looked upon Socrates throat, to see if I couldespy the place where Meroe thrust in her sword: but when I could not perceiveany such thing, I thought with my selfe, What a mad man am I, that beingovercome with wine yester night, have dreamed such terrible things? Behold Isee Socrates is sound, safe and in health. Where is his wound? Where is theSponge? Where is his great and new cut? And then I spake to him and said,Verily it is not without occasion, that Physitians of experience do affirme,That such as fill their gorges abundantly with meat and drinke, shall dreame ofdire and horrible sights: for I my selfe, not tempering my appetite yesternight from the pots of wine, did seeme to see this night strange and cruelvisions, that even yet I think my self sprinkled and wet with human blood:whereunto Socrates laughing made answer and said, Nay, thou art not wet withthe blood of men, but art embrued with stinking pisse; and verily I dreamedthat my throat was cut, and that I felt the paine of the wound, and that myheart was pulled out of my belly, and the remembrance thereof makes me now tofeare, for my knees do so tremble that I can scarce goe any further, andtherefore I would faine eat somewhat to strengthen and revive my spirits. Thensaid I, behold here thy breakefast, and therewithall I opened my script thathanged upon my shoulder, and gave him bread and cheese, and we sate downe undera greate Plane tree, and I eat part with him; and while I beheld him eatinggreedily, I perceived that he waxed meigre and pale, and that his lively colourfaded away, insomuch that beeing in great fear, and remembring those terriblefuries of whom I lately dreamed, the first morsell of bread that I put in mymouth (that was but very small) did so stick in my jawes, that I could neitherswallow it downe, nor yet yeeld it up, and moreover the small time of our beingtogether increased my feare, and what is hee that seeing his companion die inthe high-way before his face, would not greatly lament and bee sorry? But whenthat Socrates had eaten sufficiently hee waxed very thirsty, for indeed he hadwell nigh devoured a whole Cheese: and behold evill fortune! There was behindthe Plane tree a pleasant running water as cleere as Crystal, and I sayd untohim, Come hither Socrates to this water and drinke thy fill. And then he roseand came to the River, and kneeled downe on the side of the banke to drinke,but he had scarce touched the water with lips, when as behold the wound in histhroat opened wide, and the Sponge suddenly fell out into the water, and afterissued out a little remnant of bloud, and his body being then without life, hadfallen into the river, had not I caught him by the leg and so pulled him up.And after that I had lamented a good space the death of my wretched companion,I buried him in the Sands there by the river.

Which done, in great feare I rode through many Outwayes and desart places, andas culpable of the death of Socrates, I forsooke my countrey, my wife, and mychildren, and came to Etolia where I married another Wife.

This tale told Aristomenus, and his fellow which before obstinatly would giveno credit unto him, began to say, Verily there was never so foolish a tale, nora more absurd lie told than this. And then he spake unto me saying, Ho sir,what you are I know not, but your habit and countenance declareth that youshould be some honest Gentleman, (speaking to Apuleius) doe you beleeve thistale? Yea verily (quoth I), why not? For whatsoever the fates have appointed tomen, that I beleeve shall happen. For may things chance unto me and unto you,and to divers others, which beeing declared unto the ignorant be accounted aslies. But verily I give credit unto his tale, and render entire thankes untohim, in that by the pleasant relation thereof we have quickly passed andshortned our journey, and I thinke that my horse was also delighted with thesame, and hath brought me to the gate of this city without any paine at all.Thus ended both our talk and our journey, for they two turned on the left handto the next villages, and I rode into the city.

THE SIXTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius came unto a city named Hipate, and was lodged in one Milos house,and brought him letters from one Demeas of Corinth.

After that those two Companions were departed I entred into the City: where Iespied an old woman, of whom I enquired whether that city was called Hipata, orno: Who answered, Yes. Then I demaunded, Whether she knew one Milo an Aldermanof the city: Whereat she laughed and said: Verily it is not without cause thatMilo is called an Elderman, and accounted as chiefe of those which dwel withoutthe walls of the City. To whom I sayd againe, I pray thee good mother do notmocke, but tell me what manner of man he is, and where he dwelleth. Mary (quothshee) do you see these Bay windowes, which on one side abut to the gates of thecity, and on the other side to the next lane? There Milo dwelleth, very richboth in mony and substance, but by reason of his great avarice and insatiablecovetousnes, he is evill spoken of, and he is a man that liveth all by usurie,and lending his money upon pledges. Moreover he dwelleth in a small house, andis ever counting his money, and hath a wife that is a companion of his extreamemisery, neither keepeth he more in his house than onely one maid, who goethapparelled like unto a beggar. Which when I heard, I laughed in my self andthought, In faith my friend Demeas hath served me well, which hath sent mebeing a stranger, unto such a man, in whose house I shall not bee afearedeither of smoke or of the sent of meat; and therewithall I rode to the doore,which was fast barred, and knocked aloud. Then there came forth a maid whichsaid, Ho sirrah that knocks so fast, in what kinde of sort will you borrowmoney? Know you not that we use to take no gage, unless it be either plate orJewels? To whom I answered, I pray you maid speak more gently, and tel mewhether thy master be within or no? Yes (quoth shee) that he is, why doe youaske? Mary (said I) I am come from Corinth, and have brought him letters fromDemeas his friend. Then sayd the Maid, I pray you tarry here till I tell himso, and therewithall she closed fast the doore, and went in, and after a whileshe returned againe and sayd, My master desireth you to alight and come in. Andso I did, whereas I found him sitting upon a little bed, going to supper, andhis wife sate at his feet, but there was no meat upon the table, and so byappointment of the maid I came to him and saluted him, and delivered theletters which I had brought from Demeas. Which when hee had read hee sayd,Verily, I thanke my friend Demeas much, in that hee hath sent mee so worthy aguest as you are. And therewithall hee commanded his wife to sit away and bidmee sit in her place; which when I refused by reason of courtesie, hee pulledme by my garment and willed me to sit downe; for wee have (quoth he) no otherstool here, nor no other great store of household stuffe, for fear of robbing.Then I according to his commandement, sate down, and he fell in furthercommunication with me and sayd, Verily I doe conjecture by the comly feature ofyour body, and by the maidenly shamefastnesse of your face that you are aGentleman borne, as my friend Demeas hath no lesse declared the same in hisletters. Wherfore I pray you take in good part our poore lodging, and beholdyonder chamber is at your commaundement, use it as your owne, and if you becontented therewithall, you shall resemble and follow the vertuous qualities ofyour good father Theseus, who disdained not the slender and poore Cottage ofHecades.

And then he called his maid which was named Fotis, and said, Carry thisGentlemans packet into the chamber, and lay it up safely, and bring waterquickly to wash him, and a towel to rub him, and other things necessary, andthen bring him to the next Baines, for I know that he is very weary of travell.

These things when I heard, I partly perceived the manners of Milo, andendeavouring to bring my selfe further into his favour, I sayd, Sir there is noneed of any of these things, for they have been everywhere ministred unto meeby the way, howbeit I will go into the Baines, but my chiefest care is that myhorse be well looked to, for hee brought mee hither roundly, and therefore Ipray thee Fotis take this money and buy some hay and oats for him.

THE SEVENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius going to buy fish, met with his companion Pythias.

When this was done, and all my things brought into the Chamber, I walkedtowards the Baines; but first I went to the market to buy some victuals for mysupper, whereas I saw great plenty of fish set out to be sould: and so Icheapened part thereof, and that which they at first held at an hundred pence,I bought at length for twenty. Which when I had done, and was departing away,one of myne old acquaintance, and fellow at Athens, named Pithias, fortuned topasse by, and viewing me at a good space, in the end brought me to hisremembrance, and gently came and kissed mee, saying, O my deare friend Lucius,it is a great while past since we two saw one another, and moreover, from thetime that wee departed from our Master Vestius, I never heard any newes fromyou. I pray you Lucius tell me the cause of your peregrination hither. Then Ianswered and sayd, I will make relation thereof unto you tomorrow: but I prayyou tell me, what meaneth these servitors that follow you, and these rods orverges which they beare, and this habit which you wear like unto a magistrate,verily I thinke you have obtained your own desire, whereof I am right glad.Then answered Pithias, I beare the office of the Clerke of the market, andtherfore if you will have any pittance for your supper speake and I will purveyit for you. Then I thanked him heartily and sayd I had bought meat sufficientalready. But Pithias when hee espied my basket wherein my fish was, tooke itand shaked it, and demanded of me what I had payd for all my Sprots. In faith(quoth I), I could scarce inforce the fishmonger to sell them for twenty pence.Which when I heard, he brought me backe again into the market, and enquired ofme of whom I bought them. I shewed him the old man which sate in a corner,whome by and by, by reason of his office, hee did greatly blame, and sayd, Isit thus you serve and handle strangers, and specially our friends? Whereforesell you this fish so deare, which is not worth a halfepenny? Now perceive Iwell, that you are an occasion to make this place, which is the principall cityof all Thessaly, to be forsaken of all men, and to reduce it into anuninhabitable Desart, by reasone of your excessive prices of victuals, butassure yourself that you shall not escape without punishment, and you shallknow what myne office is, and how I ought to punish such as offend. Then hetook my basket and cast the fish on the ground, and commanded one of hisSergeants to tread them under his feet. This done he perswaded me to depart,and sayd that onely shame and reproach done unto the old Caitife did sufficehim, So I went away amazed and astonied, towards the Baines, considering withmyself and devising of the grace of my companion Pythias. Where when I had wellwashed and refreshed my body, I returned againe to Milos house, both withoutmoney and meat, and so got into my chamber. Then came Fotis immediately untomee, and said that her master desired me to come to supper. But I not ignorantof Milos abstinence, prayed that I might be pardoned since as I thought best toease my wearied bones rather with sleepe and quietnesse, than with meat. WhenFotis had told this to Milo, he came himselfe and tooke mee by the hand, andwhile I did modestly excuse my selfe, I will not (quoth he) depart from thisplace, until such time as you shall goe with me: and to confirm the same, heebound his words with an oath, whereby he enforced me to follow him, and so hebrought me into his chamber, where hee sate him downe upon the bed, anddemaunded of mee how his friend Demeas did, his wife, his children, and all hisfamily: and I made answer to him every question, specially hee enquired thecauses of my peregrination and travell, which when I had declared, he yetbusily demanded of the state of my Countrey, and the chief magistrates there,and principally of our Lievtenant and Viceroy; who when he perceived that I wasnot only wearied by travell, but also with talke, and that I fell asleep in themidst of my tale, and further that I spake nothing directly or advisedly, hesuffered me to depart to my chamber. So scaped I at length from the prating andhungry supper of this rank old man, and being compelled by sleepe and not bymeat, and having supped only with talke, I returned into my chamber, and therebetooke me to my quiet and long desired rest.

THE SECOND BOOKE

THE EIGHTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius fortuned to meet with his Cousin Byrrhena.

As soone as night was past, and the day began to spring, I fortuned to awake,and rose out of my bed as halfe amazed, and very desirous to know and see somemarvellous and strange things, remembring with my selfe that I was in themiddle part of all Thessaly, whereas by the common report of all the World, theSorceries and Inchauntments are most used, I oftentimes repeated with my selfthe tale of my companion Aristomenus touching the manner of this City, andbeing mooved by great desire, I viewed the whole scituation thereof, neitherwas there any thing which I saw there, but that I did beleeve to be the samewhich it was indeed, but every thing seemed unto me to be transformed andaltered into other shapes, by the wicked power of Sorcerie and Inchantment,insomuch that I thought that the stones which I found were indurate, and turnedfrom men into that figure, and that the birds which I heard chirping, and thetrees without the walls of the city, and the running waters, were changed frommen into such kinde of likenesses. And further I thought that the Statues,Images and Walls could goe, and the Oxen and other brute beasts could speakeand tell strange newes, and that immediately I should see and heare someOracles from the heavens, and from the gleed of the Sun. Thus being astonied orrather dismayed and vexed with desire, knowing no certaine place whither Iintended to go, I went from street to street, and at length (as I curiouslygazed on every thing) I fortuned unwares to come into the market place, whereasI espied a certaine woman, accompanied with a great many servants, towards whomI drew nigh, and viewed her garments beset with gold and pretious stone, insuch sort that she seemed to be some noble matron. And there was an old manwhich followed her, who as soon as he espied me, said to himself, Verily thisis Lucius, and then he came and embraced me, by and by he went unto hismistresse and whispered in her eare, and came to mee againe saying, How is itLucius that you will not salute your deere Cousin and singular friend? To whomI answered, Sir I dare not be so bold as to take acquaintance of an unknownwoman. Howbeit as halfe ashamed I drew towards her, and shee turned her selfeand sayd, Behold how he resembleth the very same grace as his mother Salviadoth, behold his countenance and stature, agreeing thereto in each poynt,behold his comely state, his fine slendernesse, his Vermilion colour, his haireyellow by nature, his gray and quicke eye, like to the Eagle, and his trim andcomely gate, which do sufficiently prove him to be the naturall childe ofSalvia. And moreover she sayd, O Lucius, I have nourished thee with myne owneproper hand: and why not? For I am not onely of kindred to thy mother by blood,but also by nourice, for wee both descended of the line of Plutarch, lay in onebelly, sucked the same paps, and were brought up together in one house. Andfurther there is no other difference betweene us two, but that she is marriedmore honourably than I: I am the same Byrrhena whom you have often heard namedamong your friends at home: wherfore I pray you to take so much pains as tocome with me to my house, and use it as your owne. At whose words I was partlyabashed and sayd, God forbid Cosin that I should forsake myne Host Milo withoutany reasonable cause; but verily I will, as often as I have occasion to passeby thy house, come and see how you doe. And while we were talking thustogether, little by little wee came to her house, and behold the gates of thesame were very beautifully set with pillars quadrangle wise, on the top wherofwere placed carved statues and images, but principally the Goddesse of Victorywas so lively and with such excellencie portrayed and set forth, that you wouldhave verily have thought that she had flyed, and hovered with her wings hitherand thither. On the contrary part, the image of the Goddesse Diana was wroughtin white marble, which was a marvellous sight to see, for shee seemed as thoughthe winde did blow up her garments, and that she did encounter with them thatcame into the house. On each side of her were Dogs made of stone, that seemedto menace with their fiery eyes, their pricked eares, their bended nosethrils,their grinning teeth in such sort that you would have thought they had bayedand barked. An moreover (which was a greater marvel to behold) the excellentcarver and deviser of this worke had fashioned the dogs to stand up fiercelywith their former feet, and their hinder feet on the ground ready to fight.Behinde the back of the goddesse was carved a stone in manner of a Caverne,environed with mosse, herbes, leaves, sprigs, green branches and bowes, growingin and about the same, insomuch that within the stone it glistered and shonemarvellously, under the brim of the stone hanged apples and grapes carvedfinely, wherein Art envying Nature, shewed her great cunning. For they were solively set out, that you would have thought if Summer had been come, they mighthave bin pulled and eaten; and while I beheld the running water, which seemedto spring and leap under the feet of the goddesse, I marked the grapes whichhanged in the water, which were like in every point to the grapes of the vine,and seemed to move and stir by the violence of the streame. Moreover, amongstthe branches of the stone appeared the image of Acteon: and how that Diana(which was carved within the same stone, standing in the water) because he didsee her naked, did turne him into an hart, and so he was torne and slaine ofhis owne hounds. And while I was greatly delighted with the view of thesethings, Byrrhena spake to me and sayd, Cousin all things here be at yourcommandement. And therewithall shee willed secretly the residue to depart: whobeing gone she sayd, My most deare Cousin Lucius, I do sweare by the goddesseDiana, that I doe greatly tender your safety, and am as carefull for you as ifyou were myne owne naturall childe, beware I say, beware of the evil arts andwicked allurements of that Pamphiles who is the wife of Milo, whom you callyour Host, for she is accounted the most chief and principall Magitian andEnchantresse living, who by breathing out certain words and charmes over bowes,stones and other frivolous things, can throw down all the powers of the heavensinto the deep bottome of hell, and reduce all the whole world againe to the oldChaos. For as soone as she espieth any comely yong man, shee is forthwithstricken with his love, and presently setteth her whole minde and affection onhim. She soweth her seed of flattery, she invades his spirit and intangleth himwith continuall snares of unmeasurable love.

And then if any accord not to her filthy desire, or if they seeme loathsome inher eye, by and by in the moment of an houre she turneth them into stones,sheep or some other beast, as her selfe pleaseth, and some she presentlyslayeth and murthereth, of whom I would you should earnestly beware. For sheburneth continually, and you by reason of your tender age and comely beauty arecapable of her fire and love.

Thus with great care Byrrhena gave me in charge, but I (that always coveted anddesired, after that I had heard talk of such Sorceries and Witchcrafts, to beexperienced in the same) little esteemed to beware of Pamphiles, but willinglydetermined to bestow my money in learning of that art, and now wholly to becomea Witch. And so I waxed joyful, and wringing my selfe out of her company, asout of linkes or chaines, I bade her farewell, and departed toward the house ofmyne host Milo, by the way reasoning thus with my selfe: O Lucius now takeheed, be vigilant, have a good care, for now thou hast time and place tosatisfie thy desire, now shake off thy childishnesse and shew thy selfe a man,but especially temper thy selfe from the love of thyne hostesse, and abstainfrom violation of the bed of Milo, but hardly attempt to winne the maidenFotis, for she is beautifull, wanton and pleasant in talke. And soone when thougoest to sleepe, and when shee bringeth you gently into thy chamber, andtenderly layeth thee downe in thy bed, and lovingly covereth thee, and kisseththee sweetly, and departeth unwillingly, and casteth her eyes oftentimes backe,and stands still, then hast thou a good occasion ministred to thee to prove andtry the mind of Fotis. Thus while I reasoned to myselfe I came to Milos doore,persevering still in my purpose, but I found neither Milo nor his wife at home.

THE NINTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius fell in love with Fotis.

When I was within the house I found my deare and sweet love Fotis mincing ofmeat and making pottage for her master and mistresse, the Cupboord was all setwith wines, and I thought I smelled the savor of some dainty meats: she hadabout her middle a white and clean apron, and shee was girded about her bodyunder the paps with a swathell of red silke, and she stirred the pot and turnedthe meat with her fair and white hands, in such sort that with stirring andturning the same, her loynes and hips did likewise move and shake, which was inmy mind a comely sight to see.

These things when I saw I was halfe amazed, and stood musing with my selfe, andmy courage came then upon mee, which before was scant. And I spake unto Fotismerrily and sayd, O Fotis how trimmely you can stirre the pot, and how finely,with shaking your buttockes, you can make pottage. O happy and twice happy ishee to whom you give leave and licence but to touch you there. Then shee beeinglikewise merrily disposed, made answer, Depart I say, Miser from me, departfrom my fire, for if the flame thereof doe never so little blaze forth, it willburne thee extreamely and none can extinguish the heat thereof but I alone, whoin stirring the pot and making the bed can so finely shake my selfe. When shehad sayd these words shee cast her eyes upon me and laughed, but I did notdepart from thence until such time as I had viewed her in every point. But whatshould I speak of others, when as I doe accustome abroad to marke the face andhaire of every dame, and afterwards delight my selfe therewith privately athome, and thereby judge the residue of their shape, because the face is theprincipall part of all the body, and is first open to our eyes. And whatsoeverflourishing and gorgeous apparell doth work and set forth in the corporal partsof a woman, the same doth the naturall and comely beauty set out in the face.Moreover there be divers, that to the intent to shew their grace and feature,wil cast off their partlets, collars, habiliments, fronts, cornets andkrippins, and doe more delight to shew the fairnesse of their skinne, than todeck themselves up in gold and pretious stones. But because it is a crime untome to say so, and to give no example thereof, know ye, that if you spoyle andcut the haire of any woman or deprive her of the colour of her face, thoughshee were never so excellent in beauty, though shee were throwne downe fromheaven, sprung of the Seas, nourished of the flouds, though shee were Venus herselfe, though shee were waited upon by all the Court of Cupid, though weregirded with her beautifull skarfe of Love, and though shee smelled of perfumesand musks, yet if shee appeared bald, shee could in no wise please, no not herowne Vulcanus.

O how well doth a faire colour and a shining face agree with glittering hair!Behold, it encountreth with the beams of the Sunne, and pleaseth the eyemarvellously. Sometimes the beauty of the haire resembleth the colour of goldand honey, sometimes the blew plumes and azured feathers about the neckes ofDoves, especially when it is either anointed with the gumme of Arabia, ortrimmely tuft out with the teeth of a fine combe, which if it be tyed up in thepole of the necke, it seemeth to the lover that beholdeth the same, as a glassethat yeeldeth forth a more pleasant and gracious comelinesse than if it shouldbe sparsed abroad on the shoulders of the woman, or hang down scatteringbehind. Finally there is such a dignity in the haire, that whatsoever shee be,though she be never to bravely attyred with gold, silks, pretious stones, andother rich and gorgeous ornaments, yet if her hair be not curiously set forthshee cannot seeme faire. But in my Fotis, her garments unbrast and unlasteincreased her beauty, her haire hanged about her shoulders, and was dispersedabroad upon her partlet, and in every part of her necke, howbeit the greaterpart was trussed upon her pole with a lace. Then I unable to sustain thebroiling heat that I was in, ran upon her and kissed the place where she hadthus laid her haire. Whereat she turned her face, and cast her rolling eyesupon me, saying, O Scholler, thou hast tasted now both hony and gall, take heedthat thy pleasure do not turn unto repentance. Tush (quoth I) my sweet heart, Iam contented for such another kiss to be broiled here upon this fire,wherwithall I embraced and kissed her more often, and shee embraced and kissedme likewise, and moreover her breath smelled like Cinnamon, and the liquor ofher tongue was like unto sweet Nectar, wherewith when my mind was greatlydelighted I sayd, Behold Fotis I am yours, and shall presently dye unlesse youtake pitty upon me. Which when I had said she eftsoone kissed me, and bid me beof good courage, and I will (quoth shee) satisfie your whole desire, and itshall be no longer delayed than until night, when as assure your selfe I willcome and lie with you; wherfore go your wayes and prepare your selfe, for Iintend valiantly and couragiously to encounter with you this night. Thus whenwe had lovingly talked and reasoned together, we departed for that time.

THE TENTH CHAPTER

How Byrrhena sent victuals unto Apuleius, and how hee talked with Milo ofDiophanes, and how he lay with Fotis.

When noone was come, Byrrhena sent to me a fat Pigge, five hennes, and a flagonof old wine. Then I called Fotis and sayd, Behold how Bacchus the egger andstirrer of Venery, doth offer him self of his owne accord, let us thereforedrink up this wine, that we may prepare our selves and get us courage againstsoone, for Venus wanteth no other provision than this, that the Lamp may be allthe night replenished with oyle, and the cups with wine. The residue of the dayI passed away at the Bains and in banquetting, and towards evening I went tosupper, for I was bid by Milo, and so I sate downe at the table, out ofPamphiles sight as much as I could, being mindfull of the commandement ofByrrhena, and sometimes I would cast myne eyes upon her as upon the furies ofhell, but I eftsoones turning my face behinde me, and beholding my Fotisministring at the table, was again refreshed and made merry. And behold whenPamphiles did see the candle standing on the table, she said, Verily wee shallhave much raine to morrow. Which when her husband did heare, he demanded of herby what reason she knew it? Mary (quoth shee) the light on the table sheweththe same. Then Milo laughed and said, Verily we nourish a Sybel prophesier,which by the view of a candle doth divine of Celestiall things, and of theSunne it selfe. Then I mused in my minde and said unto Milo, Of truth it is agood experience and proof of divination. Neither is it any marvell, foralthough this light is but a small light, and made by the hands of men, yethath it a remembrance of that great and heavenly light, as of his parent, anddoth shew unto us what will happen in the Skies above. For I knew at Corinth acertain man of Assyria, who would give answers in every part of the City, andfor the gaine of money would tell every man his fortune, to some he would telthe dayes of their marriages, to others he would tell when they should build,that their edifices should continue. To others, when they should best goeabout their affaires. To others, when they should goe by sea or land: to me,purposing to take my journey hither, he declared many things strange andvariable. For sometimes hee sayd that I should win glory enough: sometimes hesayd I should write a great Historie: sometimes againe hee sayd that I shoulddevise an incredible tale: and sometimes that I should make Bookes. WhereatMilo laughed againe, and enquired of me, of what stature this man of Assyriawas, and what he was named. In faith (quoth I) he is a tall man and somewhatblacke, and hee is called Diophanes. Then sayd Milo, the same is he and noother, who semblably hath declared many things here unto us, whereby hee gotand obtained great substance and Treasure.

But the poore miser fell at length into the hands of unpittifull and cruellfortune: For beeing on a day amongst a great assembly of people, to tell thesimple sort their fortune, a certaine Cobler came unto him, and desired him totel when it should be best for him to take his voyage, the which hee promisedto do: the Cobler opened his purse and told a hundred pence to him for hispaines. Whereupon came a certaine young gentleman and took Diophanes by theGarment. Then he turning himselfe, embraced and kissed him, and desired theGentleman, who was one of his acquaintance, to sit downe by him: and Diophanesbeing astonied with this sudden change, forgot what he was doing, and sayd, Odeare friend you are heartily welcome, I pray you when arrived you into theseparts? Then answered he, I will tell you soone, but brother I pray you tell meeof your comming from the isle of Euboea, and how you sped by the way? WhereuntoDiophanes this notable Assyrian (not yet come unto his minde, but halfe amased)soone answered and sayd, I would to god that all our enemies and evil willersmight fall into the like dangerous peregrination and trouble. For the shipwhere we were in, after it was by the waves of the seas and by the greattempests tossed hither and thither, in great peril, and after that the mast andstern brake likewise in pieces, could in no wise be brought to shore, but sunkinto the water, and so we did swim, and hardly escaped to land. And after that,whatsoever was given unto us in recompense of our losses, either by the pittyof strangers, or by the benevolence of our friends, was taken away from us bytheeves, whose violence when my brother Arisuatus did assay to resist, hee wascruelly murthered by them before my face. These things when he had sadlydeclared, the Cobler tooke up his money againe which he had told out to pay forthe telling of his fortune, and ran away. The Diophanes comming to himselfeperceived what he had done, and we all that stood by laughed greatly. But that(quoth Milo) which Diophanes did tell unto you Lucius, that you should be happyand have a prosperous journey, was only true. Thus Milo reasoned with me. But Iwas not a little sorry that I had traind him into such a vaine of talke, that Ilost a good part of the night, and the sweete pleasure thereof: but at length Iboldly said to Milo, Let Diophanes fare well with his evil fortune, and getagaine that which he lost by sea and land, for I verily do yet feel thewearinesse of my travell, whereof I pray you pardon mee, and give me licence todepart to bed: wherewithall I rose up and went unto my chamber, where I foundall things finely prepared and the childrens bed (because they should not hearewhat we did in the night) was removed far off without the chamber doore. Thetable was all covered with those meats that were left at supper, the cups werefilled halfe full with water, to temper and delay the wines, the flagon stoodready prepared, and there lacked nothing that was necessary for the preparationof Venus. And when I was entring into the bed, behold my Fotis (who had broughther mistresse to bed) came in and gave me roses and floures which she had inher apron, and some she threw about the bed, and kissed mee sweetly, and tied agarland about my head, and bespred the chamber with the residue. Which whenshee had done, shee tooke a cup of wine and delaied it with hot water, andprofered it me to drinke; and before I had drunk it all off she pulled it frommy mouth, and then gave it me againe, and in this manner we emptied the pottwice or thrice together. Thus when I had well replenished my self with wine,and was now ready unto Venery not onely in minde but also in body, I removed mycloathes, and shewing to Fotis my great impatiencie I sayd, O my sweet hearttake pitty upon me and helpe me, for as you see I am now prepared unto thebattell, which you your selfe did appoint: for after that I felt the firstArrow of cruell Cupid within my breast, I bent my bow very strong, and nowfeare, (because it is bended so hard) lest my string should breake: but thatthou mayst the better please me, undresse thy haire and come and embrace melovingly: whereupon shee made no long delay, but set aside all the meat andwine, and then she unapparelled her selfe, and unattyred her haire, presentingher amiable body unto me in manner of faire Venus, when shee goeth under thewaves of the sea. Now (quoth shee) is come the houre of justing, now is comethe time of warre, wherefore shew thy selfe like unto a man, for I will notretyre, I will not fly the field, see then thou bee valiant, see thou becouragious, since there is no time appointed when our skirmish shall cease. Insaying these words shee came to me to bed, and embraced me sweetly, and so weepassed all the night in pastime and pleasure, and never slept until it was day:but we would eftsoones refresh our wearinesse, and provoke our pleasure, andrenew our venery by drinking of wine. In which sort we pleasantly passed awaymany other nights following.

THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius supped with Byrrhena, and what a strange tale Bellephoron told atthe table.

It fortuned on a day, that Byrrhena desired me earnestly to suppe with her; andshee would in no wise take any excusation. Whereupon I went to Fotis, to askecounsell of her as of some Divine, who although she was unwilling that I shoulddepart one foot from her company, yet at length shee gave me license to beeabsent for a while, saying, Beware that you tarry not long at supper there, forthere is a rabblement of common Barrettors and disturbers of the publiquepeace, that rove about in the streets and murther all such as they may take,neither can law nor justice redress them in any case. And they will the soonerset upon you, by reason of your comelinesse and audacity, in that you are notafeared at any time to walke in the streets.

Then I answered and sayd, Have no care of me Fotis, for I esteeme the pleasurewhich I have with thee, above the dainty meats that I eat abroad, and thereforeI will returne againe quickly. Neverthelesse I minde not to come withoutcompany, for I have here my sword, wherby I hope to defend my selfe.

And so in this sort I went to supper, and behold I found in Byrrhena’shouse a great company of strangers, and the chiefe and principall of the city:the beds made of Citron and Ivory, were richly adorned and spread with cloathof gold, the Cups were garnished pretiously, and there were divers other thingsof sundry fashion, but of like estimation and price: here stood a glassegorgeously wrought, there stood another of Christall finely painted. Therestood a cup of glittering silver, and there stood another of shining gold, andhere was another of amber artificially carved and made with pretious stones.Finally, there was all things that might be desired: the Servitors waitedorderly at the table in rich apparell, the pages arrayed in silke robes, didfill great gemmes and pearles made in the forme of cups, with excellent wine.Then one brought in Candles and Torches, and when we were set down and placedin order, we began to talke, to laugh, and to be merry. And Byrrhena spake untomee and sayd, I pray you Cousine how like you our countrey? Verily I thinkthere is no other City which hath the like Temples, Baynes, and othercommodities which we have here. Further we have abundance of household stuffe,we have pleasure, we have ease, and when the Roman merchants arrive in thisCity they are gently and quietly entertained, and all that dwell within thisprovince (when they purpose to solace and repose themselves) do come to thiscity. Whereunto I answered, Verily (quoth I) you tell truth, for I can finde noplace in all the world which I like better than this, but I greatly feare theblind inevitable trenches of witches, for they say that the dead bodies aredigged out of their graves, and the bones of them that are burnt be stollenaway, and the toes and fingers of such as are slaine are cut off, and afflictand torment such as live. And the old Witches as soone as they heare of thedeath of any person, do forthwith goe and uncover the hearse and spoyle thecorpse, to work their inchantments. Then another sitting at the table spake andsayd, In faith you say true, neither yet do they spare or favor the living. ForI know one not farre hence that was cruelly handled by them, who being notcontented with cutting off his nose, did likewise cut off his eares, whereatall the people laughed heartily, and looked at one that sate at the boords end,who being amased at their gazing, and somewhat angry withall, would have risenfrom the table, had not Byrrhena spake unto him and sayd, I pray thee friendBellerophon sit still and according to thy accustomed curtesie declare unto usthe losse of thy nose and eares, to the end that my cousin Lucius may bedelighted with the pleasantnes of the tale. To whom he answered, Madam in theoffice of your bounty shall prevaile herein, but the insolencie of some is notto be supported. This hee spake very angerly: But Byrrhena was earnest uponhim, and assured him hee should have no wrong at any mans hand. Whereby he wasinforced to declare the same, and so lapping up the end of the Table cloath andcarpet together, hee leaned with his elbow thereon, and held out threeforefingers of his right hand in manner of an orator, and sayd, When I was ayoung man I went unto a certaine city called Milet, to see the games andtriumphs there named Olympia, and being desirous to come into this famousprovince, after that I had travelled over all Thessaly, I fortuned in an evilhour to come to the City Larissa, where while I went up and down to view thestreets to seeke some reliefe for my poore estate (for I had spent all mymoney) I espied an old man standing on a stone in the middest of the marketplace, crying with a loud voice and saying, that if any man would watch a deadcorps that night hee should be reasonably rewarded for this paines. Which whenI heard, I sayd to one who passed by, What is here to doe? Do dead men use torun away in this Countrey? Then answered he, Hold your peace, for you are but aBabe and a stranger here, and not without cause you are ignorant how you are inThessaly, where the women Witches bite off by morsels the flesh and faces ofdead men, and thereby work their sorceries and inchantments. Then quoth I, Ingood fellowship tell me the order of this custody and how it is. Marry (quothhe) first you must watch all the night, with your eyes bent continually uponthe Corps, never looking off, nor moving aside. For these Witches do turnthemselves into sundry kindes of beasts, whereby they deceive the eyes of allmen, sometimes they are transformed into birds, sometimes into Dogs and Mice,and sometimes into flies. Moreover they will charme the keepers of the corpsasleepe, neither can it be declared what meanes and shifts these wicked womendo use, to bring their purpose to passe: and the reward for such dangerouswatching is no more than foure or sixe shillings. But hearken further (for Ihad well nigh forgotten) if the keeper of the dead body doe not render on themorning following, the corps whole and sound as he received the same, he shallbe punished in this sort: That is, if the corps be diminished or spoyled in anypart of his face, hands or toes, the same shall be diminished and spoyled inthe keeper. Which when I heard him I tooke a good heart, and went unto theCrier and bid him cease, for I would take the matter in hand, and so I demandedwhat I should have. Marry (quoth he) a thousand pence, but beware I say youyoung man, that you do wel defend the dead corps from the wicked witches, forhee was the son of one of the chiefest of the city. Tush (sayd I) you speak youcannot tell what, behold I am a man made all of iron, and have never desire tosleepe, and am more quicke of sight than Lynx or Argus. I had scarse spokenthese words, when he tooke me by the hand and brought mee to a certaine house,the gate whereof was closed fast, so that I went through the wicket, then hebrought me into a chamber somewhat darke, and shewed me a Matron cloathed inmourning vesture, and weeping in lamentable wise. And he spake unto her andsaid, Behold here is one that will enterprise to watch the corpes of yourhusband this night. Which when she heard she turned her blubbered face coveredwith haire unto me saying, I pray you good man take good heed, and see well toyour office. Have no care (quoth I) so you will give mee any thing above thatwhich is due to be given. Wherewith shee was contented, and then she arose andbrought me into a chamber whereas the corps lay covered with white sheets, andshee called seven witnesses, before whom she shewed the dead body, and everypart and parcell thereof, and with weeping eyes desired them all to testifiethe matter. Which done, she sayd these words of course as follow: Behold, hisnose is whole, his eyes safe, his eares without scarre, his lips untouched, andhis chin sound: all which was written and noted in tables, and subscribed withthe hands of witnesses to confirme the same. Which done I sayd unto the matron,Madam I pray you that I may have all things here necessary. What is that?(quoth she). Marry (quoth I) a great lampe with oyle, pots of wine, and waterto delay the same, and some other drinke and dainty dish that was left atsupper. Then she shaked her head and sayd, Away fool as thou art, thinkest thouto play the glutton here and to looke for dainty meats where so long time hathnot been seene any smoke at all? Commest thou hither to eat, where we shouldweepe and lament? And therewithall she turned backe, and commanded her maidenMyrrhena to deliver me a lampe with oyle, which when shee had done they closedthe chamber doore and departed. Now when I was alone, I rubbed myne eyes, andarmed my selfe to keep the corpes, and to the intent I would not sleepe, Ibegan to sing, and so I passed the time until it was midnight, when as beholdthere crept in a Wesel into the chamber, and she came against me and put me invery great feare, insomuch that I marvelled greatly at the audacity of solittle a beast. To whom I said, get thou hence thou whore and hie thee to thyfellowes, lest thou feele my fingers. Why wilt thou not goe? Then incontinentlyshe ranne away, and when she was gon, I fell on the ground so fast asleepe,that Apollo himself could not discern which of us two was the dead corps, for Ilay prostrat as one without life, and needed a keeper likewise. At length thecockes began to crow, declaring that it was day: wherewithall I awaked, andbeing greatly afeard ran to the dead body with the lamp in my hand, and Iviewed him round about: and immediately came in the matron weeping with herWitnesses, and ran to the corps, and eftsoons kissing him, she turned his bodyand found no part diminished. Then she willed Philodespotus her steward to payme my wages forthwith. Which when he had done he sayd, We thanke you gentleyoung man for your paines and verily for your diligence herein we will accountyou as one of the family. Whereunto I (being joyous of by unhoped gaine, andratling my money in my hand) did answer, I pray you madam esteeme me as one ofyour servants, and if you want my service at any time, I am at yourcommandement. I had not fully declared these words, when as behold all theservants of the house were assembled with weapons to drive me away, onebuffeted me about the face, another about the shoulders, some strook me in thesides, some kicked me, and some tare my garments, and so I was handled amongstthem and driven from the house, as the proud young man Adonis who was torn by aBore. And when I was come into the next street, I mused with my selfe, andremembred myne unwise and unadvised words which I had spoken, whereby Iconsidered that I had deserved much more punishment, and that I was worthilybeaten for my folly. And by and by the corps came forth, which because it wasthe body of one of the chiefe of the city, was carried in funeral pompe roundabout the market place, according to the right of the countrey there. Andforthwith stepped out an old man weeping and lamenting, and ranne unto theBiere and embraced it, and with deepe sighes and sobs cried out in this sort, Omasters, I pray you by the faith which you professe, and by the duty which youowe unto the weale publique, take pitty and mercy upon this dead corps, who ismiserably murdered, and doe vengeance on this wicked and cursed woman his wifewhich hath committed this fact: for it is shee and no other which hath poysonedher husband my sisters sonne, to the intent to maintaine her whoredome, and toget his heritage. In this sort the old man complained before the face of allpeople. Then they (astonied at these sayings, and because the thing seemed tobe true) cried out, Burne her, burne her, and they sought for stones to throwat her, and willed the boys in the street to doe the same. But shee weeping inlamentable wise, did swear by all the gods, that shee was not culpable of thiscrime. No quoth the old man, here is one sent by the providence of God to tryout the matter, even Zachlas an Egypptian, who is the most principallProphecier in all this countrey, and who was hired of me for money to reducethe soule of this man from hell, and to revive his body for the triall hereof.And therewithall he brought forth a certaine young man cloathed in linnenrayment, having on his feet a paire of pantofiles, and his crowne shaven, whokissed his hands and knees, saying, O priest have mercy, have mercy I pray theeby the Celestiall Planets, by the Powers infernall, by the vertue of thenaturall elements, by the silences of the night, by the building of Swallowsnigh unto the towne Copton, by the increase of the floud Nilus, by the secretmysteries of Memphis, and by the instruments and trumpets of the Isle Pharos,have mercy I say, and call to life this dead body, and make that his eyes whichhe closed and shut, may be open and see. Howbeit we meane not to strive againstthe law of death, neither intend we to deprive the earth of his right, but tothe end this fact may be knowne, we crave but a small time and space of life.Whereat this Prophet was mooved, and took a certaine herb and layd it threetimes against the mouth of the dead, and he took another and laid upon hisbreast in like sort. Thus when hee had done hee turned himself into the East,and made certaine orisons unto the Sunne, which caused all the people tomarvell greatly, and to looke for this strange miracle that should happen. ThenI pressed in amongst them nigh unto the biere, and got upon a stone to see thismysterie, and behold incontinently the dead body began to receive spirit, hisprincipall veines did moove, his life came again and he held up his head andspake in this sort: Why doe you call mee backe againe to this transitorie life,that have already tasted of the water of Lethe, and likewise been in the deadlyden of Styx? Leave off, I pray, leave off, and let me lie in quiet rest. Whenthese words were uttered by the dead corps, the Prophet drew nigh unto theBiere and sayd, I charge thee to tell before the face of all the people herethe occasion of thy death: What, dost thou thinke that I cannot by myconjurations call up the dead, and by my puissance torment thy body? Then thecorps moved his head again, and made reverence to the people and sayd, Verily Iwas poisoned by the meanes of my wicked wife, and so thereby yeelded my bedunto an adulterer. Whereat his wife taking present audacity, and reproving hissayings, with a cursed minde did deny it. The people were bent against hersundry wayes, some thought best that shee should be buried alive with herhusband: but some said that there ought no credit to be given to the dead body.Which opinion was cleane taken away, by the words which the corps spoke againeand sayd, Behold I will give you some evident token, which never yet any otherman knew, whereby you shall perceive that I declare the truth: and by and by hepointed towards me that stood on the stone, and sayd, When this the good Gardof my body watched me diligently in the night, and that the wicked Witches andenchantresses came into the chamber to spoyle mee of my limbes, and to bringsuch their purpose did transforme themselves into the shape of beasts: and whenas they could in no wise deceive or beguile his vigilant eyes, they cast himinto so dead and sound a sleepe, that by their witchcraft he seemed withoutspirit or life. After this they did call me by my name, and never did cease tilas the cold members of my body began by little and little and little to revive.Then he being of more lively soule, howbeit buried in sleep, in that he and Iwere named by one name, and because he knew not that they called me, rose upfirst, and as one without sence or perseverance passed by the dore fast closed,unto a certain hole, whereas the Witches cut off first his nose, and then hisears, and so that was done to him which was appointed to be done to me. Andthat such their subtility might not be perceived, they made him a like paire ofeares and nose of wax: wherfore you may see that the poore miser for lucre of alittle mony sustained losse of his members. Which when he had said I wasgreatly astonied, and minding to prove whether his words were true or no, putmy hand to my nose, and my nose fell off, and put my hand to my ears and myears fell off. Wherat all the people wondred greatly, and laughed me to scorne:but I beeing strucken in a cold sweat, crept between their legs for shame andescaped away. So I disfigured returned home againe, and covered the losse ofmyne ears with my long hair, and glewed this clout to my face to hide my shame.As soon as Bellephoron had told his tale, they which sate at the tablereplenished with wine, laughed heartily. And while they drank one to another,Byrrhena spake to me and said, from the first foundation of this city we have acustome to celebrate the festivall day of the god Risus, and to-morrow is thefeast when as I pray you to bee present, to set out the same more honourably,and I would with all my heart that you could find or devise somewhat of yourselfe, that might be in honour of so great a god. To whom I answered, verilycousin I will do as you command me, and right glad would I be, if I mightinvent any laughing or merry matter to please or satisfy Risus withall. Then Irose from the table and took leave of Byrrhena and departed. And when I cameinto the first street my torch went out, that with great pain I could scarceget home, by reason it was so dark, for fear of stumbling: and when I was wellnigh come unto the dore, behold I saw three men of great stature, heaving andlifting at Milos gates to get in: and when they saw me they were nothingafeard, but assaied with more force to break down the dores whereby they gavemee occasion, and not without cause, to thinke that they were strong theeves.Whereupon I by and by drew out my sword which I carried for that purpose undermy cloak, and ran in amongst them, and wounded them in such sort that they felldowne dead before my face. Thus when I had slaine them all, I knocked sweatingand breathing at the doore til Fotis let me in. And then full weary with theslaughter of those Theeves, like Hercules when he fought against the kingGerion, I went to my chamber and layd me down to sleep.

THE THIRD BOOKE

THE TWELFTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for murther.

When morning was come, and that I was awaked from sleep, my heart burned sorewith remembrance of the murther I had committed the night before: and I roseand sate downe on the side of the bed with my legges acrosse, and wringing myhands, I weeped in most miserable sort. For I imagined with my selfe, that Iwas brought before the Judge in the Judgement place, and that he awardedsentence against me, and that the hangman was ready to lead me to the gallows.And further I imagined and sayd, Alasse what Judge is he that is so gentle orbenigne, that will thinke that I am unguilty of the slaughter and murther ofthese three men. Howbeit the Assyrian Diophanes did firmely assure unto me,that my peregrination and voyage hither should be prosperous. But while I didthus unfold my sorrowes, and greatly bewail my fortune, behold I heard a greatnoyse and cry at the dore, and in came the Magistrates and officers, whocommanded two sergeants to binde and leade me to prison, whereunto I waswillingly obedient, and as they led me through the street, all the Citygathered together and followed me, and although I looked always on the groundfor very shame, yet sometimes I cast my head aside and marvelled greatly thatamong so many thousand people there was not one but laughed exceedingly.Finally, when they had brought me through all the streets of the city, inmanner of those that go in procession, and do sacrifice to mitigate the ire ofthe gods, they placed mee in the Judgement hall, before the seat of the Judges:and after that the Crier had commanded all men to keep silence, and peopledesired the Judges to give sentence in the great Theatre, by reason of thegreat multitude that was there, whereby they were in danger of stifling. Andbehold the prease of people increased stil, some climed to the top of thehouse, some got upon the beames, some upon the Images, and some thrust theirheads through the windowes, little regarding the dangers they were in, so theymight see me.

Then the officers brought mee forth openly into the middle of the hall, thatevery man might behold me. And after that the Cryer had made a noise, andwilled all such that would bring any evidence against me, should come forth,there stept out an old man with a glasse of water in his hand, dropping outsoftly, who desired that hee might have liberty to speake during the time ofthe continuance of the water. Which when it was granted, he began his orationin this sort.

THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was accused by an old man, and how he answered for himselfe.

O most reverend and just Judges, the thing which I propose to declare to you isno small matter, but toucheth the estate and tranquillity of this whole City,and the punishment thereof may be a right good example to others. Wherefore Ipray you most venerable Fathers, to whom and every one of whom it dothappertain, to provide for the dignity and safety of the Commonweale, that youwould in no wise suffer this wicked Homicide, embrued with the bloud of so manymurthered citisens, to escape unpunished. And thinke you not that I am movedthereunto by envy or hatred, but by reason of my office, in that I am captainof the night Watch, and because no man alive should accuse mee to bee remissein the same I wil declare all the whole matter, orderly as it was done lastnight.

This night past, when as at our accustomed houre I diligently searched everypart of the City, behold I fortuned to espy this cruell young man drawing outhis sword against three Citisens, and after a long combat foughten betweenthem, he murthered one after another miserably: which when hee had done, movedin his conscience at so great a crime hee ran away, and aided by the reason ofdarknes, slipt into a house, and there lay hidden all night, but by theprovidence of the Gods, which suffereth no heynous offence to pass unpunished,hee was taken by us this morning before he escaped any further, and so broughthither to your honourable presence to receive his desert accordingly.

So have you here a guilty person, a culpable homicide, and an accused stranger,wherefore pronounce you judgement against this man beeing an alien, when as youwould most severely and sharply revenge such an offence found in a knownCitisen. In this sort the cruell accuser finished and ended his terrible tale.Then the Crier commanded me to speake, if I had any thing to say for my selfe,but I could in no wise utter any word at all for weeping. And on the other sideI esteemed not so much his rigorous accusation, as I did consider myne ownemiserable conscience. Howbeit, beeing inspired by divine Audacity, at length Igan say, Verily I know that it is an hard thing for him that is accused to haveslaine three persons, to perswade you that he is innocent, although he shoulddeclare the whole truth, and confesse the matter how it was indeed, but if yourhonours will vouchsafe to give me audience, I will shew you, that if I amcondemned to die, I have not deserved it as myne owne desert, but that I wasmooved by fortune and reasonable cause to doe that fact. For returning somewhatlate from supper yester night (beeing well tippled with wine, which I will notdeny) and approaching nigh to my common lodging, which was in the house of oneMilo a Citisen of this city, I fortuned to espy three great theeves attemptingto break down his walls and gates, and to open the locks to enter in. And whenthey had removed the dores out of the hookes, they consulted amongstthemselves, how they would handle such as they found in the house. And one ofthem being of more courage, and of greater stature than the rest, spake untohis fellows and sayd, Tush you are but boyes, take mens hearts unto you, andlet us enter into every part of the house, and such as we find asleep let uskill, and so by that meanes we shall escape without danger. Verily ye threeJudges, I confess that I drew out my sword against those three Citizens, but Ithought it was the office and duty of one that beareth good will to this wealepublique, so to doe, especially since they put me in great fear, and assayed torob and spoyl my friend Milo. But when those cruell and terrible men would inno case run away, nor feare my naked sword, but boldly resist against me, I ranupon them and fought valiantly. One of them which was the captain invaded mestrongly, and drew me by the haire with both his hands, and began to beat mewith a great stone: but in the end I proved the hardier man, and threw himdowne at my feet and killed him. I tooke likewise the second that clasped meabout the legs and bit me, and slew him also. And the third that came runningviolently against me, after that I had strucken him under the stomacke felldowne dead. Thus when I had delivered my selfe, the house, Myne host, and allhis family from this present danger, I thought that I should not onely escapeunpunished, but also have some great reward of the city for my paines.

Moreover, I that have always been clear and unspotted of crime, and that haveesteemed myne innocency above all the treasure of the world, can finde noreasonable cause why upon myne accusation I should be condemned to die, sincefirst I was mooved to set upon the theeves by just occasion. Secondly, becausethere is none that can affirm, that there hath been at any time either grudgeor hatred between us. Thirdly, we were men meere strangers and of noacquaintance. Last of all, no man can prove that I committed that fact forlucre or gaine.

When I had ended my words in this sort, behold, I weeped againe pitteously, andholding up my hands I prayed all the people by the mercy of the Commonweale andfor the love of my poore infants and children, to shew me some pitty andfavour. And when their hearts were somewhat relented and mooved by mylamentable teares, I called all the gods to witnesse that I was unguilty of thecrime, and so to their divine providence, I committed my present estate, butturning my selfe againe, I perceived that all the people laughed exceedingly,and especially my good friend and host Milo. Then thought I with my selfe,Alasse where is faith? Where is remorse of conscience? Behold I am condemned todie as a murtherer, for the safeguard of myne Host Milo and his family. Yet ishe not contented with that, but likewise laugheth me to scorne, when otherwisehe should comfort and help mee.

THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was accused by two women, and how the slaine bodies were foundblowne bladders.

When this was done, out came a woman in the middle of the Theatre arrayed inmourning vesture, and bearing a childe in her armes. And after her came an oldwoman in ragged robes, crying and howling likewise: and they brought with themthe Olive boughs wherewith the three slaine bodies were covered on the Beere,and cried out in this manner: O right Judges, we pray by the justice andhumanity which is in you, to have mercy upon these slaine persons, and succourour Widowhood and losse of our deare husbands, and especially this pooreinfant, who is now an Orphan, and deprived of all good fortune: and executeyour justice by order and law, upon the bloud of this Theefe, who is theoccasion of all our sorrowes. When they had spoken these words, one of the mostantient Judges did rise and say, Touching this murther, which deserveth greatpunishment, this malefactor himselfe cannot deny, but our duty is to enquireand try out, whether he had Coadjutors to help him. For it is not likely thatone man alone could kill three such great and valiant persons, wherefore thetruth must be tried out by the racke, and so wee shall learne what othercompanions he hath, and root out the nest of these mischievous murtherers. Andthere was no long delay, but according to the custome of Grecia, the fire, thewheele, and many other torments were brought in. Then my sorrow encreased orrather doubled, in that I could not end my life with whole and unperishedmembers. And by and by the old woman, who troubled all the Court with herhowling, desired the Judges, that before I should be tormented on the racke, Imight uncover the bodies which I had slaine, that every man might see theircomely shape and youthfull beauty, and that I might receive condign and worthypunishment, according to the quality of my offence: and therewithall shee madea sign of joy. Then the Judge commanded me forthwith to discover the bodies ofthe slain, lying upon the beere, with myne own handes, but when I refused agood space, by reason I would not make my fact apparent to the eies of all men,the Sergeant charged me by commandement of the Judges, and thrust me forward todo the same. I being then forced by necessity, though it were against my wil,uncovered the bodies: but O good Lord what a strange sight did I see, what amonster? What sudden change of all my sorrows? I seemed as though I were one ofthe house of Proserpina and of the family of death, insomuch that I could notsufficiently expresse the forme of this new sight, so far was I amased andastonied thereat: for why, the bodies of the three slaine men were no bodies,but three blown bladders mangled in divers places, and they seemed to bewounded in those parts where I remembred I wounded the theeves the nightbefore. Whereat the people laughed exceedingly: some rejoyced marvellously atthe remembrance thereof, some held their stomackes that aked with joy, butevery man delighted at this passing sport, so passed out of the theatre. But Ifrom the time that I uncovered the bodies stood stil as cold as ice, nootherwise than as the other statues and images there, neither came I into myright senses, until such time as Milo my Host came and tooke mee by the hand,and with civil violence lead me away weeping and sobbing, whether I would orno. And because that I might be seene, he brought me through many blind wayesand lanes to his house, where he went about to comfort me, beeing sad and yetfearfull, with gentle entreaty of talke. But he could in no wise mitigate myimpatiency of the injury which I conceived within my minde. And behold, by andby the Magistrates and Judges with their ensignes entred into the house, andendeavoured to pacify mee in this sort, saying, O Lucius, we are advertised ofyour dignity, and know the genealogie of your antient lineage, for the nobilityof your Kinne doe possesse the greatest part of all this Province: and thinkenot that you have suffered the thing wherfore you weepe, to any reproach andignominy, but put away all care and sorrow out of your minde. For this day,which we celebrate once a yeare in honour of the god Risus, is alwaies renownedwith some solemne novel, and the god doth continually accompany with theinventor therof, and wil not suffer that he should be sorrowfull, butpleasantly beare a joyfull face. And verily all the City for the grace that isin you, intend to reward you with great honours, and to make you a Patron. Andfurther that your statue or image may be set up for a perpetuall remembrance.

To whome I answered, As for such benefits as I have received of the famous Cityof Thessaly, I yeeld and render the most entire thanks, but as touching thesetting up of any statues or images, I would wish that they should bee reservedfor myne Auntients, and such as are more worthy than I.

And when I had spoken these words somewhat gravely, and shewed my selfe moremerry than I was before, the Judges and magistrates departed, and I reverentlytooke my leave of them, and bid them farewell. And behold, by and by there cameone running unto me in haste, and sayd, Sir, your cousin Byrrhena desireth youto take the paines according to your promise yester night, to come to supper,for it is ready. But I greatly fearing to goe any more to her house in thenight, said to the messenger, My friend I pray you tell to my cousine yourmistresse, that I would willingly be at her commandement, but for breaking mytroth and credit. For myne host Milo enforced me to assure him, and compelledme by the feast of this present day, that I should not depart from his company,wherefore I pray you to excuse, and to defer my promise to another time.

And while I was speaking these words, Milo tooke me by the hand, and led metowards the next Baine: but by the way I went couching under him, to hide myselfe from the sight of men, because I had ministred such an occasion oflaughter. And when I had washed and wiped my selfe, and returned home againe, Inever remembred any such thing, so greatly was I abashed at the nodding andpointing of every person. Then went I to supper with Milo, where God wot wefared but meanly. Wherefore feigning that my head did ake by reason of mysobbing and weeping all day, I desired license to depart to my Chamber, and soI went to bed.

THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER

How Fotis told to Apuleius, what witchcraft her mistresse did use.

When I was a bed I began to call to minde all the sorrowes and griefes that Iwas in the day before, until such time as my love Fotis, having brought hermistresse to sleepe, came into the chamber, not as shee was wont to do, for sheseemed nothing pleasant neither in countenance nor talke, but with sowre faceand frowning looke, gan speak in this sort, Verily I confesse that I have beenthe occasion of all thy trouble this day, and therewith shee pulled out awhippe from under her apron, and delivered it unto mee saying, Revenge thyselfupon mee mischievous harlot, or rather slay me.

And thinke you not that I did willingly procure this anguish and sorrow untoyou, I call the gods to witnesse. For I had rather myne owne body to perish,than that you should receive or sustaine any harme by my means, but that whichI did was by the commandement of another, and wrought as I thought for someother, but behold the unlucky chance fortuned on you by my evill occasion.

Then I, very curious and desirous to know the matter, answered, In faith (quothI), this most pestilent and evill favoured whip which thou hast brought toscourge thee withal, shal first be broken in a thousand pieces, than it shouldtouch or hurt thy delicate and dainty skin. But I pray you tell me how have youbeen the cause and mean of my trouble and sorrow? For I dare sweare by the lovethat I beare unto you, and I will not be perswaded, though you your selfeshould endeavour the same, that ever you went to trouble or harm me: perhapssometimes you imagined an evil thought in your mind, which afterwards yourevoked, but that is not to bee deemed as a crime.

When I had spoken these words, I perceived by Fotis eys being wet with tearsand well nigh closed up that shee had a desire unto pleasure and speciallybecause shee embraced and kissed me sweetly. And when she was somewhat restoredunto joy shee desired me that shee might first shut the chamber doore, least bythe untemperance of her tongue, in uttering any unfitting words, there mightgrow further inconvenience. Wherewithall shee barred and propped the doore, andcame to me againe, and embracing me lovingly about the neck with both herarmes, spake with a soft voice and said, I doe greatly feare to discover theprivities of this house, and to utter the secret mysteries of my dame. But Ihave such confidence in you and in your wisedome, by reason that you are comeof so noble a line, and endowed with so profound sapience, and furtherinstructed in so many holy and divine things, that you will faithfully keepesilence, and that whatsoever I shall reveale or declare unto you, you wouldclose them within the bottome of your heart, and never discover the same: for Iensure you, the love that I beare unto you, enforceth mee to utter it. Now shalyou know all the estate of our house, now shal you know the hidden secrets ofmy mistres, unto whome the powers of hel do obey, and by whom the celestialplanets are troubled, the gods made weake, and the elements subdued, neither isthe violence of her art in more strength and force, than when she espieth somecomly young man that pleaseth her fancie, as oftentimes it hapneth, for now sheloveth one Boetian a fair and beautiful person, on whom she employes al hersorcerie and enchantment, and I heard her say with mine own ears yester night,that if the Sun had not then presently gon downe, and the night come tominister convenient time to worke her magicall enticements, she would havebrought perpetuall darkness over all the world her selfe. And you shall know,that when she saw yester night, this Boetian sitting at the Barbers a polling,when she came from the Baines shee secretly commanded me to gather up some ofthe haires of his head which lay dispersed upon the ground, and to bring ithome. Which when I thought to have done the Barber espied me, and by reason itwas bruited though all the City that we were Witches and Enchantresses, hecried out and said, Wil you never leave off stealing of young mens haires? Infaith I assure you, unlesse you cease your wicked sorceries, I will complaineto the Justices. Wherewithall he came angerly towards me, and tooke away thehaire which I had gathered, out of my apron: which grieved me very much, for Iknew my Mistresses manners, that she would not be contented but beat mecruelly.

Wherefore I intended to runne away, but the remembrance of you put alwayes thethought out of my minde, and so I came homeward very sorrowful: but because Iwould not seeme to come to my mistresse sight with empty hands, I saw a manshearing of blowne goat skinnes, and the hayre which he had shorne off wasyellow, and much resembled the haire of the Boetian, and I tooke a good dealethereof, and colouring of the matter, I brought it to my mistresse. And so whennight came, before your returne from supper, she to bring her purpose to passe,went up to a high Gallery of her house, opening to the East part of the world,and preparing her selfe according to her accustomed practise, shee gatheredtogether all substance for fumigations, she brought forth plates of mettalcarved with strange characters, she prepared the bones of such as were drownedby tempest in the seas, she made ready the members of dead men, as thenosethrils and fingers, shee set out the lumps of flesh of such as were hanged,the blood which she had reserved of such as were slaine and the jaw bones andteeth of willed beasts, then she said certaine charmes over the haire, anddipped it in divers waters, as in Wel water, Cow milk, mountain honey, andother liquor. Which when she had done, she tied and lapped it up together, andwith many perfumes and smells threw it into an hot fire to burn. Then by thegreat force of this sorcerie, and the violence of so many confections, thosebodies whose haire was burning in the fire, received humane shape, and felt,heard and walked: And smelling the sent of their owne haire, came and rapped atour doores in stead of Boetius. Then you being well tipled, and deceived by theobscurity of the night, drew out your sword courageously like furious Ajax, andkild not as he did, whole heard of beastes, but three blowne skinnes, to theintent that I, after the slaughter of so many enemies, without effusion ofbloud might embrace and kisse, not an homicide but an Utricide.

Thus when I was pleasantly mocked and taunted by Fotis, I sayd unto her, verilynow may I for this atcheived enterprise be numbered as Hercules, who by hisvaliant prowesse performed the twelve notable Labors, as Gerion with threebodies, and as Cerberus with three heads, for I have slaine three blown goatskinnes. But to the end that I may pardon thee of that thing which thou hastcommitted, perform, the thing which I most earnestly desire of thee, that is,bring me that I may see and behold when thy mistresse goeth about any Sorceryor enchantment, and when she prayeth unto the gods: for I am very desirous tolearne that art, and as it seemeth unto mee, thou thy selfe hath someexperience in the same. For this I know and plainly feele, That whereas I havealways yrked and loathed the embrace of Matrones, I am so stricken and subduedwith thy shining eyes, ruddy cheekes, glittering haire, sweet cosses, and lillywhite paps, that I have neither minde to goe home, nor to depart hence, butesteeme the pleasure which I shall have with thee this night, above all thejoyes of the world. Then (quoth she) O my Lucius, how willing would I be tofulfil your desire, but by reason shee is so hated, she getteth her selfe intosolitary places, and out of the presence of every person, when she mindeth towork her enchantments. Howbeit I regarde more to gratify your request, than Idoe esteeme the danger of my life: and when I see opportunitie and time I willassuredly bring you word, so that you shal see all her enchantments, but alwaysupon this condition, that you secretly keepe close such things as are done.

Thus as we reasoned together the courage of Venus assailed, as well our desiresas our members, and so she unrayed herself and came to bed, and we passed thenight in pastime and dalliance, till as by drowsie and unlusty sleep I wasconstrained to lie still.

THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER

How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistresse enchant.

On a day Fotis came running to me in great feare, and said that her mistresse,to work her sorceries on such as shee loved, intended the night following totransforme her selfe into a bird, and to fly whither she pleased. Wherefore shewilled me privily to prepare my selfe to see the same. And when midnight cameshe led me softly into a high chamber, and bid me look thorow the chink of adoore: where first I saw how shee put off all her garments, and took out of acertain coffer sundry kindes of Boxes, of the which she opened one, andtempered the ointment therein with her fingers, and then rubbed her bodytherewith from the sole of the foot to the crowne of the head, and when she hadspoken privily with her selfe, having the candle in her hand, she shaked theparts of her body, and behold, I perceived a plume of feathers did burgen out,her nose waxed crooked and hard, her nailes turned into clawes, and so shebecame an Owle. Then she cried and screeched like a bird of that kinde, andwilling to proove her force, mooved her selfe from the ground by little andlittle, til at last she flew quite away.

Thus by her sorcery shee transformed her body into what shape she would. Whichwhen I saw I was greatly astonied: and although I was inchanted by no kind ofcharme, yet I thought that I seemed not to have the likenesse of Lucius, for sowas I banished from my sences, amazed in madnesse, and so I dreamed waking,that I felt myne eyes, whether I were asleepe or no. But when I was come againeto my selfe, I tooke Fotis by the hand, and moved it to my face and said, Ipray thee while occasion doth serve, that I may have the fruition of the fruitsof my desire, and grant me some of this oyntment. O Fotis I pray thee by thysweet paps, to make that in the great flames of my love I may be turned into abird, so I will ever hereafter be bound unto you, and obedient to yourcommandement. Then said Fotis, Wil you go about to deceive me now, and inforceme to work my own sorrow? Are you in the mind that you will not tarry inThessaly? If you be a bird, where shall I seek you, and when shall I see you?Then answered I, God forbid that I should commit such a crime, for though Icould fly in the aire as an Eagle or though I were the messenger of Jupiter,yet would I have recourse to nest with thee: and I swear by the knot of thyamiable hair, that since the time I first loved thee, I never fancied any otherperson: moreover, this commeth to my minde, that if by the vertue of theoyntment I shall become an Owle, I will take heed I will come nigh no manshouse: for I am not to learn, how these matrons would handle their lovers, ifthey knew that they were transformed into Owles: Moreover, when they are takenin any place they are nayled upon posts, and so they are worthily rewarded,because it is thought that they bring evill fortune to the house. But I prayyou (which I had almost forgotten) to tell me by what meanes when I am an Owle,I shall return to my pristine shape, and become Lucius againe. Feare not (quothshe) for my mistres hath taught me the way to bring that to passe, neitherthinke you that she did it for any good will and favour, but to the end that Imight help her, and minister some remedy when she returneth home.

Consider I pray you with your selfe, with what frivolous trifles so marvellousa thing is wrought: for by Hercules I swear I give her nothing else save alittle Dill and Lawrell leaves, in Well water, the which she drinketh andwasheth her selfe withall. Which when she had spoken she went into the chamberand took a box out of the coffer, which I first kissed and embraced, and prayedthat I might [have] good successe in my purpose. And then I put off all mygarments, and greedily thrust my hand into the box, and took out a good dealeof oyntment and rubbed my selfe withall.

THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a Bird, was turned into an Asse, andhow he was led away by Theves.

After that I had well rubbed every part and member of my body, I hovered withmyne armes, and moved my selfe, looking still when I should bee changed into aBird as Pamphiles was, and behold neither feathers nor appearance of feathersdid burgen out, but verily my haire did turne in ruggednesse, and my tenderskin waxed tough and hard, my fingers and toes losing the number of five,changed into hoofes, and out of myne arse grew a great taile, now my facebecame monstrous, my nosthrils wide, my lips hanging downe, and myne earesrugged with haire: neither could I see any comfort of my transformation, for mymembers encreased likewise, and so without all helpe (viewing every part of mypoore body) I perceived that I was no bird, but a plaine Asse.

Then I thought to blame Fotis, but being deprived as wel of language as ofhumane shape, I looked upon her with my hanging lips and watery eyes. Who assoon as shee espied me in such sort, cried out, Alas poore wretch that I am, Iam utterly cast away. The feare I was in, and my haste hath beguiled me, butespecially the mistaking of the box, hath deceived me. But it forceth not much,in regard a sooner medicine may be gotten for this than for any other thing.For if thou couldst get a rose and eat it, thou shouldst be delivered from theshape of an Asse, and become my Lucius againe. And would to God I had gatheredsome garlands this evening past, according to my custome, then thou shouldstnot continue an Asse one nights space, but in the morning I shall seek someremedy. Thus Fotis lamented in pittifull sort, but I that was now a perfectasse, and for Lucius a brute beast, did yet retaine the sence and understandingof a man. And did devise a good space with my selfe, whether it were best forme to teare this mischievous and wicked harlot with my mouth, or to kicke andkill her with my heels. But a better thought reduced me from so rash a purpose:for I feared lest by the death of Fotis I should be deprived of all remedy andhelp. Then shaking myne head, and dissembling myne ire, and taking my adversityin good part, I went into the stable to my owne horse, where I found anotherasse of Milos, somtime my host, and I did verily think that mine owne horse (ifthere were any natural conscience or knowledge in brute beasts) would takepitty on me, and profer me lodging for that night: but it chanced farotherwise. For see, my horse and the asse as it were consented together to workmy harm, and fearing lest I should eat up their provender, would in no wisesuffer me to come nigh the manger, but kicked me with their heels from theirmeat, which I my self gave them the night before. Then I being thus handled bythem, and driven away, got me into a corner of the stable, where while Iremembred their uncurtesie, and how on the morrow I should return to Lucius bythe help of a Rose, when as I thought to revenge my selfe of myne owne horse, Ifortuned to espy in the middle of a pillar sustaining the rafters of the stablethe image of the goddesse Hippone, which was garnished and decked round aboutwith faire and fresh roses: then in hope of present remedy, I leaped up with myfore feet as high as I could, stretching out my neck, and with my lips covetingto snatch some roses. But in an evill houre I did go about that enterprise, forbehold the boy to whom I gave charge of my horse, came presently in, andfinding me climbing upon the pillar, ranne fretting towards me and said, Howlong shall wee suffer this wild Asse, that doth not onely eat up his fellowesmeat, but also would spoyl the images of the gods? Why doe I not kill this lametheefe and weake wretch? And therewithall looking about for some cudgel, heeespied where lay a fagot of wood, and chusing out a crabbed truncheon of thebiggest hee could finde, did never cease beating of mee poore wretch, untilsuch time as by great noyse and rumbling, hee heard the doores of the houseburst open, and the neighbours crying in most lamentable sort, which enforcedhim being stricken in feare, to fly his way. And by and by a troupe of theevesentred in, and kept every part and corner of the house with weapons. And as menresorted to aid and help them which were within the doores, the theevesresisted and kept them back, for every man was armed with a sword and target inhis hand, the glimpses whereof did yeeld out such light as if it had bin day.Then they brake open a great chest with double locks and bolts, wherein waslayd all the treasure of Milo, and ransackt the same: which when they had donethey packed it up and gave every man a portion to carry: but when they had morethan they could beare away, yet were they loth to leave any behind, but cameinto the stable, and took us two poore asses and my horse, and laded us withgreater trusses than wee were able to beare. And when we were out of the house,they followed us with great staves, and willed one of their fellows to tarrybehind, and bring them tydings what was done concerning the robbery: and sothey beat us forward over great hils out of the way. But I, what with my heavyburden and long journy, did nothing differ from a dead asse: wherfore Idetermined with my self to seek some civil remedy, and by invocation of thename of the prince of the country to be delivered from so many miseries: and ona time I passed through a great faire, I came among a multitude of Greeks, andI thought to call upon the renowned name of the Emperor and say, O Cesar, andcried out aloud O, but Cesar I could in no wise pronounce. The Theeves littleregarding my crying, did lay me on and beat my wretched skinne in such sort,that after it was neither apt nor meet to make Sives or Sarces. Howbeit at lastJupiter administred to me an unhoped remedy. For when we had passed throughmany townes and villages, I fortuned to espy a pleasant garden, wherein besidemany other flowers of delectable hiew, were new and fresh roses: and being veryjoyful, and desirous to catch some as I passed by, I drew neerer and neerer:and while my lips watered upon them, I thought of a better advice moreprofitable for me, lest if from an asse I should become a man, I might fallinto the hands of the theeves, and either by suspition that I were some witch,or for feare that I should utter their theft, I should be slaine, wherefore Iabstained for that time from eating of Roses, and enduring my presentadversity, I did eat hay as other Asses did.

THE FOURTH BOOKE

THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius thinking to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener, andchased by dogs.

When noone was come, that the broyling heate of the sunne had most power, weturned into a village to certaine of the theeves acquaintance and friends, forverily their meeting and embracing together did give me, poore asse, cause todeeme the same, and they tooke the trusse from my backe, and gave them part ofthe Treasure which was in it, and they seemed to whisper and tell them that itwas stollen goods, and after that we were unladen of our burthens, they let usloose in a medow to pasture, but myne own horse and Miloes Asse would notsuffer me to feed there with them, but I must seeke my dinner in some otherplace.

Wherefore I leaped into a garden which was behinde the stable, and being wellnigh perished with hunger, although I could find nothing there but raw andgreen fallets, yet I filled my hungry guts therwithall abundantly, and prayingunto all the gods, I looked about in every place if I could espy any red rosesin the gardens by, and my solitary being alone did put me in good hope, that ifI could find any remedy, I should presently of an Asse be changed into Luciusout of every mans sight. And while I considered these things, I loked about,and behold I saw a farre off a shadowed valley adjoyning nigh unto a wood,where amongst divers other hearbes and pleasant verdures, me thought I sawbright flourishing Roses of bright damaske colour; and said within my bestaillminde, Verily that place is the place of Venus and the Graces, where secretlyglistereth the royall hew, of so lively and delectable a floure. Then Idesiring the help of the guide of my good fortune, ranne lustily towards thewood, insomuch that I felt myself that I was no more an Asse, but a swiftcoursing horse: but my agility and quicknes could not prevent the cruelty of myfortune, for when I came to the place I perceived that they were no roses,neither tender nor pleasant, neither moystened with the heavenly drops of dew,nor celestial liquor, which grew out of the thicket and thornes there. Neitherdid I perceive that there was any valley at all, but onely the bank of theriver, environed with great thick trees, which had long branches like untolawrell, and bearing a flour without any manner of sent, and the common peoplecall them by the name of Lawrel roses, which be very poyson to all manner ofbeasts. Then was I so intangled with unhappy fortune that I little esteemedmine own danger, and went willingly to eat of these roses, though I knew themto be present poyson: and as I drew neere I saw a yong man that seemed to bethe gardener, come upon mee, and when he perceived that I had devoured all hishearbes in the garden, he came swearing with a great staffe in his hand, andlaid upon me in such sort, that I was well nigh dead, but I speedily devisedsome remedy my self, for I lift up my legs and kicked him with my hinder heels,that I left him lying at the hill foot wel nigh slain, and so I ran away.Incontinently came out his wife, who seeing her husband halfe dead, cried andhowled in pittifull sort, and went toward her husband, to the intent that byher lowd cries shee might purchase to me present destruction. Then all thepersons of the town, moved by her noise came forth, and cried for dogs to teareme down. Out came a great company of Bandogs and mastifes, more fit to pul downbears and lions than me, whom when I beheld I thought verily I should presentlydie: but I turned myself about, and ranne as fast as ever I might to the stablefrom whence I came. Then the men of the towne called in their dogs, and took meand bound mee to the staple of a post, and scourged me with a great knottedwhip till I was well nigh dead, and they would undoubtedly have slaine me, hadit not come to passe, that what with the paine of their beating, and the greenehearbes that lay in my guts, I caught such a laske that I all besprinkled theirfaces with my liquid dung, and enforced them to leave off.

THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was prevented of his purpose, and how the Theeves came to theirden.

Not long after, the theeves laded us againe, but especially me, and brought usforth of the stable, and when wee had gone a good part of our journey what withthe long way, my great burthen, the beating of staves, and my worne hooves, Iwas so weary that I could scantly go. Then I saw a little before mee a riverrunning with fair water, and I said to myself, Behold, now I have found a goodoccasion: for I will fall down when I come yonder, and surely I will not riseagaine, neither with scourging nor with beating, for I had rather be slainethere presently, than goe any further.

And the cause why I had determined so to doe was this, I thought that thetheeves when they did see me so feeble and weake that I could not travell, tothe intent they would not stay in their journey, they would take the burthenfrom my backe and put it on my fellowes, and so for my further punishment toleave me as a prey to the wolves and ravening beasts. But evill fortuneprevented so good a consideration; for the other Asse being of the same purposethat I was of, by feigned and coloured wearinesse fell downe first, with allhis burthen on the ground as though hee were dead, and he would not riseneither with beating nor with pricking, nor stand upon his legs, though theypulled him by the tail, by his legs, and by his eares: which when the theevesbeheld, as without all hope they said one unto another, What should we standhere so long about a dead or rather a stony asse? let us bee gone: and so theytooke his burthen, and divided some to mee, and some to my horse. And then theydrew out their swords and cut off his legs, and threw his body from the pointof a hill down into a great valley. Then I considering with my selfe of theevill fortune of my poore companion, and purposed now to forget all subtilityand deceit, and to play the good Asse to get my masters favour, for I perceivedby their talke that we were come home well nigh at our journeys end. And afterthat wee had passed over a little hill, we came to our appointed place, andwhen we were unladen of our burthens, and all things carried in, I tumbled andwallowed in the dust, to refresh my selfe in stead of water. The thing and thetime compelleth me to make description of the places, and especially of the denwhere the theeves did inhabit, I will prove my wit in what I can doe, and theconsider you whether I was an Asse in judgement and sence, or no. For firstthere was an exceeding great hill compassed about with big trees very high,with many turning bottoms full of sharp stones, whereby it was inaccessible.There was many winding and hollow vallies, environed with thickets and thornes,and naturally fortressed round about. From the top of the hill ranne a runningwater as cleare as silver, that watered all the valleyes below, that it seemedlike unto a sea inclosed, or a standing floud. Before the denne where was nohill stood an high tower, and at the foot thereof were sheep-coats fenced andwalled with clay. Before the gate of the house were pathes made in stead ofwals, in such sort that you could easily judge it to be a very den for theeves,and there was nothing else except a little coat covered with thatch, whereinthe theeves did nightly accustome to watch by order, as I after perceived. Andwhen they were all crept into the house, and we were all tied fast with haltersat the dore, they began to chide with an old woman there, crooked with age, whohad the government and rule of all the house, and said, How is it old witch,old trot, and strumpet, that thou sittest idley all day at home, and having noregard to our perillous labours, hast provided nothing for our suppers, butsittest eating and swilling thyself from morning till night? Then the old womantrembled, and scantly able to speak gan say, Behold my puissant and faithfullmasters, you shall have meat and pottage enough by and by: here is first storeof bread, wine plenty, filled in cleane rinsed pots, likewise here is hot waterprepared to bathe you.

Which when she had said, they put off all their garments and refreshedthemselves by the fire. And after they were washed and noynted with oyle, theysate downe at the table garnished with all kind of dainty meats. They were nosooner sate downe, but in came another company of yong men more in number thanwas before, who seemed likewise to bee Theeves, for they brought in theirpreyes of gold and silver, Plate, jewels, and rich robes, and when they hadlikewise washed, they sate among the rest, and served one another by order.Then they drank and eat exceedingly, laughing, crying and making much noyse,that I thought that I was among the tyrannous and wilde Lapithes, Thebans, andCentaures. At length one of them more valiant than the rest, spake in thissort, We verily have manfully conquered the house of Milo of Hippata, andbeside all the riches and treasure which by force we have brought away, we areall come home safe, and are increased the more by this horse and this Asse. Butyou that have roved about in the country of Boetia, have lost your valiantecaptaine Lamathus, whose life I more regarded than all the treasure which youhave brought: and therfore the memory of him shall bee renowned for everamongst the most noble kings and valiant captains: but you accustome when yougoe abroad, like men with ganders hearts to creepe through every corner andhole for every trifle. Then one of them that came last answered, Why are youonly ignorant, that the greater the number is, the sooner they may rob andspoyle the house? And although the family be dispersed in divers lodgings, yetevery man had rather to defend his own life, than to save the riches of hismaster: but when there be but a few theeves, then will they not only ratherregard themselves, but also their substance, how little or great soever it be.And to the intent you may beleeve me I will shew you an example: wee were comenothing nigh to Thebes, where is the fountain of our art and science, but welearned where a rich Chuffe called Chriseros did dwell, who for fear of officesin the publique wel dissembled his estate, and lived sole and solitary in asmall coat, howbeit replenished with aboundance of treasure, and went daily inragged and torn apparel. Wherefore wee devised with our selves to go to hishouse and spoyl him of all his riches. And when night came we drew towards thedore, which was so strongly closed, that we could neither move it, nor lift itout of the hooks, and we thought it best not to break it open lest by the noysewe should raise up to our harm the neighbours by. Then our strong and valiantcaptaine Lamathus trusting in his own strength and force, thrust in his handthrough a hole in the dore, and thought to pull back the bolt: but the covetouscaitif Chriseros being awake, and making no noise came softly to the dore andcaught his hand and with a great naile nailed it fast to the post: which whenhe had done, he ran up to the high chamber and called every one of hisneighbours by name, desiring them to succour him with all possible speed, forhis own house was on fire. Then every one for fear of his owne danger camerunning out to aid him, wherewith we fearing our present peril, knew not whatwas best to be don, whether wee should leave our companion there, or yeeldourselves to die with him: but we by his consent devised a better way, for wecut off his arm by the elbow and so let it hang there: then wee bound his woundwith clouts, lest we should be traced by the drops of blood: which don we tookLamathus and led him away, for fear we would be taken: but being so nighpursued that we were in present danger, and that Lamathus could not keepe ourcompany by reason of faintnesse; and on the other side perceiving that it wasnot for his profit to linger behinde, he spake unto us as a man of singularcourage and vertue, desiring us by much entreaty and prayer and by thepuissance of the god Mars, and the faith of our confederacy, to deliver hisbody from torment and miserable captivity: and further he said, How is itpossible that so courageous a Captaine can live without his hand, wherewith hecould somtime rob and slay so many people? I would thinke myself sufficientlyhappy if I could be slaine by one of you. But when he saw that we all refusedto commit any such fact, he drew out his sword with his other hand, and afterthat he had often kissed it, he drove it clean through his body. Then wehonoured the corps of so puissant a man, and wrapped it in linnen cloathes andthrew it into the sea. So lieth our master Lamathus, buried and did in thegrave of water, and ended his life as I have declared. But Alcinus, though hewere a man of great enterprise, yet could he not beware by Lamathus, nor voidehimselfe from evill fortune, for on a day when he had entred into an old womanshouse to rob her, he went up into a high chamber, where hee should first havestrangled her: but he had more regard to throw down the bags of mony and goldout at a window, to us that stood under; and when he was so greedy that hewould leave nothing behinde, he went into the old womans bed where she layasleep, and would have taken off the coverlet to have thrown downe likewise,but shee awaked, and kneeling on her knees, desired him in this manner: O sir Ipray you cast not away such torn and ragged clouts into my neighbours houses,for they are rich enough, and need no such things. Then Alcinus thinking herwords to be true, was brought in beleefe, that such things as he had throwneout already, and such things as hee should throw out after, was not fallendowne to his fellowes, but to other mens houses, wherefore hee went to thewindow to see, and as hee thought to behold the places round about, thrustinghis body out of the window, the old woman marked him wel, and came behind himsoftly, and though shee had but small strength, yet with sudden force she tookehim by the heeles and thrust him out headlong, and so he fell upon a marvellousgreat stone and burst his ribs, wherby he vomited and spewed great flakes ofblood, and presently died. Then wee threw him to the river likewise, as we haddone Lamathus before.

When we had thus lost two of our companions, we liked not Thebes, but marchedtowards the next city called Platea, where we found a man of great fame calledDemochares, that purposed to set forth a great game, where should be a triallof all kind of weapons: hee was come of a good house, marvellous rich,liberall, and wel deserved that which he had and had prepared many showes andpleasures for the Common people, insomuch that there is no man can either bywit or eloquence shew in words his worthy preparations: for first he hadprovided all sorts of armes, hee greatly delighted in hunting and chasing, heordained great towers and Tables to move hither and thither: hee made manyplaces to chase and encounter in: he had ready a great number of men and wildebeasts, and many condemned persons were brought from the Judgement place, totry and fight with those beasts. But amongst so great preparations of nobleprice, he bestowed the most part of his patrimony in buying of Beares, which henourished to his great cost, and esteemed more than all the other beasts, whicheither by chasing hee caught himself, or which he dearely bought, or which weregiven him from divers of his friends.

Howbeit for all his sumptuous cost, hee could not be free from the malitiouseyes of envy, for some of them were well nigh dead with too long tying up, somemeagre with the broyling heat of the sunne, some languished with lying, but allhaving sundry diseases, were so afflicted that they died one after another, andthere was well nigh none left, in such sort that you might see them lying inthe streets pittiously dead. And the common people having no other meat to feedon, little regarding any curiosity, would come forth and fill their bellieswith the flesh of the beares. Then by and by Babulus and I devised a prettysport, wee drew one of the greatest of the Beares to our lodging, as though weewould prepare to eat thereof, where wee flayed of his skinne, and kept hisungles whole, but we medled not with the head, but cut it off by the necke, andso let it hang to the skinne. Then we rased off the flesh from the necke, andcast dust thereon, and set it in the sun to dry.

THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER

How Thrasileon was disguised in a Beares skin, and how he was handled.

When the skin was a drying we made merry with the flesh, and then we devisedwith our selves, that one of us being more valiant than the rest both in bodyand courage (so that he would consent thereto) should put on the skin, andfeigning that he were a Beare, should be led to Demochares house in the night,by which means we thought to be received and let in. Many were desirous to playthe Beare, but especially one Thrasileon of a couragious minde would take thisenterprise in hand. Then wee put in into the Beares skin, which him finely inevery point, wee buckled it fast under his belly, and covered the seam with thehaire, that it might not be seen. After this we made little holes through thebears head, and through his nosthrils and eyes, for Thrasileon to see out andtake wind at, in such sort that he seemed a very lively and natural beast: whenthis was don we went into a cave which we hired for the purpose, and he creptin after like a bear with a good courage. Thus we began our subtility, and thenwee imagined thus, wee feigned letters as though they came from one Nicanorwhich dwelt in the Country of Thracia, which was of great acquaintance withthis Demochares, wherein we wrote, that hee had sent him being his friend, thefirst fruits of his coursing and hunting. When night was come, which was a meettime for our purpose, we brought Thrasileon and our forged letters andpresented them to Demochares. When Demochares beheld this mighty Beare, and sawthe liberality of Nicanor his friend, hee commanded his servants to deliverunto us x. crowns, having great store in his coffers. Then (as the novelty of athing doth accustom to stir mens minds to behold the same) many persons came onevery side to see this bear: but Thrasileon, lest they should by curiousviewing and prying perceive the truth, ran upon them to put them in feare thatthey durst not come nigh. The people said, Verily Demochares is right happy, inthat after the death of so many beasts, hee hath gotten maugre fortunes head,so goodly a bear. Then Demochares commanded him with all care to be put in thepark with all the other beasts: but immediately I spake unto him and said, SirI pray you take heed how you put a beast tired with the heat of the sun andwith long travell, among others which as I hear say have divers maladies anddiseases, let him rather lie in some open place in your house nie some water,where he may take air and ease himself, for doe you not know that such kind ofbeasts do greatly delight to couch under the shadow of trees and hillocks neerpleasant wells and waters? Hereby Demochares admonished, and remembring howmany he had before that perished, was contented that we should put the bearwhere we would. Moreover we said unto him, that we ourselves were determined tolie all night neer the Bear, to look unto him, and to give him meat and drinkat his due houre.

Then he answered, Verily masters you need not put yourselves to such paines,for I have men that serve for nothing but that purpose. So wee tooke leave ofhim and departed: and when we were come without the gates of the town, weperceived before us a great sepulchre standing out of the highway in a privyand secret place, and thither we went and opened the mouth thereof, whereas wefound the sides covered with the corruption of man, and the ashes and dust ofhis long buried body, wherein we got ourselves to bring our purpose to passe,and having respect to the dark time of night, according to our custome, when wethought that every one was asleepe, we went with our weapons and besieged thehouse of Demochares round about. Then Thrasileon was ready at hand, and leapedout of the caverne, and went to kill all such as he found asleepe: but when hecame to the Porter, he opened the gates and let us in, and then he shewed us alarge Counter, wherein we saw the night before a great aboundance of treasure:which when by violence we had broke open, I bid every one of my fellows take asmuch gold and silver as they could carry away: and beare it to the sepulchre,and still as they carried away I stood at the gate, watching diligently whenthey would returne. The Beare running about the house, to make such of thefamily afeared as fortuned to wake and come out. For who is he that is sopuissant and couragious, that at the ougly sight of so great a monster will notquayle and keep his chamber especially in the night? But when wee had broughtthis matter to so good a point, there chanced a pittifull case, for as I lookedfor my companions that should come from the sepulchre, behold there was a Boyof the house that fortuned to looke out of a window, and espied the Bearrunning about, and he went and told all the servants of the house. Whereuponincontinently they came forth with Torches, Lanthornes, and other lights, thatthey might see all the yard over: they came with clubs, speares, naked swords,Greyhounds, and Mastifes to slay the poore beast. Then I during this broylethought to run away, but because I would see Thrasileon fight with the Dogs, Ilay behinde the gate to behold him. And although I might perceive that he waswell nigh dead, yet remembred he his owne faithfulnes and ours, and valiantlyresisted the gaping and ravenous mouths of the hell hounds, so tooke hee ingree the pagiant which willingly he tooke in hand himself, and with much adoetumbled at length out of the house: but when hee was at liberty abroad yetcould he not save himself, for all the dogs of the Streete joyned themselves tothe greyhounds and mastifes of the house, and came upon him.

Alas what a pittifull sight it was to see our poore Thrasileon thus environedand compassed with so many dogs that tare and rent him miserably. Then Iimpatient of so great a misery, ranne in among the prease of people, and aydinghim with my words as much as I might, exhorted them all in this manner: O greatand extreame mischance, what a pretious and excellent beast have we lost. Butmy words did nothing prevaile, for there came out a tall man with a speare inhis hand, that thrust him cleane through, and afterwards many that stood bydrew out their swords, and so they killed him. But verily our good CaptaineThrasileon, the honour of our comfort, received his death so patiently, that hewould not bewray the league betweene us, either by crying, howling, or anyother meanes, but being torn with dogs and wounded with weapons, did yeeldforth a dolefull cry, more like unto a beast than a man. And taking his presentfortune in good part, with courage and glory enough did finish his life, withsuch a terror unto the assembly, that no person was hardy until it was day, asto touch him, though hee were starke dead: but at last there came a Butchermore valiant than the rest, who opening the panch of the beast, slit out anhardy and ventrous theefe.

In this manner we lost our Captain Thrasileon, but he left not his fame andhonour.

When this was done wee packed up our treasure, which we committed to thesepulchre to keepe, and got out of the bounds of Platea, thus thinking with ourselves, that there was more fidelity amongst the dead than amongst the living,by reason that our preyes were so surely kept in the sepulchre. So beingwearied with the weight of our burthens, and well nigh tyred with long travell,having lost three of our soldiers, we are come home with these present cheats.

Thus when they had spoken in memory of their slaine companions, they tooke cupsof gold, and sung hymns unto the god mars, and layd them downe to sleep. Thenthe old woman gave us fresh barley without measure, insomuch that my horse fedso abundantly that he might well thinke hee was at some banquet that day. But Ithat was accustomed to eat bran and flower, thought that but a sower kinde ofmeate. Wherfore espying a corner where lay loaves of bread for all the house Igot me thither and filled my hungry guts therewith.

THE TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER

How the Theeves stole away a Gentlewoman, and brought her to their den.

When night was come the Theeves awaked and rose up, and when they had buckledon their weapons, and disguised their faces with visards, they departed. Andyet for all the great sleep that came upon me, I could in no wise leave eating:and whereas when I was a man I could be contented with one or two loaves at themost, now my huts were so greedy that three panniers full would scantly serveme, and while I considered these things the morning came, and being led to ariver, notwithstanding my Assie shamefastnesse I quencht my thirst. Andsuddenly after, the Theeves returned home carefull and heavy, bringing noburthens with them, no not so much as traffe or baggage, save only a maiden,that seemed by her habit to be some gentlewoman borne, and the daughter of someworthy matron of that country, who was so fair and beautiful, that though Iwere an Asse, yet I had a great affection for her. The virgin lamented and tareher hair, and rent her garments, for the great sorrow she was in; but thetheeves brought her within the cave, and assisted her to comfort in this sort,Weep not fair gentlewoman we pray you, for be you assured we wil do no outrageor violence to your person: but take patience a while for our profit, fornecessity and poore estate hath compelled us to do this enterprise: we warrantyou that your parents, although they bee covetous, will be contented to give usa great quantity of mony to redeeme and ransome you from our hands.

With such and like flattering words they endeavoured to appease thegentlewoman, howbeit shee would in no case be comforted, but put her headbetwixt her knees, and cried pittiously. Then they called the old woman, andcommaunded her to sit by the maiden, and pacify her dolor as much as sheemight. And they departed away to rob, as they were accustomed to doe, but thevirgin would not asswage her griefes, nor mitigate her sorrow by any entreatyof the old woman, but howled and sobbed in such sort, that she made me pooreAsse likewise to weepe, and thus she said, Alas can I poore wench live anylonger, that am come of so good a house, forsaken of my parents, friends, andfamily, made a rapine and prey, closed servilely in this stony prison, deprivedof all pleasure, wherein I have been brought up, thrown in danger, ready to berent in pieces among so many sturdy theeves and dreadful robbers, can I (I say)cease from weeping, and live any longer? Thus she cried and lamented, and aftershe had wearied herself with sorrow and blubbered her face with teares, sheclosed the windowes of her hollow eyes, and laid her downe to sleepe. And afterthat she had slept, she rose again like a furious and mad woman, and beat herbreast and comely face more that she did before.

Then the old woman enquired the causes of her new and sudden lamentation. Towhom sighing in pittifull sort she answered, Alas now I am utterly undone, nowam I out of all hope, O give me a knife to kill me, or a halter to hang me.Whereat the old [woman] was more angry, and severely commanded her to tell herthe cause of her sorrow, and why after her sleep, she should renew her dolourand miserable weeping. What, thinke you (quoth she) to deprive our young men ofthe price of your ransome? No, no therefore cease your crying, for the Theevesdoe little esteeme your howling, and if you do not, I will surely burn youalive. Hereat the maiden was greatly feared, and kissed her hand and said, Omother take pitty upon me and my wretched fortune, and give me license a whileto speake, for I think I shall not long live, let there be mercy ripe andfranke in thy venerable hoare head, and hear the sum of my calamity.

There was a comely young man, who for his bounty and grace was beloved entirelyof all the towne, my cousine Germane, and but three years older than I; we twowere nourished and brought up in one house, lay under one roofe, and in onechamber, and at length by promise of marriage, and by consent of our parents wewere contracted together. The marriage day was come, the house was garnishedwith lawrel, and torches were set in every place in the honour of Hymeneus, myespouse was accompanied by his parents, kinsfolke, and friends, and madesacrifices in the temples and publique places. And when my unhappy motherpampered me in her lap, and decked me like a bride, kissing me sweetly, andmaking me a parent for Children, behold there came in a great multitude oftheeves armed like men of warre, with naked swords in their hands, who went notabout to doe any harme, neither to take any thing away, but brake into thechamber where I was, and violently tooke me out of my mothers armes, when noneof our family would resist for feare.

In this sort was our marriage disturbed, like the marriage of Hyppodame andPerithous. But behold my good mother, now my unhappy fortune is renewed andencreased: For I dreamed in my sleepe, that I was pulled out of our house, outof our chamber, and out of my bed, and that I removed about in solitary andunknowne places, calling upon the name of my unfortunate husband, and how thathe, as soone as he perceived that he was taken away, even smelling withperfumes and crowned with garlands, did trace me by the steppes, desiring theaid of the people to assist him, in that his wife was violently stollen away,and as he went crying up and down, one of the theeves mooved with indignation,by reason of his pursuit, took up a stone that lay at his feet, and threw it atmy husband and killed him. By the terror of which sight, and the feare of sodreadfull a dreame, I awaked.

Then the old woman rendring out like sighes, began to speake in this sort: Mydaughter take a good heart unto you, and bee not afeared at feigned and strangevisions and dreams, for as the visions of the day are accounted false anduntrue, so the visions of the night doe often change contrary. And to dream ofweeping, beating, and killing, is a token of good luck and prosperous change.Whereas contrary to dreame of laughing, carnal dalliance, and good cheere, is asigne of sadnesse, sicknesse, loss of substance, and displeasure. But I willtell thee a pleasant tale, to put away all thy sorrow, and to revive thyspirits. And so shee began in this manner.

THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHES

THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER

The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of Cupid and Psyches.

There was sometimes a certaine King, inhabiting in the West parts, who had towife a noble Dame, by whom he had three daughters exceeding fair: of whom thetwo elder were of such comly shape and beauty, as they did excell and pass allother women living, whereby they were thought worthily to deserve the praiseand commendation of every person, and deservedly to be preferred above theresidue of the common sort. Yet the singular passing beauty and maidenlymajesty of the youngest daughter did so farre surmount and excell then two, asno earthly creature could by any meanes sufficiently expresse or set out thesame.

By reason wherof, after the fame of this excellent maiden was spread about inevery part of the City, the Citisens and strangers there beeing inwardlypricked by the zealous affection to behold her famous person, came daily bythousands, hundreths, and scores, to her fathers palace, who was astonied withadmiration of her incomparable beauty, did no less worship and reverence herwith crosses, signes, and tokens, and other divine adorations, according to thecustome of the old used rites and ceremonies, than if she were the Lady Venusindeed, and shortly after the fame was spread into the next cities andbordering regions, that the goddess whom the deep seas had born and broughtforth, and the froth of the waves had nourished, to the intent to show her highmagnificencie and divine power on earth, to such as erst did honour and worshipher, was now conversant among mortall men, or else that the earth and not thesea, by a new concourse and influence of the celestiall planets, had budded andyeelded forth a new Venus, endued with the floure of virginity.

So daily more and more encreased this opinion, and now is her flying famedispersed into the next Island, and well nigh unto every part and province ofthe whole world. Wherupon innumerable strangers resorted from farre Countries,adventuring themselves by long journies on land and by great perils on water,to behold this glorious virgin. By occasion wherof such a contempt grew towardsthe goddesse Venus, that no person travelled unto the Towne Paphos, nor to theIsle Gyndos, nor to Cythera to worship her. Her ornaments were throwne out, hertemples defaced, her pillowes and cushions torne, her ceremonies neglected, herimages and Statues uncrowned, and her bare altars unswept, and fowl with theashes of old burnt sacrifice. For why, every person honoured and worshippedthis maiden in stead of Venus, and in the morning at her first comming abroadoffered unto her oblations, provided banquets, called her by the name of Venus,which was not Venus indeed, and in her honour presented floures and garlands inmost reverend fashion.

This sudden change and alteration of celestiall honour, did greatly inflame andkindle the love of very Venus, who unable to temper her selfe from indignation,shaking her head in raging sort, reasoned with her selfe in this manner, Beholdthe originall parent of all these elements, behold the Lady Venus renownedthroughout all the world, with whome a mortall maiden is joyned now partaker ofhonour: my name registred in the city of heaven is prophaned and made vile byterrene absurdities. If I shall suffer any mortall creature to present myMajesty on earth, or that any shall beare about a false surmised shape of herperson, then in vaine did Paris the sheepheard (in whose judgement andcompetence the great Jupiter had affiance) preferre me above the residue of thegoddesses, for the excellency of my beauty: but she, whatever she be that hathusurped myne honour, shal shortly repent her of her unlawful estate. And by andby she called her winged sonne Cupid, rash enough and hardy, who by his evillmanners contemning all publique justice and law, armed with fire and arrowes,running up and down in the nights from house to house, and corrupting thelawfull marriages of every person, doth nothing but that which is evill, whoalthough that hee were of his owne proper nature sufficiently prone to workemischiefe, yet she egged him forward with words and brought him to the city,and shewed him Psyches (for so the maid was called) and having told the causeof her anger, not without great rage, I pray thee (quoth she) my dear childe,by motherly bond of love, by the sweet wounds of thy piercing darts, by thepleasant heate of thy fire, revenge the injury which is done to thy mother bythe false and disobedient beauty of a mortall maiden, and I pray thee, thatwithout delay shee may fall in love with the most miserablest creature living,the most poore, the most crooked, and the most vile, that there may bee nonefound in all the world of like wretchednesse. When she had spoken these wordsshe embraced and kissed her sonne, and took her voyage toward the sea.

When she came upon the sea she began to cal the gods and goddesses, who wereobedient at her voyce. For incontinent came the daughters of Nereus, singingwith tunes melodiously: Portunus with his bristled and rough beard, Salita withher bosome full of fish, Palemon the driver of the Dolphine, the Trumpetters ofTryton, leaping hither and thither, and blowing with heavenly noyse: such wasthe company which followed Venus, marching towards the ocean sea.

In the meane season Psyches with all her beauty received no fruit of honor. Shewas wondred at of all, she was praised of all, but she perceived that no Kingnor Prince, nor any one of the superiour sort did repaire to wooe her. Everyone marvelled at her divine beauty, as it were some Image well painted and setout. Her other two sisters, which were nothing so greatly exalted by thepeople, were royally married to two Kings: but the virgin Psyches, sittingalone at home, lamented her solitary life, and being disquieted both in mindand body, although she pleased all the world, yet hated shee in her selfe herowne beauty. Whereupon the miserable father of this unfortunate daughter,suspecting that the gods and powers of heaven did envy her estate, went to thetown called Milet to receive the Oracle of Apollo, where he made his prayersand offered sacrifice, and desired a husband for his daughter: but Apollothough he were a Grecian, and of the country of Ionia, because of thefoundation of Milet, yet hee gave answer in Latine verse, the sence whereof wasthis:—

Let Psyches corps be clad in mourning weed,
And set on rock of yonder hill aloft:
Her husband is no wight of humane seed,
But Serpent dire and fierce as might be thought.
Who flies with wings above in starry skies,
And doth subdue each thing with firie flight.
The gods themselves, and powers that seem so wise,
With mighty Jove, be subject to his might,
The rivers blacke, and deadly flouds of paine
And darkness eke, as thrall to him remaine.

The King, sometimes happy when he heard the prophesie of Apollo, returned homesad and sorrowful, and declared to his wife the miserable and unhappy fate ofhis daughter. Then they began to lament and weep, and passed over many dayes ingreat sorrow. But now the time approached of Psyches marriage, preparation wasmade, blacke torches were lighted, the pleasant songs were turned intopittifull cries, the melody of Hymeneus was ended with deadly howling, the maidthat should be married did wipe her eyes with her vaile. All the family andpeople of the city weeped likewise, and with great lamentation was ordained aremisse time for that day, but necessity compelled that Psyches should bebrought to her appointed place, according to the divine appointment.

And when the solemnity was ended, they went to bring the sorrowful spowse, notto her marriage, but to her final end and burial. And while the father andmother of Psyches did go forward weeping and crying unto this enterprise,Psyches spake unto them in this sort: Why torment your unhappy age withcontinuall dolour? Why trouble you your spirits, which are more rather minethan yours? Why soyle ye your faces with teares, which I ought to adore andworship? Why teare you my eyes in yours? why pull you your hory haires? Whyknocke ye your breasts for me? Now you see the reward of my excellent beauty:now, now you perceive, but too late, the plague of envy. When the people didhonour me, and call me new Venus, then yee should have wept, then you shouldhave sorrowed as though I had been dead: for now I see and perceive that I amcome to this misery by the only name of Venus, bring mee, and as fortune hasappointed, place me on the top of the rocke, I greatly desire to end mymarriage, I greatly covet to see my husband. Why doe I delay? why should Irefuse him that is appointed to destroy all the world.

Thus ended she her words, and thrust her selfe among the people that followed.Then they brought her to the appointed rocke of the high hill, and set [her]hereon, and so departed. The Torches and lights were put out with the teares ofthe people, and every man gone home, the miserable Parents well nigh consumedwith sorrow, gave themselves to everlasting darknes.

Thus poore Psyches being left alone, weeping and trembling on the toppe of therocke, was blowne by the gentle aire and of shrilling Zephyrus, and carriedfrom the hill with a meek winde, which retained her garments up, and by littleand little bought her downe into a deepe valley, where she was laid in a bed ofmost sweet and fragrant flowers.

Thus faire Psyches being sweetly couched among the soft and tender hearbs, asin a bed of sweet and fragrant floures, and having qualified the thoughts andtroubles of her restlesse minde, was now well reposed. And when she hadrefreshed her selfe sufficiently with sleepe, she rose with a more quiet andpacified minde, and fortuned to espy a pleasant wood invironed with great andmighty trees. Shee espied likewise a running river as cleare as crystall: inthe midst of the wood well nigh at the fall of the river was a princelyEdifice, wrought and builded not by the art or hand of man, but by the mightypower of God: and you would judge at the first entry therin, that it were somepleasant and worthy mansion for the powers of heaven. For the embowings abovewere of Citron and Ivory, propped and undermined with pillars of gold, thewalls covered and seeled with silver, divers sorts of beasts were graven andcarved, that seemed to encounter with such as entered in. All things were socuriously and finely wrought, that it seemed either to be the worke of someDemy god, or of God himselfe. The pavement was all of pretious stones, dividedand cut one from another, whereon was carved divers kindes of pictures, in suchsort that blessed and thrice blessed were they that might goe upon such apavement: Every part and angle of the house was so well adorned, that by reasonof the pretious stones and inestimable treasure there, it glittered and shonein such sort, that the chambers, porches, and doores gave light as it had beenethe Sunne. Neither otherwise did the other treasure of the house disagree untoso great a majesty, that verily it seemed in every point an heavenly Palace,fabricate and built for Jupiter himselfe.

Then Psyches moved with delectation approched nigh and taking a bold heartentred into the house, and beheld every thing there with great affection, shesaw storehouses wrought exceedingly fine, and replenished with aboundance ofriches. Finally, there could nothing be devised which lacked there: but amongsuch great store of treasure this was most marvellous, that there was noclosure, bolt, nor locke to keepe the same. And when with great pleasure sheehad viewed all these things, she heard a voyce without any body, that sayd, Whydoe you marvell Madame at so great riches? behold, all that you see is at yourcommandement, wherefore goe you into the chamber, and repose your selfe uponthe bed, and desire what bath you will have, and wee whose voyces you heare beeyour servants, and ready to minister unto you according to your desire. In themeane season, royall meats and dainty dishes shall be prepared for you.

Then Psyches perceived the felicity of divine providence, and according to theadvertisement of the incorporeall voyces she first reposed her selfe upon thebed, and then refreshed her body in the baines. This done, shee saw the tablegarnished with meats, and a chaire to sit downe.

When Psyches was set downe, all sorts of divine meats and wines were broughtin, not by any body, but as it were with a winde, for she saw no person beforeher, but only heard voyces on every side. After that all the services werebrought to the table, one came in and sung invisibly, another played on theharpe, but she saw no man. The harmony of the Instruments did so greatly shrillin her eares, that though there were no manner of person, yet seemed she in themidst of a multitude of people.

All these pleasures finished, when night aproched Psyches went to bed, and whenshe was layd, that the sweet sleep came upon her, she greatly feared hervirginity, because shee was alone. Then came her unknowne husband and lay withher: and after that hee had made a perfect consummation of the marriage, herose in the morning before day, and departed. Soone after came her invisibleservants, and presented to her such things as were necessary for herdefloration. And thus she passed forth a great while, and as it happeneth, thenovelty of the things by continuall custome did encrease her pleasure, butespecially the sound of the instruments was a comfort to her being alone.

During this time that Psyches was in this place of pleasures, her father andmother did nothing but weepe and lament, and her two sisters hearing of hermost miserable fortune, came with great dolour and sorrow to comfort and speakewith her parents.

The night following, Psyches husband spake unto her (for she might feele hiseyes, his hands, and his ears) and sayd, O my sweet Spowse and dear wife,fortune doth menace unto thee imminent danger, wherof I wish thee greatly tobeware: for know that thy sisters, thinking that thou art dead, bee greatlytroubled, and are coming to the mountain by thy steps. Whose lamentations ifthou fortune to heare, beware that thou doe in no wise make answer, or looke uptowards them, for if thou doe thou shalt purchase to mee great sorrow, and tothyself utter destruction. Psyches hearing her Husband, was contented to doeall things as hee had commanded.

After that hee was departed and the night passed away, Psyches lamented andlamented all the day following, thinking that now shee was past all hopes ofcomfort, in that shee was closed within the walls of a prison, deprived ofhumane conversation, and commaunded not to aid her sorrowful Sisters, no noronce to see them. Thus she passed all the day in weeping, and went to bed atnight, without any refection of meat or baine.

Incontinently after came her husband, who when he had embraced her sweetly,began to say, Is it thus that I find you perform your promise, my sweet wife?What do I finde heere? Passe you all the day and the night in weeping? And wilyou not cease in your husbands armes? Goe too, doe what ye will, purchase yourowne destruction, and when you find it so, then remember my words, and repentbut too late. Then she desired her husband more and more, assuring him thatshee should die, unlesse he would grant that she might see her sisters, wherbyshe might speak with them and comfort them, wherat at length he was contented,and moreover hee willed that shee should give them as much gold and jewels asshe would. But he gave her a further charge saying, Beware that ye covet not(being mooved by the pernicious counsell of you sisters) to see the shape of myperson, lest by your curiosity you deprive your selfe of so great and worthyestate. Psyches being glad herewith, rendered unto him most entire thankes, andsaid, Sweet husband, I had rather die than to bee separated from you, forwhosoever you bee, I love and retaine you within my heart, as if you were myneowne spirit or Cupid himselfe: but I pray you grant this likewise, that youwould commaund your servant Zephyrus to bring my sisters downe into the valleyas he brought mee.

Wherewithall shee kissed him sweetly, and desired him gently to grant herrequest, calling him her spowse, her sweetheart, her Joy and her Solace. Wherbyshe enforced him to agree to her mind, and when morning came he departed away.

After long search made, the sisters of Psyches came unto the hill where she wasset on the rocke, and cried with a loud voyce in such sort that the stonesanswered againe. And when they called their sister by her name, that theirlamentable cries came unto her eares, shee came forth and said, Behold, heereis shee for whom you weepe, I pray you torment your selves no more, cease yourweeping. And by and by she commaunded Zephyrus by the appointment of herhusband to bring them downe. Neither did he delay, for with gentle blasts heretained them up and laid them softly in the valley. I am not able to expressethe often embracing, kissing and greeting which was between them three, allsorrows and tears were then layd apart.

Come in (quoth Psyches) into our house, and refresh your afflicted mindes withyour sister.

After this she shewed them the storehouses of treasure, shee caused them tohear the voyces which served her, the bain was ready, the meats were broughtin, and when they had filled themselves with divine delecates, they conceivedgreat envy within their hearts, and one of them being curious, did demand whather husband was, of what estate, and who was Lord of so pretious a house? ButPsyches remembring the promise which she had made to her husband, feigned thathee was a young man, of comely stature, with a flaxen beard, and had greatdelight in hunting the dales and hills by. And lest by her long talke sheshould be found to trip or faile in her words, she filled their laps with gold,silver, and Jewels, and commanded Zephyrus to carry them away.

When they were brought up to the mountain, they made their wayes homeward totheir owne houses, and murmured with envy that they bare against Psyches,saying, behold cruell and contrary fortune, behold how we, borne all of oneParent, have divers destinies: but especially we that are the elder two beemarried to strange husbands, made as handmaidens, and as it were banished fromour Countrey and friends. Whereas our younger sister hath great abundance oftreasure, and hath gotten a god to her husband, although shee hath no skill howto use such great plenty of riches. Saw you not sister what was in the house,what great store of jewels, what glittering robes, what Gemmes, what gold wetrod on? That if shee hath a husband according as shee affirmeth, there is nonethat liveth this day more happy in all the world than she. And so it may cometo passe, at length for the great affection which hee may beare unto her thathee may make her a goddesse, for by Hercules, such was her countenance, so shebehaved her self, that as a goddesse she had voices to serve her, and thewindes did obey her.

But I poore wretch have first married an husband elder than my father, morebald than a Coot, more weake than a childe, and that locketh me up all day inthe house.

Then said the other sister, And in faith I am married to a husband that haththe gout, twyfold, crooked, nor couragious in paying my debt, I am faine to ruband mollifie his stony fingers with divers sorts of oyles, and to wrap them inplaysters and salves, so that I soyle my white and dainty hands with thecorruption of filthy clouts, not using my self like a wife, but more like aservant. And you my sister seem likewise to be in bondage and servitude,wherefore I cannot abide to see our younger sister in such felicity; saw younot I pray you how proudly and arrogantly she handled us even now? And how invaunting her selfe she uttered her presumptuous minde, how she cast a littlegold into our laps, and being weary of our company, commanded that we should beborne and blown away?

Verily I live not, nor am a woman, but I will deprive her of all her blisse.And if you my sister bee so far bent as I, let us consult together, and not toutter our minde to any person, no not to our parents, nor tell that ever we sawher. For it sufficeth that we have seene her, whom it repenteth to have seene.Neither let us declare her good fortune to our father, nor to any other, sinceas they seeme not happy whose riches are unknowne: so shall she know that shehath sisters no Abjects, but worthier than she.

But now let us goe home to our husbands and poore houses, and when we arebetter instructed, let us return to suppresse her pride. So this evill counsellpleased these two evil women, and they hid the treasure which Psyches gavethem, and tare their haire, renewing their false and forged teares. When theirfather and mother beheld them weep and lament still, they doubled theirsorrowes and griefes, but full of yre and forced with Envy, they tooke theirvoyage homeward, devising the slaughter and destruction of their sister.

In the meane season the husband of Psyches did warne her againe in the nightwith these words: Seest thou not (quoth he) what perill and danger evillfortune doth threaten unto thee, whereof if thou take not good heed it willshortly come upon thee. For the unfaithfull harlots doe greatly endeavor to settheir snares to catch thee, and their purpose is to make and perswade thee tobehold my face, which if thou once fortune to see, as I have often told, thoushalt see no more. Wherfore if these naughty hagges, armed with wicked minds,doe chance to againe (as I think no otherwise but that they will) take heedthat thou talk not with them but simply suffer them to speake what they will,howbeit if thou canst not refraine thy selfe, beware that thou have nocommunication of thy husband, nor answer a word if they fortune to question ofme, so will we encrease our stocke, and this young and tender childe, couchedin this young and tender belly of thine, shall be made an immortall god,otherwise a mortal creature. Then Psyches was very glad that she should bringforth a divine babe, and very joyfull in that she should be honored as amother. She reckened and numbered carefully the days and months that passed,and beeing never with child before, did marvel greatly that in so short a timeher belly should swel so big. But those pestilent and wicked furies breathingout their Serpentine poyson, took shipping to bring their enterprise to passe.Then Psyches was warned again by her husband in this sort: Behold the last day,the extream case, and the enemies of thy blood, hath armed themselves againstus, pitched their campe, set their host in array, and are marching towards us,for now thy two sisters have drawn their swords and are ready to slay thee. Owith what force are we assailed on this day! O sweet Psyches I pray thee totake pitty on thy selfe, of me, and deliver thy husband and this infant withinthy belly from so great danger, and see not, neither heare these cursed women,which are not worthy to be called thy sisters, for their great hatred andbreach of sisterly amity, for they wil come like Syrens to the mountains, andyeeld out their pittious and lamentable cries. When Psyches had heard thesewords she sighed sorrowfully and said, O deare husband this long time have youhad experience and triall of my faith, and doubt you not that I will perseverin the same, wherefore command your winde Zephyrus, that hee may doe as heehath done before, to the intent that where you have charged me not to beholdyour venerable face, yet that I may comfort myself with the sight of mysisters. I pray you by these beautifull haires, by these round cheekes delicateand tender, by your pleasant hot breast, whose shape and face I shall learn atlength by the childe in my belly, grant the fruit of my desire, refresh yourdeare Spowse Psyches with joy, who is bound and linked unto you for ever. Ilittle esteeme to see your visage and figure, little doe I regard the night anddarknesse thereof, for you are my only light.

Her husband being as it were inchanted with these words and compelled byviolence of her often embracing, wiping away her teares with his haire, didyeeld unto his wife. And when morning came, departed as hee was accustomed todoe.

Now her sisters arrived on land, and never rested til they came to the rock,without visiting their parents, and leapt down rashly from the hill themselves.Then Zephyrus according to the divine commandment brought them down, althoughit were against his wil, and laid them in the vally without any harm: by and bythey went into the palace to their sister without leave, and when they hadeftsoone embraced their prey, and thanked her with flattering words for thetreasure which she gave them, they said, O deare sister Psyches, know you thatyou are now no more a child, but a mother: O what great joy beare you unto usin your belly? What a comfort will it be unto all the house? How happy shall webe, that shall see this Infant nourished amongst so great plenty of Treasure?That if he be like his parents, as it is necessary he should, there is no doubtbut a new cupid shall be borne. By this kinde of measures they went about towinne Psyches by little and little, but because they were wearie with travell,they sate them downe in chaires, and after that they had washed their bodies inbaines they went into a parlour, where all kinde of meats were ready prepared.Psyches commanded one to play with his harpe, it was done. Then immediatelyothers sung, others tuned their instruments, but no person was seene, by whosesweet harmony and modulation the sisters of Psyches were greatly delighted.

Howbeit the wickednesse of these cursed women was nothing suppressed by thesweet noyse of these instruments, but they settled themselves to work theirtreasons against Psyches, demanding who was her husband, and of what Parentage.Then shee having forgotten by too much simplicity, what shee had spoken beforeof her husband, invented a new answer, and said that her husband was of a greatprovince, a merchant, and a man of middle age, having his beard intersparsedwith grey haires. Which when shee had spoken (because shee would have nofurther talke) she filled their laps with Gold and Silver, and bid Zephyrus tobear them away.

In their returne homeward they murmured within themselves, saying, How say yousister to so apparent a lye of Psyches? First she sayd that her husband was ayoung man of flourishing yeares, and had a flaxen beard, and now she sayth thathe is halfe grey with age. What is he that in so short a space can become soold? You shall finde it no otherwise my sister, but that either this cursedqueane hath invented a great lie, or else that she never saw the shape of herhusband. And if it be so that she never saw him, then verily she is married tosome god, and hath a young god in her belly. But if it be a divine babe, andfortune to come to the eares of my mother (as God forbid it should) then may Igo and hang my selfe: wherfore let us go to our parents, and with forged lieslet us colour the matter.

After they were thus inflamed, and had visited their Parents, they returnedagaine to the mountaine, and by the aid of the winde Zephyrus were carried downinto the valley, and after they had streined their eye lids, to enforcethemselves to weepe, they called unto Psyches in this sort, Thou (ignorant ofso great evill) thinkest thy selfe sure and happy, and sittest at home nothingregarding thy peril, whereas wee goe about thy affaires and are carefull lestany harme should happen unto you: for we are credibly informed, neither can webut utter it unto you, that there is a great serpent full of deadly poyson,with a ravenous gaping throat, that lieth with thee every night. Remember theOracle of Apollo, who pronounced that thou shouldest be married to a dire andfierce Serpent, and many of the Inhabitants hereby, and such as hunt about inthe countrey, affirme that they saw him yesternight returning from pasture andswimming over the River, whereby they doe undoubtedly say, that hee will notpamper thee long with delicate meats, but when the time of delivery shallapproach he will devoure both thee and thy child: wherefore advise thy selfewhether thou wilt agree unto us that are carefull of thy safety, and so avoidthe perill of death, bee contented to live with thy sisters, or whether thouremaine with the Serpent and in the end be swallowed into the gulfe of hisbody. And if it be so that thy solitary life, thy conversation with voices,this servile and dangerous pleasure, and the love of the Serpent doe moredelight thee, say not but that we have played the parts of naturall sisters inwarning thee.

Then the poore and simple miser Psyches was mooved with the feare of sodreadful words, and being amazed in her mind, did cleane forget the admonitionsof her husband, and her owne promises made unto him, and throwing her selfeheadlong into extreame misery, with a wanne and sallow countenance, scantlyuttering a third word, at length gan say in this sort: O my most deare sisters,I heartily thanke you for your great kindnesse toward me, and I am now verilyperswaded that they which have informed you hereof hath informed you of nothingbut truth, for I never saw the shape of my husband, neither know I from whencehe came, only I heare his voice in the night, insomuch that I have anuncertaine husband, and one that loveth not the light of the day: which causethme to suspect that he is a beast, as you affirme. Moreover, I doe greatly feareto see him, for he doth menace and threaten great evill unto mee, if I shouldgoe about to spy and behold his shape wherefore my loving sisters if you haveany wholeome remedy for your sister in danger, give it now presently. Then theyopened the gates of their subtill mindes, and did put away all privy guile, andegged her forward in her fearefull thoughts, perswading her to doe as theywould have her whereupon one of them began and sayd, Because that wee littleesteeme any perill or danger, to save your life we intend to shew you the bestway and meane as we may possibly do. Take a sharpe razor and put it under thepillow of your bed; and see that you have ready a privy burning lampe withoyle, hid under some part of the hanging of the chamber, and finely dissemblingthe matter when according to his custome he commeth to bed and sleepethsoundly, arise you secretly, and with your bare feet goe and take the lampe,with the Razor in your right hand and with valiant force cut off the head ofthe poysonous serpent, wherein we will aid and assist you: and when by thedeath of him you shall be made safe, we wil marry you to some comely man.

After they had thus inflamed the heart of their sister fearing lest some dangermight happen unto them by reason of their evill counsell, they were carried bythe wind Zephyrus to the top of the mountaine, and so they ran away and tookeshipping.

When Psyches was left alone (saving that she seemed not to be alone, beingstirred by so many furies) she was in a tossing minde like the waves of thesea, and although her wil was obstinate, and resisted to put in execution thecounsell of her Sisters, yet she was in doubtfull and divers opinions touchingher calamity. Sometime she would, sometime she would not, sometime she is bold,sometime she feareth, sometime shee mistrusteth, somtime she is mooved, somtimeshe hateth the beast, somtime she loveth her husband: but at length night came,when as she prepared for her wicked intent.

Soon after her husband came, and when he had kissed and embraced her he fellasleep. Then Psyches (somwhat feeble in body and mind, yet mooved by cruelty offate) received boldnes and brought forth the lampe, and tooke the razor, so byher audacity she changed her mind: but when she took the lamp and came to thebed side, she saw the most meeke and sweetest beast of all beasts, even faireCupid couched fairly, at whose sight the very lampe encreased his light forjoy, and the razor turned his edge.

But when Psyches saw so glorious a body shee greatly feared, and amazed inmind, with a pale countenance all trembling fel on her knees and thought tohide the razor, yea verily in her owne heart, which doubtlesse she had done,had it not through feare of so great an enterprise fallen out of her hand. Andwhen she saw and beheld the beauty of the divine visage shee was well recreatedin her mind, she saw his haires of gold, that yeelded out a sweet savor, hisneck more white than milk, his purple cheeks, his haire hanging comely behindeand before, the brightnesse whereof did darken the light of the lamp, histender plume feathers, dispersed upon his sholders like shining flours, andtrembling hither and thither, and his other parts of his body so smooth and sosoft, that it did not repent Venus to beare such a childe. At the beds feet layhis bow, quiver, and arrowes, that be the weapons of so great a god: which whenPsyches did curiously behold, she marvelling at her husbands weapons, took oneof the arrows out of the quiver, and pricked her selfe withall, wherwith shewas so grievously wounded that the blood followed, and thereby of her owneaccord shee added love upon love; then more broyling in the love of Cupid sheeembraced him and kissed him and kissed him a thousand times, fearing themeasure of his sleepe. But alas while shee was in this great joy, whether itwere for envy for desire to touch this amiable body likewise, there fell out adroppe of burning oyle from the lampe upon the right shoulder of the god. Orash and bold lampe, the vile ministery of love, how darest thou bee so bold asto burne the god of all fire? When as he invented thee, to the intent that alllovers might with more joy passe the nights in pleasure.

The god beeing burned in this sort, and perceiving that promise and faith wasbroken, hee fled away without utterance of any word, from the eyes and hands ofhis most unhappy wife. But Psyches fortuned to catch him as hee was rising bythe right thigh, and held him fast as hee flew above in the aire, until suchtime as constrained by wearinesse shee let goe and fell downe upon the ground.But Cupid followed her downe, and lighted upon the top of a Cypresse tree, andangerly spake unto her in this manner: O simple Psyches, consider with thyselfe how I, little regarding the commandement of my mother (who willed meethat thou shouldst bee married to a man of base and miserable condition) didcome my selfe from heaven to love thee, and wounded myne owne body with myproper weapons, to have thee to my Spowse: And did I seeme a beast unto thee,that thou shouldst go about to cut off my head with a razor, who loved thee sowell? Did not I alwayes give thee a charge? Did not I gently will thee tobeware? But those cursed aides and Counsellors of thine shall be worthilyrewarded for their pains. As for thee thou shalt be sufficiently punished by myabsence. When hee had spoken these words he tooke his flight into the aire.Then Psyches fell flat on the ground, and as long as she could see her husbandshe cast her eyes after him into the aire, weeping and lamenting pitteously:but when hee was gone out of her sight shee threw her selfe into the nextrunning river, for the great anguish and dolour that shee was in for the lackof her husband, howbeit the water would not suffer her to be drowned, but tookepity upon her, in the honour of Cupid which accustomed to broyle and burne theriver, and threw her upon the bank amongst the herbs.

Then Pan the rusticall god sitting on the river side, embracing and[instructing] the goddesse Canna to tune her songs and pipes, by whom werefeeding the young and tender Goats, after that he perceived Psyches insorrowful case, not ignorant (I know not by what meanes) of her miserableestate, endeavored to pacific her in this sort: O faire maid, I am a rustickeand rude heardsman, howbeit by reason of my old age expert in many things, foras farre as I can learnt by conjecture (which according as wise men doe termeis called divination) I perceive by your uncertaine gate, your pale hew, yoursobbing sighes, and your watery eyes, that you are greatly in love. Whereforehearken to me, and goe not about to slay your selfe, nor weepe not at all, butrather adore and worship the great god Cupid, and winne him unto you by yourgentle promise of service.

When the god of Shepherds had spoken these words, she gave no answer, but madereverence to him as to a god, and so departed.

After that Psyches had gone a little way, she fortuned unawares to come to acity where the husband of one of her Sisters did dwell. Which when Psyches didunderstand, shee caused that her sister had knowledge of her comming, and sothey met together, and after great embracing and salutation, the sister ofPsyches demaunded the cause of her travell thither. Marry (quoth she) doe younot remember the counsell you gave me, whereby you would that I should kill thebeast which under colour of my husband did lie with mee every night? You shallunderstand, that as soone as I brought forth the lampe to see and behold hisshape, I perceived that he was the sonne of Venus, even Cupid himselfe that laywith mee. Then I being stricken with great pleasure, and desirous to embracehim, could not thoroughly asswage my delight, but alas by evill ill chance theoyle of the lampe fortuned to fall on his shoulder which caused him to awake,and seeing me armed with fire and weapons, gan say, How darest thou be so boldto doe so great a mischiefe? Depart from me and take such things as thou didstbring: for I will have thy sister (and named you) to my wife, and she shall beplaced in thy felicity, and by and by hee commaunded Zephyrus to carry me awayfrom the bounds of his house.

Psyches had scantly finished her tale but her sister pierced with the pricke ofcarnall desire and wicked envy ran home, and feigning to her husband that shehad heard word of the death of her parents tooke shipping and came to themountaine. And although there blew a contrary winde, yet being brought in avaine hope shee cried O Cupid take me a more worthy wife, and thou Zephyrusbeare downe thy mistresse, and so she cast her selfe headlong from themountaine: but shee fell not into the valley neither alive nor dead, for allthe members and parts of her body were torne amongst the rockes, wherby she wasmade prey unto the birds and wild beasts, as she worthily deserved.

Neither was the vengeance of the other delayed, for Psyches travelling in thatcountry, fortuned to come to another city where her other sister did dwel; towhom when shee had declared all such things as she told to her other sistershee ran likewise unto the rock and was slaine in like sort. Then Psychestravelled about in the countrey to seeke her husband Cupid, but he was gotteninto his mothers chamber and there bewailed the sorrowful wound which he caughtby the oyle of a burning lamp.

Then the white bird the Gull, which swims on the waves of the water, flewtoward the Ocean sea, where he found Venus washing and bathing her selfe: towhom she declared that her son was burned and in danger of death, and moreoverthat it was a common brute in the mouth of every person (who spake evill of allthe family of Venus) that her son doth nothing but haunt harlots in themountain, and she her self lasciviously use to ryot in the sea: wherby they saythat they are now become no more gratious, pleasant nor gentle, but incivile,monstrous and horrible. Moreover, that marriages are not for any amity, or forlove of procreation, but full of envy, discord, and debate. This the curiousGul did clatter in the ears of Venus, reprehending her son. But Venus began tocry and sayd, What hath my sonne gotten any Love? I pray thee gentle bird thatdoest serve me so faithfully, tell me what she is, and what is her name thathath troubled my son in such sort? whether shee be any of the Nymphs, of thenumber of the goddesses, of the company of the Muses, or of the mistery of theGraces? To whom the bird answered, Madam I know not what shee is, but this Iknow that she is called Psyches. Then Venus with indignation cried out, What isit she? the usurper of my beauty, the Vicar of my name? What did he think thatI was a bawd, by whose shew he fell acquainted with the maid? And immediatelyshe departed and went to her chamber, where she found her son wounded as it wastold unto her, whom when she beheld she cries out in this sort.

Is this an honest thing, is this honourable to thy parents? is this reason,that thou hast violated and broken the commandement of thy mother and soveraignmistresse: and whereas thou shouldst have vexed my enemy with loathsom love,thou hast done otherwise?

For being of tender and unripe yeares, thou hast with too licentious appetiteembraced my most mortall Foe, to whome I shall bee made a mother, and she aDaughter.

Thou presumest and thinkest, thou trifling boy, thou Varlet, and without allreverence, that thou art most worthy and excellent, and that I am not able byreason of myne age to have another son, which if I should have, thou shouldstwell understand that I would beare a more worthier than thou. But to worke theea greater despight, I do determine to adopt one of my servants, and to give himthese wings, this fire, this bow, and these Arrowes, and all other furniturewhich I gave to thee, not to this purpose, neither is any thing given thee ofthy father for this intent: but first thou hast been evill brought up andinstructed in thy youth thou hast thy hands ready and sharpe. Thou hast oftenoffended thy antients, and especially me that am thy mother, thou hast piercedmee with thy darts thou contemnest me as a widow, neither dost thou regardthy valiant and invincible father, and to anger me more, thou art amorous ofharlots and wenches: hot I will cause that thou shalt shortly repent thee, andthat this marriage shal be dearely bought. To what a point am I now driven?What shall I do? Whither shall I goe? How shall I represse this beast? Shall Iaske ayd of myne enemy Sobriety, whom I have often offended to engender thee?Or shall I seeke for counsel of every poore rusticall woman? No, no, yet had Irather dye, howbeit I will not cease my vengeance, to her must I have recoursefor helpe, and to none other (I meane to Sobriety), who may correct theesharpely, take away thy quiver, deprive thee of thy arrowes, unbend thy bow,quench thy fire, and which is more subdue thy body with punishment: and whenthat I have rased and cut off this thy haire, which I have dressed with myneowne hands, and made to glitter like gold, and when I have clipped thy wings,which I my selfe have caused to burgen, then shall I thinke to have revenged myselfe sufficiently upon thee for the injury which thou hast done. When shee hadspoken these words shee departed in a great rage out of her chamber.

Immediatelie as she was going away came Juno and Ceres, demaunding the cause ofher anger. Then Venus answered, Verily you are come to comfort my sorrow, but Ipray you with all diligence to seeke out one whose name is Psyches, who is avagabond, and runneth about the Countries, and (as I thinke) you are notignorant of the brute of my son Cupid, and of his demeanour, which I am ashamedto declare. Then they understanding the whole matter, endeavoured to mitigatethe ire of Venus in this sort: What is the cause Madam, or how hath your son sooffended, that you shold so greatly accuse his love, and blame him by reasonthat he is amorous? and why should you seeke the death of her, whom he dothfancie? We most humbly intreat you to pardon his fault if he have accorded tothe mind of any maiden: what do you not know that he is a young man? Or haveyou forgotten of what yeares he is? Doth he seeme alwayes unto you to be achilde? You are his mother, and a kind woman, will you continually search outhis dalliance? Will you blame his luxury? Will you bridle his love? and willyou reprehend your owne art and delights in him? What God or man is hee, thatcan endure that you should sowe or disperse your seed of love in every place,and to make restraint thereof within your owne doores? certes you will be thecause of the suppression of the publike paces of young Dames. In this sort thisgoddesse endeavoured to pacifie her mind, and to excuse Cupid with al theirpower (although he were absent) for feare of his darts and shafts of love. ButVenus would in no wise asswage her heat, but (thinking that they did rathertrifle and taunt at her injuries) she departed from them, and tooke her voiagetowards the sea in all haste. In the meane season Psyches hurled her selfehither and thither, to seeke her husband, the rather because she thought thatif he would not be appeased with the sweet flattery of his wife, yet he wouldtake mercy on her at her servile and continuall prayers. And (espying a Churchon the top of a high hill) she said, What can I tell whether my husband andmaster be there or no? wherefore she went thitherward, and with great paine andtravell, moved by hope, after that she climbed to the top of the mountaine, shecame to the temple, and went in, wheras behold she espied sheffes of corn lyingon a heap, blades withered with garlands, and reeds of barly, moreover she sawhooks, sithes, sickles, and other instruments, to reape, but every thing layout of order, and as it were cast in by the hands of laborers which whenPsyches saw she gathered up and put everything in order, thinking that shewould not despise or contemne the temples of any of the Gods, but rather getthe favour and benevolence of them all: by and by Ceres came in, and beholdingher busie and curious in her chapell, cried out a far off, and said, O Psychesneedfull of mercy, Venus searcheth for thee in every place to revenge her selfeand to punish thee grievously, but thou hast more mind to be heere, and carestfor nothing lesse, then for thy safety. Then Psyches fell on her knees beforeher, watring her feet with her teares, wiping the ground with her haire, andwith great weeping and lamentation desired pardon, saying, O great and holyGoddesse, I pray thee by thy plenteous and liberall right hand, by the joyfullceremonies of thy harvest, by the secrets of thy Sacrifice, by the flyingchariots of thy dragons, by the tillage of the ground of Sicilie, which thouhast invented, by the marriage of Proserpin, by the diligent inquisition of thydaughter, and by the other secrets which are within the temple of Eleusis inthe land of Athens, take pitty on me thy servant Psyches, and let me hide myselfe a few dayes amongst these sheffes of corne, untill the ire of so great aGoddesse be past, or until that I be refreshed of my great labour and travell.Then answered Ceres, Verely Psyches, I am greatly moved by thy prayers andteares, and desire with all my heart to aide thee, but if I should suffer theeto be hidden here, I should increase the displeasure of my Cosin, with whom Ihave made a treatie of peace, and an ancient promise of amity: wherefore Iadvise thee to depart hence and take it not in evil part in that I will notsuffer thee to abide and remaine here within my temple. Then Psyches drivenaway contrary to her hope, was double afflicted with sorrow and so she returnedback againe. And behold she perceived a far off in a vally a Temple standingwithin a Forest, faire and curiously wrought, and minding to over-passe noplace whither better hope did direct her, and to the intent she would desirepardon of every God, she approached nigh unto the sacred doore, whereas she sawpretious riches and vestiments ingraven with letters of gold, hanging uponbranches of trees, and the posts of the temple testifying the name of thegoddesse Juno, to whom they were dedicate, then she kneeled downe upon herknees, and imbraced the Alter with her hands, and wiping her teares, gan prayin this sort: O deere spouse and sister of the great God Jupiter which artadored and worshipped amongst the great temples of Samos, called upon by womenwith child, worshipped at high Carthage, because thou wast brought from heavenby the lyon, the rivers of the floud Inachus do celebrate thee: and know thatthou art the wife of the great god, and the goddesse of goddesses; all the eastpart of the world have thee in veneration, all the world calleth thee Lucina: Ipray thee to be my advocate in my tribulations, deliver me from the greatdanger which pursueth me, and save me that am weary with so long labours andsorrow, for I know that it is thou that succorest and helpest such women as arewith child and in danger. Then Juno hearing the prayers of Psyches, appearedunto her in all her royalty, saying, Certes Psyches I would gladly help thee,but I am ashamed to do any thing contrary to the will of my daughter in lawVenus, whom alwaies I have loved as mine owne child, moreover I shall incurrethe danger of the law, intituled, De servo corrupto, whereby am forbidden toretaine any servant fugitive, against the will of his Master. Then Psyches castoff likewise by Juno, as without all hope of the recovery of her husband,reasoned with her selfe in this sort: Now what comfort or remedy is left to myafflictions, when as my prayers will nothing availe with the goddesses? whatshall I do? whither shall I go? In what cave or darknesse shall I hide myselfe, to avoid the furor of Venus? Why do I not take a good heart, and offermy selfe with humilitie unto her, whose anger I have wrought? What do I knowwhether he (whom I seeke for) be in his mothers house or no? Thus being indoubt, poore Psyches prepared her selfe to her owne danger, and devised how shemight make her orison and prayer unto Venus. After that Venus was weary withsearching by Sea and Land for Psyches, shee returned toward heaven, andcommanded that one should prepare her Chariot, which her husband Vulcanus gaveunto her by reason of marriage, so finely wrought that neither gold nor silvercould be compared to the brightnesse therof. Four white pigeons guided thechariot with great diligence, and when Venus was entred in a number ofsparrowes flew chirping about, making signe of joy, and all other kind of birdssang sweetly, foreshewing the comming of the great goddesse: the clouds gaveplace, the heavens opened, and received her joyfully, the birds that followednothing feared the Eagle, Hawkes, or other ravenous foules of the aire.Incontinently she went unto the royall Pallace of God Jupiter, and with a proudand bold petition demanded the service of Mercury, in certaine of her affaires,whereunto Jupiter consented: then with much joy shee descended from Heaven withMercury, and gave him an earnest charge to put in execution her words, saying:O my Brother, borne in Arcadia, thou knowest well, that I (who am thy sister)did never enterprise to doe any thing without thy presence, thou knowest alsohow long I have sought for a girle and cannot finde her, wherefore thereresteth nothing else save that thou with thy trumpet doe pronounce the rewardto such as take her: see thou put in execution my commandment, and declare thatwhatsoever he be that retaineth her wittingly, against my will shall not defendhimselfe by any meane or excusation: which when she had spoken, she deliveredunto him a libell, wherein was contained the name of Psyches, and the residueof his publication, which done, she departed away to her lodging. By and by,Mercurius (not delaying the matter) proclaimed throughout all the world, thatwhatsoever hee were that could tell any tydings of a Kings fugitive Daughter,the servant of Venus, named Psyches, should bring word to Mercury, and forreward of his paines, he should receive seaven sweet kisses of Venus. Afterthat Mercury had pronounced these things, every man was enflamed with desire tosearch out Psyches.

This proclamation was the cause that put all doubt from Psyches, who wasscantly come in the sight of the house of Venus, but one of her servants calledCustome came out, who espying Psyches, cried with a loud voyce, saying: Owicked harlot as thou art, now at length thou shalt know that thou hast amistresse above thee. What, dost thou make thy selfe ignorant, as though thoudidst not understand what travell wee have taken in searching for thee? I amglad that thou art come into my hands, thou art now in the golfe of hell, andshalt abide the paine and punishment of thy great contumacy, and therewithallshe tooke her by the haire, and brought her in, before the presence of thegoddesse Venus. When Venus spied her, shee began to laugh, and as angry personsaccustome to doe, she shaked her head, and scratched her right eare saying, Ogoddesse, goddesse, you are now come at length to visit your husband that is indanger of death, by your meanes: bee you assured, I will handle you like adaughter: where be my maidens, Sorrow and Sadnesse? To whom (when they came)she delivered Psyches to be cruelly tormented; then they fulfilled thecommandement of their Mistresse, and after they had piteously scourged her withrods and whips, they presented her againe before Venus; then she began to laughagaine, saying: Behold she thinketh (that by reason of her great belly, whichshe hath gotten by playing the whore) to move me to pitty, and to make me agrandmother to her childe. Am not I happy, that in the flourishing time of almine age, shall be called a grandmother, and the sonne of a vile harlot shallbee accounted the nephew of Venus: howbeit I am a foole to tearm him by thename of my son, since as the marriage was made betweene unequall persons, inthe field without witnesses, and not by the consent of parents, wherefore themarriage is illegitimate, and the childe (that shall be borne) a bastard; if wefortune to suffer thee to live so long till thou be delivered. When Venus hadspoken these words she leaped upon the face of poore Psyches, and (tearing herapparell) tooke her by the haire, and dashed her head upon the ground. Then shetooke a great quantity of wheat, of barly, poppy seede, peason, lintles, andbeanes, and mingled them altogether on a heape saying: Thou evil favouredgirle, thou seemest unable to get the grace of thy lover, by no other meanes,but only by diligent and painefull service, wherefore I will prove what thoucanst doe: see that thou separate all these graines one from another, disposingthem orderly in their quantity, and let it be done before night. When she hadappointed this taske unto Psyches, she departed to a great banket that wasprepared that day. But Psyches went not about to dissever the graine, (as beinga thing impossible to be brought to passe by reason it lay so confusedlyscattered) but being astonyed at the cruell commandement of Venus, sate stilland said nothing. Then the little pismire the emote, taking pitty of her greatdifficulty and labour, cursing the cruellnesse of the daughter of Jupiter, andof so evill a mother, ran about, hither and thither, and called to all herfriends, Yee quick sons of the ground, the mother of all things, take mercy onthis poore maid, espouse to Cupid, who is in great danger of her person, I prayyou helpe her with all diligence. Incontinently one came after another,dissevering and dividing the graine, and after that they had put each kinde ofcorne in order, they ranne away againe in all haste. When night came, Venusreturned home from the banket wel tippled with wine, smelling of balme, andcrowned with garlands of roses, who when shee had espied what Psyches had done,gan say, This is not the labour of thy hands, but rather of his that is amorousof thee: then she gave her a morsel of brown bread, and went to sleep. In themean season, Cupid was closed fast in the surest chamber of the house, partlybecause he should not hurt himself with wanton dalliance, and partly because heshould not speake with his love: so these two lovers were divided one fromanother. When night was passed Venus called Psyches, and said, Seest thouyonder Forest that extendeth out in length with the river? there be greatsheepe shining like gold, and kept by no manner of person. I command thee thatthou go thither and bring me home some of the wooll of their fleeces. Psychesarose willingly not to do her commandement, but to throw her selfe headlonginto water to end her sorrows. Then a green reed inspired by divineinspiration, with a gratious tune and melody gan say, O Psyches I pray thee notto trouble or pollute my water by the death of thee, and yet beware that thougoe not towards the terrible sheepe of this coast, untill such time as the heatof the sunne be past, for when the sunne is in his force, then seeme they mostdreadfull and furious, with their sharpe hornes, their stony foreheads andtheir gaping throats, wherewith they arme themselves to the destruction ofmankinde. But untill they have refreshed themselves in the river, thou musthide thy selfe here by me, under this great plaine tree, and as soone as theirgreat fury is past, thou maist goe among the thickets and bushes under the woodside and gather the lockes their golden Fleeces, which thou shalt finde hangingupon the briers. Then spake the gentle and benigne reed, shewing a mean toPsyches to save her life, which she bore well in memory, and with all diligencewent and gathered up such lockes as shee found, and put them in her apron, andcarried them home to Venus. Howbeit the danger of this second labour did notplease her, nor give her sufficient witnesse of the good service of Psyches,but with a sower resemblance of laughter, did say: Of a certaine I know thatthis is not thy fact, but I will prove if that thou bee of so stout, so good acourage, and singular prudency as thou seemest to bee. Then Venus spake untoPsyches againe saying: Seest thou the toppe of yonder great Hill, from whencethere runneth downe waters of blacke and deadly colour, which nourisheth thefloods of Stix, Cocytus? I charge thee to goe thither, and bring me a vessellof that water: wherewithall she gave her a bottle of Christall, menacing andthreatening her rigorously. Then poor Psyches went in all haste to the top ofthe mountaine, rather to end her life, then to fetch any water, and when shewas come up to the ridge of the hill, she perceived that it was impossible tobring it to passe: for she saw a great rocke gushing out most horriblefountaines of waters, which ran downe and fell by many stops and passages intothe valley beneath: on each side shee did see great Dragons, which werestretching out their long and bloody Neckes, that did never sleepe, butappointed to keepe the river there: the waters seemed to themselves likewisesaying, Away; away, what wilt thou doe? flie, flie, or else thou wilt beslaine. Then Psyches (seeing the impossibility of this affaire) stood still asthough she were transformed into a stone and although she was present in body,yet was she absent in spirit and sense, by reason of the great perill which shesaw, insomuch that she could not comfort her self with weeping, such was thepresent danger that she was in. But the royall bird of great Jupiter, the Eagleremembring his old service which he had done, when as by the pricke of Cupid hebrought up the boy Ganimedes, to the heavens, to be made butler of Jupiter, andminding to shew the like service in the person of the wife of Cupid, came fromthe high-house of the Skies, and said unto Psyches, O simple woman without allexperience, doest thou thinke to get or dip up any drop of this dreadfullwater? No, no, assure thy selfe thou art never able to come nigh it, for theGods themselves do greatly feare at the sight thereof. What, have you notheard, that it is a custome among men to sweare by the puissance of the Gods,and the Gods do sweare by the majesty of the river Stix? but give me thybottle, and sodainly he tooke it, and filled it with the water of the river,and taking his flight through those cruell and horrible dragons, brought itunto Psyches: who being very joyfull thereof, presented it to Venus, who wouldnot yet be appeased, but menacing more and more said, What, thou seemest untome a very witch and enchauntresse, that bringest these things to passe, howbeitthou shalt do nothing more. Take this box and to Hell to Proserpina, and desireher to send me a little of her beauty, as much as will serve me the space ofone day, and say that such as I had is consumed away since my sonne fell sicke,but returne againe quickly, for I must dresse my selfe therewithall, and goe tothe Theatre of the Gods: then poore Psyches perceived the end of all fortune,thinking verely that she should never returne, and not without cause, when asshe was compelled to go to the gulfe and furies of hell. Wherefore without anyfurther delay, she went up to an high tower to throw her selfe downe headlong(thinking that it was the next and readiest way to hell) but the tower (asinspired) spake unto her saying, O poore miser, why goest thou about to slaythy selfe? Why dost thou rashly yeeld unto thy last perill and danger? knowthou that if thy spirit be once separated from thy body, thou shalt surely goto hell, but never to returne againe, wherefore harken to me; Lacedemon a Citiein Greece is not farre hence: go thou thither and enquire for the hill Tenarus,whereas thou shalt find a hold leading to hell, even to the Pallace of Pluto,but take heede thou go not with emptie hands to that place of darknesse: butCarrie two sops sodden in the flour of barley and Honney in thy hands, and twohalfepence in thy mouth. And when thou hast passed a good part of that way,thou shalt see a lame Asse carrying of wood, and a lame fellow driving him, whowill desire thee to give him up the sticks that fall downe, but passe thou onand do nothing; by and by thou shalt come unto a river of hell, whereas Charonis ferriman, who will first have his fare paied him, before he will carry thesoules over the river in his boat, whereby you may see that avarice raignethamongst the dead, neither Charon nor Pluto will do any thing for nought: for ifit be a poore man that would passe over and lacketh money, he shal be compelledto die in his journey before they will shew him any reliefe, wherefore deliverto carraine Charon one of the halfpence (which thou bearest for thy passage)and let him receive it out of thy mouth. And it shall come to passe as thousittest in the boat thou shalt see an old man swimming on the top of the river,holding up his deadly hands, and desiring thee to receive him into the barke,but have no regard to his piteous cry; when thou art passed over the floud,thou shalt espie old women spinning, who will desire thee to helpe them, butbeware thou do not consent unto them in any case, for these and like baits andtraps will Venus set to make thee let fall one of thy sops, and thinke not thatthe keeping of thy sops is a light matter, for if thou leese one of them thoushalt be assured never to returne againe to this world. Then shalt thou see agreat and marvailous dogge, with three heads, barking continually at the soulesof such as enter in, but he can do them no other harme, he lieth day and nightbefore the gate of Proserpina, and keepeth the house of Pluto with greatdiligence, to whom if thou cast one of thy sops, thou maist have accesse toProserpina without all danger: shee will make thee good cheere, and entertainethee with delicate meate and drinke, but sit thou upon the ground, and desirebrowne bread, and then declare thy message unto her, and when thou hastreceived such beauty as she giveth, in thy returne appease the rage of thedogge with thy other sop, and give thy other halfe penny to covetous Charon,and come the same way againe into the world as thou wentest: but above allthings have a regard that thou looke not in the boxe, neither be not toocurious about the treasure of the divine beauty. In this manner the towerspake unto Psyches, and advertised her what she should do: and immediately shetooke two halfe pence, two sops, and all things necessary, and went to themountaine Tenarus to go towards hell. After that Psyches had passed by the lameAsse, paid her halfe pennie for passage, neglected the old man in the river,denyed to helpe the woman spinning, and filled the ravenous month of the doggewith a sop, shee came to the chamber of Proserpina. There Psyches would not sitin any royall seate, nor eate any delicate meates, but kneeled at the feete ofProserpina, onely contented with course bread, declared her message, and aftershe had received a mysticall secret in a boxe, she departed, and stopped themouth of the dogge with the other sop, and paied the boatman the other halfepenny. When Psyches was returned from hell, to the light of the world, shee wasravished with great desire, saying, Am not I a foole, that knowing that Icarrie here the divine beauty, will not take a little thereof to garnish myface, to please my love withall? And by and by shee opened the boxe where shecould perceive no beauty nor any thing else, save onely an infernall and deadlysleepe, which immediatly invaded all her members as soone as the boxe wasuncovered, in such sort that she fell downe upon the ground, and lay there as asleeping corps.

But Cupid being now healed of his wound and Maladie, not able to endure theabsence of Psyches, got him secretly out at a window of the chamber where heewas enclosed, and (receiving his wings,) tooke his flight towards his lovingwife, whom when he had found, hee wiped away the sleepe from her face, and putit againe into the boxe, and awaked her with the tip of one of his arrows,saying: O wretched Caitife, behold thou wert well-nigh perished againe, withthe overmuch curiositie: well, goe thou, and do thy message to my Mother, andin the meane season, I will provide for all things accordingly: wherewithall hetooke his flight into the aire, and Psyches brought her present to Venus.

Cupid being more and more in love with Psyches, and fearing the displeasure ofhis Mother, did pearce into the heavens, and arrived before Jupiter to declarehis cause: then Jupiter after that hee had eftsoone embraced him, gan say inthis manner: O my well beloved sonne, although thou haste not given duereverence and honour unto me as thou oughtest to doe, but haste rather spoiledand wounded this my brest (whereby the laws and order of the Elements andPlanets be disposed) with continuall assaults, of Terren luxury and against alllaws, and the discipline Julia, and the utility of the publike weale, intransforming my divine beauty into serpents, fire, savage beasts, birds, andinto Bulles: howbeit remembring my modesty, and that I have nourished thee withmine owne proper hands, I will doe and accomplish all thy desire, so that thoucanst beware of spitefull and envious persons. And if there be any excellentMaiden of comely beauty in the world, remember yet the benefit which I shallshew unto thee by recompence of her love towards me againe. When he had spokenthese words he commanded Mercury to call all the gods to counsell, and if anyof the celestiall powers did faile of appearance he would be condemned in tenthousand pounds: which sentence was such a terrour to all the goddesses, thatthe high Theatre was replenished, and Jupiter began to speake in this sort: Oyee gods, registred in the bookes of the Muses, you all know this young manCupid whom I have nourished with mine owne hands, whose raging flames of hisfirst youth, I thought best to bridle and restraine. It sufficeth that hee isdefamed in every place for his adulterous living, wherefore all occasion oughtto bee taken away by meane of marriage: he hath chosen a Maiden that fanciethhim well, and hath bereaved her of her virginity, let him have her still, andpossesse her according to his owne pleasure: then he returned to Venus, andsaid, And you my daughter, take you no care, neither feare the dishonour ofyour progeny and estate, neither have regard in that it is a mortall marriage,for it seemeth unto me just, lawfull, and legitimate by the law civill.Incontinently after Jupiter commanded Mercury to bring up Psyches, the spouseof Cupid, into the Pallace of heaven. And then he tooke a pot of immortality,and said, Hold Psyches, and drinke, to the end thou maist be immortall, andthat Cupid may be thine everlasting husband. By and by the great banket andmarriage feast was sumptuously prepared, Cupid sate downe with his deare spousebetween his armes: Juno likewise with Jupiter, and all the other gods in order,Ganimedes filled the pot of Jupiter, and Bacchus served the rest. Their drinkewas Nectar the wine of the gods, Vulcanus prepared supper, the howers decked upthe house with roses and other sweet smells, the graces threw about blame, theMuses sang with sweet harmony, Apollo tuned pleasantly to the Harpe, Venusdanced finely: Satirus and Paniscus plaid on their pipes; and thus Psyches wasmarried to Cupid, and after she was delivered of a child whom we call Pleasure.This the trifling old woman declared unto the captive maiden: but I poore Asse,not standing farre of, was not a little sorry in that I lacked pen and inke towrite so worthy a tale.

THE SIXTH BOOKE

THE TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTER

How Apuleius carried away the Gentlewoman, and how they were taken againe bythe theeves, and what a kind of death was invented for them.

By and by the theeves came home laden with treasure, and many of them whichwere of strongest courage (leaving behind such as were lame and wounded, toheale and aire themselves) said they would returne backe againe to fetch therest of their pillage, which they had hidden in a certaine cave, and so theysnatched up their dinner greedily, and brought us forth into the way and beateus before them with staves. About night (after that we had passed over manyhilles and dales) we came to a great cave, where they laded us with mightyburthens, and would not suffer us to refresh our selves any season but broughtus againe in our way, and hied so fast homeward, that what with their haste andtheir cruell stripes, I fell downe upon a stone by the way side, then theybeate me pittifully in lifting me up, and hurt my right thigh and my lefthoofe, and one of them said, What shall we do with this lame Ill favoured Asse,that is not worth the meate he eats? And other said, Since the time that we hadhim first he never did any good, and I thinke he came unto our house with evilllucke, for we have had great wounds since, and losse of our valiant captaines,and other said, As soone as he hath brought home his burthen, I will surelythrow him out upon the mountaine to be a pray for wild beasts: While thesegentlemen reasoned together of my death, we fortuned to come home, for thefeare that I was in, caused my feet to turne into wings: after that we weredischarged of our burthens, they went to their fellowes that were wounded, andtold them of our great tardity and slownesse by the way, neither was I broughtinto small anguish, when I perceived my death prepared before my face: Whystandest thou still Lucius? Why dost thou not looke for thy death? Knowst thounot that the theeves have ordained to slay thee? seest thou not these sharpeand pointed flints which shall bruise and teare thee in peeces, if by adventurethou happen upon them? Thy gentle Magitian hath not onely given thee the shapeand travell of an Asse, but also a skinne so soft and tender as it were aswallow: why dost thou not take courage and runne away to save thy selfe? Artthou afraid of the old woman more then halfe dead, whom with a stripe of thyheele thou maist easily dispatch? But whither shall I fly? What lodging shall Iseek? See my Assy cogitation. Who is he that passeth by the way and will nottake me up? While I devised these things, I brake the halter wherewith I wastyed and ran away with all my force, howbeit I could not escape the kitish eyesof the old woman, for shee ran after me, and with more audacity then becommethher kind age, caught me by the halter and thought to pull me home: but I notforgetting the cruell purpose of the theeves, was mooved with small pity, for Ikicked her with my hinder heeles to the ground and had welnigh slaine her, who(although shee was throwne and hurled downe) yet shee held still the halter,and would not let me goe; then shee cryed with a loud voyce and called forsuccour, but she little prevayled, because there was no person that heard her,save onely the captive gentlewoman, who hearing the voice of the old woman,came out to see what the matter was, and perceiving her hanging at the halter,tooke a good courage and wrested it out of her hand, and (entreating me withgentle words) got upon my backe. Then I began to runne, and shee gently kickedmee forward, whereof I was nothing displeased, for I had as great a desire toescape as shee: insomuch that I seemed to scowre away like a horse. And whenthe Gentlewoman did speake, I would answere her with my neighing, andoftentimes (under colour to rub my backe) I would sweetly kisse her tenderfeet. Then shee fetching a sigh from the bottome of her heart, lifted up hereyes to the heavens, saying: O soveraigne Gods, deliver mee if it be yourpleasure, from these present dangers: and thou cruell fortune cease thy wrath,let the sorrow suffice thee which I have already sustained. And thou littleAsse, that art the occasion of my safety and liberty, if thou canst once renderme safe and sound to my parents, and to him that so greatly desireth to have meto his wife, thou shalt see what thankes I will give: with what honour I willreward thee, and how I will use thee. First, I will bravely dresse the hairesof thy forehead, and then will I finely combe thy maine, I will tye up thyrugged tayle trimly, I will decke thee round about with golden trappes, in suchsort that thou shalt glitter like the starres of the skie, I will bring theedaily in my apron the kirnels of nuts, and will pamper thee up with delicates;I will set store by thee, as by one that is the preserver of my life: Finally,thou shalt lack no manner of thing. Moreover amongst thy glorious fare, thygreat ease, and the blisse of thy life, thou shalt not be destitute of dignity,for thou shalt be chronicled perpetually in memory of my present fortune, andthe providence divine. All the whole history shall be painted upon the wall ofour house, thou shalt be renowned throughout all the world. And it shall beregistred in the bookes of Doctours, that an Asse saved the life of a youngmaiden that was captive amongst Theeves: Thou shalt be numbred amongst theancient miracles: wee beleeve that by like example of truth Phryxus savedhimselfe from drowning upon the Ram, Arion escaped upon a Dolphin, and thatEuropa was delivered by the Bull. If Jupiter transformed himselfe into a Bull,why may it not be that under the shape of this Asse, is hidden the figure of aman, or some power divine? While that the Virgin did thus sorrowfully unfoldher desires, we fortuned to come to a place where three wayes did meet, andshee tooke me by the halter, and would have me to turne on the right hand toher fathers house: but I (knowing that the theeves were gone that way to fetchthe residue of their pillage) resisted with my head as much as I might, sayingwithin my selfe: What wilt thou doe unhappy maiden? Why wouldst thou goe sowillingly to hell? Why wilt thou runne into destruction by meane of my feet?Why dost thou seek thine own harme, and mine likewise? And while we strivedtogether whether way we might take, the theeves returned, laiden with theirpray, and perceived us a farre off by the light of the Moon: and after they hadknown us, one of them gan say, Whither goe you so hastely? Be you not afraid ofspirits? And you (you harlot) doe you not goe to see your parents? Come on, wewill beare you company? And therewithall they tooke me by the hatter, and draveme backe againe, beating me cruelly with a great staffe (that they had) full ofknobs: then I returning againe to my ready destruction, and remembering thegriefe of my hoofe, began to shake my head, and to waxe lame, but he that ledme by the halter said, What, dost thou stumble? Canst thou not goe? Theserotten feet of thine ran well enough, but they cannot walke: thou couldestmince it finely even now with the gentlewoman, that thou seemedst to passe thehorse Pegasus in swiftnesse. In saying of these words they beat mee againe,that they broke a great staffe upon mee. And when we were come almost home, wesaw the old woman hanging upon a bow of a Cipresse tree; then one of them cutdowne the bowe whereon shee hanged, and cast her into the bottome of a greatditch: after this they bound the maiden and fell greedily to their victuals,which the miserable old woman had prepared for them. At which time they beganto devise with themselves of our death, and how they might be revenged; diverswas the opinions of this divers number: the first said, that hee thought bestthe Mayd should be burned alive: the second said she should be throwne out towild beasts: the third said, she should be hanged upon a gibbet: the fourthsaid she should be flead alive: thus was the death of the poore Maiden scannedbetweene them foure. But one of the theeves after every man had declared hisjudgement, did speake in this manner: it is not convenient unto the oath of ourcompany, to suffer you to waxe more cruell then the quality of the offence dothmerit, for I would that shee should not be hanged nor burned, nor throwne tobeasts, nor dye any sodaine death, but by my council I would have her punishedaccording to her desert. You know well what you have determined already of thisdull Asse, that eateth more then he is worth, that faineth lamenesse, and thatwas the cause of the flying away of the Maid: my mind is that he shall beslaine to morrow, and when all the guts and entrailes of his body is taken out,let the Maide be sowne into his belly, then let us lay them upon a great stoneagainst the broiling heate of the Sunne, so they shall both sustaine all thepunishments which you have ordained: for first the Asse shall be slaine as youhave determined, and she shall have her members torne and gnawn with wildbeasts, when as she is bitten and rent with wormes, shee shall endure the paineof the fire, when as the broyling heat of the Sunne shall scortch and parch thebelly of the Asse, shee shall abide the gallows when the Dogs and Vulturesshall have the guts of her body hanging in their ravenous mouthes. I pray younumber all the torments which she shall suffer: First shee shall dwell withinthe paunch of an Asse: secondly her nosethrilles shall receive a carrainestinke of the beast: thirdly shee shall dye for hunger: last of all, shee shallfinde no meane to ridde her selfe from her paines, for her hand shalt be sowenup within the skinne of the Asse: This being said, all the Theeves consented,and when I (poore Asse) heard and understood all their device, I did nothingelse but lament and bewayle my dead carkasse, which should be handled in suchsort on the next morrow.

THE SEVENTH BOOKE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

How hee that was left behinde at Hippata did bring newes concerning the robberyof Miloes house, came home and declared to his Company, that all the fault waslaid to one Apuleius his charge.

A soone as night was past, and the cleare Chariot of the Sunne had spred hisbright beames on every coast, came one of the company of the theeves, (for sohis and their greeting together did declare) who at the first entry into theCave (after hee had breathed himselfe, and was able to speake) told thesetydings unto his companions in this sort. Sirs, as touching the house of Miloof Hippata, which we forcibly entred and ransackt the last day, we may put awayall feare and doubt nothing at all. For after that ye by force of armes, hadspoyled and taken away all things in the house, and returned hither into ourCave; I (thrusting my selfe amongst the presse of the people, and shewing myselfe as though I were sad and sorrowful for the mischance) consulted with themfor the boulting out of the matter, and devising what meanes might be wroughtfor the apprehension of the theeves, to the intent I might learne and see allthat was done to make relation thereof unto you as you willed me, insomuch thatthe whole fact at length by manifest and evident proofes as also by the commonopinion and judgement of the people, was laid to one Lucius Apuleius charge asmanifest author of this common robbery, who a few dayse before by false andforged letters and colored honesty, fell so farre in favour with this Milo,that he entertained him into his house, and received him as a chiefe of hisfamiliar friends, which Lucius after that he had sojourned there a good space,and won the heart of Miloes Maid, by fained love, did thoroughly learne thewaies and doores of all the house, and curiously viewed the cofers and chests,wherein was laid the whole substance of Milo: neither was there small causegiven to judge him culpable, since as the very same night that this robbery wasdone he fled away, and could not be found in no place: and to the intent heemight cleane escape, and better prevent such as made hew and crie after him, hetooke his white horse and galloped away, and after this, his servant was foundin the house, who (accused as accessary to the fellony and escape of hisMaster) was committed to the common gaole, and the next day following wascruelly scourged and tormented till hee was welnigh dead, to the intent heeshould confesse the matter, but when they could wreast or learne no such thingof him, yet sent they many persons after, towardes Lucius Countrey to enquirehim out, and so to take him prisoner. As he declared these things, I didgreatly lament with my selfe, to thinke of mine old and pristine estate, andwhat felicity I was sometimes in, in comparison to the misery that I presentlysusteined, being changed into a miserable Asse, then had I no small occasion toremember, how the old and ancient Writers did affirme, that fortune was starkeblind without eies, because she alwaies bestoweth her riches upon evil persons,and fooles, and chooseth or favoureth no mortall person by judgement, but isalwaies conversent, especially with much as if she could see, she should mostshunne, and forsake, yea and that which is more worse, she sheweth such evillor contrary opinions in men, that the wicked doe glory with the name of good,and contrary the good and innocent be detracted and slandred as evill.Furthermore I, who by her great cruelty, was turned into a foure footed Asse,in most vile and abject manner: yea, and whose estate seemed worthily to belamented and pittied of the most hard and stonie hearts, was accused of theftand robbing of my deare host Milo, which villany might rather be calledparricide then theft, yet might not I defend mine owne cause or denie the factany way, by reason I could not speake; howbeit least my conscience should seemeto accuse me by reason of silence, and againe being enforced by impatience Iendevored to speake, and faine would have said, Never did I that fact, andverely the first word, never, I cried out once or twise, somewhat handsome, butthe residue I could in no wise pronounce, but still remaining in one voice,cried, Never, never, never, howbeit I settled my hanging lips as round as Icould to speake the residue: but why should I further complaine of the crueltieof my fortune, since as I was not much ashamed, by reason that my servant andmy horse, was likewise accused with me of the robbery.

While I pondered with my selfe all these things, a great care [came] to myremembrance, touching the death, which the theeves provised for me and themaiden, and still as I looked downe to my belly, I thought of my pooregentlewoman that should be closed within me. And the theefe which a littlebefore had brought the false newes against me, drew out of the skirt of hiscoate, a thousand crowns, which he had rifled from such as hee met, and broughtit into the common treasury. Then hee carefully enquired how the residue of hiscompanions did. To whom it was declared that the most valiant was murdred andslaine in divers manners, whereupon he perswaded them to remit all theiraffaires a certaine season, and to seeke for other fellowes to be in theirplaces, that by the exercise of new lads, the terror of their martiall bandmight be reduced to the old number, assuring them that such as were unwilling,might be compelled by menaces and threatnings, and such as were willing mightbe incouraged forward with reward. Further he said, that there were some, which(seeing the profite which they had) would forsake their base and servileestate, and rather bee contented to live like tyrants amongst them. Moreover hedeclared, that for his part he had spoken with a certaine tall man, a valiantcompanion, but of young age, stout in body, and couragious in fight, whom hehad fully perswaded to exercise his idle hands, dull with slothfullnesse, tohis greater profit, and (while he might) to receive the blisse of betterFortune, and not to hold out his sturdy arme to begge for a penny, but ratherto take as much gold and silver as hee would. Then everyone consented, that heethat seemed so worthy to be their companion, should be one of their company,and that they would search for others to make up the residue of the number,whereupon he went out, and by and by (returning againe) brought in a tall youngman (as he promised) to whom none of the residue might bee compared, for heewas higher then they by the head, and of more bignesse in body, his beard beganto burgen, but hee was poorely apparelled, insomuch that you might see all hisbelly naked. As soone as he was entred in he said, God speed yee souldiers ofMars and my faithfull companions, I pray you make me one of your band, and Iwill ensure you, that you shall have a man of singular courage and livelyaudacity: for I had rather receive stripes upon my backe, then money or gold inmy hands. And as for death (which every man doth feare) I passe nothing at all,yet thinke you not that I am an abject or a begger, neither judge you my vertueand prowesse by ragged clothes, for I have beene a Captaine of a great company,and subdued all the countrey of Macedonia. I am the renowned theefe Hemes theThracian, whose name all countreys and nations do so greatly feare: I am thesonne of Theron the noble theefe, nourished with humane bloud, entertainedamongst the stoutest; finally I am inheritour and follower of all my fathersvertues, yet I lost in a short time all my company and all my riches, by oneassault, which I made upon a Factor of the Prince, which sometime had beeneCaptaine of two hundred men, for fortune was cleane against me; harken and Iwill tell you the whole matter. There was a certaine man in the court of theEmperour, which had many offices, and in great favour, who at last by the envyof divers persons, was banished away and compelled to forsake the court: hiswife Platina, a woman of rare faith and singular shamefastnes having borne tenchildren to her husband, despised all worldly Pompe and delicacy, anddetermined to follow her husband, and to be partaker of his perils and danger,wherefore shee cut off her haire, disguised her selfe like a man, and tookewith her all her treasure, passing through the hands of the souldiers, and thenaked swords without any feare, whereby she endured many miseries, and waspartaker of much affliction, to save the life of her husband, such was her lovewhich she bare unto him. And when they had escaped many perillous dangers, aswell by land as by sea, they went together towards Zacynthe, to continue thereaccording as fortune had appointed. But when they were arived on the sea coastof Actium (where we in our returne from Macedony were roving about) when nightcame, they returned into a house not far distant from their ship, where theylay all night. Then we entred in and tooke away all their substance, but verelywe were in great danger: for the good matron perceiving us incontinently by thenoise of the gate, went into the chamber, and called up every man by his name,and likewise the neighbors that dwelled round about, insomuch that by reason ofthe feare that every one was in, we hardly escaped away, but this most holywoman, faithfull and true to her husband (as the truth must be declared)returned to Caesar, desiring his aid and puissance, and demanding vengeance ofthe injury done to her husband, who granted all her desire: then went mycompany to wracke, insomuch that every man was slaine, so great was theauthority and word of the Prince. Howbeit, when all my band was lost, and takenby search of the Emperours army, I onely stole away and delivered my selfe fromthe violence of the souldiers, for I clothed my selfe in a womans attire, andmounted upon an Asse, that carryed barly sheafes, and (passing through themiddle of them all) I escaped away, because every one deemed that I was a womanby reason I lacked a beard. Howbeit I left not off for all this, nor diddegenerate from the glory of my father, or mine own vertue, but freshly commingfrom the bloody skirmish, and disguised like a woman, I invaded townes andcastles alone to get some pray. And therewithall he pulled out two thousandcrownes, which he had under his coate, saying: Hold here the dowry which Ipresent unto you, hold eke my person, which you shall alwayes find trusty andfaithfull, if you willingly receive me: and I will ensure you that in so doing,within short space I wilt make and turne this stony house of yours into gold.Then by and by every one consented to make him their Captaine, and so they gavehim better garments, and threw away his old. When they had changed his attire,hee imbraced them one after another, then placed they him in the highest roomeof the table, and drunk unto him in token of good lucke.

THE TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTER

How the death of the Asse, and the Gentlewoman was stayed.

After supper they began to talke, and declare unto him the going away of theGentlewoman, and how I bare her upon my backe, and what death was ordained forus two. Then he desired to see her, whereupon the Gentlewoman was brought forthfast bound, whom as soone as he beheld, he turned himselfe wringing his nose,and blamed them saying: I am not so much a beast, or so rash a fellow to driveyou quite from your purpose, but my conscience will not suffer me to concealeany thing that toucheth your profit, since I am as carefull for you, howbeit ifmy counsell doe displease you, you may at your liberty proceed in yourenterprise. I doubt not but all theeves, and such as have a good judgement,will preferre their owne lucre and gain above all things in the world, andabove their vengeance, which purchaseth damage to divers persons. Therefore ifyou put this virgin in the Asses belly, you shall but execute your indignationagainst her, without all manner of profit; But I would advise you to carry thevirgin to some towne and to sell her: and such a brave girle as she is, may besold for a great quantity of money. And I my selfe know certaine bawdyMarchants, amongst whom peradventure one will give us summes of gold for her.This is my opinion touching this affaire: but advise you what you intend to do,for you may rule me in this case. In this manner the good theefe pleaded anddefended our cause, being a good Patron to the silly virgin, and to me pooreAsse. But they staied hereupon a good space, with long deliberation, which mademy heart (God wot) and spirit greatly to quaile. Howbeit in the end theyconsented to his opinion, and by and by the Maiden was unloosed of her bonds,who seeing the young man, and hearing the name of brothels and bawdy Merchants,began to wax joyfull, and smiled with herself. Then began I to deeme evill ofthe generation of women, when as I saw the Maiden (who was appointed to bemarried to a young Gentleman, and who so greatly desired the same) was nowdelighted with the talke of a wicked brothel house, and other things dishonest.In this sort the consent and manners of women depended in the judgement of anAsse.

THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

How all the Theeves were brought asleepe by their new companion.

Then the young man spake againe, saying, Masters, why goe wee not about to makeour prayers unto Mars, touching this selling of the Maiden, and to seeke forother companions. But as farre as I see, here is no other manner of beast tomake sacrifice withall, nor wine sufficient for us to drinke. Let me have(quoth hee) tenne more with me, and wee will goe to the next Castle, to providefor meat and other things necessary. So he and tenne more with him, went theirway: In the meane season, the residue made a great fire and an Alter withgreene turfes in the honour of Mars. By and by after they came againe, bringingwith them bottles of wine, and a great number of beasts, amongst which therewas a big Ram Goat, fat, old, and hairy, which they killed and offered untoMars. Then supper was prepared sumptuously, and the new companion said unto theother, You ought to accompt me not onely your Captaine in robbery and fight,but also in pleasures and jolity, whereupon by and by with pleasant cheere heprepared meat, and trimming up the house he set all things in order, andbrought the pottage and dainty dishes to the Table: but above all he plyed themwel with great pots and jugs of wine. Sometimes (seeming to fetch somewhat) heewould goe to the Maiden and give her pieces of meate, which he privily tookeaway, and would drinke unto her, which she willingly tooke in good part.Moreover, hee kissed her twice or thrice whereof she was well pleased but I(not well contented thereat) thought in my selfe: O wretched Maid, thou hastforgotten thy marriage, and doest esteeme this stranger and bloudy theefe abovethy husband which thy Parents ordained for thee, now perceive I well thou hastno remorse of conscience, but more delight to tarry and play the harlot heereamongst so many swords. What? knowest thou not how the other theeves if theyknew thy demeanour would put thee to death as they had once appointed, and soworke my destruction likewise? Well now I perceive thou hast a pleasure in thedammage and hurt of other. While I did angerly devise with my selfe all thesethings, I perceived by certaine signes and tokens (not ignorant to so wise anAsse) that he was not the notable theefe Hemus, but rather Lepolemus herhusband, for after much communication he beganne to speake more franckly, notfearing at all my presence, and said, Be of good cheere my sweete friendCharites, for thou shalt have by and by all these thy enemies captive untothee. Then hee filled wine to the theeves more and more, and never ceased, tillas they were all overcome with abundance of meat and drinke, when as heehimselfe abstained and bridled his owne appetite. And truely I did greatlysuspect, least hee had mingled in their cups some deadly poyson, forincontinently they all fell downe asleepe on the ground one after an other, andlay as though they had beene dead.

THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER

How the Gentlewoman was carried home by her husband while the theeves wereasleepe, and how much Apuleius was made of.

When the theeves were all asleepe by their great and immoderate drinking, theyoung man Lepolemus took the Maiden and set her upon my backe, and wenthomeward. When we were come home, all the people of the Citie, especially herParents, friends, and family, came running forth joyfully, and the children andMaidens of the towne gathered together to see this virgin in great triumphsitting upon an Asse. Then I (willing to shew as much joy as I might, aspresent occasion served) I set and pricked up my long eares, ratled mynosethrils, and cryed stoutly, nay rather I made the towne to ring againe withmy shrilling sound: when wee were come to her fathers house, shee was receivedin a chamber honourably: as for me, Lepolemus (accompanied with a great numberof Citizens) did presently after drive me backe againe with other horses to thecave of the theeves, where wee found them all asleepe lying on the ground aswee left them; then they first brought out all the gold, and silver, and othertreasure of the house, and laded us withall, which when they had done, theythrew many of the theeves downe into the bottome of deepe ditches, and theresidue they slew with their swords: after this wee returned home glad andmerry of so great vengeance upon them, and the riches which wee carried wascommited to the publike treasurie. This done, the Maid was married toLepolemus, according to the law, whom by so much travell he had valiantlyrecovered: then my good Mistresse looked about for me, and asking for mecommanded the very same day of her marriage, that my manger should be filledwith barly, and that I should have hay and oats aboundantly, and she would callme her little Camell. But how greatly did I curse Fotis, in that sheetransformed me into an Asse, and not into a dogge, because I saw the dogges hadfilled their paunches with the reliks and bones of so worthy a supper. The nextday this new wedded woman (my Mistresse) did greatly commend me before herParents and husband, for the kindnesse which I had shewed unto her, and neverleaved off untill such time as they promised to reward me with great honours.Then they called together all their friends, and thus it was concluded: onesaid, that I should be closed in a stable and never worke, but continually tobe fedde and fatted with fine and chosen barly and beanes and good littour,howbeit another prevailed, who wishing my liberty, perswaded them that it wasbetter for me to runne in the fields amongst the lascivious horses and mares,whereby I might engender some mules for my Mistresse: then he that had incharge to keepe the horse, was called for, and I was delivered unto him withgreat care, insomuch that I was right pleasant and joyous, because I hoped thatI should carry no more fardels nor burthens, moreover I thought that when Ishould thus be at liberty, in the spring time of the yeere when the meddows andfields were greene, I should find some roses in some place, whereby I was fullyperswaded that if my Master and Mistresse did render to me so many thanks andhonours being an Asse, they would much more reward me being turned into a man:but when he (to whom the charge of me was so straightly committed) had broughtme a good way distant from the City, I perceived no delicate meates nor noliberty which I should have, but by and by his covetous wife and most cursedqueane made me a mill Asse, and (beating me with a cudgill full of knots) wouldwring bread for her selfe and her husband out of my skinne. Yet was she notcontented to weary me and make me a drudge with carriage and grinding of herowne corne, but I was hired of her neighbours to beare their sackes likewise,howbeit shee would not give me such meate as I should have, nor sufficient tosustaine my life withall, for the barly which I ground for mine owne dinner shewould sell to the Inhabitants by. And after that I had laboured all day, shewould set before me at night a little filthy branne, nothing cleane but full ofstones. Being in this calamity, yet fortune worked me other torments, for on aday I was let loose into the fields to pasture, by the commandement of mymaster. O how I leaped for joy, how I neighed to see my selfe in such liberty,but especially since I beheld so many Mares, which I thought should be my wivesand concubines; and I espied out and chose the fairest before I came nigh them;but this my joyfull hope turned into otter destruction, for incontinently allthe stone Horses which were well fedde and made strong by ease of pasture, andthereby much more puissant then a poore Asse, were jealous over me, and (havingno regard to the law and order of God Jupiter) ranne fiercely and terriblyagainst me; one lifted up his forefeete and kicked me spitefully, anotherturned himselfe, and with his hinder heeles spurned me cruelly, the thirdthreatning with a malicious neighing, dressed his eares and shewing his sharpeand white teeth bit me on every side. In like sort have I read in Histories howthe King of Thrace would throw his miserable ghests to be torne in peeces anddevoured of his wild Horses, so niggish was that Tyrant of his provender, thathe nourished them with the bodies of men.

THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was made a common Asse to fetch home wood, and how he was handledby a boy.

After that I was thus handled by horses, I was brought home againe to the Mill,but behold fortune (insatiable of my torments) had devised a new paine for me.I was appointed to bring home wood every day from a high hill, and who shoulddrive me thither and home again, but a boy that was the veriest hangman in allthe world, who was not contented with the great travell that I tooke inclimbing up the hill, neither pleased when he saw my hoofe torne and worne awayby sharpe flintes, but he beat me cruelly with a great staffe, insomuch thatthe marrow of my bones did ake for woe, for he would strike me continually onthe right hip, and still in one place, whereby he tore my skinne and made of mywide sore a great hole or trench, or rather a window to looke out at, andalthough it runne downe of blood, yet would he not cease beating me in thatplace: moreover he laded me with such great burthens of wood that you wouldthinke they had been rather prepared for Elephants then for me, and when heperceived that my wood hanged more on one side then another, (when he shouldrather take away the heavy sides, and so ease me, or else lift them up to makethem equall with the other) he laid great stones upon the weaker side to remedythe matter, yet could be not be contented with this my great misery andimmoderate burthens of wood, but when hee came to any river (as there were manyby the way) he to save his feete from water, would leape upon my loyneslikewise, which was no small loade upon loade. And if by adversity I had felldowne in any dirty or myrie place, when he should have pulled me out eitherwith ropes, or lifted me up by the taile, he would never helpe me, but lay meon from top to toe with a mighty staffe, till he had left no haire on all mybody, no not so much as on mine eares, whereby I was compelled by force ofblowes to stand up. The same hangman boy did invent another torment for me: hegathered a great many sharp thornes as sharp as needles and bound them togetherlike a fagot, and tyed them at my tayle to pricke me, then was I afflicted onevery side, for if I had indeavoured to runne away, the thornes would havepricked me, if I had stood still, the boy would have beaten mee, and yet theboy beate mee to make me runne, whereby I perceived that the hangman did devisenothing else save only to kill me by some manner of meanes, and he would sweareand threaten to do me worse harme, and because hee might have some occasion toexecute his malicious minde, upon a day (after that I had endeavoured too muchby my patience) I lifted up my heeles and spurned him welfavouredly. Then heinvented this vengeance against me, after that he had well laded me with shrubsand rubble, and trussed it round upon my backe, hee brought me out into theway: then hee stole a burning coale out of a mans house of the next village,and put it into the middle of the rubbell; the rubbell and shrubs being verydry, did fall on a light fire and burned me on every side. I could see noremedy how I might save my selfe, and in such a case it was not best for me tostand still but fortune was favourable towards me, perhaps to reserve me formore dangers, for I espyed a great hole full of raine water that fell the daybefore, thither I ranne hastily and plunged my selfe therein, in such sort thatI quenched the fire, and was delivered from that present perill, but the vileboy to excuse himselfe declared to all the neighbours and shepheards about,that I willingly tumbled in the fire as I passed through the village. Then helaughed upon me saying: How long shall we nourish and keepe this fiery Asse invaine?

THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was accused of Lechery by the boy.

A few dayes after, the boy invented another mischiefe: For when he had sold allthe wood which I bare, to certaine men dwelling in a village by, he lead mehomeward unladen: And then he cryed that he was not able to rule me, and thathee would not drive mee any longer to the hill for wood, saying: Doe you notsee this slow and dulle Asse, who besides all the mischiefes that he hathwrought already, inventeth daily more and more. For he espyeth any womanpassing by the way, whether she be old or marryed, or if it be a young child,hee will throw his burthen from his backe, and runneth fiercely upon them. Andafter that he hath thrown them downe, he will stride over them to commit hisbuggery and beastly pleasure, moreover hee will faine as though hee would kissethem, but he will bite their faces cruelly, which thing may worke us greatdispleasure, or rather to be imputed unto us as a crime: and even now when heespyed an honest maiden passing by the high way, he by and by threw downe hiswood and runne after her: And when he had throwne her down upon the ground, hewould have ravished her before the face of all the world, had it not beene thatby reason of her crying out, she was succored and pulled from his heeles, andso delivered. And if it had so come to passe that this fearefull maid had beeneslaine by him, what danger had we beene in? By these and like lies, he provokedthe shepheards earnestly against me, which grieved mee (God wot) full sore thatsaid nothing. Then one of the shepheards said: Why doe we not make sacrifice ofthis common adulterous Asse? My sonne (quoth he) let us kill him and throw hisguts to the dogges, and reserve his flesh for the labourers supper. Then let uscast dust upon his skinne, and carry it home to our master, and say that theWoolves have devoured him. The boy that was my evill accuser made no delay, butprepared himselfe to execute the sentence of the shepheard, rejoycing at mypresent danger, but O how greatly did I then repent that the stripe which Igave him with my heele had not killed him. Then he drew out his sword and madeit sharp upon the whetstone to slay me, but another of the shepheards gan say,Verely it is a great offence to kill so faire an Asse, and so (by accusation ofluxurie and lascivious wantonnesse) to lack so necessarie his labour andservice, where otherwise if ye would cut off his stones, he might not onely bedeprived of his courage but also become gentle, that we should be deliveredfrom all feare and danger. Moreover he would be thereby more fat and better inflesh. For I know my selfe as well many Asses, as also most fierce horses, thatby reason of their wantonnesse have beene most mad and terrible, but (when theywere gelded and cut) they have become gentle and tame, and tractable to alluse. Wherefore I would counsell you to geld him. And if you consent thereto, Iwill by and by, when I go to the next market fetch mine irons and tooles forthe purpose: And I ensure you after that I have gelded and cut off his stones,I will deliver him unto you as tame as a lambe. When I did perceive that I wasdelivered from death, and reserved to be gelded, I was greatly sorrie, insomuchthat I thought all the hinder part of my body and my stones did ake for woe,but I sought about to kill my selfe by some manner of meanes, to the end if Ishould die, I would die with unperished members.

THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER

How the boy that lead Apuleius to the field, was slaine in the wood.

While I devised with my selfe in what manner I might end my life, the roperipeboy on the next morrow lead me to the same hill againe, and tied me to a bow ofa great Oke, and in the meane season he tooke his hatchet and cut wood to loadme withall, but behold there crept out of a cave by, a marvailous great Beare,holding out his mighty head, whom when I saw, I was sodainly stroken in feare,and (throwing all the strength of my body into my hinder heeles) lifted up mystrained head and brake the halter, wherewith I was tied. Then there was noneed to bid me runne away, for I scoured not only on foot, but tumbled over thestones and rocks with my body till I came into the open fields, to the intent Iwould escape from the terrible Beare, but especially from the boy that wasworse than the Beare. Then a certaine stranger that passed by the way (espyingme alone as a stray Asse) tooke me up and roade upon my backe, beating me witha staffe (which he bare in his hand) through a wide and unknowne lane, whereatI was nothing displeased, but willingly went forward to avoid the cruell paineof gelding, which the shepherds had ordained for me, but as for the stripes Iwas nothing moved, since I was accustomed to be beaten so every day. But evillfortune would not suffer me to continue in so good estate long: For theshepheards looking about for a Cow that they had lost (after they had sought indivers places) fortuned to come upon us unwares, who when they espied and knewme, they would have taken me by the halter, but he that rode upon my backeresisted them saying, O Lord masters, what intend you to do? Will you rob me?Then said the shepheards, What? thinkest thou we handle thee otherwise thenthou deservest, which hast stollen away our Asse? Why dost thou not rather tellus where thou hast hidden the boy whom thou hast slaine? And therewithall theypulled him downe to the ground, beating him with their fists, and spurning himwith their feete. Then he answered unto them saying, that he saw no manner ofboy, but onely found the Asse loose and straying abroad, which he tooke up tothe intent to have some reward for the finding of him and to restore him againeto his Master. And I would to God (quoth he) that this Asse (which verely wasnever seene) could speake as a man to give witnesse of mine innocency: Thenwould you be ashamed of the injury which you have done to me. Thus (reasoningfor Himselfe) he nothing prevailed, for they tied the halter about my necke,and (maugre his face) pulled me quite away, and lead me backe againe throughthe woods of the hill to the place where the boy accustomed to resort. Andafter they could find him in no place, at length they found his body rent andtorne in peeces, and his members dispersed in sundry places, which I well knewwas done by the cruell Beare: and verely I would have told it if I might havespoken, but (which I could onely do) I greatly rejoiced at his death, althoughit came too late. Then they gathered together the peeces of his body and buriedthem. By and by they laid the fault to my new Master, that tooke me up by theway, and (bringing him home fast bound to their houses) purposed on the nextmorrow to accuse him of murther, and to lead him before the Justices to havejudgement of death.

THE THIRTY-FIRST CHAPTER

How Apuleius was cruelly beaten by the Mother of the boy that was slaine.

In the meane season, while the Parents of the boy did lament and weepe for thedeath of their sonne, the shepheard (according to his promise) came with hisinstruments and tooles to geld me. Then one of them said, Tush we littleesteeme the mischiefe he did yesterday, but now we are contented that to morrowhis stones shall not onely be cut off, but also his head. So was it brought topasse, that my death was delayed till the next morrow, but what thanks did Igive to that good boy, who (being so slaine) was the cause of my pardon for oneshort day. Howbeit I had no time then to rest my selfe, for the Mother of theboy, weeping and lamenting for his death, attired in mourning vesture, tare herhaire and beat her breast, and came presently into the stable, saying, Is itreason that this carelesse beast should do nothing all day but hold his head inthe manger, filling and belling his guts with meat without compassion of mygreat miserie, or remembrance of the pittiful death of his slaine Master: andcontemning my age and infirmity, thinketh that I am unable to revenge hismischiefs, moreover he would perswade me, that he were not culpable. Indeed, itis a convenient thing to looke and plead for safety, when as the consciencedoeth confesse the offence, as theeves and malefactors accustome to do. But Ogood Lord, thou cursed beast, if thou couldest utter the contents of thine ownemind, whom (though it were the veriest foole in all the world) mightest thouperswade that this murther was voide or without thy fault, when as it lay inthy power, either to keepe off the theeves with thy heeles, or else to bite andteare them with thy teeth? Couldest not thou (that so often in his life timediddest spurne and kicke him) defend him now at the point of death by the likemeane? Yet at least, thou shouldest have taken him upon thy backe, and sobrought him from the cruell hands of the theeves: where contrary thou runnestaway alone, forsaking thy good Master, thy pastor and conductor. Knowest thounot, that such as denie their wholsome help and aid to them which lie in dangerof death, ought to be punished, because they have offended against goodmanners, and the law naturall? But I promise thee, thou shalt not long rejoyceat my harmes, thou shalt feele the smart of thy homicide and offence, I willsee what I can doe. And therewithall she unclosed her apron, and bound all myfeete together, to the end I might not help my selfe, then she tooke a greatbarre, which accustomed to bar the stable doore, and never ceased beating metill she was so weary that the bar fell out of her hands, whereupon she(complaining of the soone faintnesse of her armes) ran to her fire and broughta firebrand and thrust it under my taile, burning me continually, till suchtime as (having but one remedy) I arayed her face and eies with my durty dunge,whereby (what with the stinke thereof, and what with the filthinesse that fellin her eies) she was welnigh blinded: so I enforced the queane to leave off,otherwise I had died as Meleager did by the sticke, which his mad mother Altheacast into the fire.

THE EIGHTH BOOKE

THE THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTER

How a young man came and declared the miserable death of Lepolemus and his wifeCharites.

About midnight came a young man, which seemed to be one of the family of thegood woman Charites, who sometimes endured so much misery and calamity with meeamongst the theeves, who after that hee had taken a stoole, and sate downebefore the fireside, in the company of the servants, began to declare manyterrible things that had happened unto the house of Charites, saying: O yeehouse-keepers, shepheards and cowheards, you shall understand that wee havelost our good mistris Charites miserably and by evill adventure: and to the endyou may learne and know all the whole matter, I purpose to tell you thecircumstances of every point, whereby such as are more learned then I (to whomfortune hath ministred more copious stile) may painte it out in paper in formeof an History. There was a young Gentleman dwelling in the next City, borne ofgood parentage, valiant in prowesse, and riche in substance, but very muchgiven and adicted to whorehunting, and continuall revelling. Whereby he fell incompany with Theeves, and had his hand ready to the effusion of humane blood;his name was Thrasillus. The matter was this according to the report of everyman. Hee demanded Charites in marriage, who although he were a man more comelythen the residue that wooed her, and also had riches abundantly, yet because hewas of evill fame, and a man of wicked manners and conversation, he had therepulse and was put off by Charites, and so she married with Lepolemus. Howbeitthis young man secretly loved her, yet moved somewhat at her refusall, heebusily searched some meanes to worke his damnable intent. And (having foundoccasion and opportunity to accomplish his purpose, which he had long timeconcealed) brought to passe, that the same day that Charites was delivered bythe subtill meane and valiant audacity of her husband, from the puissance ofthe Theeves, he mingled himselfe among the assembly, faining that he was gladof the new marriage, and comming home againe of the maiden, Whereby (by reasonthat he came of so noble parents) he was received and entertained into thehouse as one of their chiefe and principall friends: Howbeit under cloake of afaithfull welwiller, hee dissimuled his mischievous mind and intent: incontinuance of time by much familiarity and often conversation and bankettingtogether, he fell more and more in favour, like as we see it fortuneth toLovers, who first doe little delight themselves in love: till as by continuallacquaintance they kisse and imbrace each other. Thrasillus perceiving that itwas a hard matter to breake his minde secretly to Charites, whereby he waswholly barred from the accomplishment of his luxurious appetite, and on theother side perceiving that the love of her and her husband was so stronglylincked together, that the bond betweene them might in no wise be dissevered,moreover, it was a thing impossible to ravish her, although he had consentedthereto, yet was hee still provoked forward by vehement lust, when as hee sawhimselfe unable to bring his purpose to passe. Howbeit at length the thingwhich seemed so hard and difficill, thorough hope of his fortified love, didnow appeare easie and facill: but marke I pray you diligently to what end thefurious force of his inordinate desire came. On a day Lepolemus went to thechase with Thrasillus, to hunt for Goates, for his wife Charites desired himearnestly to meddle with no other beasts, which were of more fierce and wildenature. When they were come within the chase to a great thicket fortressedabout with bryers and thornes, they compassed round with their Dogs and besetevery place with nets: by and by warning was given to let loose. The Dogsrushed in with such a cry, that all the Forrest rang againe with the noyse, butbehold there leaped out no Goat, nor Deere, nor gentle Hinde, but an horribleand dangerous wild Boare, hard and thicke skinned, bristeled terribly withthornes, foming at the mouth, grinding his teeth, and looking direfully withfiery eyes. The Dogs that first set upon him, he tare and rent with his tuskes,and then he ranne quite through the nets, and escaped away. When wee saw thefury of this beast, wee were greatly striken with feare, and because wee neveraccustomed to chase such dreadfull Boares, and further because we were unarmedand without weapons, we got and hid our selves under bushes and trees. ThenThrasillus having found opportunity to worke his treason, said to Lepolemus:What stand we here amazed? Why show we our selves like dastards? Why leese weso worthy a prey with our feminine hearts? Let us mount upon our Horses, andpursue him incontinently: take you a hunting staffe, and I will take a chasingspeare. By and by they leaped upon their Horses, and followed the beast. Buthee returning against them with furious force, pryed with his eyes, on whom heemight first assayle with his tuskes: Lepolemus strooke the beast first on thebacke with his hunting staffe. Thrasillus faining to ayde and assist him, camebehind, and cut off the hinder legges of Lepolemus Horse, in such sort that heefell downe to the ground with his master: and sodainely the Boare came uponLepolemus and furiously tare and rent him with his teeth. Howbeit, Thrasilluswas not sufficed to see him thus wounded, but when he desired his friendlyhelp, he thrust Lepolemus through the right thigh with his speare, the morebecause he thought the wound of the speare would be taken for a wound of theBoars teeth, then he killed the beast likewise, And when he was thus miserablyslaine, every one of us came out of our holes, and went towards our slainemaster. But although that Thrasillus was joyfull of the death of Lepolemus,whom he did greatly hate, yet he cloked the matter with a sorrowfullcountenance, he fained a dolorous face, he often imbraced the body whichhimselfe slew, he played all the parts of a mourning person, saving there fellno teares from his eyes. Thus hee resembled us in each point, who verily andnot without occasion had cause to lament for our master, laying all the blameof this homicide unto the Boare. Incontinently after the sorrowfull newes ofthe death of Lepolemus, came to the eares of all the family, but especially toCharites, who after she had heard such pitifull tydings, as a mad and ragingwoman, ran up and down the streets, crying and howling lamentably. All theCitizens gathered together, and such as they met bare them company runningtowards the chasse. When they came to the slaine body of Lepolemus, Charitesthrew her selfe upon him weeping and lamenting grievously for his death, insuch sort, that she would have presently ended her life, upon the corps of herslaine husband, whom shee so entirely loved, had it not beene that her parentsand friends did comfort her, and pulled her away. The body was taken up, and infunerall pompe brought to the City and buried. In the meane season, Thrasillusfained much sorrow for the death of Lepolemus, but in his heart he was wellpleased and joyfull. And to counterfeit the matter, he would come to Charitesand say: O what a losse have I had of my friend, my fellow, my companionLepolemus? O Charites comfort your selfe, pacifie your dolour, refraine yourweeping, beat not your breasts: and with such other and like words and diversexamples he endeavoured to suppresse her great sorrow, but he spake not thisfor any other intent but to win the heart of the woman, and to nourish hisodious love with filthy delight. Howbeit Charites after the buriall of herhusband sought the meanes to follow him, and (not sustaining the sorrowswherein she was Wrapped) got her secretly into a chamber and purposed to finishher life there with dolour and tribulation. But Thrasillus was veryimportunate, and at length brought to passe, that at the intercession of theParents and friends of Charites, she somewhat refreshed her fallen members withrefection of meate and baine. Howbeit, she did it more at the commandement ofher Parents, then for any thing else: for she could in no wise be merry, norreceive any comfort, but tormented her selfe day and night before the Image ofher husband which she made like unto Bacchus, and rendred unto him divinehonours and services. In the meane season Thrasillus not able to refraine anylonger, before Charites had asswaged her dolor, before her troubled mind hadpacified her fury, even in the middle of all her griefes, while she tare herhaire and rent her garments, demanded her in marriage, and so without shame, hedetected the secrets and unspeakeable deceipts of his heart. But Charitesdetested and abhorred his demand, and as she had beene stroken with some clapof thunder, with some storme, or with the lightning of Jupiter, she presentlyfell downe to the ground all amazed. Howbeit when her spirits were revived andthat she returned to her selfe, perceiving that Thrasillus was so importunate,she demanded respite to deliberate and to take advise on the matter. In themeane season, the shape of Lepolemus that was slaine so miserably, appeared toCharites saying, O my sweet wife (which no other person can say but I) I praythee for the love which is betweene us two, if there be any memorie of me inthy heart, or remembrance of my pittifull death, marry with any other person,so that thou marry not with the traitour Thrasillus, have no conference withhim, eate not with him, lie not with him, avoid the bloudie hand of mineenemie, couple not thy selfe with a paricide, for those wounds (the bloudwhereof thy teares did wash away) were not the wounds of the teeth of theBoare, but the speare of Thrasillus, that deprived me from thee. Thus spakeLepolemus, unto his loving wife, and declared the residue of the damnable fact.Then Charites, awaking from sleepe, began to renew her dolour, to teare hergarments, and to beate her armes with her comely hands, howbeit she revealedthe vision which she saw to no manner of person, but dissimuling that she knewno part of the mischiefe, devised with her selfe how she might be revenged onthe traitor, and finish her owne life to end and knit up all sorrow.Incontinently came Thrasillus, the detestable demander of sodaine pleasure, andwearied the closed eares of Charites with talke of marriage, but she gentlyrefused his communication, and coloring the matter, with passing craft in themiddest of his earnest desires gan say, Thrasillus you shall understand thatyet the face of your brother and my husband, is alwayes before mine eies, Ismell yet the Cinamon sent of his pretious body, I yet feele Lepolemus alive inmy heart: wherefore you shall do well if you grant to me miserable woman,necessarie time to bewaile his death, that after the residue of a few months,the whole yeare may be expired, which thing toucheth as well my shame as yourwholsome profit, lest peradventure by your speed and quicke marriage we shouldjustly raise and provoke the spirit of my husband to worke our destruction.Howbeit, Thrasillus was not contented with this promise, but more and more cameupon her: Insomuch, that she was enforced to speake to him in this manner: Myfriend Thrasillus, if thou be so contented untill the whole yeare be compleateand finished, behold here is my bodie, take thy pleasure, but in such sort andso secret that no servant of the house may perceive it. Then Thrasillustrusting to the false promises of the woman, and preferring his inordinatepleasure above all things in the world, was joyfull in his heart and looked fornight, when as he might have his purpose. But come thou about midnight (quothCharites) disguised without companie, and doe but hisse at my chamber doore,and my nourse shall attend and let thee in. This counsell pleased Thrasillusmarveilously, who (suspecting no harme) did alwaies looke for night, and thehoure assigned by Charites. The time was scarce come, when as (according to hercommandement) he disguised himselfe, and went straight to the chamber, where hefound the nourse attending for him, who (by the appointment of her Mistresse)fed him with flattering talke, and gave him mingled and doled drinke in a cup,excusing the absence of her Mistresse Charites, by reason that she attended onher Father being sick, untill such time, that with sweet talke and operation ofthe wine, he fell in a sound sleepe: Now when he lay prostrate on the groundreadie to all adventure, Charites (being called for) came in, and with manlycourage and bold force stood over the sleeping murderer, saying: Behold thefaithfull companion of my husband, behold this valiant hunter; behold me deerespouse, this is the hand which shed my bloud, this is the heart which hathdevised so many subtill meanes to worke my destruction, these be the eies whomI have ill pleased, behold now they foreshew their owne destinie: sleepecarelesse, dreame that thou art in the hands of the mercifull, for I will nothurt thee with thy sword or any other weapon: God forbid that I should slaythee as thou slewest my husband, but thy eies shall faile thee, and thou shaltsee no more, then that whereof thou dreamest: Thou shalt thinke the death ofthine enemie more sweet then thy life: Thou shalt see no light, thou shaltlacke the aide of a leader, thou shalt not have me as thou hopest, thou shalthave no delight of my marriage, thou shalt not die, and yet living thou shalthave no joy, but wander betweene light and darknesse as an unsure Image: thoushalt seeke for the hand that pricked out thine eies, yet shalt thou not knowof whom thou shouldest complaine: I will make sacrifice with the bloud of thineeies upon the grave of my husband. But what gainest thou through my delay?Perhaps thou dreamest that thou embracest me in thy armes: leave off thedarknesse of sleepe and awake thou to receive a penall deprivation of thysight, lift up thy face, regard thy vengeance and evill fortune, reckon thymiserie; so pleaseth thine eies to a chast woman, that thou shall haveblindnesse to thy companion, and an everlasting remorse of thy miserableconscience. When she had spoken these words, she tooke a great needle from herhead and pricked out both his eies: which done, she by and by caught the nakedsword which her husband Lepolemus accustomed to weare, and ranne throughout allthe Citie like a mad woman towards the Sepulchre of her husband. Then all we ofthe house, with all the Citizens, ranne incontinently after her to take thesword out of her hand, but she clasping about the tombe of Lepolemus, kept usoff with her naked weapon, and when she perceived that every one of us wept andlamented, she spake in this sort: I pray you my friends weepe not, nor lamentfor me, for I have revenged the death of my husband, I have punished deservedlythe wicked breaker of our marriage; now is it time to seeke out my sweetLepolemus, and presently with this sword to finish my life. And therewithallafter she had made relation of the whole matter, declared the vision which shesaw and told by what meane she deceived Thrasillus, thrusting her sword underher right brest, and wallowing in her owne bloud, at length with manly courageyeelded up the Ghost. Then immediately the friends of miserable Charites didbury her body within the same Sepulchre. Thrasillus hearing all the matter, andknowing not by what meanes he might end his life, for he thought his sword wasnot sufficient to revenge so great a crime, at length went to the sameSepulchre, and cryed with a lowd voice, saying: o yee dead spirites whom I haveso highly and greatly offended, vouchsafe to receive me, behold I makeSacrifice unto you with my whole body: which said, hee closed the Sepulchre,purposing to famish himselfe, and to finish his life there in sorrow. Thesethings the young man with pitifull sighes and teares, declared unto theCowheards and Shepheards, which caused them all to weepe: but they fearing tobecome subject unto new masters, prepared themselves to depart away.

THE THIRTY-THIRD CHAPTER

How Apuleius was lead away by the Horsekeeper: and what danger he was in.

By and by the Horsekeeper, to whom the charge of me was committed, broughtforth all his substance, and laded me and other Horses withall, and so departedthence: we bare women, children, pullets, sparrowes, kiddes, whelpes, and otherthings which were not able to keepe pace with us, and that which I bare upon mybacke, although it was a mighty burthen, yet seemed it very light because I wasdriven away from him that most terribly had appointed to kill me. When we hadpassed over a great mountaine full of trees, and were come againe into the openfields, behold we approached nigh to a faire and rich Castell, where it wastold unto us that we were not able to passe in our journey that night, byreason of the great number of terrible Wolves which were in the Country about,so fierce and cruell that they put every man in feare, in such sort that theywould invade and set upon such which passed by like theeves, and devoure boththem and their beasts. Moreover, we were advertised that there lay in the waywhere we should passe, many dead bodies eaten and torne with wolves. Whereforewe were willed to stay there all night, and on the next morning, to goe closeand round together, whereby we might passe and escape all dangers. But(notwithstanding this good counsell) our caitife drivers were so covetous togoe forward, and so fearefull of pursuite, that they never stayed till themorning: But being welnigh midnight, they made us trudge in our way apace. ThenI fearing the great danger which might happen, ran amongst the middle of theother Horses, to the end I might defend and save my poore buttocks from theWolves, whereat every man much marvelled to see, that I scowred away swifterthen the other Horses. But such was my agility, not to get me any prayse, butrather for feare: at that time I remembered with my selfe, that the valiantHorse Pegasus did fly in the ayre more to avoyd the danger of dreadful Chimera,then for any thing else. The shepheards which drave us before them were wellarmed like warriours: one had a speare, another had a sheepehooke, some haddarts, some clubbes, some gathered up great stones, some held up their sharpJavelings, and some feared away the Woolves with light firebrands. Finally weelacked nothing to make up an Army, but onely Drummes and Trumpets. But when wehad passed these dangers, not without small feare, wee fortuned to fall intoworse, for the Woolves came not upon us, either because of the great multitudeof our company, or else because [of] our firebrands, or peradventure they weregone to some other place, for wee could see none, but the Inhabitants of thenext villages (supposing that wee were Theeves by reason of the greatmultitude) for the defence of their owne substance, and for the feare that theywere in, set great and mighty masties upon us, which they had kept andnourished for the safety of their houses, who compassing us round about leapedon every side, tearing us with their teeth, in such sort that they pulled manyof us to the ground: verily it was a pittifull sight to see so many Dogs, somefollowing such as flyed, some invading such as stood still, some tearing thosewhich lay prostrate, but generally there were none which escaped cleare: Beholdupon this another danger ensued, the Inhabitants of the Towne stood in theirgarrets and windowes, throwing great stones upon our heads, that wee could nottell whether it were best for us to avoyd the gaping mouthes of the Dogges athand or the perill of the stones afarre, amongst whome there was one thathurled a great flint upon a woman, which sate upon my backe, who cryed outpitiously, desiring her husband to helpe her. Then he (comming to succour andayd his wife) beganne to speake in this sort: Alas masters, what mean you totrouble us poore labouring men so cruelly? What meane you to revenge yourselves upon us, that doe you no harme? What thinke you to gaine by us? Youdwell not in Caves or Dennes: you are no people barbarous, that you shoulddelight in effusion of humane blood. At these words the tempest of stones didcease, and the storme of the Dogges vanished away. Then one (standing on thetoppe of a great Cypresse tree) spake unto us saying: Thinke you not mastersthat we doe this to the intent to rifle or take away any of your goods, but forthe safeguard of our selves and family: now a Gods name you may depart away. Sowe went forward, some wounded with stones, some bitten with Dogs, but generallythere was none which escaped free.

THE THIRTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

How the shepheards determined to abide in a certaine wood to cure their wounds.

When we had gone a good part of our way, we came to a certaine wood invironedwith great trees and compassed about with pleasant meddowes, whereas theShepheards appointed to continue a certaine space to cure their wounds andsores; then they sate downe on the ground to refresh their wearie minds, andafterwards they sought for medicines, to heale their bodies: some washed awaytheir blood with the water of the running River: some stopped their wounds withSpunges and cloutes, in this manner every one provided for his owne safety. Inthe meane season wee perceived an old man, who seemed to be a Shepheard, byreason of the Goates and Sheep that fed round about him. Then one of ourcompany demanded whether he had any milke, butter, or cheese to sell. To whomhe made answere saying: Doe you looke for any meate or drinke, or any otherrefection here? Know you not in what place you be?

And therewithall he tooke his sheepe and drave them away as fast as he mightpossible. This answere made our shepheards greatly to feare, that they thoughtof nothing else, but to enquire what Country they were in: Howbeit they saw nomanner of person of whom they might demand. At length as they were thus indoubt, they perceived another old man with a staffe in his hand very weary withtravell, who approaching nigh to our company, began to weepe and complainesaying: Alas masters I pray you succour me miserable caitife, and restore mynephew to me againe, that by following a sparrow that flew before him, isfallen into a ditch hereby, and verily I thinke he is in danger of death. Asfor me, I am not able to helpe him out by reason of mine old age, but you thatare so valiant and lusty may easily helpe me herein, and deliver me my boy, myheire and guide of my life. These words made us all to pity him. And then theyoungest and stoutest of our company, who alone escaped best the late skirmishof Dogges and stones, rose up and demanded in what ditch the boy was fallen:Mary (quod he) yonder, and pointed with his finger, and brought him to a greatthicket of bushes and thornes where they both entred in. In the meane season,after we cured our wounds, we tooke up our packs, purposing to depart away. Andbecause we would not goe away without the young man our fellow: The shepheardswhistled and called for him, but when he gave no answer, they sent one out oftheir company to seeke him out, who after a while returned againe with a paleface and sorrowfull newes, saying that he saw a terrible Dragon eating anddevouring their companion: and as for the old man, hee could see him in noplace. When they heard this, (remembring likewise the words of the first oldman that shaked his head, and drave away his sheep) they ran away beating usbefore them, to fly from this desart and pestilent Country.

THE THIRTY-FIFTH CHAPTER

How a woman killed her selfe and her child, because her husband hauntedharlots.

After that we had passed a great part of our journey, we came to a villagewhere we lay all night, but harken, and I will tell you what mischiefe happenedthere: you shall understand there was a servant to whom his Master hadcommitted the whole government of his house, and was Master of the lodgingwhere we lay: this servant had married a Maiden of the same house, howbeit hewas greatly in love with a harlot of the towne, and accustomed to resort untoher, wherewith his wife was so highly displeased and became so jealous, thatshe gathered together all her husbands substance, with his tales and books ofaccount, and threw them into a light fire: she was not contented with this, butshe tooke a cord and bound her child which she had by her husband, about hermiddle and cast her selfe headlong into a deepe pit. The Master taking in evillpart the death of these twaine, tooke his servant which was the cause of thismurther by his luxurie, and first after that he had put off all his apparell,he annointed his body with honey, and then bound him sure to a fig-tree, wherein a rotten stocke a great number of Pismares had builded their neasts, thePismares after they had felt the sweetnesse of the honey came upon his body,and by little and little (in continuance of time) devoured all his flesh, insuch sort, that there remained on the tree but his bare bones: this wasdeclared unto us by the inhabitants of the village there, who greatly sorrowedfor the death of this servant: then we avoiding likewise from this dreadfulllodging incontinently departed away.

THE THIRTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was cheapned by divers persons, and how they looked in his mouthto know his age.

After this we came to a faire Citie very populous, where our shepheardsdetermined to continue, by reason that it seemed a place where they might liveunknowne, far from such as should pursue them, and because it was a countreyvery plentifull of corne and other victuals, where when we had remained thespace of three dayes, and that I poore Asse and the other horses were fed andkept in the stable to the intent we might seeme more saleable, we were broughtout at length to the market, and by and by a crier sounded with his horne tonotifie that we were to be sold: all my companion horses were bought up byGentlemen, but as for me I stood still forsaken of all men. And when manybuiers came by and looked in my mouth to know mine age, I was so weary withopening my jawes that at length (unable to endure any longer) when one camewith a stinking paire of hands and grated my gummes with his filthy fingers, Ibit them cleane off, which thing caused the standers by to forsake me as beinga fierce and cruell beast: the crier when he had gotten a hoarse voice withcrying, and saw that no man would buy me, began to mocke me saying, To what endstand we here with this wilde Asse, this feeble beast, this slow jade withworne hooves, good for nothing but to make sives of his skin? Why do we notgive him to some body for he earneth not his hay? In this manner he made allthe standers by to laugh exceedingly, but my evill fortune which was ever socruell against me, whom I by travell of so many countreys could in no wiseescape, did more and more envie me, with invention of new meanes to afflict mypoore body in giving me a new Master as spitefull as the rest. There was an oldman somewhat bald, with long and gray haire, one of the number of those that gofrom door to door, throughout all the villages, bearing the Image of thegoddesse Syria, and playing with Cimbals to get the almes of good andcharitable folks, this old man came hastely towards the cryer, and demandedwhere I was bred: Marry (quoth he) in Cappadocia: Then he enquired what age Iwas of, the cryer answered as a Mathematician, which disposed to me my Planets,that I was five yeares old, and willed the old man to looke in my mouth: For Iwould not willingly (quoth he) incur the penalty of the law Cornelia, inselling a free Citizen for a servile slave, buy a Gods name this faire beast toride home on, and about in the countrey: But this curious buier did never stintto question of my qualities, and at length he demanded whether I were gentle orno: Gentle (quoth the crier) as gentle as a Lambe, tractable to all use, hewill never bite, he will never kicke, but you would rather thinke that underthe shape of an Asse there were some well advised man, which verely you mayeasily conject, for if you would thrust your nose in his taile you shallperceive how patient he is: Thus the cryer mocked the old man, but heperceiving his taunts and jests, waxed very angry saying, Away doting cryer, Ipray the omnipotent and omniparent goddesse Syria, Saint Sabod, Bellona, withher mother Idea, and Venus, with Adonis, to strike out both thine eies, thatwith taunting mocks hast scoffed me in this sort: Dost thou thinke that I willput a goddesse upon the backe of any fierce beast, whereby her divine Imageshould be throwne downe on the ground, and so I poore miser should be compelled(tearing my haire) to looke for some Physition to helpe her? When I heard himspeake thus, I thought with my selfe sodainly to leap upon him like a mad Asse,to the intent he should not buy me, but incontinently there came anotherMarchant that prevented my thought, and offered 17 Pence for me, then my Masterwas glad and received the money, and delivered me to my new Master who wascalled Phelibus, and he caried his new servant home, and before he came to hishouse, he called out his daughters saying, Behold my daughters, what a gentleservant I have bought for you: then they were marvailous glad, and comming outpratling and shouting for joy, thought verely that he had brought home a fitand conveniable servant for their purpose, but when they perceived that it wasan Asse, they began to provoke him, saying that he had not bought a servant forhis Maidens, but rather an Asse for himselfe. Howbeit (quoth they) keepe himnot wholly for your owne riding, but let us likewise have him at commandement.Therewithall they led me into the stable, and tied me to the manger: there wasa certaine yong man with a mighty body, wel skilled in playing on instrumentsbefore the gods to get money, who (as soone as he had espied me) entertained meverie well, for he filled my racke and maunger full of meat, and spake merrilysaying, O master Asse, you are very welcome, now you shall take my office inhand, you are come to supply my roome, and to ease me of my miserable labour:but I pray God thou maist long live and please my Master well, to the end thoumaist continually deliver me from so great paine. When I heard these words Idid prognosticate my miserie to come.

The day following I saw there a great number of persons apparelled in diverscolours, having painted faces, mitres on their heads, vestiments coloured likesaffron, Surplesses of silke, and on their feet yellow shooes, who attired thegoddesse in a robe of Purple, and put her upon my backe. Then they went forthwith their armes naked to their shoulders, bearing with them great swords andmightie axes, and dancing like mad persons. After that we had passed many smallvillages, we fortuned to come to one Britunis house, where at our first entriethey began to hurle themselves hither and thither, as though they were mad.They made a thousand gestures with their feete and their hands, they would bitethemselves, finally, every one tooke his weapon and wounded his armes in diversplaces.

Amongst whom there was one more mad then the rest, that let many deepe sighesfrom the bottome of his heart, as though he had beene ravished in spirite, orreplenished with divine power. And after that, he somewhat returning tohimselfe, invented and forged a great lye, saying, that he had displeased thedivine majesty of the goddesse, by doing of some thing which was not convenableto the order of their holy religion, wherefore he would doe vengeance ofhimselfe: and therewithall he tooke a whip, and scourged his owne body, thatthe bloud issued out aboundantly, which thing caused me greatly to feare, tosee such wounds and effusion of bloud, least the same goddesse desiring so muchthe bloud of men, should likewise desire the bloud of an Asse. After they werewearie with hurling and beating themselves, they sate downe, and behold, theinhabitants came in, and offered gold, silver, vessels of wine, milke, cheese,flower, wheate and other things: amongst whom there was one, that brought barlyto the Asse that carried the goddesse, but the greedie whoresons thrust allinto their sacke, which they brought for the purpose and put it upon my backe,to the end I might serve for two purposes, that is to say, for the barne byreason of my corne, and for the Temple by reason of the goddesse. In this sort,they went from place to place, robbing all the Countrey over. At length theycame to a certaine Castle where under colour of divination, they brought topasse that they obtained a fat sheepe of a poore husbandman for the goddessesupper and to make sacrifice withall. After that the banket was prepared, theywashed their bodies, and brought in a tall young man of the village, to supwith them, who had scarce tasted a few pottage, when hee began to discovertheir beastly customes and inordinate desire of luxury. For they compassed himround about, sitting at the table, and abused the young man, contrary to allnature and reason. When I beheld this horrible fact, I could not but attempt toutter my mind and say, O masters, but I could pronounce no more but the firstletter O, which I roared out so valiantly, that the young men of the towneseeking for a straie Asse, that they had lost the same night, and hearing myvoice, whereby they judged that I had beene theirs, entred into the houseunwares, and found these persons committing their vile abhomination, which whenthey saw, they declared to all the inhabitants by, their unnatural villany,mocking and laughing at this the pure and cleane chastity of their religion. Inthe meane season, Phelibus and his company, (by reason of the bruit which wasdispersed throughout all the region there of their beastly wickednesse) put alltheir trumpery upon my backe, and departed away about midnight. When we hadpassed a great part of our journey, before the rising of the Sun, we came intoa wild desart, where they conspired together to slay me. For after they hadtaken the goddesse from my backe and set her gingerly upon the ground, theylikewise tooke off my harnesse, and bound me surely to an Oake, beating me withtheir whip, in such sort that all my body was mortified. Amongst whom there wasone that threatened to cut off my legs with his hatchet, because by my noyse Idiffamed his chastity, but the other regarding more their owne profit than myutility, thought best to spare my life, because I might carry home thegoddesse. So they laded me againe, driving me before them with their nakedswords, till they came to a noble City: where the principall Patrone bearinghigh reverence unto the goddesse, Came in great devotion before us withTympany, Cymbals, and other instruments, and received her, and all our companywith much sacrifice and veneration. But there I remember, I thought my selfe inmost danger, for there was one that brought to the Master of the house, a sideof a fat Bucke for a present, which being hanged behind the kitchin doore, notfar from the ground, was cleane eaten up by a gray hound, that came in. TheCooke when he saw the Venison devoured, lamented and wept pitifully. Andbecause supper time approached nigh, when as he should be reproved of too muchnegligence, he tooke a halter to hang himselfe: but his wife perceivingwhereabout he went, ran incontinently to him, and taking the halter in both herhands, stopped him of his purpose, saying, O husband, are you out of yourwrits? pray husband follow my counsel, cary this strange Asse out into somesecret place and kill him, which done, cut off one of his sides, and sawce itwell like the side of the Bucke, and set it before your Master. Then the Cookehearing the counsell of his wife, was well pleased to slay me to save himselfe:and so he went to the whetstone, to sharpe his tooles accordingly.

THE NINTH BOOKE

THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius saved himselfe from the Cooke, breaking his halter, and of otherthings that happened.

In this manner the traiterous Cooke prepared himselfe to slay me: and when hewas ready with his knives to doe his feat, I devised with my selfe how I mightescape the present perill, and I did not long delay: for incontinently I brakethe halter wherewith I was tied, and flinging my heeles hither and thither tosave my selfe, at length I ran hastily into a Parlour, where the Master of thehouse was feasting with the Priests of the goddesse Syria, and disquieted allthe company, throwing downe their meats and drinks from the table. The Masterof the house dismayed at my great disorder, commanded one of his servants totake me up, and locke me in some strong place, to the end I might disturb themno more. But I little regarded my imprisonment, considering that I was happilydelivered from the hands of the traiterous Cooke. Howbeit fortune, or thefatall disposition of the divine providence, which neither can be avoided bywise counsell, neither yet by any wholesome remedie, invented a new torment,for by and by a young ladde came running into the Parlour all trembling, anddeclared to the Master of the house, that there was a madde Dog running aboutin the streetes, which had done much harme, for he had bitten many grey houndsand horses in the Inne by: And he spared neither man nor beast. For there wasone Mitilius a Mulettour, Epheseus, a Cooke, Hyppanius a chamberlaine, andAppolonius a Physition, who (thinking to chase away the madde Dogge) werecruelly wounded by him, insomuch that many Horses and other beasts infectedwith the venyme of his poysonous teeth became madde likewise. Which thingcaused them all at the table greatly to feare, and thinking that I had beenebitten in like sort, came out with speares, Clubs, and Pitchforks purposing toslay me, and I had undoubtedly beene slaine, had I not by and by crept into theChamber, where my Master intended to lodge all night. Then they closed andlocked fast the doores about me, and kept the chamber round, till such time asthey thought that the pestilent rage of madnesse had killed me. When I was thusshutte in the chamber alone, I laid me downe upon the bed to sleepe,considering it was long time past, since I lay and tooke my rest as a man doth.When morning was come, and that I was well reposed, I rose up lustily. In themeane season, they which were appointed to watch about the chamber all night,reasoned with themselves in this sort, Verely (quoth one) I think that thisrude Asse be dead. So think I (quoth another) for the outragious poyson ofmadness hath killed him, but being thus in divers opinions of a poore Ass, theylooked through a crevis, and espied me standing still, sober and quiet in themiddle of the chamber; then they opened the doores, and came towards me, toprove whether I were gentle or no. Amongst whom there was one, which in myopinion, was sent from Heaven to save my life, that willed the other to set abason of faire water before me, and thereby they would know whether I were mador no, for if I did drinke without feare as I accustomed to do, it was a signethat I was whole, and in mine Assie wits, where contrary if I did flie andabhorre the tast of the water, it was evident proofe of my madness, which thinghe said that he had read in ancient and credible books, whereupon they tooke abason of cleere water, and presented it before me: but I as soone as Iperceived the wholesome water of my life, ran incontinently, thrusting my headinto the bason, drank as though I had beene greatly athirst; then they strokedme with their hands, and bowed mine eares, and tooke me by the halter, to provemy patience, but I taking each thing in good part, disproved their madpresumption, by my meeke and gentle behaviour: when I was thus delivered fromthis double danger, the next day I was laded againe with the goddesse Siria,and other trumpery, and was brought into the way with Trumpets and Cymbals tobeg in the villages which we passed by according to our custome. And after thatwe had gone through a few towns and Castles, we fortuned to come to a certainevillage, which was builded (as the inhabitants there affirme) upon thefoundation of a famous ancient Citie. And after that we had turned into thenext Inne, we heard of a prettie jest committed in the towne there, which Iwould that you should know likewise.

THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER

Of the deceipt of a Woman which made her husband Cuckold.

There was a man dwelling in the towne very poore, that had nothing but thatwhich he got by the labour and travell of his hands: his wife was a faire youngwoman, but very lascivious, and given to the appetite and desire of the flesh.It fortuned on a day, that while this poore man was gone betimes in the morningto the field about his businesse, according as he accustomed to doe, his wiveslover secretly came into his house to have his pleasure with her. And so itchanced that during the time that shee and he were basking together, herhusband suspecting no such matter, returned home praising the chast continencyof his wife, in that hee found his doores fast closed, wherefore as his customewas, he whistled to declare his comming. Then his crafty wife ready withshifts, caught her lover and covered him under a great tub standing in acorner, and therewithall she opened the doore, blaming her husband in thissort: Commest thou home every day with empty hands, and bringest nothing tomaintaine our house? thou hast no regard for our profit, neither providest forany meate or drinke, whereas I poore wretch doe nothing day and night butoccupie my selfe with spinning, and yet my travell will scarce find the Candelswhich we spend. O how much more happy is my neighbour Daphne, that eateth anddrinketh at her pleasure and passeth the time with her amorous lovers accordingto her desire. What is the matter (quoth her husband) though Our Master hathmade holiday at the fields, yet thinke not but I have made provision for oursupper; doest thou not see this tub that keepeth a place here in our house invaine, and doth us no service? Behold I have sold it to a good fellow (that ishere present) for five pence, wherefore I pray thee lend me thy hand, that Imay deliver him the tub. His wife (having invented a present shift) laughed onher husband, saying: What marchant I pray you have you brought home hither, tofetch away my tub for five pence, for which I poore woman that sit all dayalone in my house have beene proffered so often seaven: her husband being wellapayed of her words demanded what he was that had bought the tub: Looke (quothshe) he is gone under, to see where it be sound or no: then her lover which wasunder the tub, began to stirre and rustle himselfe, and because his words mightagree to the words of the woman, he sayd: Dame will you have me tell the truth,this tub is rotten and crackt as me seemeth on every side. And then turning toher husband sayd: I pray you honest man light a Candle, that I may make cleanethe tub within, to see if it be for my purpose or no, for I doe not mind tocast away my money wilfully: he by and by (being made a very Oxe) lighted acandle, saying, I pray you good brother put not your selfe to so much paine,let me make the tub cleane and ready for you. Whereupon he put off his coate,and crept under the tub to rub away the filth from the sides. In the meaneseason this minion lover cast his wife on the bottome of the tub and had hispleasure with her over his head, and as he was in the middest of his pastime,hee turned his head on this side and that side, finding fault with this andwith that, till as they had both ended their businesse, when as he deliveredseaven pence for the tub, and caused the good man himselfe to carry it on hisbacke againe to his Inne.

THE THIRTY-NINTH CHAPTER

How the Priests of the goddesse Siria were taken and put in prison, and howApuleius was sold to a Baker.

After that we had tarried there a few dayes at the cost and charges of thewhole Village, and had gotten much mony by our divination and prognosticationof things to come: The priests of the goddesse Siria invented a new meanes topicke mens purses, for they had certaine lotts, whereon were written:

Coniuncti terram proscindunt boves ut in futurum loeta germinent sata

That is to say: The Oxen tied and yoked together, doe till the ground to theintent it may bring forth his increase: and by these kind of lottes theydeceive many of the simple sort, for if one had demanded whether he should havea good wife or no, they would say that his lot did testifie the same, that heshould be tyed and yoked to a good woman and have increase of children. If onedemanded whether he should buy lands and possession, they said that he shouldhave much ground that should yeeld his increase. If one demanded whether heshould have a good and prosperous voyage, they said he should have goodsuccesse, and it should be for the increase of his profit. If one demandedwhether hee should vanquish his enemies, and prevaile in pursuite of theeves,they said that this enemy should be tyed and yoked to him: and his pursuitsafter theeves should be prosperous. Thus by the telling of fortunes, theygathered a great quantity of money, but when they were weary with giving ofanswers, they drave me away before them next night, through a lane which wasmore dangerous and stony then the way which we went the night before, for onthe one side were quagmires and foggy marshes, on the other side were fallingtrenches and ditches, whereby my legges failed me, in such sort that I couldscarce come to the plaine field pathes. And behold by and by a great company ofinhabitants of the towne armed with weapons and on horsebacke overtooke us, andincontinently arresting Philebus and his Priests, tied them by the necks andbeate them cruelly, calling them theeves and robbers, and after they hadmanacled their hands: Shew us (quoth they) the cup of gold, which (under thecolour of your solemne religion) ye have taken away, and now ye thinke toescape in the night without punishment for your fact. By and by one cametowards me, and thrusting his hand into the bosome of the goddesse Siria,brought out the cup which they had stole. Howbeit for all they appeared evidentand plaine they would not be confounded nor abashed, but jesting and laughingout the matter, gan say: Is it reason masters that you should thus rigorouslyintreat us, and threaten for a small trifling cup, which the mother of theGoddesse determined to give to her sister for a present? Howbeit for all theirlyes and cavellations, they were carryed backe unto the towne, and put inprison by the Inhabitants, who taking the cup of gold, and the goddesse which Ibare, did put and consecrate them amongst the treasure of the temple. The nextday I was carryed to the market to be sold, and my price was set at seavenpence more then Philebus gave for me. There fortuned to passe by a Baker of thenext village, who after that he had bought a great deale of corne, bought melikewise to carry it home, and when he had well laded me therewith, be drave methrough a thorny and dangerous way to his bake house; there I saw a greatcompany of horses that went in the mill day and night grinding of corne, butlest I should be discouraged at the first, my master entertained me well, forthe first day I did nothing but fare daintily, howbeit such mine ease andfelicity did not long endure, for the next day following I was tyed to the millbetimes in the morning with my face covered, to the end in turning amid windingso often one way, I should not become giddy, but keepe a certaine course, butalthough when I was a man I had seen many such horsemills and knew well enoughhow they should be turned, yet feining my selfe ignorant of such kind of toile,I stood still and would not goe, whereby I thought I should be taken from themill as an Asse unapt, and put to some other light thing, or else to be driveninto the fields to pasture, but my subtility did me small good, for by and bywhen the mill stood still, the servants came about me, crying and beating meforward, in such sort that I could not stay to advise my selfe, whereby all thecompany laughed to see so suddaine a change. When a good part of the day waspast, that I was not able to endure any longer, they tooke off my harnesse, andtied me to the manger, but although my bones were weary, and that I needed torefresh my selfe with rest and provender, yet I was so curious that I didgreatly delight to behold the bakers art, insomuch that I could not eate nordrinke while I looked on.

O good Lord what a sort of poore slaves were there; some had their skinneblacke and blew, some had their backes striped with lashes, some were coveredwith rugged sackes, some had their members onely hidden: some wore such raggedclouts, that you might perceive all their naked bodies, some were marked andburned in the heads with hot yrons, some had their haire halfe clipped, somehad lockes of their legges, some very ugly and evill favoured, that they couldscarce see, their eyes and face were so blacke and dimme with smoake, likethose that fight in the sands, and know not where they strike by reason ofdust: And some had their faces all mealy. But how should I speake of the horsesmy companions, how they being old and weake, thrust their heads into themanger: they had their neckes all wounded and worne away: they rated theirnosethrilles with a continuall cough, their sides were bare with their harnesseand great travell, their ribs were broken with beating, their hooves werebattered broad with incessant labour, and their skinne rugged by reason oftheir lancknesse. When I saw this dreadfull sight, I began to feare, least Ishould come to the like state: and considering with my selfe the good fortunewhich I was sometime in when I was a man, I greatly lamented, holding downe myhead, and would eate no meate, but I saw no comfort or consolation of my evillfortune, saving that my mind was somewhat recreated to heare and understandwhat every man said, for they neither feared nor doubted my presence. At thattime I remembred how Homer the divine author of ancient Poetry, described himto be a wise man, which had travelled divers countries and nations, wherefore Igave great thanks to my Asse for me, in that by this meanes I had seene theexperience of many things, and was become more wise (notwithstanding the greatmisery and labour which I daily sustained): but I will tell you a pretty jest,which commeth now to my remembrance, to the intent your eares may be delightedin hearing the same.

THE FORTIETH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was handled by the Bakers wife, which was a harlot.

The Baker which bought me was an honest and sober man; but his wife was themost pestilent woman in all the world, insomuch that he endured many miseriesand afflictions with her, so that I my selfe did secretly pitty his estate, andbewaile his evill fortune: for she had not one fault alone, but all themischiefes that could be devised: shee was crabbed, cruell, lascivious,drunken, obstinate, niggish, covetous, riotous in filthy expenses, and an enemyto faith and chastity, a despise of all the Gods, whom other did honour, onethat affirmed that she had a God by her selfe, wherby she deceived all men, butespecially her poore husband, one that abandoned her body with continuallwhoredome. This mischievous queane hated me in such sort, that shee commandedevery day before she was up, that I should be put into the mill to grind: andthe first thing which she would doe in the morning, was to see me cruellybeaten, and that I should grind when the other beasts did feed and take rest.When I saw that I was so cruelly handled, she gave me occasion to learne herconversation and life, for I saw oftentimes a yong man which would privily goeinto her chamber whose face I did greatly desire to see, but I could not byreason mine eyes were covered every day. And verily if I had beene free and atliberty, I would have discovered all her abhomination. She had an old woman, abawd, a messenger of mischiefe that daily haunted to her house, and made goodcheere with her to the utter undoing and impoverishment of her husband, but Ithat was greatly offended with the negligence of Fotis, who made me an Asse, instead of a Bird, did yet comfort my selfe by this onely meane, in that to themiserable deformity of my shape, I had long eares, whereby I might heare allthings that was done: On a day I heard the old bawd say to the Bakers wife:

Dame you have chosen (without my counsell) a young man to your lover, who as meseemeth, is dull, fearefull, without any grace, and dastard-like coucheth atthe frowning looke of your odious husband, whereby you have no delight norpleasure with him: how farre better is the young man Philesiterus who iscomely, beautifull, in the flower of his youth, liberall, courteous, valiantand stout against the diligent pries and watches of your husband, whereby toembrace the worthiest dames of this country, and worthy to weare a crowne ofgold, for one part that he played to one that was jealous over his wife.Hearken how it was and then judge the diversity of these two Lovers: Know younot one Barbarus a Senator of our towne, whom the vulgar people call likewiseScorpion for his severity of manners? This Barbarus had a gentlewoman to hiswife, whom he caused daily to be enclosed within his house, with diligentcustody. Then the Bakers wife said, I know her very well, for we two dwellethtogether in one house: Then you know (quoth the old woman) the whole tale ofPhilesiterus? No verily (said she) but I greatly desire to know it: therefore Ipray you mother tell me the whole story. By and by the old woman which knewwell to babble, began to tell as followeth.

THE FORTY-FIRST CHAPTER

How Barbarus being jealous over his wife, commanded that shee should be keptclose in his house, and what happened.

You shall understand that on a day this Barbarus preparing himselfe to rideabroad, and willing to keepe the chastity of his wife (whom he so well loved)alone to himselfe, called his man Myrmex (whose faith he had tryed and provedin many things) and secretly committed to him the custody of his wife, willinghim that he should threaten, that if any man did but touch her with his fingeras he passed by, he would not onely put him in prison, and bind him hand andfoote, but also cause him to be put to death, or else to be famished for lackeof sustenance, which words he confirmed by an oath of all the Gods in heaven,and so departed away: When Barbarus was gone, Myrmex being greatly astonied ofhis masters threatnings, would not suffer his mistresse to goe abroad, but asshe sate all day a Spinning, he was so carefull that he sate by her; when nightcame he went with her to the baines, holding her by the garment, so faithfullhe was to fulfill the commandement of his master: Howbeit the beauty of thismatron could not be hidden from the burning eyes of Philesiterus, whoconsidering her great chastity and how she was diligently kept by Myrmex,thought it impossible to have his purpose, yet (indeavouring by all kind ofmeanes to enterprise the matter, and remembring the fragility of man, thatmight be intised and corrupted with money, since as by gold the adamant gatesmay be opened) on a day, when he found Myrmex alone, he discovered his love,desiring him to shew his favour, (otherwise he should certainly dye) withassurance that he need not to feare when as he might privily be let in and outin the night, without knowledge of any person. When he thought, with these andother gentle words to allure and prick forward the obstinate mind of Myrmex heshewed him glittering gold in his hand, saying that he would give his mistressetwenty crowns and him ten, but Myrmex hearing these words, was greatlytroubled, abhorring in his mind to commit such a mischiefe: wherfore he stoppedhis eares, and turning his head departed away: howbeit the glittering view ofthese crownes could never be out of his mind, but being at home he seemed tosee the money before his eyes, which was so worthy a prey, wherefore pooreMyrmex being in divers opinions could not tell what to doe, for on the one sidehe considered the promise which he made to his master, and the punishment thatshould ensue if he did contrary. On the other side he thought of the gaine, andthe passing pleasure of the crownes of gold; in the end the desire of the moneydid more prevaile then the feare of death, for the beauty of the flowrishingcrownes did so sticke in his mind, that where the menaces of his mastercompelled him to tarry at home, the pestilent avarice of gold egged him out adoores, wherefore putting all shame aside, without further delay, he declaredall the whole matter to his Mistresse, who according to the nature of a woman,when she heard him speake of so great a summe she bound chastity in a string,and gave authority to Myrmex to rule her in that case. Myrmex seeing the intentof his Mistresse, was very glad, and for great desire of the gold, he ranhastily to Philesiterus, declaring that his Mistresse was consented to hismind, wherefore he demanded the gold which he promised. Then incontinentlyPhilesiterus delivered him tenne Crownes, and when night came, Myrmex broughthim disguised into his mistresses Chamber. About Midnight when he and she werenaked together, making sacrifice unto the Goddesse Venus, behold her husband(contrary to their expectation) came and knocked at the doore, calling with aloud voice to his Servant Myrmex: whose long tarrying increased the suspitionof his Master, in such sort that he threatned to beat Myrmex cruelly: but hebeing troubled with feare, and driven to his latter shifts, excused the mattersaying: that he could not find the key: by reason it was so darke. In the meaneseason Philesiterus hearing the noise at the doore, slipt on his coat andprivily ran out of the Chamber. When Myrmex had opened the doore to his Masterthat threatned terribly, and had let him in, he went into the Chamber to hiswife: In the mean while Myrmex let out Philesiterus, and barred the dooresfast, and went againe to bed. The next morning when Barbarus awaked, heperceived two unknown slippers lying under his bed, which Philesiterus hadforgotten when he went away. Then he conceived a great suspition and jealousiein mind, howbeit he would not discover it to his wife, neither to any otherperson, but putting secretly the slippers into his bosome, commanded his otherServants to bind Myrmex incontinently, and to bring him bound to the Justiceafter him, thinking verily that by the meane of the slippers he might boult outthe matter. It fortuned that while Barbarus went towards the Justice in a furyand rage, and Myrmex fast bound, followed him weeping, not because he wasaccused before his master, but by reason he knew his owne conscience guilty:behold by adventure Philesiterus (going about earnest businesse) fortuned tomeet with them by the way, who fearing the matter which he committed the nightbefore, and doubting lest it should be knowne, did suddainly invent a meane toexcuse Myrmex, for he ran upon him and beate him about the head with his fists,saying: Ah mischievous varlet that thou art, and perjured knave. It were a gooddeed if the Goddesse and thy master here, would put thee to death, for thou artworthy to be imprisoned and to weare out these yrons, that stalest my slippersaway when thou werest at my baines yester night. Barbarus hearing this returnedincontinently home, and called his servant Myrmex, commanding him to deliverthe slippers againe to the right owner.

The old woman had scant finished her tale when the Bakers wife gan say: Verilyshe is blessed and most blessed, that hath the fruition of so worthy a lover,but as for me poore miser, I am fallen into the hands of a coward, who is notonely afraid of my husband but also of every clap of the mill, and dares notdoe nothing, before the blind face of yonder scabbed Asse. Then the old womananswered, I promise you certainly if you will, you shall have this young man atyour pleasure, and therewithall when night came, she departed out of herchamber. In the meane season, the Bakers wife made ready a supper withabundance of wine and exquisite fare: so that there lacked nothing, but thecomming of the young man, for her husband supped at one of her neighbourshouses. When time came that my harnesse should be taken off and that I shouldrest my selfe, I was not so joyfull of my liberty, as when the vaile was takenfrom mine eyes, I should see all the abhomination of this mischievous queane.When night was come and the Sunne gone downe, behold the old bawd and the youngman, who seemed to be but a child, by reason he had no beard, came to thedoore. Then the Bakers wife kissed him a thousand times and received himcourteously, placed him downe at the table: but he had scarce eaten the firstmorsell, when the good man (contrary to his wives expectation) returned home,for she thought he would not have come so soone: but Lord how she cursed him,praying God that he might breake his necke at the first entry in. In the meaneseason, she caught her lover and thrust him into the bin where she bolted herflower, and dissembling the matter, finely came to her husband demanding why hecame home so soone. I could not abide (quoth he) to see so great a mischiefeand wicked fact, which my neighbours wife committed, but I must run away: Oharlot as she is, how hath she dishonoured her husband, I sweare by thegoddesse Ceres, that if I had [not] seene it with mine eyes, I would never Ihave beleeved it. His wife desirous to know the matter, desired him to tellwhat she had done: then hee accorded to the request of his wife, and ignorantof the estate of his own house, declared the mischance of another. You shallunderstand (quoth he) that the wife of the Fuller my companion, who seemed tome a wise and chast woman, regarding her own honesty and profit of her house,was found this night with her knave. For while we went to wash our hands, heeand she were together: who being troubled with our presence ran into a corner,and she thrust him into a mow made with twigs, appoynted to lay on clothes tomake them white with the smoake of fume and brymstone. Then she sate down withus at the table to colour the matter: in the meane season the young man coveredin the mow, could not forbeare sneesing, by reason of the smoake of thebrymstone. The good man thinking it had beene his wife that sneesed, cryed,Christ helpe. But when he sneesed more, he suspected the matter, and willing toknow who it was, rose from the table, and went to the mow, where hee found ayoung man welnigh dead with smoke. When hee understood the whole matter, he wasso inflamed with anger that he called for a sword to kill him, and undoubtedlyhe had killed him, had I not restrained his violent hands from his purpose,assuring him, that his enemy would dye with the force of his brimstone, withoutthe harme which he should doe. Howbeit my words would not appease his fury, butas necessity required he tooke the young man well nigh choked, and carried himout at the doores. In the meane season, I counsailed his wife to absent herselfe at some of her Neighbours houses, till the choller of her husband waspacified, lest he should be moved against her, as he was against the young man.And so being weary of their supper, I forthwith returned home. When the Bakerhad told his tale, his impudent wife began to curse and abhorre the wife of theFuller, and generally all other wives, which abandon their bodies with anyother then with their owne Husbands, breaking the faith and bond of marriage,whereby she said, they were worthy to be burned alive. But knowing her owneguilty conscience and proper whoredome, lest her lover should be hurt lying inthe bin, she willed her husband to goe to bed, but he having eaten nothing,said that he would sup before he went to rest: whereby shee was compelled tomaugre her eies, to set such things on the Table as she had prepared for herlover.

But I, considering the great mischiefe of this wicked queane, devised with myselfe how I might reveale the matter to my Master, and by kicking away thecover of the binne (where like a Snaile the young-man was couched) to make herwhoredome apparent and knowne. At length I was ayded by the providence of God,for there was an old man to whom the custody of us was committed, that drave mepoore Asse, and the other Horses the same time to the water to drinke; then hadI good occasion ministred, to revenge the injury of my master, for as I passedby, I perceived the fingers of the young-man upon the side of the binne, andlifting up my heeles, I spurned off the flesh with the force of my hoofes,whereby he was compelled to cry out, and to throw downe the binne on theground, and so the whoredome of the Bakers wife was knowne and revealed. TheBaker seeing this was not a little moved at the dishonesty of his wife, but heetooke the young-man trembling for feare by the hand, and with cold andcourteous words spake in this sort: Feare not my Sonne, nor thinke that I am sobarbarous or cruell a person, that I would stiffle thee up with the smoke ofSulphur as our neighbour accustometh, nor I will not punish thee according tothe rigour of the law of Julia, which commandeth the Adulterers should be putto death: No no, I will not execute my cruelty against so faire and comely ayoung man as you be, but we will devide our pleasure betweene us, by lying allthree in one bed, to the end there may be no debate nor dissention betweene us,but that either of us may be contented, for I have alwayes lived with my wifein such tranquillity, that according to the saying of the wisemen, whatsoever Isay, she holdeth for law, and indeed equity will not suffer, but that thehusband should beare more authority then the wife: with these and like words heled the young-man to his Chamber, and closed his wife in another Chamber. Onthe next morrow, he called two of the most sturdiest Servants of his house, whoheld up the young man, while he scourged his buttockes welfavouredly with rodslike a child. When he had well beaten him, he said: Art not thou ashamed, thouthat art so tender and delicate a child, to desire the violation of honestmarriages, and to defame thy selfe with wicked living, whereby thou hast gottenthe name of an Adulterer? After he had spoken these and like words, he whippedhim againe, and chased him out of his house. The young-man who was thecomeliest of all the adulterers, ran away, and did nothing else that night saveonely bewaile his striped and painted buttockes. Soone after the Baker sent oneto his wife, who divorced her away in his name, but she beside her ownenaturall mischiefe, (offended at this great contumely, though she had worthilydeserved the same) had recourse to wicked arts and trumpery, never ceasinguntill she had found out an Enchantresse, who (as it was thought) could doewhat she would with her Sorcery and conjuration. The Bakers wife began tointreate her, promising that she would largely recompence her, if shee couldbring one of these things to passe, eyther to make that her husband may bereconciled to her againe, or else if hee would not agree thereto, to send anill spirit into him, to dispossesse the spirit of her husband. Then the witchwith her abhominable science, began to conjure and to make her Ceremonies, toturne the heart of the Baker to his wife, but all was in vaine, whereforeconsidering on the one side that she could not bring her purpose to passe, andon the other side the losse of her gaine, she ran hastily to the Baker,threatning to send an evill spirit to kill him, by meane of her conjurations.But peradventure some scrupulous reader may demand me a question, how I, beingan Asse, and tyed alwayes in the mill house, could know the secrets of thesewomen: Verily I answer, notwithstanding my shape of an Asse, I had the senceand knowledge of a man, and curiously endeavoured to know out such injuries aswere done to my master. About noone there came a woman into the Milhouse, verysorrowfull, raggedly attired, with bare feete, meigre, ill-favoured, and herhayre scattering upon her face: This woman tooke the Baker by the hand, andfaining that she had some secret matter to tell him, went into a chamber, wherethey remained a good space, till all the corne was ground, when as the servantswere compelled to call their master to give them more corne, but when they hadcalled very often, and no person gave answer, they began to mistrust, insomuchthat they brake open the doore: when they were come in, they could not find thewoman, but onely their master hanging dead upon a rafter of the chamber,whereupon they cryed and lamented greatly, and according to the custome, whenthey had washed themselves, they tooke the body and buried it. The next daymorrow, the daughter of the Baker, which was married but a little before to oneof the next Village, came crying and beating her breast, not because she heardof the death of her father by any man, but because his lamentable spirit, witha halter about his necke appeared to her in the night, declaring the wholecircumstance of his death, and how by inchantment he was descended into hell,which caused her to thinke that her father was dead. After that she hadlamented a good space, and was somewhat comforted by the servants of the house,and when nine dayes were expired, as inheretrix to her father, she sold awayall the substance of the house, whereby the goods chanced into divers menshands.

THE FORTY-SECOND CHAPTER

How Apuleius after the Baker was hanged, was sold to a Gardener, and whatdreadfull things happened.

There was a poore Gardener amongst the rest, which bought me for the summe offifty pence, which seemed to him a great price, but he thought to gayne itagaine by the continuall travell of my body. The matter requireth to telllikewise, how I was handled in his service. This Gardener accustomed to driveme, every morning laded with hearbes to the next Village, and when he had soldhis hearbes, hee would mount upon my backe and returne to the Garden, and whilehe digged the ground and watered the hearbes, and went about other businesse, Idid nothing but repose my selfe with great ease, but when Winter approachedwith sharpe haile, raine and frosts, and I standing under a hedge side, waswelnigh killed up with cold, and my master was so poore that he had no lodgingfor himselfe, much lesse had he any littor or place to cover me withall, for hehimselfe alwayes lay under a little roofe shadowed with boughes. In the morningwhen I arose, I found my hoofes shriveled together with cold, and unable topasse upon the sharpe ice, and frosty mire, neither could I fill my belly withmeate, as I accustomed to doe, for my master and I supped together, and hadboth one fare: howbeit it was very slender since as wee had nothing else savingold and unsavoury sallets which were suffered to grow for seed, like longbroomes, and that had lost all their sweet sappe and juice.

It fortuned on a day that an honest man of the next village was benighted andconstrained by reason of the rain to lodge (very lagged and weary) in ourGarden, where although he was but meanely received, yet it served well enoughconsidering time and necessity. This honest man to recompence ourentertainment, promised to give my master some corne, oyle, and two bottels ofwine: wherefore my master not delaying the matter, laded me with sackes andbottels, and rode to the Towne which was seaven miles off.

When we came to the honest mans house, he entertained and feasted my masterexceedingly. And it fortuned while they eate and dranke together as signe ofgreat amity there chanced a strange and dreadfull case: for there was a Henwhich ran kackling about the yard, as though she would have layed an Egge. Thegood man of the house perceiving her, said: O good and profitable pullet thatfeedest us every day with thy fruit, thou seemest as though thou wouldest giveus some pittance for our dinner: Ho boy put the Pannier in the corner that theHen may lay. Then the boy did as his master commanded, but the Hen forsakingthe Pannier, came toward her master and laid at his feet not an Egge, whichevery man knoweth, but a Chickin with feathers, clawes, and eyes, whichincontinently ran peeping after his damme. By and by happened a more strangething, which would cause any man to abhorre: under the Table where they sate,the ground opened, and there appeared a great well and fountain of bloud,insomuch that the drops thereof sparckled about the Table. At the same timewhile they wondred at this dreadfull sight one of the Servants came running outof the Seller, and told that all the wine was boyled out of the vessels, asthough there had beene some great fire under. By and by a Weasel was scene thatdrew into the house a dead Serpent, and out of the mouth of a Shepheards dogleaped a live frog, and immediately after one brought word that a Ram hadstrangled the same dog at one bit. All these things that happened, astonied thegood man of the house, and the residue that were present, insomuch that theycould not tell what to doe, or with what sacrifice to appease the anger of thegods. While every man was thus stroken in feare, behold, one brought word tothe good man of the house, that his three sonnes who had been brought up ingood literature, and endued with good manners were dead, for they three hadgreat acquaintance and ancient amity with a poore man which was theirneighbour, and dwelled hard by them: and next unto him dwelled another youngman very rich both in lands and goods, but bending from the race of hisprogenies dissentions, and ruling himselfe in the towne according to his ownewill. This young royster did mortally hate this poore man, insomuch that hewould kill his sheepe, steale his oxen, and spoyle his corne and other fruitsbefore the time of ripenesse, yet was he not contented with this, but he wouldencroch upon the poore mans ground, and clayme all the heritage as his owne.The poore man which was very simple and fearefull, seeing all his goods takenaway by the avarice of the rich man, called together and assembled many of hisfriends to shew them all his land, to the end he might have but so much groundof his fathers heritage, as might bury him. Amongst whom, he found these threebrethren, as friends to helpe and ayd him in his adversity and tribulation.

Howbeit, the presence of these honest Citizens, could in no wise perswade himto leave his extort power, no nor yet to cause any temperance of his tongue,but the more they went about with gentle words to tell him his faults, the morewould he fret and likewise fume, swearing all the oathes under God, that helittle regarded the presence of the whole City, whereupon incontinently hecommanded his servants to take the poore man by the eares, and carry him out ofhis ground, which greatly offended all the standers by. Then one of thebrethren spake unto him somewhat boldly, saying: It is but a folly to have suchaffiance in your riches, whereby you should use your tyranny against the poore,when as the law is common for all men, and a redresse may be had to suppresseyour insolency. These words chafed him more then the burning oile, or flamingbrimstone, or scourge of whipps, saying: that they should be hanged and theirlaw too, before he would be subject unto any person: and therewithall he calledout his bandogges and great masties, which accustomed to eate the carrion andcarkases of dead beasts in the fields, and to set upon such as passed by theway: then he commanded they should be put upon all the assistance to teare themin peeces: who as soone as they heard the hisse of their master, ran fiercelyupon them invading them on every side, insomuch that the more they flied toescape away, the more cruell and terrible were the dogges. It fortuned amongstall this fearefull company, that in running, the youngest of the three brethrenstombled at a stone, and fell down to the ground: Then the dogs came upon himand tare him in peeces with their teeth, whereby he was compelled to cry forsuccour: His other two brethren hearing his lamentable voice ran towards him tohelpe him, casting their cloakes about their left armes, tooke up stones tochase away the dogs, but all was in vaine, for they might see their brotherdismembred in every part of his body: Who lying at the very point of death,desired his brethren to revenge his death against that cruell tyrant: Andtherewithall he gave up the ghost. The other two brethren perceiving so greata murther, and neglecting their owne lives, like desperate persons dressedthemselves against the tyrant, and threw a great number of stones at him, butthe bloudy theefe exercised in such and like mischiefes, tooke a speare andthrust it cleane through the body: howbeit he fell not downe to the ground. Forthe speare that came out at his backe ran into the earth, and sustained him up.By and by came one of these tyrants servants the most sturdiest of the rest tohelpe his master, who at the first comming tooke up a stone and threw at thethird brother, but by reason the stone ran along his arme it did not hurt him,which chanced otherwise then all mens expectation was: by and by the young manfeigning that his arme was greatly wounded, spake these words unto the cruellbloud sucker: Now maist thou, thou wretch, triumph upon the destruction of allour family, now hast thou fed thy insatiable cruelty with the bloud of threebrethren, now maist thou rejoyce at the fall of us Citizens, yet thinke not butthat how farre thou dost remove and extend the bounds of thy land, thou shalthave some neighbor, but how greatly am I sorry in that I have lost mine armewherewithall I minded to cut off thy head. When he had spoken these words, thefurious theefe drew out his dagger, and running upon the young man thoughtverily to have slaine him, but it chanced otherwise: For the young man resistedhim stoutly, and in buckling together by violence wrested the dagger out of hishand: which done, he killed the rich theefe with his owne weapon, and to theintent the young man would escape the hands of the servants which came runningto assist their master, with the same dagger he cut his owne throat. Thesethings were signified by the strange and dreadfull wondres which fortuned inthe house of the good man, who after he had heard these sorrowfull tydingscould in no wise weepe, so farre was he stroken with dolour, but presentlytaking his knife wherewith he cut his cheese and other meate before, he cut hisowne throat likewise, in such sort that he fell upon the bord and imbraced thetable with the streames of his blond, in most miserable manner. Hereby was mymaster the Gardener deprived of his hope, and paying for his dinner the watryteares of his eyes, mounted upon my backe and so we went homeward the same wayas wee came.

THE FORTY-THIRD CHAPTER

How Apuleius was found by his shadow.

As wee passed by the way wee met with a tall souldier (for so his habite andcountenance declared) who with proud and arrogant words spake to my master inthis sort:

Quorsum vacuum ducis Asinum?

My master somewhat astonied at the strange sights which he saw before, andignorant of the Latine tongue, roade on and spake never a word: The souldierunable to refraine his insolence, and offended at his silence, strake him onthe shoulders as he sate on my backe; then my master gently made answer that heunderstood not what he said, whereat the souldier angerly demanded againe,whither he roade with his Asse? Marry (quoth he) to the next City: But I (quoththe souldier) have need of his helpe, to carry the trusses of our Captaine fromyonder Castle, and therewithall he tooke me by the halter and would violentlyhave taken me away: but my master wiping away the blood of the blow which hereceived of the souldier, desired him gently and civilly to take some pittyupon him, and to let him depart with his owne, swearing and affirming that hisslow Asse, welnigh dead with sicknesse, could scarce carry a few handfuls ofhearbs to the next towne, much lesse he was able to beare any greater trusses:but when he saw the souldier would in no wise be intreated, but ready with hisstaffe to cleave my masters head, my master fell down at his feete, undercolour to move him to some pitty, but when he saw his time, he tooke thesouldier by the legs and cast him upon the ground: Then he buffetted him,thumped him, bit him, and tooke a stone and beat his face and his sides, thathe could not turne and defend himselfe, but onely threaten that if ever herose, he would choppe him in pieces. The Gardener when he heard him say so,drew out his javelin which hee had by his side, and when he had throwne itaway, he knockt and beate him more cruelly then he did before, insomuch thatthe souldier could not tell by what meanes to save himselfe, but by feiningthat he was dead, Then my master tooke the javelin and mounted upon my backe,riding in all hast to the next village, having no regard to goe to his Garden,and when he came thither, he turned into one of his friends house and declaredall the whole matter, desiring him to save his life and to hide himselfe andhis Asse in some secret place, untill such time as all danger were past. Thenhis friends not forgetting the ancient amity betweene them, entertained himwillingly and drew me up a paire of staires into a chamber, my master creptinto a chest, and lay there with the cover closed fast: The souldier (as Iafterwards learned) rose up as one awaked from a drunken sleepe, but he couldscarce goe by reason of his wounds: howbeit at length by little and littlethrough ayd of his staffe he came to the towne, but hee would not declare thematter to any person nor complaine to any justice, lest he should be accused ofcowardise or dastardnesse, yet in the end he told some of his companions of allthe matter that happened: then they tooke him and caused him to be closed insome secret place, thinking that beside the injury which he had received, heshould be accused of the breach of his faith, by reason of the losse of hisspeare, and when they had learned the signes of my master, they went to searchhim out: at last there was an unfaithfull neighbour that told them where hewas, then incontinently the souldiers went to the Justice declaring that theyhad lost by the way a silver goblet of their Captaines, and that a Gardener hadfound it, who refusing to deliver the goblet, was hidden in one of his friendshouses: by and by the Magistrates understanding the losse of the Captaine, cameto the doores where we were, commanded our host to deliver my master upon paineof death: howbeit these threatnings could not enforce him to confesse that hewas within his doores, but by reason of his faithfull promise and for thesafeguard of his friend, he said, that hee saw not the Gardener a great while,neither knew where he was: the souldiers said contrary, whereby to know theverity of the matter, the Magistrates commanded their Seargants and ministersto search every corner of the house, but when they could find neither Gardenernor Asse, there was a great contention betweene the souldiers and our Host, forthey sayd we were within the house: and he said no, but I that was very curiousto know the matter, when I heard so great a noyse, put my head out of thewindow to learne what the stirre and tumult did signifie. It fortuned that oneof the souldiers perceived my shadow, whereupon he began to cry, saying: thathee had certainly seene me; then they were all glad and came up into thechamber, and pulled me downe like a prisoner. When they had found mee, theydoubted nothing of the Gardener, but seeking about more narrowly, at lengththey found him couched in a chest. And so they brought out the poore gardenerto the Justices, who was committed immediately to prison, but they could neverforbeare laughing from the time they found me by my shadow, wherefore is risena common Proverbe: “The shadow of the Asse.”

THE TENTH BOOKE

THE FORTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

How the souldier drave Apuleius away, and how he came to a Captaines house, andwhat happened there.

The next day how my master the Gardener sped, I knew not, but the gentlesouldier, who was well beaten for his cowardise, lead me to his lodging withoutthe contradiction of any man: Where hee laded me well, and garnished my body(as seemed to me) like an Asse of armes. For on the one side I bare an helmetthat shined exceedingly: On the other side a Target that glistered more athousand folde. And on the top of my burthen he put a long speare, which thingshe placed thus gallantly, not because he was so expert in warre (for theGardener proved the contrary) but to the end he might feare those which passedby, when they saw such a similitude of warre. When we had gone a good part ofour journey, over the plaine and easie fields, we fortuned to come to a littletowne, where we lodged at a certaine Captaines house. And there the souldiertooke me to one of the servants, while he himselfe went towards his captaine;who had the charge of a thousand men. And when we had remained there a fewdayes, I understood of a wicked and mischievous fact committed there, which Ihave put in writing to the end you may know the same. The master of the househad a sonne instructed in good literature, and endued with vertuous manners,such a one as you would desire to have the like. Long time before his motherdyed, and when his father married a new wife, and had another child of the ageof xii. yeares. The stepdame was more excellent in beauty then honesty: for sheloved this young man her sonne in law, either because she was unchast bynature, or because she was enforced by fate of stepmother, to commit so great amischiefe. Gentle reader, thou shalt not read of a fable, but rather a tragedy:This woman when her love began first to kindle in her heart, could easilyresist her desire and inordinate appetite by reason of shame and feare, lesther intent should be knowne: But after it compassed and burned every part ofher brest, she was compelled to yeeld unto the raging flame of Cupid, and undercolour of the disease and infirmity of her body, to conceale the wound of herrestlesse mind. Every man knoweth well the signes and tokens of love, and themalady convenient to the same: Her countenance was pale, her eyes sorrowfull,her knees weake, and there was no comfort in her, but continuall weeping andsobbing, insomuch that you would have thought that she had some spice of anague, saving that she wept unmeasurably: the Phisitians knew not her disease,when they felt the beating of her veines, the intemperance of her heart, thesobbing sighes, and her often tossing of every side: No, no, the cunningPhisitian knew it not, but a scholler of Venus Court might easily conjecturethe whole. After that she had beene long time tormented in her affliction, andwas no more able to conceale her ardent desire, shee caused her sonne to becalled for, (which word son she would faine put away if it were not for shame:)Then he nothing disobedient to the commandement of his mother, with a sad andmodest countenance, came into the chamber of his stepdame, the mother of hisbrother, but she speaking never a word was in great doubt what she might doe,and could not tell what to say first, by reason of shame. The young mansuspecting no ill, with humble courtesie demanded the cause of her presentdisease. Then she having found an occasion to utter her intent, with weepingeyes and covered face, began boldly to speake unto him in this manner: Thou,thou, art the originall cause of all my dolour: Thou art my comfort and onelyhealth, for those thy comely eyes are so enfastned within my brest, thatunlesse they succour me, I shall certainly die: Have pitty therefore upon me,be not the occasion of my destruction, neither let my conscience reclaime tooffend thy father, when as thou shalt save the life of thy mother. Moreoversince thou dost resemble thy fathers shape in every point, it giveth me causethe more to fancy thee: Now is ministred unto thee time and place: Now hastthou occasion to worke thy will, seeing that we are alone. And it is a commonsaying:

Never knowne, never done.

This young man troubled in mind at so suddaine an ill, although hee abhorred tocommit so beastly a crime, yet hee would not cast her off with a presentdeniall, but warily pacified her mind with delay of promise. Wherefore hepromised to doe all according to her desire: And in the meane season, he willedhis mother to be of good cheere, and comfort her selfe till as he might findsome convenient time to come unto her, when his father was ridden forth:Wherewithall hee got him away from the pestilent sight of his stepdame. Andknowing that this matter touching the ruine of all the whole house needed thecounsell of wise and grave persons, he went incontinently to a sage old man anddeclared the whole circumstance of the matter. The old man after longdeliberation, thought there was no better way to avoyd the storme of cruellfortune to come, then to run away. In the meane season this wicked womanimpatient of her love, and the long delay of her sonne, egged her husband toride abroad into farre countreyes. And then she asked the young-man theaccomplishment of his promise, but he to rid himselfe entirely from her hands,would find alwayes excuses, till in the end she understood by the messengersthat came in and out, that he nothing regarded her. Then she by how much sheloved him before, by so much and more she hated him now. And by and by shecalled one of her servants, ready to all mischiefes: To whom she declared allher secrets. And there it was concluded betweene them two, that the surest waywas to kill the young man: Whereupon this varlet went incontinently to buypoyson, which he mingled with wine, to the intent he would give it to the youngman to drinke, and thereby presently to kill him. But while they were indeliberation how they might offer it unto him, behold here happened a strangeadventure. For the young sonne of the woman that came from schoole at noone(being very thirsty) tooke the pot wherein the poyson was mingled, and ignorantof the venim, dranke a good draught thereof, which was prepared to kill hisbrother: whereby he presently fell downe to the ground dead. His schoolemasterseeing his suddaine change, called his mother, and all the servants of thehouse with a lowd voyce. Incontinently every man declared his opinion, touchingthe death of the child: but the cruell woman the onely example of stepmothersmalice, was nothing moved by the bitter death of her sonne, or by her owneconscience of paracide, or by the misfortune of her house, or by the dolour ofher husband, but rather devised the destruction of all her family. For by andby shee sent a messenger after her husband to tell him the great misfortunewhich happened after his departure. And when he came home, the wicked womandeclared that his sonne had empoysoned his brother, because he would notconsent to his will, and told him divers other leasings, adding in the end thathee threatned to kill her likewise, because she discovered the fact: Then theunhappy father was stroken with double dolour of the death of his two children,for on the one side he saw his younger sonne slaine before his eyes, on theother side, he seemed to see the elder condemned to dye for his offence:Againe, where he beheld his wife lament in such sort, it gave him furtheroccasion to hate his sonne more deadly; but the funerals of his younger sonnewere scarce finished, when the old man the father with weeping eyes even at thereturne from the grave, went to the Justice and accused his sonne of theslaughter of his brother, and how he threatned to slay his wife, whereby therather at his weeping and lamentation, he moved all the Magistrates and peopleto pitty, insomuch that without any delay, or further inquisition they cryedall that hee should be stoned to death, but the Justices fearing a fartherinconvenience to arise by the particular vengeance, and to the end there mightfortune no sedition amongst the people, prayed the decurions and other Officersof the City, that they might proceed by examination of witnesses, and withorder of justice according to the ancient custome before the judging of anyhasty sentence or judgment, without the hearing of the contrary part, like asthe barbarous and cruell tyrants accustome to use: otherwise they should givean ill example to their successours. This opinion pleased every man, whereforethe Senatours and counsellors were called, who being placed in order accordingto their dignity, caused the accuser and defender to be brought forth, and bythe example of the Athenian law, and judgement materiall, their Advocates werecommanded to plead their causes briefly without preambles or motions of thepeople to pitty, which were too long a processe. And if you demand how Iunderstood all this matter, you shall understand that I heard many declare thesame, but to recite what words the accuser used in his invective, what answerthe defender made, the orations and pleadings of each party, verily I am notable to doe: for I was fast bound at the manger. But as I learned and knew byothers, I will God willing declare unto you. So it was ordered, that after thepleadings of both sides was ended, they thought best to try and boult out theverity by witnesses, all presumptions and likelihood set apart, and to call inthe servant, who onely was reported to know all the matter: by and by theservant came in, who nothing abashed, at the feare of so great a judgment, orat the presence of the Judges, or at his owne guilty conscience, which hee sofinely fained, but with a bold countenance presented himselfe before thejustices and confirmed the accusation against the young man, saying: O yeejudges, on a day when this young man loathed and hated his stepmother, heecalled mee, desiring mee to poyson his brother, whereby hee might revengehimselfe, and if I would doe it and keepe the matter secret, hee promised togive me a good reward for my paines: but when the young man perceived that Iwould not accord to his will, he threatned to slay mee, whereupon hee wenthimselfe and bought poyson, and after tempered it with wine, and then gave itme to give the child, which when I refused he offered it to his brother withhis own hands. When the varlet with a trembling countenance had ended thesewords which seemed a likelihood of truth, the judgement was ended: neither wasthere found any judge or counsellor, so mercifull to the young man accused, aswould not judge him culpable, but that he should be put and sowne in a skin,with a dogge, a Cocke, a Snake, and an Ape, according to the law againstparricides: wherefore they wanted nothing but (as the ancient custome was) toput white stones and black into a pot, and to take them out againe, to seewhether the young-man accused should be acquitted by judgment or condemned,which was a thing irrevocable.

In the mean season he was delivered to the hands of the executioner. But therearose a sage and ancient Physitian, a man of a good conscience and creditthroughout all the City, that stopped the mouth of the pot wherein the stoneswere cast, saying: I am right glad ye reverend judges, that I am a man of nameand estimation amongst you, whereby I am accompted such a one as will notsuffer any person to be put to death by false and untrue accusations,considering there hath bin no homicide or murther committed by this yong man inthis case, neither you (being sworn to judge uprightly) to be misinformed andabused by invented lyes and tales. For I cannot but declare and open myconscience, least I should be found to beare small honour and faith to theGods, wherefore I pray you give eare, and I will shew you the whole truth ofthe matter. You shall understand that this servant which hath merited to behanged, came one of these dayes to speake with me, promising to give me ahundred crownes, if I would give him present poyson, which would cause a man todye suddenly, saying, that he would have it for one that was sicke of anincurable disease, to the end he might be delivered from all torment, but Ismelling his crafty and subtill fetch, and fearing least he would worke somemischiefe withall, gave him a drinke; but to the intent I might cleare my selfefrom all danger that might happen, I would not presently take the money whichhe offered. But least any of the crownes should lacke weight or be foundcounterfeit, I willed him to scale the purse wherein they were put, with hismanuell signe, whereby the next day we might goe together to the Goldsmith totry them, which he did; wherefore understanding that he was brought presentbefore you this day, I hastily commanded one of my servants to fetch the pursewhich he had sealed, and here I bring it unto you to see whether he will denyhis owne signe or no: and you may easily conject that his words are untrue,which he alleadged against the young man, touching the buying of the poyson,considering hee bought the poyson himselfe. When the Physitian had spoken thesewords you might perceive how the trayterous knave changed his colour, how heesweat for feare, how he trembled in every part of his body: and how he set oneleg upon another, scratching Ibis head and grinding his teeth, whereby therewas no person but would judge him culpable. In the end, when he was somewhatreturned to his former subtility, he began to deny all that was said, andstoutly affirmed, that the Physitian did lye. But the Physitian perceiving thathe was rayled at and his words denyed, did never cease to confirme his sayings,and to disprove the varlet, till such time as the Officers by the commandmentof the Judges, bound his hands and brought out the seale, wherewith he hadsealed the purse which augmented suspition which was conceived of him first.Howbeit, neither the feare of the wheele or any other torment according to theuse of the Grecians, which were ready prepared, no, nor yet the fire couldenforce him to confesse the matter, so obstinate and grounded was he in hismischievous mind. But the Physitian perceiving that the menaces of thesetorments did nothing prevaile, gan say: I cannot suffer or abide that thisyoung man who is innocent, should against all law and conscience, be punishedand condemned to die, and the other which is culpable, should escape so easily,and after mocke and flowte at your judgement: for I will give you an evidentproofe and argument of this present crime. You shall understand, that when thiscaytiffe demanded of me a present and strong poyson, considering that it wasnot my part to give occasion of any others death, but rather to cure and savesicke persons by meane of medicines: and on the other side, fearing least if Ishould deny his request, I might minister a further cause of his mischiefe,either that he would buy poyson of some other, or else returne and worke hiswicked intent, with a sword or some dangerous weapon, I gave him no poyson, buta doling drinke of Mandragora, which is of such force, that it will cause anyman to sleepe as though he were dead. Neither is it any marvaile if this mostdesperate man, who is certainly assured to be put to death, ordained by anancient custome, can suffer and abide these facill and easie torments, but ifit be so that the child hath received the drinke as I tempered it with mineowne hands, he is yet alive and doth but sleepe, and after his sleepe he shallreturne to life againe, but if he be dead indeed, then may you further enquireof the causes of his death. The opinion of this ancient Physitian was foundgood, and every man had a desire to goe to the Sepulchre where the child waslayd; there was none of the Justices, none of any reputation of the towne, norany of the common people, but went to see this strange sight. Amongst them allthe father of the child remooved with his owne hands the stone of theSepulchre, and found his Sonne rising up after his dead and soporiferoussleepe, whom when he beheld, he imbraced him in his armes, and presented himbefore the people, with great joy and consolation, and as he was wrapped andbound in his grave, so he brought him before the Judges, whereupon thewickednesse of the Servant, and, the treason of the stepdame was plainelydiscovered, and the verity of the matter revealed, whereby the woman wasperpetually exiled, the Servant hanged on a Gallowes, and the Physitian had theCrownes, which was prepared to buy the poyson. Behold how the fortune of theold man was changed, who thinking to be deprived of all his race and posterity,was in one moment made the Father of two Children. But as for me, I was ruledand handled by fortune, according to her pleasure.

THE FORTY-FIFTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was sold to two brethren, whereof one was a Baker, and the other aCooke, and how finely and daintily he fared.

THE Souldier that payed never a peny for me, by the commandement of hisCaptaine was sent unto Rome, to cary Letters to the great Prince, and Generallof the Campe. Before he went, he sold me for eleven pence to two of hisCompanions, being Servants to a man of worship, whereof one was a Baker thatbaked sweet bread and delicates, the other a Cooke, which dressed fine andexcellent meats for his Master. These two lived in common, and would drive mefrom place to place, to carry such things as was necessary, insomuch that I wasreceived by these two, as a third Brother, and Companion, and I thought I wasnever better placed, then with them: for when night came that Supper was done,and their businesse ended, they would bring many good morsels into theirChamber for themselves. One would bring Pigs, Chickens, fish, and other goodmeates, the other fine bread, pasties, tarts, custards and other delicateJunkets dipped in hony. And when they had shut their chamber doore, and went tothe bains: (O Lord) how I would fill my guts with these goodly dishes: neitherwas I so much a foole, or so very an Asse, to leave the dainty meats, and togrind my teeth upon hard hay. In this sort I continued a great space, for Iplayed the honest Asse, taking but a little of one dish, and a little ofanother, wherby no man distrusted me. In the end, I was more hardier and beganto devoure the whole messes of the sweet delicates, which caused the Baker andthe Cooke to suspect, howbeit they nothing mistrusted me, but searched about toapprehend the theefe. At length they began to accuse one another of theft, andto set the dishes and morsels of meat in order, one by another, because theywould learne what was taken away, whereby one of them was compelled to say thusto his fellow: Is it reason to breake promise and faith in this sort, bystealing away the best meat, and to sell it to augment thy good, and yetneverthelesse to have thy part in the residue that is left: if our partnershipdoe mislike thee, we will be partners and brothers in other things, but in thiswe will breake of: for I perceive that the great losse which I sustain, will atlength be a cause of great discord betweene us. Then answered the other, VerilyI praise thy great constancy and subtilnesse, in that (when thou hast secretlytaken away the meat) [thou] dost begin to complaine first, whereas I by longspace of time have suffered thee, because I would not seeme to accuse mybrother of theft, but I am right glad in that wee are fallen into communicationof the matter, least by our silence, like contention might arise betweene us,as fortuned betweene Eteocles and his Brother. When they had reasoned togetherin this sort, they swore both earnestly, that neither of them stale or tookeaway any jote of the meate, wherefore they concluded to search out the Theefeby all kind of meanes. For they could not imagin or thinke, the Asse who stoodalone there, would eate any such meates, neither could they thinke that Mice orFlyes, were so ravenous, as to devouer whole dishes of meat, like the BirdsHarpies which carried away the meates of Phineus the King of Archadia. In theMeane season while I was fed with dainty morsels, I gathered together my flesh,my skin waxed soft, my haire began to shine, and was gallant on every part, butsuch faire and comely shape of my body, was cause of my dishonour, for theBaker and Cooke marvelled to see me so slick and fine, considering I did eateno hay at all. Wherefore on a time at their accustomed houre, they went to thebaines, and locked their chamber doore. It fortuned that ere they departedaway, they espyed me through a hole, how I fell roundly to my victuals: thenthey marvelled greatly, and little esteemed the losse of their meate, laughedexceedingly, calling the servants of the house, to shew them the greedy gorgeand appetite of the Asse. Their laughing was so immoderate that the master ofthe house heard them, and demanded the cause of their laughter, and when heeunderstood all the matter, hee looked through the hole likewise, wherewith hetook such a delectation that hee commanded the doore to be opened, that heemight see mee at his pleasure. Then I perceiving every man laugh, was nothingabashed, but rather more bold, whereby I never rested eating, till such time asthe master of the house commanded me to be brought into his parler as anovelty, and there caused all kinds of meates which were never touched to beset on the table, which (although I had eaten sufficiently before, yet to winthe further favour of the master of the house) I did greedily devoure and madea cleane riddance of all the delicate meates. And to prove my nature wholly,they gave mee such meates as every Asse doth abhorre: for they put before meebeefe and vinegar, birds and pepper, fish and verjuice: in the meane seasonthey that beheld mee at the table did nothing but laugh. Then one of theservants of the house sayd to his master, I pray you sir give him some drinketo his supper: Marry (quoth hee) I thinke thou saist true, for it may be, thatto his meate hee would drinke likewise a cup of wine. Hoe boy, wash yonder pot,and fill it with wine, which done, carry it to the Asse, and say that I havedrunke to him. Then all the standers by looked on, to see what would come topasse: but I (as soone as I beheld the cup) staied not long, but gathering mylips together, supped up all the wine at one draught. The master being rightjoyfull hereat caused the Baker and Cooke which had bought me, to come beforehim, to whom he delivered foure times as much for me, as they paid, which donehe committed me to one of his rich Libertines, and charged him to looke well tome, and that I should lacke nothing, who obeied his masters commandement inevery point: and to the end he would creepe further into his favour, he taughtme a thousand qualities. First he instructed me to sit at the table upon mytaile, and how I should leape and dance, holding up my former feete: moreoverhee taught me how I should answer when any body spake unto me, with nodding myhead, which was a strange and marvailous thing, and if I did lacke drinke, Ishould looke still upon the pot. All which things I did willingly bring topasse, and obeyed his doctrine: howbeit, I could have done all these thingswithout his teaching, but I feared greatly lest in shewing my selfe cunningwithout a master, I should pretend some great and strange wonder, and therebybe throwne out to wild beasts. But my fame was spred about in every place, andthe qualities which I could doe, insomuch that my master was renownedthroughout all the Country by reason of mee. For every man would say: Beholdthe Gentleman that hath an Asse, that will eate and drinke with him, that willdance, and understand what is said to him, will shew his fantasie by signes.But first I will tell you (which I should have done before) who my master was,and of what country. His name was Thiasus, hee was borne at Corinth, which is aprincipall towne of Achaia, and he had passed many offices of honor, till heehad taken upon him the degree Quinquenuall, according as his birth and dignityrequired, who to shew his worthinesse, and to purchase the benevolence of everyperson, appointed publike joyes and triumphs, to endure the space of threedayes, and to bring his endeavour to passe, he came into Thessaly to buyexcellent Beasts, and valiant fighters for the purpose.

THE FORTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

How a certaine Matron fell in love with Apuleius, how hee had his pleasure withher, and what other things happened.

When he had bought such things as was necessary, he would not returne home intohis Countrey in Chariots, or waggon, neither would he ride upon ThessalianHorses, or Jenets of France, or Spanish Mules, which be most excellent as canbe found, but caused me to be garnished and trimmed with trappers and barbs ofGold, with brave harnesse, with purple coverings, with a bridle of silver, withpictured cloths, and with shrilling bells, and in this manner he rode upon melovingly, speaking and intreating me with gentle words, but above all things hedid greatly rejoyce in that I was his Servant to beare him upon my backe, andhis Companion to feed with him at the Table: After long time when we hadtravelled as well by Sea as Land, and fortuned to arrive at Corinth, the peopleof the Towne came about us on every side, not so much to doe honour to Thiasus,as to see me: For my fame was so greatly spread there, that I gained my mastermuch money, and when the people was desirous to see me play prankes, theycaused the Gates to be shut, and such as entered in should pay money, by meaneswhereof I was a profitable companion to them every day: There fortuned to beamongst the Assembly a noble and rich Matron that conceived much delight tobehold me, and could find no remedy to her passions and disordinate appetite,but continually desired to have her pleasure with me, as Pasiphae had with aBull. In the end she promised a great reward to my keeper for the custody of meone night, who for gaine of a little money accorded to her desire, and when Ihad supped in a Parler with my Master, we departed away and went into ourChamber, where we found the faire Matron, who had tarried a great space for ourcomming: I am not able to recite unto you how all things were prepared: therewere foure Eunuches that lay on a bed of downe on the ground with Boulstersaccordingly for us to lye on, the Coverlet was of cloth of Gold, and thepillowes soft and tender, whereon the delicate Matron had accustomed to lay herhead. Then the Eunuches not minding to delay any longer the pleasure of theirMistresse closed the doores of the Chamber and departed away: within theChamber were Lamps that gave a cleare light all the place over: Then she putoff all her Garments to her naked skinne, and taking the Lampe that stood nextto her, began to annoint all her body with balme, and mine likewise, butespecially my nose, which done, she kissed me, not as they accustome to doe atthe stews, or in brothel houses, or in the Curtain Schools for gaine of money,but purely, sincerely, and with great affection, casting out these and likeloving words: Thou art he whom I love, thou art he whom I onely desire, withoutthee I cannot live, and other like preamble of talke as women can use wellenough, when as they mind to shew or declare their burning passions and greataffection of love: Then she tooke me by the halter and cast me downe upon thebed, which was nothing strange unto me, considering that she was so beautifulla Matron and I so wel bolded out with wine, and perfumed with balme, whereby Iwas readily prepared for the purpose: But nothing grieved me so much as tothink, how I should with my huge and great legs imbrace so faire a Matron, orhow I should touch her fine, dainty, and silken skinne, with my hard hoofes, orhow it was possible to kisse her soft, pretty and ruddy lips, with my monstrousmouth and stony teeth, or how she, who was young and tender, could be able toreceive me.

And I verily thought, if I should hurt the woman by any kind of meane, I shouldbe throwne to the wild Beasts: But in the meane season she kissed me, andlooked in my mouth with burning eyes, saying: I hold thee my canny, I hold theemy noose, my sparrow, and therewithall she eftsoones imbraced my body roundabout, and had her pleasure with me, whereby I thought the mother of Miniaturesdid not ceaseless quench her inordinate desire with a Bull. When night waspassed, with much joy and small sleepe, the Matron went before day to my keeperto bargain with him another night, which he willingly granted, partly for gaineof money, and partly to finde new pastime for my master. Who after he wasinformed of all the history of my luxury, was right glad, and rewarded mykeeper well for his paine, minding to shew before the face of all the people,what I could doe: but because they would not suffer the Matron to abide suchshame, by reason of her dignity, and because they could finde no other thatwould endeavour so great a reproach, at length they obtained for money a poorewoman, which was condemned to be eaten of wilde beasts, with whom I shouldopenly have to doe: But first I will tell you what tale I heard concerning thiswoman. This woman had a husband, whose father minding to ride forth, commandedhis wife which he left at home great with child, that if she were delivered ofa daughter, it should incontinently be killed. When the time of her deliverycame, it fortuned that she had a daughter, whom she would not suffer to beslaine, by reason of the naturall affection which she have unto her child, butsecretly committed her to one of her neighbours to nurse. And when her husbandreturned home, shee declared unto him that shee was delivered of a daughter,whom (as hee commanded), shee had caused to be put to death. But when thischild came to age, and ready to be married, the mother knew not by what meanesshee should endow her daughter, but that her husband should understand andperceive it. Wherefore shee discovered the matter to her sonne, who was thehusband of this woman, condemned to be eaten of wild beasts: For shee greatlyfeared least hee should unawares fancie or fall in love with his owne sister.The young man understanding the whole matter (to please and gratify his mother)went immediately to the young maiden, keeping the matter secret in his heart,for feare of inconvenience, and (lamenting to see his sister forsaken both ofmother and father) incontinently after endowed her with part of his owne goods,and would have married her to one of his especial and trusty friends: Butalthough hee brought this to passe very secretly and sagely, yet in the endcruell fortune sowed great sedition in his house. For his wife who was nowcondemned to beasts, waxed jealous of her husband and began to suspect theyoung woman as a harlot and common queane, insomuch that shee invented allmanner of meanes to dispatch her out of the way. And in the end shee inventedthis kind of mischiefe: She privily stale away her husbands ring, and went intothe country, whereas she commanded one of her trusty servants to take the ringand carry it to the mayden. To whom he should declare that her brother did prayher to come into the country to him, and that she should come alone without anyperson. And to the end shee should not delay but come with all speed he shoulddeliver her the ring, which should be a sufficient testimony of the message.This mayden as soone as she had received the ring of her brother, being verywilling and desirous to obey his commandement: (For she knew no otherwise butthat he had sent for her) went in all hast as the messenger willed her to doe.But when she was come to the snare and engine which was prepared for her, themischievous woman, like one that were mad, and possessed with some ill spirit,when the poore maiden called for helpe with a loud voyce to her brother, thewicked harlot (weening that she had invented and feined the matter) tooke aburning firebrand and thrust it into her secret place, whereby she diedmiserably. The husband of this maiden but especially her brother, advertised ofher death, came to the place where she was slain, and after great lamentationand weeping, they caused her to be buried honourably. This yong man her brothertaking in ill part the miserable death of his sister, as it was convenient heshould, conceived so great dolour within his mind and was strucken with sopestilent fury of bitter anguish, that he fell into the burning passions of adangerous ague, whereby he seemed in such necessity, that he needed to havesome speedy remedy to save his life. The woman that slew the Maiden having lostthe name of wife together with her faith, went to a traiterous Physician, whohad killed a great many persons in his dayes and promised him fifty peeces ofGold, if he would give her a present poyson to kill her husband out of hand,but in presence of her Husband, she feined that it was necessary for him toreceive a certaine kind of drink, which the Maisters and Doctours of Physickedoe call a sacred Potion, to the intent he might purge Choller and scoure theinteriour parts of his body. But the Physitian in stead of that drinke prepareda mortall and deadly poyson, and when he had tempered it accordingly, he tookethe pot in the presence of the family, and other neighbours and friends of thesick yong man, and offered it to his patient. But the bold and hardy woman, tothe end she might accomplish her wicked intent, and also gaine the money whichshe had promised the Physitian, staid the pot with her hand, saying: I pray youmaster Physitian, minister not this drinke unto my deare Husband, untill suchtime as you have drunke some part thereof your selfe: For what know I, whetheryou have mingled any poyson in the drinke or no, wherein I would have you notto be offended: For I know that you are a man of wisedome and learning, butthis I do to the intent the conscience and love that I beare to the health andsafeguard of my husband, may be apparent. The Physitian being greatly troubledat the wickednesse of this mischievous woman, as voyd of all counsell andleysure to consider of the matter, and least he might give any cause ofsuspition to the standers by, or shew any scruple of his guilty conscience, byreason of long delay, tooke the pot in his hand, and presently drunke a gooddraught thereof, which done, the young man having no mistrust, drunke up theresidue. The Physitian would have gone immediately home to receive acounterpoyson, to expell and drive out the first poyson: But the wicked womanpersevering in her mischiefe, would not suffer him to depart a foot, untillsuch time as the poyson began to worke in him, and then by much prayer andintercession she licensed him to goe home: By the way the poyson invaded theintrailes and bowels of the whole body of the Physitian, in such sort that withgreat paine he came to his owne house, where he had scarce time to speake tohis wife, and to will her to receive the promised salitary of the death of twopersons, but he yeelded up the ghost: And the other young man lived not longafter, but likewise dyed, amongst the feined and deceitfull teares of hiscursed wife. A few dayes after, when the young man was buried and the funerallended, the Physitians wife demanded of her the fifty peeces of gold which shepromised her husband for the drinke, whereat the ill disposed woman, withresemblance of honesty, answered her with gentle words, and promised to giveher the fifty peeces of gold, if she would fetch her a little of that samedrinke, to proceed and make an end of all her enterprise. The Physitians wifepartly to winne the further favour of this rich woman, and partly to gaine themoney, ranne incontinently home, and brought her a whole roote of poyson, whichwhen she saw, having now occasion to execute her further malice, and to finishthe damnable plot, began to stretch out her bloody hands to murther. She had adaughter by her husband (that was poysoned) who according to order of law, wasappointed heire of all the lands and goods of her father: but this womanknowing that the mothers succoured their children, and received all their goodsafter their death, purposed to shew her selfe a like parent to her child, asshe was a wife to her husband, whereupon she prepared a dinner with her ownehands, and empoysoned both the wife of the Physitian and her owne daughter: Thechild being young and tender dyed incontinently by force of the drinke, but thePhysitians wife being stout and strong of complexion, feeling the poison totrill down into her body, doubted the matter, and thereupon knowing ofcertainty that she had received her bane, ran forthwith to the judges house,that what with her cryes, and exclamations, she raised up the people of thetowne, and promising them to shew divers wicked and mischievous acts, causedthat the doores and gates were opened. When she came in she declared from thebeginning to the end the abhomination of this woman: but shee had scarce endedher tale, when opening her falling lips, and grinding her teeth together, shefell downe dead before the face of the Judge, who incontinently to try thetruth of the matter, caused the cursed woman, and her servants to be pulled outof the house, and enforced by paine of torment to confesse the verity, whichbeing knowne, this mischievous woman farre lesse then she deserved, but becausethere could be no more cruell a death invented for the quality of her offence,was condemned to be eaten with wild beasts. Behold with this woman was Iappointed to have to doe before the face of the people, but I being wrapped ingreat anguish, and envying the day of the triumph, when we two should soabandon our selves together, devised rather to sley my selfe, then to pollutemy body with this mischievous harlot, and so for ever to remaine defamed: butit was impossible for me so to doe, considering that I lacked hands, and wasnot able to hold a knife in my hoofes: howbeit standing in a pretty cabin, Irejoyced in my selfe to see that spring time was come, and that all thingsflourished, and that I was in good hope to find some Roses, to render me myhumane shape. When the day of triumph came, I was led with great pompe andbenevolence to the appointed place, where when I was brought, I first saw thepreamble of that triumph, dedicated with dancers and merry taunting jests, andin the meane season was placed before the gate of the Theater, whereas on theone side I saw the greene and fresh grasse growing before the entry thereof,whereon I greatly desired to feed: on the other side I conceived a greatdelectation to see when the Theater gates were opened, how all things wasfinely prepared and set forth: For there I might see young children and maidensin the flowre of their youth of excellent beauty, and attired gorgiously,dancing and mooved in comely order, according to the order of Grecia, forsometime they would dance in length, sometime round together, sometime dividethemselves into foure parts, and sometime loose hands on every side: but whenthe trumpet gave warning that every man should retire to his place, then beganthe triumph to appeare. First there was a hill of wood, not much unlike thatwhich the Poet Homer called Idea, for it was garnished about with all sort ofgreene verdures and lively trees, from the top whereof ran downe a cleare andfresh fountaine, nourishing the waters below, about which wood were many youngand tender Goates, plucking and feeding daintily on the budding trees, thencame a young man a shepheard representing Paris, richly arrayed with vestmentsof Barbary, having a mitre of gold upon his head, and seeming as though he keptthe goates. After him ensued another young man all naked, saving that his leftshoulder was covered with a rich cloake, and his head shining with glisteringhaires, and hanging downe, through which you might perceive two little wings,whereby you might conjecture that he was Mercury, with his rod called Caduceus,he bare in his right hand an Apple of gold, and with a seemely gate wenttowards him that represented Paris, and after hee had delivered him the Apple,he made a signe, signifying that Jupiter had commanded him so to doe: when hehad done his message he departed away. And by and by, there approached a faireand comely mayden, not much unlike to Juno, for she had a Diademe of gold uponher head, and in her hand she bare a regall scepter: then followed anotherresembling Pallas, for she had on her head a shining sallet, whereon was bounda garland of Olive branches, having in one hand a target or shield: and in theother a speare as though she would fight: then came another which passed theother in beauty, and presented the Goddesse Venus, with the color of Ambrosia,when she was a maiden, and to the end she would shew her perfect beauty, sheeappeared all naked, saving that her fine and dainty skin was covered with athin smocke, which the wind blew hither and thither to testifie the youth andflowre of the age of the dame. Her colour was of two sorts, for her body waswhite as descended from heaven, and her smocke was blewish, as arrived from thesea: After every one of the Virgins which seemed goddesses, followed certainewaiting servants, Castor and Pollus went behind Juno, having on their headshelmets covered with starres. This Virgin Juno sounded a Flute, which shee barein her hand, and mooved her selfe towards the shepheard Paris, shewing byhonest signes and tokens, and promising that hee should be Lord of all Asia, ifhee would judge her the fairest of the three, and to give her the apple ofgold: the other maiden which seemed by her armour to be Pallas, was accompaniedwith two young men armed, and brandishing their naked swords in their hands,whereof one named Terror, and the other Feare; behind them approached onesounding his trumpet to provoke and stirre men to battell; this maiden began todance and shake her head, throwing her fierce and terrible eyes upon Paris andpromising that if it pleased him to give her the victory of beauty, shee wouldmake him the most strong and victorious man alive. Then came Venus andpresented her selfe in the middle of the Theater, with much favour of all thepeople, for shee was accompanied with a great many of youth, whereby you wouldhave judged them all to be Cupidoes, either to have flowne from heaven or elsefrom the river of the sea, for they had wings, arrowes, and the residue oftheir habit according in each point, and they bare in their hands torcheslighted, as though it had beene a day of marriage. Then came in a greatmultitude of faire maidens: on the one side were the most comely Graces: on theother side, the most beautifull Houres carrying garlands and loose flowers, andmaking great honor to the goddesse of pleasure; the flutes and Pipes yeeldedout the sweet sound of Lydians, whereby they pleased the minds of the standersby exceedingly, but the more pleasing Venus mooved forward more and more, andshaking her head answered by her motion and gesture, to the sound of theinstruments. For sometimes she would winke gently, sometimes threaten and lookeaspishly, and sometimes dance onely with her eyes: As soone as she was comebefore the Judge, she made a signe and token to give him the most fairestspouse of all the world, if he would prefer her above the residue of thegoddesses. Then the young Phrygian shepheard Paris with a willing minddelivered the golden Apple to Venus, which was the victory of beauty.

Why doe ye marvell, ye Orators, ye Lawyers, and Advocates, if many of ourjudges now a daies sell their judgements for money, when as in the beginning ofthe world one onely Grace corrupted the sentence betweene God and men, and thatone rusticall Judge and shepheard appointed by the counsell of great Jupiter,sold his judgement for a little pleasure, which was the cause afterward of theruine of all his progeny? By like manner of meane, was sentence given betweenthe noble Greekes: For the noble and valiant personage Palamedes was convictedand attainted of treason, by false perswasion and accusation, and Ulisses beingbut of base condition, was preferred in Martiall prowesse above great Ajax.What judgement was there likewise amongst the Athenian lawyers, sage and expertin all sciences? Was not Socrates who was preferred by Apollo, above all thewise men in the world, by envy and malice of wicked persons impoysoned with theherbe Cicuta, as one that corrupted the youth of the countrey, whom alwaies bekept under by correction? For we see now a dayes many excellent Philosophersgreatly desire to follow his sect, and by perpetual study to value and revolvehis workes, but to the end I may not be reproved of indignation by any one thatmight say: What, shall we suffer an Asse to play the Philosopher? I willreturne to my further purpose.

After the judgement of Paris was ended, Juno and Pallas departed away angerly,shewing by their gesture, that they would revenge themselves on Paris, butVenus that was right pleased and glad in her heart, danced about the Theaterwith much joy. This done from the top of the hill through a privy spout, ran afloud of the colour of Saffron, which fell upon the Goates, and changed theirwhite haire into yellow, with a sweet odour to all them of the Theater. By andby after by certaine engines, the ground opened, and swallowed up the hill ofwood: and then behold there came a man of armes through the multitude,demanding by the consent of the people, the woman who was condemned to thebeasts, and appointed for me to have to doe withall: our bed was finely andbravely prepared, and covered with silke and other things necessary. But I,beside the shame to commit this horrible fact, and to pollute my body with thiswicked harlot did greatly feare the danger of death: for I thought in my selfe,that when she and I were together, the savage beast appointed to devoure thewoman, was not so instructed and taught, or would so temper his greedinesse, asthat hee would teare her in peeces lying under mee, and spare mee with a regardof mine innocency. Wherefore I was more carefull for the safeguard of my life,then for the shame that I should abide, but in the meane season while my mastermade ready the bed, all the residue did greatly delight to see the hunting andpleasantnesse of the triumph, I began to thinke and devise for my selfe. When Iperceived that no man had regard to mee, that was so tame and gentle an Asse, Istole out of the gate that was next me, and then I ran away with all force, andcame to Cenchris, which is the most famous towne of all the Carthaginians,bordering upon the Seas called Ageum, and Saronicum, where is a great andmighty Haven, frequented with many a sundry Nation. There because I would avoydthe multitude of the people, I went to a secret place of the Sea coast, where Ilaid me down upon the sand, to ease and refresh my selfe, for the day was pastand the Sunne gone downe, and lying in this sort on the ground, did fall in asound sleepe.

THE ELEVENTH BOOKE

THE FORTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius by Roses and prayer returned to his humane shape.

When midnight came that I had slept my first sleepe, I awaked with suddainefeare, and saw the Moone shining bright, as when shee is at the full, andseeming as though she leaped out of the Sea. Then thought I with my selfe, thatwas the most secret time, when the goddesse Ceres had most puissance and force,considering that all humane things be governed by her providence: and not onelyall beasts private and tame, but also all wild and savage beasts be under herprotection. And considering that all bodies in the heavens, the earth and theseas, be by her increasing motions increased, and by her diminishing motionsdiminished: as weary of all my cruell fortune and calamity, I found good hopeand soveraigne remedy, though it were very late, to be delivered from all mymisery, by invocation and prayer, to the excellent beauty of the Goddesse, whomI saw shining before mine eyes, wherefore shaking off mine Assie and drowsiesleepe, I arose with a joyfull face, and mooved by a great affection to purifiemy selfe, I plunged my selfe seven times into the water of the Sea, whichnumber of seven is conveniable and agreeable to holy and divine things, as theworthy and sage Philosopher Pythagoras hath declared. Then with a weepingcountenance, I made this Orison to the puissant Goddesse, saying: O blessedQueene of heaven, whether thou be the Dame Ceres which art the originall andmotherly nource of all fruitfull things in earth, who after the finding of thydaughter Proserpina, through the great joy which thou diddest presentlyconceive, madest barraine and unfruitfull ground to be plowed and sowne, andnow thou inhabitest in the land of Eleusie; or whether thou be the celestiallVenus, who in the beginning of the world diddest couple together all kind ofthings with an ingendered love, by an eternall propagation of humane kind, artnow worshipped within the Temples of the Ile Paphos, thou which art the sisterof the God Phoebus, who nourishest so many people by the generation of beasts,and art now adored at the sacred places of Ephesus, thou which art horribleProserpina, by reason of the deadly howlings which thou yeeldest, that hastpower to stoppe and put away the invasion of the hags and Ghoasts which appeareunto men, and to keepe them downe in the closures of the earth: thou which artworshipped in divers manners, and doest illuminate all the borders of the earthby thy feminine shape, thou which nourishest all the fruits of the world by thyvigor and force; with whatsoever name or fashion it is lawfull to call uponthee, I pray thee, to end my great travaile and misery, and deliver mee fromthe wretched fortune, which had so long time pursued me. Grant peace and restif it please thee to my adversities, for I have endured too much labour andperill. Remoove from me my shape of mine Asse, and render to me my pristineestate, and if I have offended in any point of divine Majesty, let me ratherdye then live, for I am full weary of my life. When I had ended this orison,and discovered my plaints to the Goddesse, I fortuned to fall asleepe, and byand by appeared unto me a divine and venerable face, worshipped even of theGods themselves. Then by little and little I seemed to see the whole figure ofher body, mounting out of the sea and standing before mee, wherefore I purposeto describe her divine semblance, if the poverty of my humane speech willsuffer me, or her divine power give me eloquence thereto. First shee had agreat abundance of haire, dispersed and scattered about her neck, on the crowneof her head she bare many garlands enterlaced with floures, in the middle ofher forehead was a compasse in fashion of a glasse, or resembling the light ofthe Moone, in one of her hands she bare serpents, in the other, blades ofcorne, her vestiment was of fine silke yeelding divers colours, sometimeyellow, sometime rosie, sometime flamy, and sometime (which troubled my spiritsore) darke and obscure, covered with a blacke robe in manner of a shield, andpleated in most subtill fashion at the skirts of her garments, the weltsappeared comely, whereas here and there the starres glimpsed, and in the middleof them was placed the Moone, which shone like a flame of fire, round about therobe was a coronet or garland made with flowers and fruits. In her right handshee had a timbrell of brasse, which gave a pleasant sound, in her left handshee bare a cup of gold, out of the mouth whereof the serpent Aspis lifted uphis head, with a swelling throat, her odoriferous feete were covered with shoesinterlaced and wrought with victorious palme. Thus the divine shape breathingout the pleasant spice of fertill Arabia, disdained not with her divine voyceto utter these words unto me: Behold Lucius I am come, thy weeping and prayershath mooved mee to succour thee. I am she that is the naturall mother of allthings, mistresse and governesse of all the Elements, the initiall progeny ofworlds, chiefe of powers divine, Queene of heaven! the principall of the Godscelestiall, the light of the goddesses: at my will the planets of the ayre, thewholesome winds of the Seas, and the silences of hell be diposed; my name, mydivinity is adored throughout all the world in divers manners, in variablecustomes and in many names, for the Phrygians call me the mother of the Gods:the Athenians, Minerva: the Cyprians, Venus: the Candians, Diana: the SiciliansProserpina: the Eleusians, Ceres: some Juno, other Bellona, other Hecate: andprincipally the Aethiopians which dwell in the Orient, and the Aegyptians whichare excellent in all kind of ancient doctrine, and by their proper ceremoniesaccustome to worship mee, doe call mee Queene Isis. Behold I am come to takepitty of thy fortune and tribulation, behold I am present to favour and aydthee, leave off thy weeping and lamentation, put away all thy sorrow, forbehold the healthfull day which is ordained by my providence, therefore beready to attend to my commandement. This day which shall come after this night,is dedicated to my service, by an eternall religion, my Priests and Ministersdoe accustome after the tempests of the Sea, be ceased, to offer in my name anew ship as a first fruit of my Navigation. I command thee not to prophane ordespise the sacrifice in any wise, for the great Priest shall carry this dayfollowing in procession by my exhortation, a Garland of Roses, next thetimbrell of his right hand: follow thou my procession amongst the people, andwhen thou commest to the Priest make as though thou wouldest kisse his hand,but snatch at the Roses, whereby I will put away the skin and shape of an Asse,which kind of beast I have long time abhorred and despised, but above allthings beware thou doubt not nor feare any of those things, as hard anddifficill to bee brought to passe, for in the same houre that I am come tothee, I have commanded the Priest by a vision what he shall doe, and all thepeople by my commandement shall be compelled to give thee place and saynothing! Moreover, thinke not that amongst so faire and joyfull Ceremonies, andin so good a company that any person shall abhorre thy ill-favoured anddeformed figure, or that any man shall be so hardy, as to blame and reprove thysuddaine restoration to humane shape, wherby they should gather or conceive anysinister opinion: and know thou this of certaine, that the residue of thy lifeuntill the houre of death shall be bound and subject to me! And think it not aninjury to be alwayes serviceable towards me, since as by my meane and benefitthou shalt become a man: thou shalt live blessed in this world, thou shalt liveglorious by my guide and protection, and when thou descendest to Hell, wherethou shalt see me shine in that subterene place, shining (as thou seest me now)in the darkness of Acheron, and raigning in the deepe profundity of Stix, thoushalt worship me, as one that hath bin favourable to thee, and if I perceivethat thou art obedient to my commandement, addict to my religion, and merite mydivine grace, know thou, that I will prolong thy dales above the time that thefates have appointed, and the celestial Planets ordeined.

When the divine Image had spoken these words, she vanished away! By and by whenI awaked, I arose, haveing the members of my bodie mixed with feare, joy andsweate, and marvailed at the cleare presence of the puissant goddesse, andbeing sprinkled with the water of the sea, I recounted orderly her admonitionsand divine commandements. Soone after, the darknes chased away, and the cleareand golden sunne arose, when as behold I saw the streets replenished withpeople going in a religious sort and in great triumph. All things seemed thatday to be joyfull, as well all manner of beasts and houses, as also the veryday it selfe seemed to rejoyce. For after the hore-frost, ensued the hot andtemperat sun, whereby the little birds weening that the spring time had bincome, did chirp and sing in their steven melodiously: the mother of stars, theparent of times, and mistres of all the world: The fruitfull trees rejoyced attheir fertility: The barren and sterill were contented at their shadow,rendering sweete and pleasant shrills! The seas were quiet from winds andtempests: the heaven had chaced away the clouds, and appeared faire and clearewith his proper light. Behold then more and more appeared the pomps andprocessions, attired in regall manner and singing joyfully: One was girdedabout the middle like a man of armes: Another bare and spare, and had a cloakeand high-shooes like a hunter! another was attired in a robe of silke, andsocks of gold, having his haire laid out, and dressed in forme of a woman!There was another ware legge-harnesse, and bare a target, a sallet, and aspeare like a martial souldier: after him marched one attired in purple withvergers before him like a magistrate! after him followed one with a maurell, astaffe, a paire of pantofles, and with a gray beard, signifying a philosopher:after him went one with lime, betokening a fowler, another with hookesdeclaring a fisher: I saw there a meeke and tame beare, which in matron habitewas carried on a stoole: An Ape with a bonet on his head, and covered withlawne, resemling a shepheard, and bearing a cup of gold in his hand: an Assewhich had wings glewed to his backe, and went after an old man, whereby youwould judge the one to be Pegasus, and the other Bellephoron. Amongst thepleasures and popular delectations, which wandered hither and thither, youmight see the pompe of the goddesse triumphantly march forward: The womanattired in white vestiments, and rejoicing, in that they bare garlands andflowers upon their heads, bedspread the waies with hearbes, which they bare intheir aprons, where this regall and devout procession should passe: Othercaried glasses on their backes, to testifie obeisance to the goddess which cameafter. Other bare combs of Ivory, and declared by their gesture and motions oftheir armes, that they were ordained and readie to dresse the goddesse: Othersdropped in the wayes as they went Balme and other pretious ointments: Then camea great number, as well of men as women, with Candels, torches, and otherlights, doing honour to the celestiall goddesse: After that sounded the musicalharmony of instruments: then came a faire companie of youth, apparelled inwhite vestiments, singing both meter and verse, with a comely grade which somestudious Poet had made in honour of the Muses: In the meane season, arrived theblowers of trumpets, which were dedicated unto Serapes, and to the templebefore them were officers and beadles, preparing roome for the goddess topasse. Then came the great company of men and women, which had taken divineorders, whose garments glistered all the streets over. The women had theirhaire annointed and their heads covered with linnen: but the men had theircrownes shaven, which were the terrene stars of the goddesse, holding in theirhand instruments of brasse, silver and gold, which rendered a pleasant sound.

The principall Priests which were apparelled with white surplesses hangingdowne to the ground, bare the relikes of the puissant goddesse. One carried inhis hand a light, not unlike to those which we used in our houses, saving thatin the middle thereof appeared a bole which rendred a more bright flame. Thesecond attired like the other bare in his hand an Altar, which the goddesse herselfe named the succor of nations. The third held a tree of palme with leavesof gold, and the verge of Mercurie. The fourth shewed out a token of equitie byhis left hand, which was deformed in every place, signifiing thereby moreequitie then by the right hand. The same Priest carried a round vessell ofgold, in forme of a cap. The fifth bare a van, wrought with springs of gold,and another carried a vessell for wine: By and by after the goddesse followed afoot as men do, and specially Mercurie, the messenger of the goddesse infernalland supernall, with his face sometime blacke, sometime faire, lifting up thehead of the dogges Annubis, and bearing in his left hand, his verge, and in hisright hand, the branches of a palme tree, after whom followed a cow with anupright gate, representing the figure of the great goddesse, and he that guidedher, marched on with much gravity. Another carried after the secrets of theirreligion, closed in a coffer. There was one that bare on his stomacke a figureof his god, not formed like any beast, bird, savage thing or humane shape, butmade by a new invention, whereby was signified that such a religion should notbe discovered or revealed to any person. There was a vessel wrought with around bottome, haveing on the one side, pictures figured like unto the mannerof the Egyptians, and on the other side was an eare, whereupon stood theSerpent Aspis, holding out his scaly necke. Finally, came he which wasappointed to my good fortun according to the promise of the goddesse. For thegreat Priest which bare the restoration of my human shape, by the commandementof the goddes, Approached more and more, bearing in his left hand the timbrill,and in the other a garland of Roses to give me, to the end I might be deliveredfrom cruel fortune, which was alwaies mine enemie, after the sufferance of somuch calamitie and paine, and after the endurance of so manie perilles: Then Inot returning hastilie, by reason of sodaine joye, lest I should disturbe thequiet procession with mine importunitie, but going softly through the prease ofthe people, which gave me place on every side, went after the Priest. Thepriest being admonished the night before, as I might well perceive stood stilland holding out his hand, thrust out the garland of roses into my mouth, I(trembling) devoured with a great affection: And as soone as I had eaten them,I was not deceived of the promise made unto me. For my deforme and Assie faceabated, and first the rugged haire of my body fell off, my thick skin waxedsoft and tender, the hooves of my feet changed into toes, my hands returnedagaine, my neck grew short, my head and mouth began round, my long eares weremade little, my great and stonie teeth waxed lesse like the teeth of men, andmy tayle which combred me most, appeared no where: then the people began tomarvaile, and the religious honoured the goddesse, for so evident a miracle,they wondered at the visions which they saw in the night, and the facilitie ofmy reformation, whereby they rendered testimonie of so great a benefit which Ireceived of the goddesse. When I saw my selfe in such estate, I stood still agood space and said nothing, for I could not tell what to say, nor what word Ishoulde first speake, nor what thanks I should render to the goddesse, but thegreat Priest understanding all my fortune and miserie, by divine advertisement,commanded that one should give me garments to cover me: Howbeit as soone as Iwas transformed from an asse to my humane shape, I hid the privitie of my bodywith my hands as shame and necessity compelled mee. Then one of the company putoff his upper robe and put it on my backe: which done, the Priest looked uponme, with a sweete and benigne voice, gan say in this sort: O my friend Lucius,after the endurance of so many labours, and the escape of so many tempests offortune, thou art at length come to the port and haven of rest and mercy:neither did thy noble linage, thy dignity, thy doctrine, or any thing prevaile,but that thou hast endured so many servil pleasures, by a little folly of thyyouthfullnes, whereby thou hast had a sinister reward for thy unprosperouscuriositie, but howsoever the blindnes of fortune tormented thee in diversdangers: so it is, that now unwares to her, thou art come to this presentfelicitie: let fortune go, and fume with fury in another place, let her findesome other matter to execute her cruelty, for fortune hath no puissance againstthem which serve and honour our goddesse. For what availed the theeves: thebeasts savage: thy great servitude: the ill and dangerous waits: the longpassages: the feare of death every day? Know thou, that now thou art safe, andunder the protection of her, who by her cleare light doth lighten the othergods: wherefore rejoyce and take a convenable countenance to thy white habit,follow the pomp of this devout and honorable procession, to the end that suchwhich be not devout to the Goddes, may see and acknowledge their errour. BeholdLucius, thou art delivered from so great miseries, by the providence of thegoddesse Isis, rejoyce therefore and triumph of the victory of fortune; to theend thou maist live more safe and sure, make thy selfe one of this holy order,dedicate thy minde to the Obsequy of our Religion, and take upon thee avoluntary yoake of ministrie: And when thou beginnest to serve and honour thegoddes, then thou shalt feele the fruit of thy liberty: After that the greatPriest had prophesied in this manner, with often breathings, he made aconclusion of his words: Then I went amongst the company of the rest andfollowed the procession: everie one of the people knew me, and pointing at mewith their fingers, said in this sort: Behold him who is this day transformedinto a man by the puissance of the soveraigne goddesse, verily he is blessedand most blessed that hath merited so great grace from heaven, as by theinnocencie of his former life, and as it were by a new regeneration is reservedto the obsequie of the goddesse. In the meane season by little and little weapproached nigh unto the sea cost, even to that place where I lay the nightbefore being an Asse. There after the images and reliques were orderlydisposed, the great Priest compassed about with divers pictures according tothe fashion of the Aegyptians, did dedicate and consecrate with certaineprayers a fair ship made very cunningly, and purified the same with a torch, anegge, and sulphur; the saile was of white linnen cloath, whereon was writtencertaine letters, which testified the navigation to be prosperous, the mast wasof a great length, made of a Pine tree, round and very excellent with a shiningtop, the cabin was covered over with coverings of gold, and all the shippe wasmade of Citron tree very faire; then all the people as well religious asprophane tooke a great number of Vannes, replenished with odours and pleasantsmells and threw them into the sea mingled with milke, untill the ship wasfilled up with large gifts and prosperous devotions, when as with a pleasantwind it launched out into the deep. But when they had lost the sight of theship, every man caried againe that he brought, and went toward the temple inlike pompe and order as they came to the sea side. When we were come to thetemple, the great priest and those which were deputed to carrie the divinefigures, but especially those which had long time bin worshippers of thereligion, went into the secret chamber of the goddesse, where they put andplaced the images according to their ordor. This done, one of the company whichwas a scribe or interpreter of letters, who in forme of a preacher stood up ina chaire before the place of the holy college, and began to reade out of abooke, and to interpret to the great prince, the senate, and to all the nobleorder of chivalry, and generally to all the Romane people, and to all such asbe under the jurisdiction of Rome, these words following (Laois Aphesus) whichsignified the end of their divin service and that it was lawfull for every manto depart, whereat all the people gave a great showt, and replenished with muchjoy, bare all kind of hearbs and garlands of flowers home to their houses,kissing and imbracing the steps where the goddesse passed: howbeit I could notdoe as the rest, for my mind would not suffer me to depart one foot away, soattentiv was I to behold the beauty of the goddesse, with remembrance of thegreat miserie I had endured.

THE FORTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER

How the parents and friends of Apuleius heard news that he was alive and inhealth.

In the mean season newes was carried into my countrey (as swift as the flightof birds, or as the blast of windes) of the grace and benefit which I receivedof the goddesse, and of my fortune worthy to be had in memory. Then my parentsfriends and servants of our house understanding that I was not dead, as theywere falsely informed, came towards me with great diligence to see me, as a manraised from death to life: and I which never thought to see them againe, was asjoyfull as they, accepting and taking in good part their honest gifts andoblations that they gave, to the intent I might buy such things as wasnecessarie for my body: for after I had made relation unto them of all mypristine miserie, and present joyes, I went before the face of the goddesse andhired me a house within the cloister of the temple to the end I mightcontinually be ready to the service of the goddesse, and ordinarily frequentthe company of the priests, whereby I would wholy become devout to thegoddesse, and an inseparable worshipper of her divine name: It fortuned thatthe goddesse appeared to me oftetimes in the night perswading and commanding meto take the order of her religion, but I, though I was indued with a desirousgood will, yet the feare of the same withheld me considering her obeysance washard and difficile, the chastitie of the Priests intolerable, and the lifefraile and subject to manie inconveniences. Being thus in doubt, I refrained myselfe from all those things as seemed impossible.

On a night the great priest appeared unto me, presenting his lap full oftreasure, and when I demanded what it signified, he answered, that it was sentme from the countrey of Thessaly, and that a servant of mine named Candidus wasarived likewise: when I was awake, I mused in my selfe what this vision shouldpretend, considering I had never any servant called by that name: but whatsoever it did signifie, this I verely thought, that it was a foreshew of gaineand prosperous chance: while I was thus astonied I went to the temple, andtaried there till the opening of the gates, then I went in and began to praybefore the face of the goddesse, the Priest prepared and set the divine thingsof every Altar, and pulled out the fountaine and holy vessell with solempnesupplication. Then they began to sing the mattens of the morning, testifyingthereby the houre of the prime. By and by behold arived my servant which I hadleft in the country, when Fotis by errour made me an Asse, bringing with him myhorse, recovered by her through certaine signes and tokens which I had upon mybacke. Then I perceived the interpretation of my dreame, by reason that besidethe promise of gaine, my white horse was restored to me, which was signified bythe argument of my servant Candidus.

This done I retired to the service of the goddesse in hope of greater benefits,considering I had received a signe and token, whereby my courage increasedevery day more and more to take upon me the orders and sacraments of thetemple: insomuch that I oftentimes communed with the Priest, desiring himgreatly to give me the degree of the religion, but he which was a man ofgravitie, and well renowned in the order of priesthood, deferred my affectionfrom day to day, with comfort and better hope, as parents commonly bridle thedesires of their children, when they attempt or indeavour any unprofitablething, saying, that the day when any one should be admitted into their order isappointed by the goddesse, the Priest which should minister the sacrifice ischosen by her providence, and the necessary charges of the ceremonies isalotted by her commandement, all which things he willed me to attend withmarvailous patience, and that I should beware either of too much hastinesse, ortoo great slacknesse, considering that there was like danger, if being called Ishould delay: or not called I should be hasty: moreover he said that there wasnone of his company either of so desperate a mind, or so rash and hardy, as toenterprise any thing without the commandernent of the goddesse, whereby heshould commit a deadly offence, considering that it was in her power to damneand save all persons, and if any were at the point of death, and in the way todamnation, so that he were capable to receive the secrets of the goddesse, itwas in her power by divine providence to reduce him to the path of health, asby a certaine kind of regeneration: Finally he said that I must attend thecelestiall precept, although it was evident and plaine, that the goddesse hadalready vouchsafed to call and appoint me to her ministery, and to will merefraine from prophane and unlawfull meates, as those Priests which werealready received, to the end I might come more apt and cleane to the knowledgeof the secrets of religion. Then was I obedient unto these words, and attentivewith meek quietnesse, and probable taciturnity, I daily served at the temple:in the end the wholesome gentlenesse of the goddesse did nothing deceive me,for in the night she appeared to me in a vision, shewing that the day was comewhich I had wished for so long, she told me what provision and charges I shouldbe at, and how that she had appointed her principallest Priest Mythra to beminister with me in my sacrifices.

When I heard these divine commandements, I greatly rejoyced: and arose beforeday to speake with the great Priest, whom I fortuned to espie comming out ofhis chamber: Then I saluted him, and thought with my selfe to aske and demandhis counsell with a bold courage, but as soone as he perceived me, he beganfirst to say: O Lucius now know I well that thou art most happy and blessed,whom the divine goddesse doth so greatly accept with mercy, why dost thoudelay? Behold the day which thou desiredst when as thou shalt receive at myhands the order of religion, and know the most pure secrets of the gods,whereupon the old man tooke me by the hand, and lead me to the gate of thegreat temple, where at the first entrie he made a solempne celebration, andafter morning sacrifice ended, brought out of the secret place of the templebooks, partly written with unknown characters, and partly painted with figuresof beasts declaring briefly every sentence, with tops and tailes, turning infashion of a wheele, which were strange and impossible to be read of theprophane people: There he interpreted to me such things as were necessary tothe use and preparation of mine order. This done, I gave charge to certaine ofmy companions to buy liberally, whatsoever was needfull and convenient, then hebrought me to the next bains accompanied with all the religious sort, anddemanding pardon of the goddesse, washed me and purified my body, according tocustome. After this, when noone approached, he brought me backe againe to thetemple, presented me before the face of the goddesse, giving a charge ofcertaine secret things unlawfull to be uttered, and commanding me, andgenerally all the rest, to fast by the space of ten continuall daies, withouteating of any beast, or drinking any wine, which thing I observed with amarvellous continencie. Then behold the day approached, when as the sacrificeshould be done, and when night came there arrived on every coast, a greatmultitude of Priests, who according to their order offered me many presents andgifts: then was all the Laity and prophane people commanded to depart, and whenthey had put on my back a linnen robe, they brought me to the most secret andsacred place of all the temple. You would peradventure demand (you studiousreader) what was said and done there, verely I would tell you if it werelawfull for me to tell, you should know if it were convenient for you to heare,but both thy eares, and my tongue shall incur the like paine of rashcuriositie: Howbeit, I will content thy mind for this present time, whichperadventure is somewhat religious and given to some devotion, listen thereforeand beleeve it to be true: Thou shalt understand that I approached neere untoHell, even to the gates of Proserpina, and after that, I was ravishedthroughout all the Element, I returned to my proper place: About midnight I sawthe Sun shine, I saw likewise the gods celestiall and gods infernall, beforewhom I presented my selfe, and worshipped them: Behold now have I told thee,which although thou hast heard, yet it is necessarie thou conceale it; thishave I declared without offence, for the understanding of the prophane.

When morning came, and that the solemnities were finished, I came forthsanctified with xii. Stoles and in a religious habit, whereof I am notforbidden to speake, considering that many persons saw me at that time: there Iwas commanded to stand upon a seate of wood, which stood in the middle of thetemple, before the figure and remembrance of the goddesse; my vestiment was offine linnen, covered and embroidered with flowers. I had a pretious Cope uponmy shoulders hanging downe to the ground, whereon were beasts wrought of diverscolours as Indian dragons, and Hiperborian Griphons, whom in forme of birds,the other world doth ingender; the Priests commonly call such a habit, acelestiall Stole: in my right hand I carried a light torch, and a garland offlowers upon my head, with Palme leaves sprouting out on every side: I wasadorned like unto the Sun, and made in fashion of an Image, in such sort thatall the people compassed about to behold me: then they began to solemnize thefeast of the nativitie, and the new procession with sumptuous bankets anddelicate meates: the third day was likewise celebrated with like ceremonieswith a religious dinner, and with all the consummation of the order: when I hadcontinued there a good space, I conceived a marvailous great pleasure andconsolation in beholding ordinarily the Image of the goddesse, who at lengthadmonished me to depart homeward, not without rendring of thanks, whichalthough it were not sufficient, yet they were according to my power. Howbeit Icould unneth be perswaded to depart, before I had fallen prostrate before theface of the goddesse, and wiped her steps with my face, whereby I began sogreatly to weepe and sigh that my words were interrupted, and as devouring myprayer, I began to say in this sort: O holy and blessed dame, the perpetuallcomfort of humane kind, who by thy bounty and grace nourishest all the world,and hearest a great affection to the adversities of the miserable, as a lovingmother thou takest no rest, neither art thou idle at any time in giving thybenefits, and succoring all men, as well on land as sea; thou art she thatputtest away all stormes and dangers from mans life by thy right hand, wherebylikewise thou restrainest the fatall dispositions, appeasest the great tempestsof fortune and keepest backe the course of the stars: the gods supernall doehonour thee: the gods infernall have thee in reverence: thou environest all theworld, thou givest light to the Sunne, thou governest the world, thou treadestdowne the power of hell: By thy meane the times returne, the Planets rejoyce,the Elements serve: at thy commandment the winds do blow, the clouds increase,the seeds prosper, and the fruits prevaile, the birds of the aire, the beastsof the hill, the serpents of the den, and the fishes of the sea, do tremble atthy majesty, but my spirit is not able to give thee sufficient praise, mypatrimonie is unable to satisfie thy sacrifice, my voice hath no power to utterthat which I thinke, no if I had a thousand mouths and so many tongues: Howbeitas a good religious person, and according to my estate, I will alwaies keepethee in remembrance and close thee within my breast. When I had ended mineorison, I went to embrace the great Priest Mythra my spirituall father, and todemand his pardon, considering I was unable to recompence the good which he haddone to me: after great greeting and thanks I departed from him to visit myparents and friends; and within a while after by the exhortation of thegoddesse, I made up my packet, and tooke shipping toward the Citie of Rome,where with a prosperous winde I arrived about the xii. day of December. And thegreatest desire that I had there, was daily to make my praiers to thesoveraigne goddesse Isis, who by reason of the place where her temple wasbuilded, was called Campensis, and continually adored of the people of Rome.Her minister and worshipper was I, howbeit I was a stranger to her Church, andunknowne to her religion there.

When the yeare was ended, and the goddesse warned me againe to receive this neworder and consecration, I marvailed greatly what it should signifie, and whatshould happen, considering that I was a sacred person already, but it fortunedthat while I partly reasoned with my selfe, and partly examining the thing withthe Priests and Bishops, there came a new and marvailous thought in my mind,that is to say, I was onely religious to the goddesse Isis, but not sacred tothe religion of great Osiris the soveraigne father of all the goddesses,between whom, although there was a religious unitie and concord, yet there wasa great difference of order and ceremony. And because it was necessary that Ishould likewise be a minister unto Osiris, there was no long delay: for in thenight after, appeared unto me one of that order, covered with linnen robes,holding in his hands speares wrapped in Ivie, and other things not convenientto declare, which then he left in my chamber, and sitting in my seate, recitedto me such things as were necessary for the sumptuous banket of mine entrie.And to the end I might know him againe, he shewed me how the ankle of his leftfoote was somewhat maimed, which caused him a little to halt.

After that I manifestly knew the will of the God Osiris, when mattins wasended, I went from one to another, to find him out which had the halting markeon his foote, according as I learned by my vision; at length I found it true:for I perceived one of the company of the Priests who had not onely the tokenof his foote, but the stature and habite of his body, resembling in every pointas he appeared in the night: he was called Asinius Marcellus, a name not muchdisagreeing from my transformation. By and by I went to him, which knew wellenough all the matter, as being monished by like precept in the night: for thenight before as he dressed the flowers and garlands about the head of the godOsiris, he understood by the mouth of the image which told the predestinationsof all men, how he had sent a poore man of Madura, to whom he should ministerhis sacraments, to the end hee should receive a reward by divine providence,and the other glory, for his vertuous studies. When I saw my selfe this deputedunto religion, my desire was stopped by reason of povertie, for I had spent agreat part of my goods in travell and peregrination, but most of all in theCitie of Rome, whereby my low estate withdrew me a great while.

In the end being oft times stirred forward, not without great trouble of mind,I was constrained to sell my robe for a little money: howbeit sufficient forall my affaires. Then the Priest spake unto me saying, How is it that for alittle pleasure thou art not afraid to sell thy vestiments, and entring into sogreat ceremonies, fearest to fall into povertie? Prepare thy selfe, andabstaine from all animall meats, as beasts and fish. In the meane season Ifrequented the sacrifices of Serapis, which were done in the night, which thinggave me great comfort to my peregrination, and ministred unto me moreplentifull living, considering I gained some money in haunting the court, byreason of my Latin tongue.

Immediately after I was eftsoones called and admonished by the god Osiris, toreceive a third order of religion. Then I was greatly astonied, because I couldnot tell what this new vision signified, or what the intent of the celestiallgod was, doubting least the former Priests had given me ill counsell, andfearing that they had not faithfully instructed me: being in this manner as itwere incensed the god Osiris appeared to me the night following, and giving meadmonition said, There is no occasion why thou shouldest be afraid with sooften order of religion, as though there were somewhat omitted, but that thoushouldest rather rejoyce, since as it hath pleased the gods to call thee threetimes, when as there was never yet any person that atchieved to the order butonce: wherefore thou maist thinke thy selfe happy for so great benefits. Andknow thou that the religion which thou must now receive, is right necessary, ifthou meane to persever in the worshipping of the goddesse, and to makesolempnity on the festivall day with the blessed habite, which thing shalt be aglory and renowne to thee.

After this sort, the divine majesty perswaded me in my sleepe, whereupon by andby I went towards the Priest, and declared all that which I had seene, then Ifasted ten dayes according to the custome, and of mine owne proper will Iabstained longer then I was commanded: and verely I did nothing repent of thepaine which I had taken, and of the charges which I was at, considering thatthe divine providence had given me such an order, that I gained much money inpleading of causes: Finally after a few dayes, the great god Osiris appeared tome in the night, not disguised in any other forme, but in his owne essence,commanding me that I should be an Advocate in the court, and not feare theslander and envie of ill persons, which beare me stomacke and grudge by reasonof my doctrine, which I had gotten by much labour: moreover, he would not thatI should be any longer of the number of his Priests, but he allotted me to beone of the Decurions and Senatours: and after he appointed me a place withinthe ancient pallace, which was erected in the time of Silla, where I executedmy office in great joy with a shaven Crowne.

Related articles