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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Golden Asse</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Lucius Apuleius</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: William Adlington</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: March, 1999 [eBook #1666]<br /> +[Most recently updated: September 17, 2022]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Donal O’Danachair and David Widger</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN ASSE ***</div> + +<h1>The Golden Asse</h1> + +<h2 class="no-break">by Lucius Apuleius <i>“Africanus”</i></h2> + +<h3>Translated by William Adlington</h3> + +<h4>First published 1566 This version as reprinted<br/> +from the edition of 1639. The original spelling,<br/> +capitalisation and punctuation have been retained.</h4> + +<hr /> + +<h2>Contents</h2> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0001"> Dedication</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0002"> The Life of Lucius Apuleius Briefly Described</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0003"> The Preface of the Author To His Sonne, Faustinus<br/><br/></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0004"> <b>THE FIRST BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE FIRST CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0006"> THE SECOND CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0007"> THE THIRD CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0008"> THE FOURTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0009"> THE FIFTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0010"> THE SIXTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0011"> THE SEVENTH CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0012"> <b>THE SECOND BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0013"> THE EIGHTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0014"> THE NINTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0015"> THE TENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0016"> THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0017"> <b>THE THIRD BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0018"> THE TWELFTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0019"> THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0020"> THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0021"> THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0022"> THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0023"> THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0024"> <b>THE FOURTH BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0025"> THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0026"> THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0027"> THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0028"> THE TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0029"> <b>THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHES</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0030"> THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0031"> <b>THE SIXTH BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0032"> THE TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0033"> <b>THE SEVENTH BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0034"> THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0035"> THE TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0036"> THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0037"> THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0038"> THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0039"> THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0040"> THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0041"> THE THIRTY-FIRST CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0042"> <b>THE EIGHTH BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0043"> THE THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0044"> THE THIRTY-THIRD CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0045"> THE THIRTY-FOURTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0046"> THE THIRTY-FIFTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0047"> THE THIRTY-SIXTH CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0048"> <b>THE NINTH BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0049"> THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0050"> THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0051"> THE THIRTY-NINTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0052"> THE FORTIETH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0053"> THE FORTY-FIRST CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0054"> THE FORTY-SECOND CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0055"> THE FORTY-THIRD CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0056"> <b>THE TENTH BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0057"> THE FORTY-FOURTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0058"> THE FORTY-FIFTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0059"> THE FORTY-SIXTH CHAPTER</a><br/><br/> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0060"> <b>THE ELEVENTH BOOKE</b></a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0061"> THE FORTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<p> +<a href="#link2H_4_0062"> THE FORTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER</a> +</p> + +<hr /> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"></a> +Dedication</h2> + +<p> +To the Right Honourable and Mighty Lord, THOMAS EARLE OF SUSSEX, Viscount +Fitzwalter, Lord of Egremont and of Burnell, Knight of the most noble Order of +the Garter, Iustice of the forrests and Chases from Trent Southward; Captain of +the Gentleman Pensioners of the House of the QUEENE our Soveraigne Lady. +</p> + +<p> +After that I had taken upon me (right Honourable) in manner of that unlearned +and foolish Poet, Cherillus, who rashly and unadvisedly wrought a big volume in +verses, of the valiant prowesse of Alexander the Great, to translate this +present booke, contayning the Metamorphosis of Lucius Apuleius; being mooved +thereunto by the right pleasant pastime and delectable matter therein; I +eftsoones consulted with myself, to whom I might best offer so pleasant and +worthy a work, devised by the author, it being now barbarously and simply +framed in our English tongue. And after long deliberation had, your honourable +lordship came to my remembrance, a man much more worthy, than to whom so homely +and rude a translation should be presented. But when I again remembred the +jesting and sportfull matter of the booke, unfit to be offered to any man of +gravity and wisdome, I was wholly determined to make no Epistle Dedicatory at +all; till as now of late perswaded thereunto by my friends, I have boldly +enterprised to offer the same to your Lordship, who as I trust wil accept the +same, 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 the +following Epistle to the reader may be declared. For so have all writers in +times past employed their travell and labours, that their posterity might +receive some fruitfull profit by the same. And therfore the poets feined not +their 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 and +disciplines, whereas their mindes would quickly loath the wise and prudent +workes of learned men, wherein in such unripe years they take no spark of +delectation at all. And not only that profit ariseth to children by such feined +fables, but also the vertues of men are covertly thereby commended, and their +vices discommended and abhorred. For by the fable of Actaeon, where it is +feigned that he saw Diana washing her selfe in a well, hee was immediately +turned into an Hart, and so was slain of his own Dogs; may bee meant, That when +a 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 Tantalus +that stands in the midst of the floud Eridan, having before him a tree laden +with 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 wrought +and attempted by mortall men. The fall of Icarus is an example to proud and +arrogant persons, that weeneth to climb up to the heavens. By Mydas, who +obtained of Bacchus, that all things which he touched might be gold, is carped +the foul sin of avarice. By Phaeton, that unskilfully took in hand to rule the +chariot of the Sunne, are represented those persons which attempt things +passing their power and capacity. By Castor and Pollux, turned into a signe in +heaven called Gemini, is signified, that vertuous and godly persons shall be +rewarded after life with perpetuall blisse. And in this feined jest of Lucius +Apuleius is comprehended a figure of mans life, ministring most sweet and +delectable matter, to such as shall be desirous to reade the same. The which if +your honourable lordship shall accept and take in good part, I shall not onely +thinke my small travell and labour well employed, but also receive a further +comfort to attempt some more serious matter, which may be more acceptable to +your Lordship: desiring the same to excuse my rash and bold enterprise at this +time, as I nothing doubt of your Lordships goodnesse. To whome I beseech +Almighty God to impart long life, with encrease of much honour. +</p> + +<p> +From Vniversity Colledge in Oxenforde, the xviij. of September, 1566. +</p> + +<p> +Your Honours most bounden, +</p> + +<p> +WIL. ADLINGTON. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"></a> +The Life of Lucius Apuleius Briefly Described</h2> + +<p> +LUCIUS APULEIUS African, an excellent follower of Plato his sect, born in +Madaura, a Countrey sometime inhabited by the Romans, and under the +jurisdiction of Syphax, scituate and lying on the borders of Numidia and +Getulia, whereby he calleth himself half a Numidian and half a Getulian: and +Sidonius named him the Platonian Madaurence: his father called Theseus had +passed all offices of dignity in his countrey with much honour. His mother +named Salvia was of such excellent vertue, that she passed all the Dames of her +time, borne of an ancient house, and descended from the philosopher Plutarch, +and Sextus his nephew. His wife called Prudentila was endowed with as much +vertue and riches as any woman might be. Hee himselfe was of an high and comely +stature, gray eyed, his haire yellow, and a beautiful personage. He flourished +in Carthage in the time of Iolianus Avitus and Cl. Maximus Proconsuls, where he +spent his youth in learning the liberall sciences, and much profited under his +masters there, whereby not without cause hee calleth himself the Nource of +Carthage, and the celestial Muse and venerable mistresse of Africke. Soone +after, at Athens (where in times past the well of all doctrine flourished) he +tasted many of the cups of the muses, he learned the Poetry, Geometry, Musicke, +Logicke, and the universall knowledge of Philosophy, and studied not in vaine +the nine Muses, that is to say, the nine noble and royal disciplines. +</p> + +<p> +Immediately after he went to Rome, and studied there the Latine tongue, with +such labour and continuall study, that he achieved to great eloquence, and was +known and approved to be excellently learned, whereby he might worthily be +called Polyhistor, that is to say, one that knoweth much or many things. +</p> + +<p> +And being thus no lesse endued with eloquence, than with singular learning, he +wrote many books for them that should come after: whereof part by negligence of +times be now intercepted and part now extant, doe sufficiently declare, with +how much wisdome and doctrine hee flourished, and with how much vertue hee +excelled amongst the rude and barbarous people. The like was Anacharsis amongst +the most luskish Scythes. But amongst the Bookes of Lucius Apuleius, which are +perished and prevented, howbeit greatly desired as now adayes, one was +intituled Banquetting questions, another entreating of the nature of fish, +another of the generation of beasts, another containing his Epigrams, another +called “Hermagoras”: but such as are now extant are the foure books +named “Floridorum”, wherein is contained a flourishing stile, and a +savory kind of learning, which delighteth, holdeth, and rejoiceth the reader +marvellously; wherein you shall find a great variety of things, as leaping one +from another: One excellent and copious Oration, containing all the grace and +vertue of the art Oratory, where he cleareth himself of the crime of art +Magick, which was slanderously objected against him by his Adversaries, wherein +is contained such force of eloquence and doctrine, as he seemeth to passe and +excell 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 is +briefly contained that which before was largely expressed. One booke of +Cosmography, comprising many things of Aristotles Meteors. The Dialogue of +Trismegistus, translated by him out of Greeke into Latine, so fine, that it +rather seemeth with more eloquence turned into Latine, than it was before +written in Greeke. But principally these eleven Bookes of the “Golden +Asse”, are enriched with such pleasant matter, with such excellency and +variety of flourishing tales, that nothing may be more sweet and delectable, +whereby worthily they may be intituled The Bookes of the “Golden +Asse”, for the passing stile and matter therein. For what can be more +acceptable than this Asse of Gold indeed. Howbeit there be many who would +rather intitule it “Metamorphosis”, that is to say, a +transfiguration or transformation, by reason of the argument and matter within. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"></a> +The Preface of the Author To His Sonne, Faustinus</h2> + +<p class="center"> +And unto the Readers of this Book +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +That I to thee some joyous jests<br/> + may show in gentle gloze,<br/> +And frankly feed thy bended eares<br/> + with passing pleasant prose:<br/> +So that thou daine in seemly sort<br/> + this wanton booke to view,<br/> +That is set out and garnisht fine,<br/> + with written phrases new.<br/> +I will declare how one by hap<br/> + his humane figure lost,<br/> +And how in brutish formed shape,<br/> + his loathed life he tost.<br/> +And how he was in course of time<br/> + from such a state unfold,<br/> +Who eftsoone turn’d to pristine shape<br/> + his lot unlucky told. +</p> + +<p> +What and who he was attend a while, and you shall understand that it was even +I, the writer of mine own Metamorphosie and strange alteration of figure. +Hymettus, Athens, Isthmia, Ephire Tenaros, and Sparta, being fat and fertile +soiles (as I pray you give credit to the bookes of more everlasting fame) be +places where myne antient progeny and linage did sometime flourish: there I +say, in Athens, when I was yong, I went first to schoole. Soone after (as a +stranger) I arrived at Rome, whereas by great industry, and without instruction +of 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 or +offend any of you by the rude and rusticke utterance of this strange and +forrein language. And verily this new alteration of speech doth correspond to +the enterprised matter whereof I purpose to entreat, I will set forth unto you +a pleasant Grecian feast. Whereunto gentle Reader if thou wilt give attendant +eare, it will minister unto thee such delectable matter as thou shalt be +contented withall. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"></a> +THE FIRST BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"></a> +THE FIRST CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius riding in Thessaly, fortuned to fall into company with two +strangers, that reasoned together of the mighty power of Witches. +</p> + +<p> +As I fortuned to take my voyage into Thessaly, about certaine affaires which I +had to doe (for there myne auncestry by my mothers side inhabiteth, descended +of the line of that most excellent person Plutarch, and of Sextus the +Philosopher his Nephew, which is to us a great honour) and after that by much +travell and great paine I had passed over the high mountaines and slipperie +vallies, and had ridden through the cloggy fallowed fields; perceiving that my +horse did wax somewhat slow, and to the intent likewise that I might repose and +strengthen my self (being weary with riding) I lighted off my horse, and wiping +the sweat from every part of his body, I unbrideled him, and walked him softly +in my hand, to the end he might pisse, and ease himself of his weariness and +travell: and while he went grazing freshly in the field (casting his head +sometimes aside, as a token of rejoycing and gladnesse) I perceived a little +before me two companions riding, and so I overtaking them made a third. And +while I listened to heare their communication, the one of them laughed and +mocked his fellow, saying, Leave off I pray thee and speak no more, for I +cannot abide to heare thee tell such absurd and incredible lies; which when I +heard, I desired to heare some newes, and said, I pray you masters make me +partaker of your talk, that am not so curious as desirous to know all your +communication: so shall we shorten our journey, and easily passe this high hill +before us, by merry and pleasant talke. +</p> + +<p> +But he that laughed before at his fellow, said againe, Verily this tale is as +true, as if a man would say that by sorcery and inchantment the floods might be +inforced to run against their course, the seas to be immovable, the aire to +lacke 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: the +starres to be pulled from heaven, the day to be darkened and the dark night to +continue still. Then I being more desirous to heare his talke than his +companions, sayd, I pray you, that began to tell your tale even now, leave not +off so, but tell the residue. And turning to the other I sayd, You perhappes +that are of an obstinate minde and grosse eares, mocke and contemme those +things which are reported for truth, know you not that it is accounted untrue +by the depraved opinion of men, which either is rarely seene, seldome heard, or +passeth the capacitie of mans reason, which if it be more narrowly scanned, you +shall not onely finde it evident and plaine, but also very easy to be brought +to passe. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"></a> +THE SECOND CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius told to the strangers, what he saw a jugler do in Athens. +</p> + +<p> +The other night being at supper with a sort of hungry fellowes, while I did +greedily put a great morsel of meate in my mouth, that was fried with the +flower of cheese and barley, it cleaved so fast in the passage of my throat and +stopped my winde in such sort that I was well nigh choked. And yet at Athens +before the porch there called Peale, I saw with these eyes a jugler that +swallowed up a two hand sword, with a very keene edge, and by and by for a +little money that we who looked on gave him, hee devoured a chasing speare with +the point downeward. And after that hee had conveyed the whole speare within +the closure of his body, and brought it out againe behind, there appeared on +the top thereof (which caused us all to marvell) a faire boy pleasant and +nimble, winding and turning himself in such sort, that you would suppose he had +neither bone nor gristle, and verily thinke that he were the naturall Serpent, +creeping and sliding on the knotted staffe, which the god of Medicine is +feigned to beare. But turning me to him that began his tale, I pray you (quoth +I) follow your purpose, and I alone will give credit unto you, and for your +paynes will pay your charges at the next Inne we come unto. To whom he answered +Certes sir I thank you for your gentle offer, and at your request I wil proceed +in my tale, but first I will sweare unto you by the light of this Sunne that +shineth here, that those things shall be true, least when you come to the next +city called Thessaly, you should doubt any thing of that which is rife in the +mouthes of every person, and done before the face of all men. And that I may +first make relation to you, what and who I am, and whither I go, and for what +purpose, know you that I am of Egin, travelling these countries about from +Thessaly to Etolia, and from Etolia to Boetia, to provide for honey, cheese, +and other victuals to sell againe: and understanding that at Hippata (which is +the principall city of all Thessaly), is accustomed to be soulde new cheeses of +exceeding good taste and relish, I fortuned on a day to go thither, to make my +market there: but as it often happeneth, I came in an evill houre; for one +Lupus a purveyor had bought and ingrossed up all the day before, and so I was +deceived. +</p> + +<p> +Wherefore towards night being very weary, I went to the Baines to refresh my +selfe, and behold, I fortuned to espy my companion Socrates sitting upon the +ground, covered with a torn and course mantle; who was so meigre and of so +sallow and miserable a countenance, that I scantly knew him: for fortune had +brought him into such estate and calamity, that he verily seemed as a common +begger that standeth in the streets to crave the benevolence of the passers by. +Towards whom (howbeit he was my singular friend and familiar acquaintance, yet +half 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 great +lamentation and weeping for thee at home: Thy children are in ward by decree of +the Provinciall Judge: Thy wife (having ended her mourning time in lamentable +wise, with face and visage blubbered with teares, in such sort that she hath +well nigh wept out both her eyes) is constrained by her parents to put out of +remembrance the unfortunate losse and lacke of thee at home, and against her +will to take a new husband. And dost thou live here as a ghost or hogge, to our +great shame and ignominy? +</p> + +<p> +Then he answered he to me and said, O my friend Aristomenus, now perceive I +well that you are ignorant of the whirling changes, the unstable forces, and +slippery inconstancy of Fortune: and therewithall he covered his face (even +then blushing for very shame) with his rugged mantle insomuch that from his +navel downwards he appeared all naked. +</p> + +<p> +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 face +covered in such sort, Let Fortune (quoth he) triumph yet more, let her have her +sway, and finish that which shee hath begun. And therewithall I put off one of +my garments and covered him, and immediately I brought him to the Baine, and +caused him to be anointed, wiped, and the filthy scurfe of his body to be +rubbed away; which done, though I were very weary my selfe, yet I led the poore +miser to my Inne, where he reposed his body upon a bed, and then I brought him +meat and drinke, and so wee talked together: for there we might be merry and +laugh at our pleasure, and so we were, untill such time as he (fetching a +pittifull sigh from the bottom of his heart, and beating his face in miserable +sort), began to say. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"></a> +THE THIRD CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Socrates in his returne from Macedony to Larissa was spoyled and robbed, +and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe a Witch. +</p> + +<p> +Alas poore miser that I am, that for the onely desire to see a game of triall +of 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 the +Merchant by the space of ten months, a little before that I came to Larissa, I +turned out of the way, to view the scituation of the countrey there, and behold +in the bottom of a deep valley I was suddenly environed with a company of +theeves, who robbed and spoiled me of such things as I had, and yet would +hardly suffer me to escape. But I beeing in such extremity, in the end was +happily delivered from their hands, and so I fortuned to come to the house of +an old woman that sold wine, called Meroe, who had her tongue sufficiently +instructed to flattery: unto whom I opened the causes of my long peregrination +and careful travell, and of myne unlucky adventure: and after that I had +declared to her such things as then presently came to my remembrance, shee +gently entertained mee and made mee good cheere; and by and by being pricked +with carnall desire, shee brought me to her own bed chamber; whereas I poore +miser the very first night of our lying together did purchase to my selfe this +miserable face, and for her lodging I gave to her such apparel as the theeves +left to cover me withall. +</p> + +<p> +Then I understanding the cause of his miserable estate, sayd unto him, In faith +thou art worthy to sustaine the most extreame misery and calamity, which hast +defiled and maculated thyne owne body, forsaken thy wife traitorously, and +dishonoured thy children, parents, and friends, for the love of a vile harlot +and old strumpet. When Socrates heard mee raile against Meroe in such sort, he +held 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 you +take heed what you say against so venerable a woman as shee is, lest by your +intemperate 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 you +tell me. Then answered hee, Verily shee is a Magitian, which hath power to rule +the heavens, to bringe downe the sky, to beare up the earth, to turne the +waters into hills and the hills into running waters, to lift up the terrestrial +spirits into the aire, and to pull the gods out of the heavens, to extinguish +the planets, and to lighten the deepe darknesse of hell. Then sayd I unto +Socrates, Leave off this high and mysticall kinde of talke, and tell the matter +in a more plaine and simple fashion. Then answered he, Will you hear one or +two, or more of her facts which she hath done, for whereas she enforceth not +onely the inhabitants of the countrey here, but also the Indians and the +Ethiopians the one and the other, and also the Antictons, to love her in most +raging sort, such as are but trifles and chips of her occupation, but I pray +you give eare, and I will declare of more greater matters, which shee hath done +openly and before the face of all men. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"></a> +THE FOURTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Meroe the Witch turned divers persons into miserable beasts. +</p> + +<p> +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 he +loved another woman beside her: and the reason why she transformed him into +such a beast is, for that it is his nature, when hee perceiveth the hunters and +hounds 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 it +might so happen unto him (for that he fancied another woman) she turned him +into that kind of shape. +</p> + +<p> +Semblably she changed one of her neighbours, being an old man and one that sold +wine, into a Frog, in that he was one of her occupation, and therefore she bare +him a grudge, and now the poore miser swimming in one of his pipes of wine, and +well nigh drowned in the dregs, doth cry and call with an hoarse voice, for his +old guests and acquaintance that pass by. Like wise she turned one of the +Advocates of the Court (because he pleaded and spake against her in a rightful +cause) into a horned Ram, and now the poore Ram is become an Advocate. Moreover +she caused, that the wife of a certain lover that she had should never be +delivered of her childe, but according to the computation of all men, it is +eight yeares past since the poore woman first began to swell, and now shee is +encreased so big, that shee seemeth as though she would bring forth some great +Elephant: which when it was knowne abroad, and published throughout all the +towne, they tooke indignation against her, and ordayned that the next day shee +should most cruelly be stoned to death. Which purpose of theirs she prevented +by the vertue of her inchantments, and as Medea (who obtained of King Creon but +one days respit before her departure) did burn all his house, him, and his +daughter: so she, by her conjurations and invocations of spirits, (which she +useth in a certaine hole in her house, as shee her selfe declared unto me the +next day following) closed all the persons in the towne so sure in their +houses, and with such violence of power, that for the space of two dayes they +could not get forth, nor open their gates nor doore, nor break downe their +walls, whereby they were inforced by mutuall consent to cry unto her, and to +bind themselves strictly by oaths, that they would never afterwards molest or +hurt her: and moreover, if any did offer her any injury they would be ready to +defend her. Whereupon shee, mooved by their promises, and stirred by pitty, +released all the towne. But shee conveyed the principal Author of this +ordinance about midnight, with all his house, the walls, the ground, and the +foundation, into another towne, distant from thence an hundred miles, scituate +and beeing on the top of an high hill, and by reason thereof destitute of +water, and because the edifices and houses were so nigh built together, that it +was not possible for the house to stand there, she threw it downe before the +gate of the towne. Then I spake and said O my friend Socrates you have declared +unto me many marvellous things and strange chances, and moreover stricken me +with no small trouble of minde, yea rather with great feare, lest the same old +woman 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 rise +betimes in the morning, and ride away hence before day, as far as we can +possible. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"></a> +THE FIFTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one Chamber, and how they were +handled by Witches. +</p> + +<p> +In speaking these words, and devising with my selfe of our departing the next +morrow, lest Meroe the witch should play by us as she had done by divers other +persons, it fortuned that Socrates did fall asleepe, and slept very soundly, by +reason of his travell and plenty of meat and wine wherewithall hee had filled +him selfe. Wherefore I closed and barred fast the doores of the chamber, and +put my bed behinde the doore, and so layed mee downe to rest. But I could in no +wise sleepe, for the great feare which was in my heart, untill it was about +midnight, and then I began to slumber. But alas, behold suddenly the chamber +doores brake open, and locks, bolts, and posts fell downe, that you would +verily have thought that some Theeves had been presently come to have spoyled +and robbed us. And my bed whereon I lay being a truckle bed, fashioned in forme +of a Cradle, and one of the feet broken and rotten, by violence was turned +upside 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 doth +chance contrary. For as teares oftentimes trickle downe the cheekes of him that +seeth 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 a +snail [in] his shell. And while I lay on the ground covered in this sort, I +peeped under the bed to see what would happen. And behold there entred in two +old women, the one bearing a burning torch, and the other a sponge and a naked +sword; and so in this habit they stood about Socrates being fast asleep. Then +shee which bare the sword sayd unto the other, Behold sister Panthia, this is +my deare and sweet heart, which both day and night hath abused my wanton +youthfulnesse. This is he, who little regarding my love, doth not only defame +me with reproachfull words, but also intendeth to run away. And I shall be +forsaken by like craft as Vlysses did use, and shall continually bewaile my +solitarinesse as Calipso. Which said, shee pointed towards mee that lay under +the bed, and shewed me to Panthia. This is hee, quoth she, which is his +Counsellor, and perswadeth him to forsake me, and now being at the point of +death he lieth prostrate on the ground covered with his bed, and hath seene all +our doings, and hopeth to escape scot-free from my hands, but I will cause that +hee will repente himselfe too late, nay rather forthwith, of his former +intemperate language, and his present curiosity. Which words when I heard I +fell into a cold sweat, and my heart trembled with feare, insomuch that the bed +over 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 so +cut them off. Then Meroe (being so named because she was a Taverner, and loved +wel good wines) answered, Nay rather let him live, and bury the corpse of this +poore wretch in some hole of the earth; and therewithall shee turned the head +of Socrates on the other side and thrust her sword up to the hilts into the +left 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 as +I thinke to the intent that she might alter nothing that pertained to +sacrifice, which she accustomed to make, she thrust her hand down into the +intrals of his body, and searching about, at length brought forth the heart of +my 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 the +wide wound of his throat with the Sponge and said, O sponge sprung and made of +the sea, beware that thou not passe by running river. This being said, one of +them moved and turned up my bed, and then they strid over mee, and clapped +their 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 posts +stood in their old places, and the lockes and bolts were shut againe. But I +that lay upon the ground like one without soule, naked and cold, and wringing +wet with pisse, like to one that were more than half dead, yet reviving my +selfe, and appointed as I thought for the Gallowes, began to say Alasse what +shall become of me to morrow, when my companion shall be found murthered here +in the chamber? To whom shall I seeme to tell any similitude of truth, when as +I shall tell the trueth in deed? They will say, If thou wert unable to resist +the violence of the women, yet shouldest thou have cried for help; Wouldst thou +suffer the man to be slaine before thy face and say nothing? Or why did they +not slay thee likewise? Why did they spare thee that stood by and saw them +commit that horrible fact? Wherefore although thou hast escaped their hands, +yet thou shalt not escape ours. While I pondered these things with my selfe the +night passed on, and so I resolved to take my horse before day, and goe forward +on my journey. +</p> + +<p> +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 in +the night did open of their owne accord, could then scantly be opened with +their keyes. And when I was out I cried, O sirrah Hostler where art thou? Open +the stable doore for I will ride away by and by. The Hostler lying behinde the +stable doore upon a pallet, and half asleepe, What (quoth hee) doe you not know +that 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 thinke +you not that we are such Sots that we will die for you. Then said I, It is well +nigh day, and moreover, what can theeves take from him that hath nothing? Doest +thou not know (Foole as thou art) if thou be naked, if ten Gyants should +assaile thee, they could not spoyle or rob thee? Whereunto the drowsie Hostler +half asleepe, and turning on the other side, answered, What know I whether you +have murthered your Companion whom you brought in yesternight, or no, and now +seeke the means to escape away? O Lord, at that time I remember the earth +seemed ready to open, and me thought I saw at hell gate the Dog Cerberus ready +to 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 the +Gallowes. Wherefore I returned to my chamber, and there devised with my selfe +in what sort I should finish my life. But when I saw that fortune should +minister unto mee no other instrument than that which my bed profered me, I +said, O bed, O bed, most dear to me at this present, which hast abode and +suffered with me so many miseries, judge and arbiter of such things as were +done 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 most +willing to dye. And therewithal I pulled out a piece of the rope wherewith the +bed was corded, and tyed one end thereof about a rafter by the window, and with +the other end I made a sliding knot, and stood upon my bed, and so put my neck +into 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 down +tumbling upon Socrates that lay under: And even at that same very time the +Hostler came in crying with a loud voyce, and sayd, Where are you that made +such hast at midnight, and now lies wallowing abed? Whereupon (I know not +whether it was by my fall, or by the great cry of the Hostler) Socrates as +waking out of sleepe, did rise up first and sayd, It is not without cause that +strangers do speake evill of all such Hostlers, for this Catife in his comming +in, 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 merry +countenance, saying, Behold good Hostler, my friend, my companion and my +brother, whom thou didst falsly affirme to be slaine by mee this might. And +therewithall I embraced my friend Socrates and kissed him: but hee smelling the +stinke of the pisse wherewith those Hagges had embrued me, thrust me away and +sayd, Clense thy selfe from this filthy odour, and then he began gently to +enquire, how that noysome sent hapned unto mee. But I finely feigning and +colouring the matter for the time, did breake off his talk, and tooke him by +the hand and sayd, Why tarry we? Why lose wee the pleasure of this faire +morning? Let us goe, and so I tooke up my packet, and payed the charges of the +house and departed: and we had not gone a mile out of the Towne but it was +broad day, and then I diligently looked upon Socrates throat, to see if I could +espy the place where Meroe thrust in her sword: but when I could not perceive +any such thing, I thought with my selfe, What a mad man am I, that being +overcome with wine yester night, have dreamed such terrible things? Behold I +see Socrates is sound, safe and in health. Where is his wound? Where is the +Sponge? 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 of +dire and horrible sights: for I my selfe, not tempering my appetite yester +night from the pots of wine, did seeme to see this night strange and cruel +visions, 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 with +the blood of men, but art embrued with stinking pisse; and verily I dreamed +that my throat was cut, and that I felt the paine of the wound, and that my +heart was pulled out of my belly, and the remembrance thereof makes me now to +feare, for my knees do so tremble that I can scarce goe any further, and +therefore I would faine eat somewhat to strengthen and revive my spirits. Then +said I, behold here thy breakefast, and therewithall I opened my script that +hanged upon my shoulder, and gave him bread and cheese, and we sate downe under +a greate Plane tree, and I eat part with him; and while I beheld him eating +greedily, I perceived that he waxed meigre and pale, and that his lively colour +faded away, insomuch that beeing in great fear, and remembring those terrible +furies of whom I lately dreamed, the first morsell of bread that I put in my +mouth (that was but very small) did so stick in my jawes, that I could neither +swallow it downe, nor yet yeeld it up, and moreover the small time of our being +together increased my feare, and what is hee that seeing his companion die in +the high-way before his face, would not greatly lament and bee sorry? But when +that Socrates had eaten sufficiently hee waxed very thirsty, for indeed he had +well nigh devoured a whole Cheese: and behold evill fortune! There was behind +the Plane tree a pleasant running water as cleere as Crystal, and I sayd unto +him, Come hither Socrates to this water and drinke thy fill. And then he rose +and 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 his +throat opened wide, and the Sponge suddenly fell out into the water, and after +issued out a little remnant of bloud, and his body being then without life, had +fallen 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. +</p> + +<p> +Which done, in great feare I rode through many Outwayes and desart places, and +as culpable of the death of Socrates, I forsooke my countrey, my wife, and my +children, and came to Etolia where I married another Wife. +</p> + +<p> +This tale told Aristomenus, and his fellow which before obstinatly would give +no credit unto him, began to say, Verily there was never so foolish a tale, nor +a 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 you +should be some honest Gentleman, (speaking to Apuleius) doe you beleeve this +tale? Yea verily (quoth I), why not? For whatsoever the fates have appointed to +men, 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 as +lies. But verily I give credit unto his tale, and render entire thankes unto +him, in that by the pleasant relation thereof we have quickly passed and +shortned our journey, and I thinke that my horse was also delighted with the +same, 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 hand +to the next villages, and I rode into the city. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"></a> +THE SIXTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius came unto a city named Hipate, and was lodged in one Milos house, +and brought him letters from one Demeas of Corinth. +</p> + +<p> +After that those two Companions were departed I entred into the City: where I +espied an old woman, of whom I enquired whether that city was called Hipata, or +no: Who answered, Yes. Then I demaunded, Whether she knew one Milo an Alderman +of the city: Whereat she laughed and said: Verily it is not without cause that +Milo is called an Elderman, and accounted as chiefe of those which dwel without +the walls of the City. To whom I sayd againe, I pray thee good mother do not +mocke, but tell me what manner of man he is, and where he dwelleth. Mary (quoth +shee) do you see these Bay windowes, which on one side abut to the gates of the +city, and on the other side to the next lane? There Milo dwelleth, very rich +both in mony and substance, but by reason of his great avarice and insatiable +covetousnes, 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, and +is ever counting his money, and hath a wife that is a companion of his extreame +misery, neither keepeth he more in his house than onely one maid, who goeth +apparelled like unto a beggar. Which when I heard, I laughed in my self and +thought, In faith my friend Demeas hath served me well, which hath sent me +being a stranger, unto such a man, in whose house I shall not bee afeared +either 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 which +said, Ho sirrah that knocks so fast, in what kinde of sort will you borrow +money? Know you not that we use to take no gage, unless it be either plate or +Jewels? To whom I answered, I pray you maid speak more gently, and tel me +whether thy master be within or no? Yes (quoth shee) that he is, why doe you +aske? Mary (said I) I am come from Corinth, and have brought him letters from +Demeas his friend. Then sayd the Maid, I pray you tarry here till I tell him +so, and therewithall she closed fast the doore, and went in, and after a while +she returned againe and sayd, My master desireth you to alight and come in. And +so I did, whereas I found him sitting upon a little bed, going to supper, and +his wife sate at his feet, but there was no meat upon the table, and so by +appointment of the maid I came to him and saluted him, and delivered the +letters 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 a +guest as you are. And therewithall hee commanded his wife to sit away and bid +mee sit in her place; which when I refused by reason of courtesie, hee pulled +me by my garment and willed me to sit downe; for wee have (quoth he) no other +stool 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 further +communication with me and sayd, Verily I doe conjecture by the comly feature of +your body, and by the maidenly shamefastnesse of your face that you are a +Gentleman borne, as my friend Demeas hath no lesse declared the same in his +letters. Wherfore I pray you take in good part our poore lodging, and behold +yonder chamber is at your commaundement, use it as your owne, and if you be +contented therewithall, you shall resemble and follow the vertuous qualities of +your good father Theseus, who disdained not the slender and poore Cottage of +Hecades. +</p> + +<p> +And then he called his maid which was named Fotis, and said, Carry this +Gentlemans packet into the chamber, and lay it up safely, and bring water +quickly to wash him, and a towel to rub him, and other things necessary, and +then bring him to the next Baines, for I know that he is very weary of travell. +</p> + +<p> +These things when I heard, I partly perceived the manners of Milo, and +endeavouring to bring my selfe further into his favour, I sayd, Sir there is no +need of any of these things, for they have been everywhere ministred unto mee +by the way, howbeit I will go into the Baines, but my chiefest care is that my +horse be well looked to, for hee brought mee hither roundly, and therefore I +pray thee Fotis take this money and buy some hay and oats for him. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"></a> +THE SEVENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius going to buy fish, met with his companion Pythias. +</p> + +<p> +When this was done, and all my things brought into the Chamber, I walked +towards the Baines; but first I went to the market to buy some victuals for my +supper, whereas I saw great plenty of fish set out to be sould: and so I +cheapened 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 to +passe by, and viewing me at a good space, in the end brought me to his +remembrance, 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 the +time that wee departed from our Master Vestius, I never heard any newes from +you. I pray you Lucius tell me the cause of your peregrination hither. Then I +answered and sayd, I will make relation thereof unto you tomorrow: but I pray +you tell me, what meaneth these servitors that follow you, and these rods or +verges 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, and +therfore if you will have any pittance for your supper speake and I will purvey +it for you. Then I thanked him heartily and sayd I had bought meat sufficient +already. But Pithias when hee espied my basket wherein my fish was, tooke it +and 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 of +me 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, Is +it thus you serve and handle strangers, and specially our friends? Wherefore +sell you this fish so deare, which is not worth a halfepenny? Now perceive I +well, that you are an occasion to make this place, which is the principall city +of all Thessaly, to be forsaken of all men, and to reduce it into an +uninhabitable Desart, by reasone of your excessive prices of victuals, but +assure yourself that you shall not escape without punishment, and you shall +know what myne office is, and how I ought to punish such as offend. Then he +took my basket and cast the fish on the ground, and commanded one of his +Sergeants 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 suffice +him, So I went away amazed and astonied, towards the Baines, considering with +myself and devising of the grace of my companion Pythias. Where when I had well +washed and refreshed my body, I returned againe to Milos house, both without +money and meat, and so got into my chamber. Then came Fotis immediately unto +mee, and said that her master desired me to come to supper. But I not ignorant +of Milos abstinence, prayed that I might be pardoned since as I thought best to +ease my wearied bones rather with sleepe and quietnesse, than with meat. When +Fotis had told this to Milo, he came himselfe and tooke mee by the hand, and +while I did modestly excuse my selfe, I will not (quoth he) depart from this +place, until such time as you shall goe with me: and to confirm the same, hee +bound his words with an oath, whereby he enforced me to follow him, and so he +brought me into his chamber, where hee sate him downe upon the bed, and +demaunded of mee how his friend Demeas did, his wife, his children, and all his +family: and I made answer to him every question, specially hee enquired the +causes of my peregrination and travell, which when I had declared, he yet +busily 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 was +not only wearied by travell, but also with talke, and that I fell asleep in the +midst of my tale, and further that I spake nothing directly or advisedly, he +suffered me to depart to my chamber. So scaped I at length from the prating and +hungry supper of this rank old man, and being compelled by sleepe and not by +meat, and having supped only with talke, I returned into my chamber, and there +betooke me to my quiet and long desired rest. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"></a> +THE SECOND BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"></a> +THE EIGHTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius fortuned to meet with his Cousin Byrrhena. +</p> + +<p> +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 some +marvellous and strange things, remembring with my selfe that I was in the +middle part of all Thessaly, whereas by the common report of all the World, the +Sorceries and Inchauntments are most used, I oftentimes repeated with my self +the tale of my companion Aristomenus touching the manner of this City, and +being mooved by great desire, I viewed the whole scituation thereof, neither +was there any thing which I saw there, but that I did beleeve to be the same +which it was indeed, but every thing seemed unto me to be transformed and +altered into other shapes, by the wicked power of Sorcerie and Inchantment, +insomuch that I thought that the stones which I found were indurate, and turned +from men into that figure, and that the birds which I heard chirping, and the +trees without the walls of the city, and the running waters, were changed from +men 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 speake +and tell strange newes, and that immediately I should see and heare some +Oracles from the heavens, and from the gleed of the Sun. Thus being astonied or +rather dismayed and vexed with desire, knowing no certaine place whither I +intended to go, I went from street to street, and at length (as I curiously +gazed on every thing) I fortuned unwares to come into the market place, whereas +I espied a certaine woman, accompanied with a great many servants, towards whom +I drew nigh, and viewed her garments beset with gold and pretious stone, in +such sort that she seemed to be some noble matron. And there was an old man +which followed her, who as soon as he espied me, said to himself, Verily this +is Lucius, and then he came and embraced me, by and by he went unto his +mistresse and whispered in her eare, and came to mee againe saying, How is it +Lucius that you will not salute your deere Cousin and singular friend? To whom +I answered, Sir I dare not be so bold as to take acquaintance of an unknown +woman. Howbeit as halfe ashamed I drew towards her, and shee turned her selfe +and sayd, Behold how he resembleth the very same grace as his mother Salvia +doth, behold his countenance and stature, agreeing thereto in each poynt, +behold his comely state, his fine slendernesse, his Vermilion colour, his haire +yellow by nature, his gray and quicke eye, like to the Eagle, and his trim and +comely gate, which do sufficiently prove him to be the naturall childe of +Salvia. And moreover she sayd, O Lucius, I have nourished thee with myne owne +proper 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 one +belly, sucked the same paps, and were brought up together in one house. And +further there is no other difference betweene us two, but that she is married +more honourably than I: I am the same Byrrhena whom you have often heard named +among your friends at home: wherfore I pray you to take so much pains as to +come with me to my house, and use it as your owne. At whose words I was partly +abashed and sayd, God forbid Cosin that I should forsake myne Host Milo without +any reasonable cause; but verily I will, as often as I have occasion to passe +by thy house, come and see how you doe. And while we were talking thus +together, little by little wee came to her house, and behold the gates of the +same were very beautifully set with pillars quadrangle wise, on the top wherof +were placed carved statues and images, but principally the Goddesse of Victory +was so lively and with such excellencie portrayed and set forth, that you would +have verily have thought that she had flyed, and hovered with her wings hither +and thither. On the contrary part, the image of the Goddesse Diana was wrought +in white marble, which was a marvellous sight to see, for shee seemed as though +the winde did blow up her garments, and that she did encounter with them that +came into the house. On each side of her were Dogs made of stone, that seemed +to menace with their fiery eyes, their pricked eares, their bended nosethrils, +their grinning teeth in such sort that you would have thought they had bayed +and barked. An moreover (which was a greater marvel to behold) the excellent +carver and deviser of this worke had fashioned the dogs to stand up fiercely +with 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, growing +in and about the same, insomuch that within the stone it glistered and shone +marvellously, under the brim of the stone hanged apples and grapes carved +finely, wherein Art envying Nature, shewed her great cunning. For they were so +lively set out, that you would have thought if Summer had been come, they might +have bin pulled and eaten; and while I beheld the running water, which seemed +to spring and leap under the feet of the goddesse, I marked the grapes which +hanged 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, amongst +the 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 did +see her naked, did turne him into an hart, and so he was torne and slaine of +his owne hounds. And while I was greatly delighted with the view of these +things, Byrrhena spake to me and sayd, Cousin all things here be at your +commandement. And therewithall shee willed secretly the residue to depart: who +being gone she sayd, My most deare Cousin Lucius, I do sweare by the goddesse +Diana, that I doe greatly tender your safety, and am as carefull for you as if +you were myne owne naturall childe, beware I say, beware of the evil arts and +wicked allurements of that Pamphiles who is the wife of Milo, whom you call +your Host, for she is accounted the most chief and principall Magitian and +Enchantresse living, who by breathing out certain words and charmes over bowes, +stones and other frivolous things, can throw down all the powers of the heavens +into the deep bottome of hell, and reduce all the whole world againe to the old +Chaos. For as soone as she espieth any comely yong man, shee is forthwith +stricken with his love, and presently setteth her whole minde and affection on +him. She soweth her seed of flattery, she invades his spirit and intangleth him +with continuall snares of unmeasurable love. +</p> + +<p> +And then if any accord not to her filthy desire, or if they seeme loathsome in +her 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 presently +slayeth and murthereth, of whom I would you should earnestly beware. For she +burneth continually, and you by reason of your tender age and comely beauty are +capable of her fire and love. +</p> + +<p> +Thus with great care Byrrhena gave me in charge, but I (that always coveted and +desired, after that I had heard talk of such Sorceries and Witchcrafts, to be +experienced in the same) little esteemed to beware of Pamphiles, but willingly +determined to bestow my money in learning of that art, and now wholly to become +a Witch. And so I waxed joyful, and wringing my selfe out of her company, as +out of linkes or chaines, I bade her farewell, and departed toward the house of +myne host Milo, by the way reasoning thus with my selfe: O Lucius now take +heed, be vigilant, have a good care, for now thou hast time and place to +satisfie 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 abstain +from violation of the bed of Milo, but hardly attempt to winne the maiden +Fotis, for she is beautifull, wanton and pleasant in talke. And soone when thou +goest to sleepe, and when shee bringeth you gently into thy chamber, and +tenderly layeth thee downe in thy bed, and lovingly covereth thee, and kisseth +thee sweetly, and departeth unwillingly, and casteth her eyes oftentimes backe, +and stands still, then hast thou a good occasion ministred to thee to prove and +try 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. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"></a> +THE NINTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius fell in love with Fotis. +</p> + +<p> +When I was within the house I found my deare and sweet love Fotis mincing of +meat and making pottage for her master and mistresse, the Cupboord was all set +with wines, and I thought I smelled the savor of some dainty meats: she had +about her middle a white and clean apron, and shee was girded about her body +under the paps with a swathell of red silke, and she stirred the pot and turned +the meat with her fair and white hands, in such sort that with stirring and +turning the same, her loynes and hips did likewise move and shake, which was in +my mind a comely sight to see. +</p> + +<p> +These things when I saw I was halfe amazed, and stood musing with my selfe, and +my courage came then upon mee, which before was scant. And I spake unto Fotis +merrily 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 is +hee to whom you give leave and licence but to touch you there. Then shee beeing +likewise merrily disposed, made answer, Depart I say, Miser from me, depart +from my fire, for if the flame thereof doe never so little blaze forth, it will +burne thee extreamely and none can extinguish the heat thereof but I alone, who +in stirring the pot and making the bed can so finely shake my selfe. When she +had sayd these words shee cast her eyes upon me and laughed, but I did not +depart from thence until such time as I had viewed her in every point. But what +should I speak of others, when as I doe accustome abroad to marke the face and +haire of every dame, and afterwards delight my selfe therewith privately at +home, and thereby judge the residue of their shape, because the face is the +principall part of all the body, and is first open to our eyes. And whatsoever +flourishing and gorgeous apparell doth work and set forth in the corporal parts +of 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 and +krippins, and doe more delight to shew the fairnesse of their skinne, than to +deck themselves up in gold and pretious stones. But because it is a crime unto +me to say so, and to give no example thereof, know ye, that if you spoyle and +cut the haire of any woman or deprive her of the colour of her face, though +shee were never so excellent in beauty, though shee were throwne downe from +heaven, sprung of the Seas, nourished of the flouds, though shee were Venus her +selfe, though shee were waited upon by all the Court of Cupid, though were +girded with her beautifull skarfe of Love, and though shee smelled of perfumes +and musks, yet if shee appeared bald, shee could in no wise please, no not her +owne Vulcanus. +</p> + +<p> +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 eye +marvellously. Sometimes the beauty of the haire resembleth the colour of gold +and honey, sometimes the blew plumes and azured feathers about the neckes of +Doves, especially when it is either anointed with the gumme of Arabia, or +trimmely tuft out with the teeth of a fine combe, which if it be tyed up in the +pole of the necke, it seemeth to the lover that beholdeth the same, as a glasse +that yeeldeth forth a more pleasant and gracious comelinesse than if it should +be sparsed abroad on the shoulders of the woman, or hang down scattering +behind. 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, and +other rich and gorgeous ornaments, yet if her hair be not curiously set forth +shee cannot seeme faire. But in my Fotis, her garments unbrast and unlaste +increased her beauty, her haire hanged about her shoulders, and was dispersed +abroad upon her partlet, and in every part of her necke, howbeit the greater +part was trussed upon her pole with a lace. Then I unable to sustain the +broiling heat that I was in, ran upon her and kissed the place where she had +thus laid her haire. Whereat she turned her face, and cast her rolling eyes +upon me, saying, O Scholler, thou hast tasted now both hony and gall, take heed +that thy pleasure do not turn unto repentance. Tush (quoth I) my sweet heart, I +am contented for such another kiss to be broiled here upon this fire, +wherwithall I embraced and kissed her more often, and shee embraced and kissed +me likewise, and moreover her breath smelled like Cinnamon, and the liquor of +her tongue was like unto sweet Nectar, wherewith when my mind was greatly +delighted I sayd, Behold Fotis I am yours, and shall presently dye unlesse you +take pitty upon me. Which when I had said she eftsoone kissed me, and bid me be +of good courage, and I will (quoth shee) satisfie your whole desire, and it +shall be no longer delayed than until night, when as assure your selfe I will +come and lie with you; wherfore go your wayes and prepare your selfe, for I +intend valiantly and couragiously to encounter with you this night. Thus when +we had lovingly talked and reasoned together, we departed for that time. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"></a> +THE TENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Byrrhena sent victuals unto Apuleius, and how hee talked with Milo of +Diophanes, and how he lay with Fotis. +</p> + +<p> +When noone was come, Byrrhena sent to me a fat Pigge, five hennes, and a flagon +of old wine. Then I called Fotis and sayd, Behold how Bacchus the egger and +stirrer of Venery, doth offer him self of his owne accord, let us therefore +drink up this wine, that we may prepare our selves and get us courage against +soone, for Venus wanteth no other provision than this, that the Lamp may be all +the night replenished with oyle, and the cups with wine. The residue of the day +I passed away at the Bains and in banquetting, and towards evening I went to +supper, for I was bid by Milo, and so I sate downe at the table, out of +Pamphiles sight as much as I could, being mindfull of the commandement of +Byrrhena, and sometimes I would cast myne eyes upon her as upon the furies of +hell, but I eftsoones turning my face behinde me, and beholding my Fotis +ministring at the table, was again refreshed and made merry. And behold when +Pamphiles did see the candle standing on the table, she said, Verily wee shall +have much raine to morrow. Which when her husband did heare, he demanded of her +by what reason she knew it? Mary (quoth shee) the light on the table sheweth +the 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 the +Sunne it selfe. Then I mused in my minde and said unto Milo, Of truth it is a +good experience and proof of divination. Neither is it any marvell, for +although this light is but a small light, and made by the hands of men, yet +hath it a remembrance of that great and heavenly light, as of his parent, and +doth shew unto us what will happen in the Skies above. For I knew at Corinth a +certain man of Assyria, who would give answers in every part of the City, and +for the gaine of money would tell every man his fortune, to some he would tel +the dayes of their marriages, to others he would tell when they should build, +that their edifices should continue. To others, when they should best goe +about 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 and +variable. For sometimes hee sayd that I should win glory enough: sometimes he +sayd I should write a great Historie: sometimes againe hee sayd that I should +devise an incredible tale: and sometimes that I should make Bookes. Whereat +Milo laughed againe, and enquired of me, of what stature this man of Assyria +was, and what he was named. In faith (quoth I) he is a tall man and somewhat +blacke, and hee is called Diophanes. Then sayd Milo, the same is he and no +other, who semblably hath declared many things here unto us, whereby hee got +and obtained great substance and Treasure. +</p> + +<p> +But the poore miser fell at length into the hands of unpittifull and cruell +fortune: For beeing on a day amongst a great assembly of people, to tell the +simple sort their fortune, a certaine Cobler came unto him, and desired him to +tel when it should be best for him to take his voyage, the which hee promised +to do: the Cobler opened his purse and told a hundred pence to him for his +paines. Whereupon came a certaine young gentleman and took Diophanes by the +Garment. Then he turning himselfe, embraced and kissed him, and desired the +Gentleman, who was one of his acquaintance, to sit downe by him: and Diophanes +being astonied with this sudden change, forgot what he was doing, and sayd, O +deare friend you are heartily welcome, I pray you when arrived you into these +parts? Then answered he, I will tell you soone, but brother I pray you tell mee +of your comming from the isle of Euboea, and how you sped by the way? Whereunto +Diophanes 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 willers +might fall into the like dangerous peregrination and trouble. For the ship +where we were in, after it was by the waves of the seas and by the great +tempests tossed hither and thither, in great peril, and after that the mast and +stern brake likewise in pieces, could in no wise be brought to shore, but sunk +into 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 pitty +of strangers, or by the benevolence of our friends, was taken away from us by +theeves, whose violence when my brother Arisuatus did assay to resist, hee was +cruelly murthered by them before my face. These things when he had sadly +declared, the Cobler tooke up his money againe which he had told out to pay for +the telling of his fortune, and ran away. The Diophanes comming to himselfe +perceived 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 happy +and have a prosperous journey, was only true. Thus Milo reasoned with me. But I +was not a little sorry that I had traind him into such a vaine of talke, that I +lost a good part of the night, and the sweete pleasure thereof: but at length I +boldly said to Milo, Let Diophanes fare well with his evil fortune, and get +againe that which he lost by sea and land, for I verily do yet feel the +wearinesse of my travell, whereof I pray you pardon mee, and give me licence to +depart to bed: wherewithall I rose up and went unto my chamber, where I found +all things finely prepared and the childrens bed (because they should not heare +what we did in the night) was removed far off without the chamber doore. The +table was all covered with those meats that were left at supper, the cups were +filled halfe full with water, to temper and delay the wines, the flagon stood +ready prepared, and there lacked nothing that was necessary for the preparation +of Venus. And when I was entring into the bed, behold my Fotis (who had brought +her mistresse to bed) came in and gave me roses and floures which she had in +her apron, and some she threw about the bed, and kissed mee sweetly, and tied a +garland about my head, and bespred the chamber with the residue. Which when +shee had done, shee tooke a cup of wine and delaied it with hot water, and +profered it me to drinke; and before I had drunk it all off she pulled it from +my mouth, and then gave it me againe, and in this manner we emptied the pot +twice 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 my +cloathes, and shewing to Fotis my great impatiencie I sayd, O my sweet heart +take pitty upon me and helpe me, for as you see I am now prepared unto the +battell, which you your selfe did appoint: for after that I felt the first +Arrow of cruell Cupid within my breast, I bent my bow very strong, and now +feare, (because it is bended so hard) lest my string should breake: but that +thou mayst the better please me, undresse thy haire and come and embrace me +lovingly: whereupon shee made no long delay, but set aside all the meat and +wine, and then she unapparelled her selfe, and unattyred her haire, presenting +her amiable body unto me in manner of faire Venus, when shee goeth under the +waves of the sea. Now (quoth shee) is come the houre of justing, now is come +the time of warre, wherefore shew thy selfe like unto a man, for I will not +retyre, I will not fly the field, see then thou bee valiant, see thou be +couragious, since there is no time appointed when our skirmish shall cease. In +saying these words shee came to me to bed, and embraced me sweetly, and so wee +passed 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, and +renew our venery by drinking of wine. In which sort we pleasantly passed away +many other nights following. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"></a> +THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius supped with Byrrhena, and what a strange tale Bellephoron told at +the table. +</p> + +<p> +It fortuned on a day, that Byrrhena desired me earnestly to suppe with her; and +shee would in no wise take any excusation. Whereupon I went to Fotis, to aske +counsell of her as of some Divine, who although she was unwilling that I should +depart one foot from her company, yet at length shee gave me license to bee +absent for a while, saying, Beware that you tarry not long at supper there, for +there is a rabblement of common Barrettors and disturbers of the publique +peace, 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 sooner +set upon you, by reason of your comelinesse and audacity, in that you are not +afeared at any time to walke in the streets. +</p> + +<p> +Then I answered and sayd, Have no care of me Fotis, for I esteeme the pleasure +which I have with thee, above the dainty meats that I eat abroad, and therefore +I will returne againe quickly. Neverthelesse I minde not to come without +company, for I have here my sword, wherby I hope to defend my selfe. +</p> + +<p> +And so in this sort I went to supper, and behold I found in Byrrhena’s +house 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 cloath +of gold, the Cups were garnished pretiously, and there were divers other things +of sundry fashion, but of like estimation and price: here stood a glasse +gorgeously wrought, there stood another of Christall finely painted. There +stood a cup of glittering silver, and there stood another of shining gold, and +here was another of amber artificially carved and made with pretious stones. +Finally, there was all things that might be desired: the Servitors waited +orderly at the table in rich apparell, the pages arrayed in silke robes, did +fill 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 placed +in order, we began to talke, to laugh, and to be merry. And Byrrhena spake unto +mee and sayd, I pray you Cousine how like you our countrey? Verily I think +there is no other City which hath the like Temples, Baynes, and other +commodities which we have here. Further we have abundance of household stuffe, +we have pleasure, we have ease, and when the Roman merchants arrive in this +City they are gently and quietly entertained, and all that dwell within this +province (when they purpose to solace and repose themselves) do come to this +city. Whereunto I answered, Verily (quoth I) you tell truth, for I can finde no +place in all the world which I like better than this, but I greatly feare the +blind inevitable trenches of witches, for they say that the dead bodies are +digged out of their graves, and the bones of them that are burnt be stollen +away, and the toes and fingers of such as are slaine are cut off, and afflict +and torment such as live. And the old Witches as soone as they heare of the +death of any person, do forthwith goe and uncover the hearse and spoyle the +corpse, to work their inchantments. Then another sitting at the table spake and +sayd, In faith you say true, neither yet do they spare or favor the living. For +I know one not farre hence that was cruelly handled by them, who being not +contented with cutting off his nose, did likewise cut off his eares, whereat +all 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 risen +from the table, had not Byrrhena spake unto him and sayd, I pray thee friend +Bellerophon sit still and according to thy accustomed curtesie declare unto us +the losse of thy nose and eares, to the end that my cousin Lucius may be +delighted with the pleasantnes of the tale. To whom he answered, Madam in the +office of your bounty shall prevaile herein, but the insolencie of some is not +to be supported. This hee spake very angerly: But Byrrhena was earnest upon +him, and assured him hee should have no wrong at any mans hand. Whereby he was +inforced to declare the same, and so lapping up the end of the Table cloath and +carpet together, hee leaned with his elbow thereon, and held out three +forefingers of his right hand in manner of an orator, and sayd, When I was a +young man I went unto a certaine city called Milet, to see the games and +triumphs there named Olympia, and being desirous to come into this famous +province, after that I had travelled over all Thessaly, I fortuned in an evil +hour to come to the City Larissa, where while I went up and down to view the +streets to seeke some reliefe for my poore estate (for I had spent all my +money) I espied an old man standing on a stone in the middest of the market +place, crying with a loud voice and saying, that if any man would watch a dead +corps that night hee should be reasonably rewarded for this paines. Which when +I heard, I sayd to one who passed by, What is here to doe? Do dead men use to +run away in this Countrey? Then answered he, Hold your peace, for you are but a +Babe and a stranger here, and not without cause you are ignorant how you are in +Thessaly, where the women Witches bite off by morsels the flesh and faces of +dead men, and thereby work their sorceries and inchantments. Then quoth I, In +good fellowship tell me the order of this custody and how it is. Marry (quoth +he) first you must watch all the night, with your eyes bent continually upon +the Corps, never looking off, nor moving aside. For these Witches do turn +themselves into sundry kindes of beasts, whereby they deceive the eyes of all +men, sometimes they are transformed into birds, sometimes into Dogs and Mice, +and sometimes into flies. Moreover they will charme the keepers of the corps +asleepe, neither can it be declared what meanes and shifts these wicked women +do use, to bring their purpose to passe: and the reward for such dangerous +watching is no more than foure or sixe shillings. But hearken further (for I +had well nigh forgotten) if the keeper of the dead body doe not render on the +morning following, the corps whole and sound as he received the same, he shall +be punished in this sort: That is, if the corps be diminished or spoyled in any +part of his face, hands or toes, the same shall be diminished and spoyled in +the keeper. Which when I heard him I tooke a good heart, and went unto the +Crier and bid him cease, for I would take the matter in hand, and so I demanded +what I should have. Marry (quoth he) a thousand pence, but beware I say you +young man, that you do wel defend the dead corps from the wicked witches, for +hee was the son of one of the chiefest of the city. Tush (sayd I) you speak you +cannot tell what, behold I am a man made all of iron, and have never desire to +sleepe, and am more quicke of sight than Lynx or Argus. I had scarse spoken +these 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 he +brought me into a chamber somewhat darke, and shewed me a Matron cloathed in +mourning vesture, and weeping in lamentable wise. And he spake unto her and +said, Behold here is one that will enterprise to watch the corpes of your +husband this night. Which when she heard she turned her blubbered face covered +with haire unto me saying, I pray you good man take good heed, and see well to +your office. Have no care (quoth I) so you will give mee any thing above that +which is due to be given. Wherewith shee was contented, and then she arose and +brought me into a chamber whereas the corps lay covered with white sheets, and +shee called seven witnesses, before whom she shewed the dead body, and every +part and parcell thereof, and with weeping eyes desired them all to testifie +the matter. Which done, she sayd these words of course as follow: Behold, his +nose is whole, his eyes safe, his eares without scarre, his lips untouched, and +his chin sound: all which was written and noted in tables, and subscribed with +the 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 water +to delay the same, and some other drinke and dainty dish that was left at +supper. Then she shaked her head and sayd, Away fool as thou art, thinkest thou +to play the glutton here and to looke for dainty meats where so long time hath +not been seene any smoke at all? Commest thou hither to eat, where we should +weepe and lament? And therewithall she turned backe, and commanded her maiden +Myrrhena to deliver me a lampe with oyle, which when shee had done they closed +the chamber doore and departed. Now when I was alone, I rubbed myne eyes, and +armed my selfe to keep the corpes, and to the intent I would not sleepe, I +began to sing, and so I passed the time until it was midnight, when as behold +there crept in a Wesel into the chamber, and she came against me and put me in +very great feare, insomuch that I marvelled greatly at the audacity of so +little a beast. To whom I said, get thou hence thou whore and hie thee to thy +fellowes, lest thou feele my fingers. Why wilt thou not goe? Then incontinently +she 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 I +lay prostrat as one without life, and needed a keeper likewise. At length the +cockes began to crow, declaring that it was day: wherewithall I awaked, and +being greatly afeard ran to the dead body with the lamp in my hand, and I +viewed him round about: and immediately came in the matron weeping with her +Witnesses, and ran to the corps, and eftsoons kissing him, she turned his body +and found no part diminished. Then she willed Philodespotus her steward to pay +me my wages forthwith. Which when he had done he sayd, We thanke you gentle +young man for your paines and verily for your diligence herein we will account +you as one of the family. Whereunto I (being joyous of by unhoped gaine, and +ratling my money in my hand) did answer, I pray you madam esteeme me as one of +your servants, and if you want my service at any time, I am at your +commandement. I had not fully declared these words, when as behold all the +servants of the house were assembled with weapons to drive me away, one +buffeted me about the face, another about the shoulders, some strook me in the +sides, some kicked me, and some tare my garments, and so I was handled amongst +them and driven from the house, as the proud young man Adonis who was torn by a +Bore. And when I was come into the next street, I mused with my selfe, and +remembred myne unwise and unadvised words which I had spoken, whereby I +considered that I had deserved much more punishment, and that I was worthily +beaten for my folly. And by and by the corps came forth, which because it was +the body of one of the chiefe of the city, was carried in funeral pompe round +about the market place, according to the right of the countrey there. And +forthwith stepped out an old man weeping and lamenting, and ranne unto the +Biere and embraced it, and with deepe sighes and sobs cried out in this sort, O +masters, I pray you by the faith which you professe, and by the duty which you +owe unto the weale publique, take pitty and mercy upon this dead corps, who is +miserably murdered, and doe vengeance on this wicked and cursed woman his wife +which hath committed this fact: for it is shee and no other which hath poysoned +her husband my sisters sonne, to the intent to maintaine her whoredome, and to +get his heritage. In this sort the old man complained before the face of all +people. Then they (astonied at these sayings, and because the thing seemed to +be true) cried out, Burne her, burne her, and they sought for stones to throw +at her, and willed the boys in the street to doe the same. But shee weeping in +lamentable wise, did swear by all the gods, that shee was not culpable of this +crime. No quoth the old man, here is one sent by the providence of God to try +out the matter, even Zachlas an Egypptian, who is the most principall +Prophecier in all this countrey, and who was hired of me for money to reduce +the 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 linnen +rayment, having on his feet a paire of pantofiles, and his crowne shaven, who +kissed his hands and knees, saying, O priest have mercy, have mercy I pray thee +by the Celestiall Planets, by the Powers infernall, by the vertue of the +naturall elements, by the silences of the night, by the building of Swallows +nigh unto the towne Copton, by the increase of the floud Nilus, by the secret +mysteries 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 which +he closed and shut, may be open and see. Howbeit we meane not to strive against +the law of death, neither intend we to deprive the earth of his right, but to +the 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 three +times against the mouth of the dead, and he took another and laid upon his +breast 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 to +marvell greatly, and to looke for this strange miracle that should happen. Then +I pressed in amongst them nigh unto the biere, and got upon a stone to see this +mysterie, and behold incontinently the dead body began to receive spirit, his +principall veines did moove, his life came again and he held up his head and +spake 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 deadly +den of Styx? Leave off, I pray, leave off, and let me lie in quiet rest. When +these words were uttered by the dead corps, the Prophet drew nigh unto the +Biere and sayd, I charge thee to tell before the face of all the people here +the occasion of thy death: What, dost thou thinke that I cannot by my +conjurations call up the dead, and by my puissance torment thy body? Then the +corps moved his head again, and made reverence to the people and sayd, Verily I +was poisoned by the meanes of my wicked wife, and so thereby yeelded my bed +unto an adulterer. Whereat his wife taking present audacity, and reproving his +sayings, with a cursed minde did deny it. The people were bent against her +sundry wayes, some thought best that shee should be buried alive with her +husband: 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 againe +and sayd, Behold I will give you some evident token, which never yet any other +man knew, whereby you shall perceive that I declare the truth: and by and by he +pointed towards me that stood on the stone, and sayd, When this the good Gard +of my body watched me diligently in the night, and that the wicked Witches and +enchantresses came into the chamber to spoyle mee of my limbes, and to bring +such their purpose did transforme themselves into the shape of beasts: and when +as they could in no wise deceive or beguile his vigilant eyes, they cast him +into so dead and sound a sleepe, that by their witchcraft he seemed without +spirit or life. After this they did call me by my name, and never did cease til +as 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 I +were named by one name, and because he knew not that they called me, rose up +first, 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 his +ears, and so that was done to him which was appointed to be done to me. And +that such their subtility might not be perceived, they made him a like paire of +eares and nose of wax: wherfore you may see that the poore miser for lucre of a +little mony sustained losse of his members. Which when he had said I was +greatly astonied, and minding to prove whether his words were true or no, put +my hand to my nose, and my nose fell off, and put my hand to my ears and my +ears 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 and +escaped away. So I disfigured returned home againe, and covered the losse of +myne 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 table +replenished 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 a +custome to celebrate the festivall day of the god Risus, and to-morrow is the +feast 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 your +selfe, that might be in honour of so great a god. To whom I answered, verily +cousin I will do as you command me, and right glad would I be, if I might +invent any laughing or merry matter to please or satisfy Risus withall. Then I +rose from the table and took leave of Byrrhena and departed. And when I came +into the first street my torch went out, that with great pain I could scarce +get home, by reason it was so dark, for fear of stumbling: and when I was well +nigh come unto the dore, behold I saw three men of great stature, heaving and +lifting at Milos gates to get in: and when they saw me they were nothing +afeard, but assaied with more force to break down the dores whereby they gave +mee 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 under +my cloak, and ran in amongst them, and wounded them in such sort that they fell +downe dead before my face. Thus when I had slaine them all, I knocked sweating +and breathing at the doore til Fotis let me in. And then full weary with the +slaughter of those Theeves, like Hercules when he fought against the king +Gerion, I went to my chamber and layd me down to sleep. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"></a> +THE THIRD BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"></a> +THE TWELFTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for murther. +</p> + +<p> +When morning was come, and that I was awaked from sleep, my heart burned sore +with remembrance of the murther I had committed the night before: and I rose +and sate downe on the side of the bed with my legges acrosse, and wringing my +hands, I weeped in most miserable sort. For I imagined with my selfe, that I +was brought before the Judge in the Judgement place, and that he awarded +sentence 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 or +benigne, that will thinke that I am unguilty of the slaughter and murther of +these three men. Howbeit the Assyrian Diophanes did firmely assure unto me, +that my peregrination and voyage hither should be prosperous. But while I did +thus unfold my sorrowes, and greatly bewail my fortune, behold I heard a great +noyse and cry at the dore, and in came the Magistrates and officers, who +commanded two sergeants to binde and leade me to prison, whereunto I was +willingly obedient, and as they led me through the street, all the City +gathered together and followed me, and although I looked always on the ground +for very shame, yet sometimes I cast my head aside and marvelled greatly that +among so many thousand people there was not one but laughed exceedingly. +Finally, when they had brought me through all the streets of the city, in +manner of those that go in procession, and do sacrifice to mitigate the ire of +the 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 people +desired the Judges to give sentence in the great Theatre, by reason of the +great multitude that was there, whereby they were in danger of stifling. And +behold the prease of people increased stil, some climed to the top of the +house, some got upon the beames, some upon the Images, and some thrust their +heads through the windowes, little regarding the dangers they were in, so they +might see me. +</p> + +<p> +Then the officers brought mee forth openly into the middle of the hall, that +every man might behold me. And after that the Cryer had made a noise, and +willed 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 out +softly, who desired that hee might have liberty to speake during the time of +the continuance of the water. Which when it was granted, he began his oration +in this sort. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"></a> +THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was accused by an old man, and how he answered for himselfe. +</p> + +<p> +O most reverend and just Judges, the thing which I propose to declare to you is +no 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 I +pray you most venerable Fathers, to whom and every one of whom it doth +appertain, to provide for the dignity and safety of the Commonweale, that you +would in no wise suffer this wicked Homicide, embrued with the bloud of so many +murthered citisens, to escape unpunished. And thinke you not that I am moved +thereunto by envy or hatred, but by reason of my office, in that I am captain +of the night Watch, and because no man alive should accuse mee to bee remisse +in the same I wil declare all the whole matter, orderly as it was done last +night. +</p> + +<p> +This night past, when as at our accustomed houre I diligently searched every +part of the City, behold I fortuned to espy this cruell young man drawing out +his sword against three Citisens, and after a long combat foughten between +them, he murthered one after another miserably: which when hee had done, moved +in his conscience at so great a crime hee ran away, and aided by the reason of +darknes, slipt into a house, and there lay hidden all night, but by the +providence 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 brought +hither to your honourable presence to receive his desert accordingly. +</p> + +<p> +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 you +would most severely and sharply revenge such an offence found in a known +Citisen. 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 side +I esteemed not so much his rigorous accusation, as I did consider myne owne +miserable conscience. Howbeit, beeing inspired by divine Audacity, at length I +gan say, Verily I know that it is an hard thing for him that is accused to have +slaine three persons, to perswade you that he is innocent, although he should +declare the whole truth, and confesse the matter how it was indeed, but if your +honours will vouchsafe to give me audience, I will shew you, that if I am +condemned to die, I have not deserved it as myne owne desert, but that I was +mooved by fortune and reasonable cause to doe that fact. For returning somewhat +late from supper yester night (beeing well tippled with wine, which I will not +deny) and approaching nigh to my common lodging, which was in the house of one +Milo a Citisen of this city, I fortuned to espy three great theeves attempting +to break down his walls and gates, and to open the locks to enter in. And when +they had removed the dores out of the hookes, they consulted amongst +themselves, how they would handle such as they found in the house. And one of +them being of more courage, and of greater stature than the rest, spake unto +his fellows and sayd, Tush you are but boyes, take mens hearts unto you, and +let us enter into every part of the house, and such as we find asleep let us +kill, and so by that meanes we shall escape without danger. Verily ye three +Judges, I confess that I drew out my sword against those three Citizens, but I +thought it was the office and duty of one that beareth good will to this weale +publique, so to doe, especially since they put me in great fear, and assayed to +rob and spoyl my friend Milo. But when those cruell and terrible men would in +no case run away, nor feare my naked sword, but boldly resist against me, I ran +upon them and fought valiantly. One of them which was the captain invaded me +strongly, and drew me by the haire with both his hands, and began to beat me +with a great stone: but in the end I proved the hardier man, and threw him +downe at my feet and killed him. I tooke likewise the second that clasped me +about the legs and bit me, and slew him also. And the third that came running +violently against me, after that I had strucken him under the stomacke fell +downe dead. Thus when I had delivered my selfe, the house, Myne host, and all +his family from this present danger, I thought that I should not onely escape +unpunished, but also have some great reward of the city for my paines. +</p> + +<p> +Moreover, I that have always been clear and unspotted of crime, and that have +esteemed myne innocency above all the treasure of the world, can finde no +reasonable cause why upon myne accusation I should be condemned to die, since +first I was mooved to set upon the theeves by just occasion. Secondly, because +there is none that can affirm, that there hath been at any time either grudge +or hatred between us. Thirdly, we were men meere strangers and of no +acquaintance. Last of all, no man can prove that I committed that fact for +lucre or gaine. +</p> + +<p> +When I had ended my words in this sort, behold, I weeped againe pitteously, and +holding up my hands I prayed all the people by the mercy of the Commonweale and +for the love of my poore infants and children, to shew me some pitty and +favour. And when their hearts were somewhat relented and mooved by my +lamentable teares, I called all the gods to witnesse that I was unguilty of the +crime, and so to their divine providence, I committed my present estate, but +turning 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 to +die as a murtherer, for the safeguard of myne Host Milo and his family. Yet is +he not contented with that, but likewise laugheth me to scorne, when otherwise +he should comfort and help mee. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"></a> +THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was accused by two women, and how the slaine bodies were found +blowne bladders. +</p> + +<p> +When this was done, out came a woman in the middle of the Theatre arrayed in +mourning vesture, and bearing a childe in her armes. And after her came an old +woman in ragged robes, crying and howling likewise: and they brought with them +the 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 and +humanity which is in you, to have mercy upon these slaine persons, and succour +our Widowhood and losse of our deare husbands, and especially this poore +infant, who is now an Orphan, and deprived of all good fortune: and execute +your justice by order and law, upon the bloud of this Theefe, who is the +occasion of all our sorrowes. When they had spoken these words, one of the most +antient Judges did rise and say, Touching this murther, which deserveth great +punishment, this malefactor himselfe cannot deny, but our duty is to enquire +and try out, whether he had Coadjutors to help him. For it is not likely that +one man alone could kill three such great and valiant persons, wherefore the +truth must be tried out by the racke, and so wee shall learne what other +companions he hath, and root out the nest of these mischievous murtherers. And +there was no long delay, but according to the custome of Grecia, the fire, the +wheele, and many other torments were brought in. Then my sorrow encreased or +rather doubled, in that I could not end my life with whole and unperished +members. And by and by the old woman, who troubled all the Court with her +howling, desired the Judges, that before I should be tormented on the racke, I +might uncover the bodies which I had slaine, that every man might see their +comely shape and youthfull beauty, and that I might receive condign and worthy +punishment, according to the quality of my offence: and therewithall shee made +a sign of joy. Then the Judge commanded me forthwith to discover the bodies of +the slain, lying upon the beere, with myne own handes, but when I refused a +good 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 to +do 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 a +monster? What sudden change of all my sorrows? I seemed as though I were one of +the house of Proserpina and of the family of death, insomuch that I could not +sufficiently expresse the forme of this new sight, so far was I amased and +astonied 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 be +wounded in those parts where I remembred I wounded the theeves the night +before. Whereat the people laughed exceedingly: some rejoyced marvellously at +the remembrance thereof, some held their stomackes that aked with joy, but +every man delighted at this passing sport, so passed out of the theatre. But I +from the time that I uncovered the bodies stood stil as cold as ice, no +otherwise than as the other statues and images there, neither came I into my +right 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 or +no. And because that I might be seene, he brought me through many blind wayes +and lanes to his house, where he went about to comfort me, beeing sad and yet +fearfull, with gentle entreaty of talke. But he could in no wise mitigate my +impatiency of the injury which I conceived within my minde. And behold, by and +by the Magistrates and Judges with their ensignes entred into the house, and +endeavoured to pacify mee in this sort, saying, O Lucius, we are advertised of +your dignity, and know the genealogie of your antient lineage, for the nobility +of your Kinne doe possesse the greatest part of all this Province: and thinke +not that you have suffered the thing wherfore you weepe, to any reproach and +ignominy, 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 renowned +with some solemne novel, and the god doth continually accompany with the +inventor therof, and wil not suffer that he should be sorrowfull, but +pleasantly beare a joyfull face. And verily all the City for the grace that is +in you, intend to reward you with great honours, and to make you a Patron. And +further that your statue or image may be set up for a perpetuall remembrance. +</p> + +<p> +To whome I answered, As for such benefits as I have received of the famous City +of Thessaly, I yeeld and render the most entire thanks, but as touching the +setting up of any statues or images, I would wish that they should bee reserved +for myne Auntients, and such as are more worthy than I. +</p> + +<p> +And when I had spoken these words somewhat gravely, and shewed my selfe more +merry than I was before, the Judges and magistrates departed, and I reverently +tooke my leave of them, and bid them farewell. And behold, by and by there came +one running unto me in haste, and sayd, Sir, your cousin Byrrhena desireth you +to 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 the +night, said to the messenger, My friend I pray you tell to my cousine your +mistresse, that I would willingly be at her commandement, but for breaking my +troth and credit. For myne host Milo enforced me to assure him, and compelled +me 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. +</p> + +<p> +And while I was speaking these words, Milo tooke me by the hand, and led me +towards the next Baine: but by the way I went couching under him, to hide my +selfe from the sight of men, because I had ministred such an occasion of +laughter. And when I had washed and wiped my selfe, and returned home againe, I +never remembred any such thing, so greatly was I abashed at the nodding and +pointing of every person. Then went I to supper with Milo, where God wot we +fared but meanly. Wherefore feigning that my head did ake by reason of my +sobbing and weeping all day, I desired license to depart to my Chamber, and so +I went to bed. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"></a> +THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Fotis told to Apuleius, what witchcraft her mistresse did use. +</p> + +<p> +When I was a bed I began to call to minde all the sorrowes and griefes that I +was in the day before, until such time as my love Fotis, having brought her +mistresse to sleepe, came into the chamber, not as shee was wont to do, for she +seemed nothing pleasant neither in countenance nor talke, but with sowre face +and frowning looke, gan speak in this sort, Verily I confesse that I have been +the occasion of all thy trouble this day, and therewith shee pulled out a +whippe from under her apron, and delivered it unto mee saying, Revenge thyself +upon mee mischievous harlot, or rather slay me. +</p> + +<p> +And thinke you not that I did willingly procure this anguish and sorrow unto +you, 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 which +I did was by the commandement of another, and wrought as I thought for some +other, but behold the unlucky chance fortuned on you by my evill occasion. +</p> + +<p> +Then I, very curious and desirous to know the matter, answered, In faith (quoth +I), this most pestilent and evill favoured whip which thou hast brought to +scourge thee withal, shal first be broken in a thousand pieces, than it should +touch or hurt thy delicate and dainty skin. But I pray you tell me how have you +been the cause and mean of my trouble and sorrow? For I dare sweare by the love +that I beare unto you, and I will not be perswaded, though you your selfe +should endeavour the same, that ever you went to trouble or harm me: perhaps +sometimes you imagined an evil thought in your mind, which afterwards you +revoked, but that is not to bee deemed as a crime. +</p> + +<p> +When I had spoken these words, I perceived by Fotis eys being wet with tears +and well nigh closed up that shee had a desire unto pleasure and specially +because shee embraced and kissed me sweetly. And when she was somewhat restored +unto joy shee desired me that shee might first shut the chamber doore, least by +the untemperance of her tongue, in uttering any unfitting words, there might +grow further inconvenience. Wherewithall shee barred and propped the doore, and +came to me againe, and embracing me lovingly about the neck with both her +armes, spake with a soft voice and said, I doe greatly feare to discover the +privities of this house, and to utter the secret mysteries of my dame. But I +have such confidence in you and in your wisedome, by reason that you are come +of so noble a line, and endowed with so profound sapience, and further +instructed in so many holy and divine things, that you will faithfully keepe +silence, and that whatsoever I shall reveale or declare unto you, you would +close them within the bottome of your heart, and never discover the same: for I +ensure you, the love that I beare unto you, enforceth mee to utter it. Now shal +you know all the estate of our house, now shal you know the hidden secrets of +my mistres, unto whome the powers of hel do obey, and by whom the celestial +planets are troubled, the gods made weake, and the elements subdued, neither is +the violence of her art in more strength and force, than when she espieth some +comly young man that pleaseth her fancie, as oftentimes it hapneth, for now she +loveth one Boetian a fair and beautiful person, on whom she employes al her +sorcerie 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 to +minister convenient time to worke her magicall enticements, she would have +brought 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 of +the haires of his head which lay dispersed upon the ground, and to bring it +home. Which when I thought to have done the Barber espied me, and by reason it +was bruited though all the City that we were Witches and Enchantresses, he +cried out and said, Wil you never leave off stealing of young mens haires? In +faith I assure you, unlesse you cease your wicked sorceries, I will complaine +to the Justices. Wherewithall he came angerly towards me, and tooke away the +haire which I had gathered, out of my apron: which grieved me very much, for I +knew my Mistresses manners, that she would not be contented but beat me +cruelly. +</p> + +<p> +Wherefore I intended to runne away, but the remembrance of you put alwayes the +thought out of my minde, and so I came homeward very sorrowful: but because I +would not seeme to come to my mistresse sight with empty hands, I saw a man +shearing of blowne goat skinnes, and the hayre which he had shorne off was +yellow, and much resembled the haire of the Boetian, and I tooke a good deale +thereof, and colouring of the matter, I brought it to my mistresse. And so when +night 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 gathered +together all substance for fumigations, she brought forth plates of mettal +carved with strange characters, she prepared the bones of such as were drowned +by tempest in the seas, she made ready the members of dead men, as the +nosethrils 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 and +teeth of willed beasts, then she said certaine charmes over the haire, and +dipped it in divers waters, as in Wel water, Cow milk, mountain honey, and +other liquor. Which when she had done, she tied and lapped it up together, and +with many perfumes and smells threw it into an hot fire to burn. Then by the +great force of this sorcerie, and the violence of so many confections, those +bodies 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 at +our doores in stead of Boetius. Then you being well tipled, and deceived by the +obscurity of the night, drew out your sword courageously like furious Ajax, and +kild not as he did, whole heard of beastes, but three blowne skinnes, to the +intent that I, after the slaughter of so many enemies, without effusion of +bloud might embrace and kisse, not an homicide but an Utricide. +</p> + +<p> +Thus when I was pleasantly mocked and taunted by Fotis, I sayd unto her, verily +now may I for this atcheived enterprise be numbered as Hercules, who by his +valiant prowesse performed the twelve notable Labors, as Gerion with three +bodies, and as Cerberus with three heads, for I have slaine three blown goat +skinnes. But to the end that I may pardon thee of that thing which thou hast +committed, 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 Sorcery +or enchantment, and when she prayeth unto the gods: for I am very desirous to +learne that art, and as it seemeth unto mee, thou thy selfe hath some +experience in the same. For this I know and plainly feele, That whereas I have +always yrked and loathed the embrace of Matrones, I am so stricken and subdued +with thy shining eyes, ruddy cheekes, glittering haire, sweet cosses, and lilly +white paps, that I have neither minde to goe home, nor to depart hence, but +esteeme the pleasure which I shall have with thee this night, above all the +joyes of the world. Then (quoth she) O my Lucius, how willing would I be to +fulfil your desire, but by reason shee is so hated, she getteth her selfe into +solitary places, and out of the presence of every person, when she mindeth to +work her enchantments. Howbeit I regarde more to gratify your request, than I +doe esteeme the danger of my life: and when I see opportunitie and time I will +assuredly bring you word, so that you shal see all her enchantments, but always +upon this condition, that you secretly keepe close such things as are done. +</p> + +<p> +Thus as we reasoned together the courage of Venus assailed, as well our desires +as our members, and so she unrayed herself and came to bed, and we passed the +night in pastime and dalliance, till as by drowsie and unlusty sleep I was +constrained to lie still. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"></a> +THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistresse enchant. +</p> + +<p> +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 to +transforme her selfe into a bird, and to fly whither she pleased. Wherefore she +willed me privily to prepare my selfe to see the same. And when midnight came +she led me softly into a high chamber, and bid me look thorow the chink of a +doore: where first I saw how shee put off all her garments, and took out of a +certain coffer sundry kindes of Boxes, of the which she opened one, and +tempered the ointment therein with her fingers, and then rubbed her body +therewith from the sole of the foot to the crowne of the head, and when she had +spoken privily with her selfe, having the candle in her hand, she shaked the +parts 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 she +became an Owle. Then she cried and screeched like a bird of that kinde, and +willing to proove her force, mooved her selfe from the ground by little and +little, til at last she flew quite away. +</p> + +<p> +Thus by her sorcery shee transformed her body into what shape she would. Which +when I saw I was greatly astonied: and although I was inchanted by no kind of +charme, yet I thought that I seemed not to have the likenesse of Lucius, for so +was 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 againe +to my selfe, I tooke Fotis by the hand, and moved it to my face and said, I +pray thee while occasion doth serve, that I may have the fruition of the fruits +of my desire, and grant me some of this oyntment. O Fotis I pray thee by thy +sweet paps, to make that in the great flames of my love I may be turned into a +bird, so I will ever hereafter be bound unto you, and obedient to your +commandement. Then said Fotis, Wil you go about to deceive me now, and inforce +me to work my own sorrow? Are you in the mind that you will not tarry in +Thessaly? 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 I +could 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 thy +amiable hair, that since the time I first loved thee, I never fancied any other +person: moreover, this commeth to my minde, that if by the vertue of the +oyntment I shall become an Owle, I will take heed I will come nigh no mans +house: for I am not to learn, how these matrons would handle their lovers, if +they knew that they were transformed into Owles: Moreover, when they are taken +in 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 pray +you (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 (quoth +she) for my mistres hath taught me the way to bring that to passe, neither +thinke you that she did it for any good will and favour, but to the end that I +might help her, and minister some remedy when she returneth home. +</p> + +<p> +Consider I pray you with your selfe, with what frivolous trifles so marvellous +a thing is wrought: for by Hercules I swear I give her nothing else save a +little Dill and Lawrell leaves, in Well water, the which she drinketh and +washeth her selfe withall. Which when she had spoken she went into the chamber +and took a box out of the coffer, which I first kissed and embraced, and prayed +that I might [have] good successe in my purpose. And then I put off all my +garments, and greedily thrust my hand into the box, and took out a good deale +of oyntment and rubbed my selfe withall. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"></a> +THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a Bird, was turned into an Asse, and +how he was led away by Theves. +</p> + +<p> +After that I had well rubbed every part and member of my body, I hovered with +myne armes, and moved my selfe, looking still when I should bee changed into a +Bird as Pamphiles was, and behold neither feathers nor appearance of feathers +did burgen out, but verily my haire did turne in ruggednesse, and my tender +skin 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 face +became monstrous, my nosthrils wide, my lips hanging downe, and myne eares +rugged with haire: neither could I see any comfort of my transformation, for my +members encreased likewise, and so without all helpe (viewing every part of my +poore body) I perceived that I was no bird, but a plaine Asse. +</p> + +<p> +Then I thought to blame Fotis, but being deprived as wel of language as of +humane shape, I looked upon her with my hanging lips and watery eyes. Who as +soon as shee espied me in such sort, cried out, Alas poore wretch that I am, I +am utterly cast away. The feare I was in, and my haste hath beguiled me, but +especially 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 the +shape of an Asse, and become my Lucius againe. And would to God I had gathered +some garlands this evening past, according to my custome, then thou shouldst +not continue an Asse one nights space, but in the morning I shall seek some +remedy. Thus Fotis lamented in pittifull sort, but I that was now a perfect +asse, and for Lucius a brute beast, did yet retaine the sence and understanding +of a man. And did devise a good space with my selfe, whether it were best for +me to teare this mischievous and wicked harlot with my mouth, or to kicke and +kill 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 and +help. Then shaking myne head, and dissembling myne ire, and taking my adversity +in good part, I went into the stable to my owne horse, where I found another +asse of Milos, somtime my host, and I did verily think that mine owne horse (if +there were any natural conscience or knowledge in brute beasts) would take +pitty on me, and profer me lodging for that night: but it chanced far +otherwise. For see, my horse and the asse as it were consented together to work +my harm, and fearing lest I should eat up their provender, would in no wise +suffer me to come nigh the manger, but kicked me with their heels from their +meat, which I my self gave them the night before. Then I being thus handled by +them, and driven away, got me into a corner of the stable, where while I +remembred their uncurtesie, and how on the morrow I should return to Lucius by +the help of a Rose, when as I thought to revenge my selfe of myne owne horse, I +fortuned to espy in the middle of a pillar sustaining the rafters of the stable +the image of the goddesse Hippone, which was garnished and decked round about +with faire and fresh roses: then in hope of present remedy, I leaped up with my +fore feet as high as I could, stretching out my neck, and with my lips coveting +to snatch some roses. But in an evill houre I did go about that enterprise, for +behold the boy to whom I gave charge of my horse, came presently in, and +finding me climbing upon the pillar, ranne fretting towards me and said, How +long shall wee suffer this wild Asse, that doth not onely eat up his fellowes +meat, but also would spoyl the images of the gods? Why doe I not kill this lame +theefe and weake wretch? And therewithall looking about for some cudgel, hee +espied where lay a fagot of wood, and chusing out a crabbed truncheon of the +biggest hee could finde, did never cease beating of mee poore wretch, until +such time as by great noyse and rumbling, hee heard the doores of the house +burst open, and the neighbours crying in most lamentable sort, which enforced +him being stricken in feare, to fly his way. And by and by a troupe of theeves +entred in, and kept every part and corner of the house with weapons. And as men +resorted to aid and help them which were within the doores, the theeves +resisted and kept them back, for every man was armed with a sword and target in +his 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 was +layd all the treasure of Milo, and ransackt the same: which when they had done +they packed it up and gave every man a portion to carry: but when they had more +than they could beare away, yet were they loth to leave any behind, but came +into the stable, and took us two poore asses and my horse, and laded us with +greater 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 tarry +behind, and bring them tydings what was done concerning the robbery: and so +they beat us forward over great hils out of the way. But I, what with my heavy +burden and long journy, did nothing differ from a dead asse: wherfore I +determined with my self to seek some civil remedy, and by invocation of the +name of the prince of the country to be delivered from so many miseries: and on +a time I passed through a great faire, I came among a multitude of Greeks, and +I thought to call upon the renowned name of the Emperor and say, O Cesar, and +cried out aloud O, but Cesar I could in no wise pronounce. The Theeves little +regarding 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 last +Jupiter administred to me an unhoped remedy. For when we had passed through +many townes and villages, I fortuned to espy a pleasant garden, wherein beside +many other flowers of delectable hiew, were new and fresh roses: and being very +joyful, 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 more +profitable for me, lest if from an asse I should become a man, I might fall +into 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 I +abstained for that time from eating of Roses, and enduring my present +adversity, I did eat hay as other Asses did. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"></a> +THE FOURTH BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"></a> +THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius thinking to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener, and +chased by dogs. +</p> + +<p> +When noone was come, that the broyling heate of the sunne had most power, we +turned into a village to certaine of the theeves acquaintance and friends, for +verily their meeting and embracing together did give me, poore asse, cause to +deeme the same, and they tooke the trusse from my backe, and gave them part of +the Treasure which was in it, and they seemed to whisper and tell them that it +was stollen goods, and after that we were unladen of our burthens, they let us +loose in a medow to pasture, but myne own horse and Miloes Asse would not +suffer me to feed there with them, but I must seeke my dinner in some other +place. +</p> + +<p> +Wherefore I leaped into a garden which was behinde the stable, and being well +nigh perished with hunger, although I could find nothing there but raw and +green fallets, yet I filled my hungry guts therwithall abundantly, and praying +unto all the gods, I looked about in every place if I could espy any red roses +in the gardens by, and my solitary being alone did put me in good hope, that if +I could find any remedy, I should presently of an Asse be changed into Lucius +out 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 saw +bright flourishing Roses of bright damaske colour; and said within my bestaill +minde, Verily that place is the place of Venus and the Graces, where secretly +glistereth the royall hew, of so lively and delectable a floure. Then I +desiring the help of the guide of my good fortune, ranne lustily towards the +wood, insomuch that I felt myself that I was no more an Asse, but a swift +coursing horse: but my agility and quicknes could not prevent the cruelty of my +fortune, 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. Neither +did I perceive that there was any valley at all, but onely the bank of the +river, environed with great thick trees, which had long branches like unto +lawrell, and bearing a flour without any manner of sent, and the common people +call them by the name of Lawrel roses, which be very poyson to all manner of +beasts. Then was I so intangled with unhappy fortune that I little esteemed +mine own danger, and went willingly to eat of these roses, though I knew them +to be present poyson: and as I drew neere I saw a yong man that seemed to be +the gardener, come upon mee, and when he perceived that I had devoured all his +hearbes in the garden, he came swearing with a great staffe in his hand, and +laid upon me in such sort, that I was well nigh dead, but I speedily devised +some 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 and +howled in pittifull sort, and went toward her husband, to the intent that by +her lowd cries shee might purchase to me present destruction. Then all the +persons of the town, moved by her noise came forth, and cried for dogs to teare +me down. Out came a great company of Bandogs and mastifes, more fit to pul down +bears and lions than me, whom when I beheld I thought verily I should presently +die: but I turned myself about, and ranne as fast as ever I might to the stable +from whence I came. Then the men of the towne called in their dogs, and took me +and bound mee to the staple of a post, and scourged me with a great knotted +whip till I was well nigh dead, and they would undoubtedly have slaine me, had +it not come to passe, that what with the paine of their beating, and the greene +hearbes that lay in my guts, I caught such a laske that I all besprinkled their +faces with my liquid dung, and enforced them to leave off. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"></a> +THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was prevented of his purpose, and how the Theeves came to their +den. +</p> + +<p> +Not long after, the theeves laded us againe, but especially me, and brought us +forth of the stable, and when wee had gone a good part of our journey what with +the long way, my great burthen, the beating of staves, and my worne hooves, I +was so weary that I could scantly go. Then I saw a little before mee a river +running with fair water, and I said to myself, Behold, now I have found a good +occasion: for I will fall down when I come yonder, and surely I will not rise +againe, neither with scourging nor with beating, for I had rather be slaine +there presently, than goe any further. +</p> + +<p> +And the cause why I had determined so to doe was this, I thought that the +theeves when they did see me so feeble and weake that I could not travell, to +the intent they would not stay in their journey, they would take the burthen +from my backe and put it on my fellowes, and so for my further punishment to +leave me as a prey to the wolves and ravening beasts. But evill fortune +prevented so good a consideration; for the other Asse being of the same purpose +that I was of, by feigned and coloured wearinesse fell downe first, with all +his burthen on the ground as though hee were dead, and he would not rise +neither with beating nor with pricking, nor stand upon his legs, though they +pulled him by the tail, by his legs, and by his eares: which when the theeves +beheld, as without all hope they said one unto another, What should we stand +here so long about a dead or rather a stony asse? let us bee gone: and so they +tooke his burthen, and divided some to mee, and some to my horse. And then they +drew out their swords and cut off his legs, and threw his body from the point +of a hill down into a great valley. Then I considering with my selfe of the +evill fortune of my poore companion, and purposed now to forget all subtility +and deceit, and to play the good Asse to get my masters favour, for I perceived +by their talke that we were come home well nigh at our journeys end. And after +that wee had passed over a little hill, we came to our appointed place, and +when we were unladen of our burthens, and all things carried in, I tumbled and +wallowed in the dust, to refresh my selfe in stead of water. The thing and the +time compelleth me to make description of the places, and especially of the den +where the theeves did inhabit, I will prove my wit in what I can doe, and the +consider you whether I was an Asse in judgement and sence, or no. For first +there 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 running +water as cleare as silver, that watered all the valleyes below, that it seemed +like unto a sea inclosed, or a standing floud. Before the denne where was no +hill stood an high tower, and at the foot thereof were sheep-coats fenced and +walled with clay. Before the gate of the house were pathes made in stead of +wals, 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, wherein +the theeves did nightly accustome to watch by order, as I after perceived. And +when they were all crept into the house, and we were all tied fast with halters +at the dore, they began to chide with an old woman there, crooked with age, who +had 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 no +regard to our perillous labours, hast provided nothing for our suppers, but +sittest eating and swilling thyself from morning till night? Then the old woman +trembled, and scantly able to speak gan say, Behold my puissant and faithfull +masters, you shall have meat and pottage enough by and by: here is first store +of bread, wine plenty, filled in cleane rinsed pots, likewise here is hot water +prepared to bathe you. +</p> + +<p> +Which when she had said, they put off all their garments and refreshed +themselves by the fire. And after they were washed and noynted with oyle, they +sate downe at the table garnished with all kind of dainty meats. They were no +sooner sate downe, but in came another company of yong men more in number than +was before, who seemed likewise to bee Theeves, for they brought in their +preyes of gold and silver, Plate, jewels, and rich robes, and when they had +likewise 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, and +Centaures. At length one of them more valiant than the rest, spake in this +sort, We verily have manfully conquered the house of Milo of Hippata, and +beside all the riches and treasure which by force we have brought away, we are +all come home safe, and are increased the more by this horse and this Asse. But +you that have roved about in the country of Boetia, have lost your valiante +captaine Lamathus, whose life I more regarded than all the treasure which you +have brought: and therfore the memory of him shall bee renowned for ever +amongst the most noble kings and valiant captains: but you accustome when you +goe abroad, like men with ganders hearts to creepe through every corner and +hole for every trifle. Then one of them that came last answered, Why are you +only ignorant, that the greater the number is, the sooner they may rob and +spoyle the house? And although the family be dispersed in divers lodgings, yet +every man had rather to defend his own life, than to save the riches of his +master: but when there be but a few theeves, then will they not only rather +regard 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 come +nothing nigh to Thebes, where is the fountain of our art and science, but we +learned where a rich Chuffe called Chriseros did dwell, who for fear of offices +in the publique wel dissembled his estate, and lived sole and solitary in a +small coat, howbeit replenished with aboundance of treasure, and went daily in +ragged and torn apparel. Wherefore wee devised with our selves to go to his +house and spoyl him of all his riches. And when night came we drew towards the +dore, which was so strongly closed, that we could neither move it, nor lift it +out of the hooks, and we thought it best not to break it open lest by the noyse +we should raise up to our harm the neighbours by. Then our strong and valiant +captaine Lamathus trusting in his own strength and force, thrust in his hand +through a hole in the dore, and thought to pull back the bolt: but the covetous +caitif Chriseros being awake, and making no noise came softly to the dore and +caught his hand and with a great naile nailed it fast to the post: which when +he had done, he ran up to the high chamber and called every one of his +neighbours by name, desiring them to succour him with all possible speed, for +his own house was on fire. Then every one for fear of his owne danger came +running out to aid him, wherewith we fearing our present peril, knew not what +was best to be don, whether wee should leave our companion there, or yeeld +ourselves to die with him: but we by his consent devised a better way, for we +cut off his arm by the elbow and so let it hang there: then wee bound his wound +with clouts, lest we should be traced by the drops of blood: which don we took +Lamathus and led him away, for fear we would be taken: but being so nigh +pursued that we were in present danger, and that Lamathus could not keepe our +company by reason of faintnesse; and on the other side perceiving that it was +not for his profit to linger behinde, he spake unto us as a man of singular +courage and vertue, desiring us by much entreaty and prayer and by the +puissance of the god Mars, and the faith of our confederacy, to deliver his +body from torment and miserable captivity: and further he said, How is it +possible that so courageous a Captaine can live without his hand, wherewith he +could somtime rob and slay so many people? I would thinke myself sufficiently +happy if I could be slaine by one of you. But when he saw that we all refused +to commit any such fact, he drew out his sword with his other hand, and after +that he had often kissed it, he drove it clean through his body. Then we +honoured the corps of so puissant a man, and wrapped it in linnen cloathes and +threw it into the sea. So lieth our master Lamathus, buried and did in the +grave of water, and ended his life as I have declared. But Alcinus, though he +were a man of great enterprise, yet could he not beware by Lamathus, nor voide +himselfe from evill fortune, for on a day when he had entred into an old womans +house to rob her, he went up into a high chamber, where hee should first have +strangled her: but he had more regard to throw down the bags of mony and gold +out at a window, to us that stood under; and when he was so greedy that he +would leave nothing behinde, he went into the old womans bed where she lay +asleep, 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 I +pray 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 her +words to be true, was brought in beleefe, that such things as he had throwne +out already, and such things as hee should throw out after, was not fallen +downe to his fellowes, but to other mens houses, wherefore hee went to the +window to see, and as hee thought to behold the places round about, thrusting +his body out of the window, the old woman marked him wel, and came behind him +softly, and though shee had but small strength, yet with sudden force she tooke +him by the heeles and thrust him out headlong, and so he fell upon a marvellous +great stone and burst his ribs, wherby he vomited and spewed great flakes of +blood, and presently died. Then wee threw him to the river likewise, as we had +done Lamathus before. +</p> + +<p> +When we had thus lost two of our companions, we liked not Thebes, but marched +towards the next city called Platea, where we found a man of great fame called +Demochares, that purposed to set forth a great game, where should be a triall +of 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 and +pleasures for the Common people, insomuch that there is no man can either by +wit or eloquence shew in words his worthy preparations: for first he had +provided all sorts of armes, hee greatly delighted in hunting and chasing, he +ordained great towers and Tables to move hither and thither: hee made many +places to chase and encounter in: he had ready a great number of men and wilde +beasts, and many condemned persons were brought from the Judgement place, to +try and fight with those beasts. But amongst so great preparations of noble +price, he bestowed the most part of his patrimony in buying of Beares, which he +nourished to his great cost, and esteemed more than all the other beasts, which +either by chasing hee caught himself, or which he dearely bought, or which were +given him from divers of his friends. +</p> + +<p> +Howbeit for all his sumptuous cost, hee could not be free from the malitious +eyes of envy, for some of them were well nigh dead with too long tying up, some +meagre with the broyling heat of the sunne, some languished with lying, but all +having sundry diseases, were so afflicted that they died one after another, and +there was well nigh none left, in such sort that you might see them lying in +the streets pittiously dead. And the common people having no other meat to feed +on, little regarding any curiosity, would come forth and fill their bellies +with the flesh of the beares. Then by and by Babulus and I devised a pretty +sport, wee drew one of the greatest of the Beares to our lodging, as though wee +would prepare to eat thereof, where wee flayed of his skinne, and kept his +ungles whole, but we medled not with the head, but cut it off by the necke, and +so let it hang to the skinne. Then we rased off the flesh from the necke, and +cast dust thereon, and set it in the sun to dry. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"></a> +THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Thrasileon was disguised in a Beares skin, and how he was handled. +</p> + +<p> +When the skin was a drying we made merry with the flesh, and then we devised +with our selves, that one of us being more valiant than the rest both in body +and courage (so that he would consent thereto) should put on the skin, and +feigning 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 play +the Beare, but especially one Thrasileon of a couragious minde would take this +enterprise in hand. Then wee put in into the Beares skin, which him finely in +every point, wee buckled it fast under his belly, and covered the seam with the +haire, that it might not be seen. After this we made little holes through the +bears head, and through his nosthrils and eyes, for Thrasileon to see out and +take wind at, in such sort that he seemed a very lively and natural beast: when +this was don we went into a cave which we hired for the purpose, and he crept +in after like a bear with a good courage. Thus we began our subtility, and then +wee imagined thus, wee feigned letters as though they came from one Nicanor +which dwelt in the Country of Thracia, which was of great acquaintance with +this Demochares, wherein we wrote, that hee had sent him being his friend, the +first fruits of his coursing and hunting. When night was come, which was a meet +time for our purpose, we brought Thrasileon and our forged letters and +presented them to Demochares. When Demochares beheld this mighty Beare, and saw +the liberality of Nicanor his friend, hee commanded his servants to deliver +unto us x. crowns, having great store in his coffers. Then (as the novelty of a +thing doth accustom to stir mens minds to behold the same) many persons came on +every side to see this bear: but Thrasileon, lest they should by curious +viewing and prying perceive the truth, ran upon them to put them in feare that +they durst not come nigh. The people said, Verily Demochares is right happy, in +that 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 the +park with all the other beasts: but immediately I spake unto him and said, Sir +I pray you take heed how you put a beast tired with the heat of the sun and +with long travell, among others which as I hear say have divers maladies and +diseases, 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 of +beasts do greatly delight to couch under the shadow of trees and hillocks neer +pleasant wells and waters? Hereby Demochares admonished, and remembring how +many he had before that perished, was contented that we should put the bear +where we would. Moreover we said unto him, that we ourselves were determined to +lie all night neer the Bear, to look unto him, and to give him meat and drink +at his due houre. +</p> + +<p> +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 of +him and departed: and when we were come without the gates of the town, we +perceived before us a great sepulchre standing out of the highway in a privy +and secret place, and thither we went and opened the mouth thereof, whereas we +found the sides covered with the corruption of man, and the ashes and dust of +his 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 we +thought that every one was asleepe, we went with our weapons and besieged the +house of Demochares round about. Then Thrasileon was ready at hand, and leaped +out of the caverne, and went to kill all such as he found asleepe: but when he +came to the Porter, he opened the gates and let us in, and then he shewed us a +large 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 as +much 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 when +they would returne. The Beare running about the house, to make such of the +family afeared as fortuned to wake and come out. For who is he that is so +puissant and couragious, that at the ougly sight of so great a monster will not +quayle and keep his chamber especially in the night? But when wee had brought +this matter to so good a point, there chanced a pittifull case, for as I looked +for my companions that should come from the sepulchre, behold there was a Boy +of the house that fortuned to looke out of a window, and espied the Bear +running about, and he went and told all the servants of the house. Whereupon +incontinently they came forth with Torches, Lanthornes, and other lights, that +they 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 broyle +thought to run away, but because I would see Thrasileon fight with the Dogs, I +lay behinde the gate to behold him. And although I might perceive that he was +well nigh dead, yet remembred he his owne faithfulnes and ours, and valiantly +resisted the gaping and ravenous mouths of the hell hounds, so tooke hee in +gree the pagiant which willingly he tooke in hand himself, and with much adoe +tumbled at length out of the house: but when hee was at liberty abroad yet +could he not save himself, for all the dogs of the Streete joyned themselves to +the greyhounds and mastifes of the house, and came upon him. +</p> + +<p> +Alas what a pittifull sight it was to see our poore Thrasileon thus environed +and compassed with so many dogs that tare and rent him miserably. Then I +impatient of so great a misery, ranne in among the prease of people, and ayding +him with my words as much as I might, exhorted them all in this manner: O great +and extreame mischance, what a pretious and excellent beast have we lost. But +my words did nothing prevaile, for there came out a tall man with a speare in +his hand, that thrust him cleane through, and afterwards many that stood by +drew out their swords, and so they killed him. But verily our good Captaine +Thrasileon, the honour of our comfort, received his death so patiently, that he +would not bewray the league betweene us, either by crying, howling, or any +other meanes, but being torn with dogs and wounded with weapons, did yeeld +forth a dolefull cry, more like unto a beast than a man. And taking his present +fortune in good part, with courage and glory enough did finish his life, with +such a terror unto the assembly, that no person was hardy until it was day, as +to touch him, though hee were starke dead: but at last there came a Butcher +more valiant than the rest, who opening the panch of the beast, slit out an +hardy and ventrous theefe. +</p> + +<p> +In this manner we lost our Captain Thrasileon, but he left not his fame and +honour. +</p> + +<p> +When this was done wee packed up our treasure, which we committed to the +sepulchre to keepe, and got out of the bounds of Platea, thus thinking with our +selves, 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 being +wearied 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. +</p> + +<p> +Thus when they had spoken in memory of their slaine companions, they tooke cups +of gold, and sung hymns unto the god mars, and layd them downe to sleep. Then +the old woman gave us fresh barley without measure, insomuch that my horse fed +so abundantly that he might well thinke hee was at some banquet that day. But I +that was accustomed to eat bran and flower, thought that but a sower kinde of +meate. Wherfore espying a corner where lay loaves of bread for all the house I +got me thither and filled my hungry guts therewith. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"></a> +THE TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How the Theeves stole away a Gentlewoman, and brought her to their den. +</p> + +<p> +When night was come the Theeves awaked and rose up, and when they had buckled +on their weapons, and disguised their faces with visards, they departed. And +yet 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 the +most, now my huts were so greedy that three panniers full would scantly serve +me, and while I considered these things the morning came, and being led to a +river, notwithstanding my Assie shamefastnesse I quencht my thirst. And +suddenly after, the Theeves returned home carefull and heavy, bringing no +burthens 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 some +worthy matron of that country, who was so fair and beautiful, that though I +were an Asse, yet I had a great affection for her. The virgin lamented and tare +her hair, and rent her garments, for the great sorrow she was in; but the +theeves 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 outrage +or violence to your person: but take patience a while for our profit, for +necessity and poore estate hath compelled us to do this enterprise: we warrant +you that your parents, although they bee covetous, will be contented to give us +a great quantity of mony to redeeme and ransome you from our hands. +</p> + +<p> +With such and like flattering words they endeavoured to appease the +gentlewoman, howbeit shee would in no case be comforted, but put her head +betwixt her knees, and cried pittiously. Then they called the old woman, and +commaunded her to sit by the maiden, and pacify her dolor as much as shee +might. And they departed away to rob, as they were accustomed to doe, but the +virgin would not asswage her griefes, nor mitigate her sorrow by any entreaty +of the old woman, but howled and sobbed in such sort, that she made me poore +Asse likewise to weepe, and thus she said, Alas can I poore wench live any +longer, that am come of so good a house, forsaken of my parents, friends, and +family, made a rapine and prey, closed servilely in this stony prison, deprived +of all pleasure, wherein I have been brought up, thrown in danger, ready to be +rent 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 after +she had wearied herself with sorrow and blubbered her face with teares, she +closed the windowes of her hollow eyes, and laid her downe to sleepe. And after +that she had slept, she rose again like a furious and mad woman, and beat her +breast and comely face more that she did before. +</p> + +<p> +Then the old woman enquired the causes of her new and sudden lamentation. To +whom sighing in pittifull sort she answered, Alas now I am utterly undone, now +am 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 her +the cause of her sorrow, and why after her sleep, she should renew her dolour +and miserable weeping. What, thinke you (quoth she) to deprive our young men of +the price of your ransome? No, no therefore cease your crying, for the Theeves +doe little esteeme your howling, and if you do not, I will surely burn you +alive. Hereat the maiden was greatly feared, and kissed her hand and said, O +mother take pitty upon me and my wretched fortune, and give me license a while +to speake, for I think I shall not long live, let there be mercy ripe and +franke in thy venerable hoare head, and hear the sum of my calamity. +</p> + +<p> +There was a comely young man, who for his bounty and grace was beloved entirely +of all the towne, my cousine Germane, and but three years older than I; we two +were nourished and brought up in one house, lay under one roofe, and in one +chamber, and at length by promise of marriage, and by consent of our parents we +were contracted together. The marriage day was come, the house was garnished +with lawrel, and torches were set in every place in the honour of Hymeneus, my +espouse was accompanied by his parents, kinsfolke, and friends, and made +sacrifices in the temples and publique places. And when my unhappy mother +pampered me in her lap, and decked me like a bride, kissing me sweetly, and +making me a parent for Children, behold there came in a great multitude of +theeves armed like men of warre, with naked swords in their hands, who went not +about to doe any harme, neither to take any thing away, but brake into the +chamber where I was, and violently tooke me out of my mothers armes, when none +of our family would resist for feare. +</p> + +<p> +In this sort was our marriage disturbed, like the marriage of Hyppodame and +Perithous. But behold my good mother, now my unhappy fortune is renewed and +encreased: For I dreamed in my sleepe, that I was pulled out of our house, out +of our chamber, and out of my bed, and that I removed about in solitary and +unknowne places, calling upon the name of my unfortunate husband, and how that +he, as soone as he perceived that he was taken away, even smelling with +perfumes and crowned with garlands, did trace me by the steppes, desiring the +aid 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 at +my husband and killed him. By the terror of which sight, and the feare of so +dreadfull a dreame, I awaked. +</p> + +<p> +Then the old woman rendring out like sighes, began to speake in this sort: My +daughter take a good heart unto you, and bee not afeared at feigned and strange +visions and dreams, for as the visions of the day are accounted false and +untrue, so the visions of the night doe often change contrary. And to dream of +weeping, beating, and killing, is a token of good luck and prosperous change. +Whereas contrary to dreame of laughing, carnal dalliance, and good cheere, is a +signe of sadnesse, sicknesse, loss of substance, and displeasure. But I will +tell thee a pleasant tale, to put away all thy sorrow, and to revive thy +spirits. And so shee began in this manner. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"></a> +THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHES</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"></a> +THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of Cupid and Psyches. +</p> + +<p> +There was sometimes a certaine King, inhabiting in the West parts, who had to +wife a noble Dame, by whom he had three daughters exceeding fair: of whom the +two elder were of such comly shape and beauty, as they did excell and pass all +other women living, whereby they were thought worthily to deserve the praise +and commendation of every person, and deservedly to be preferred above the +residue of the common sort. Yet the singular passing beauty and maidenly +majesty of the youngest daughter did so farre surmount and excell then two, as +no earthly creature could by any meanes sufficiently expresse or set out the +same. +</p> + +<p> +By reason wherof, after the fame of this excellent maiden was spread about in +every part of the City, the Citisens and strangers there beeing inwardly +pricked by the zealous affection to behold her famous person, came daily by +thousands, hundreths, and scores, to her fathers palace, who was astonied with +admiration of her incomparable beauty, did no less worship and reverence her +with crosses, signes, and tokens, and other divine adorations, according to the +custome of the old used rites and ceremonies, than if she were the Lady Venus +indeed, and shortly after the fame was spread into the next cities and +bordering regions, that the goddess whom the deep seas had born and brought +forth, and the froth of the waves had nourished, to the intent to show her high +magnificencie and divine power on earth, to such as erst did honour and worship +her, was now conversant among mortall men, or else that the earth and not the +sea, by a new concourse and influence of the celestiall planets, had budded and +yeelded forth a new Venus, endued with the floure of virginity. +</p> + +<p> +So daily more and more encreased this opinion, and now is her flying fame +dispersed into the next Island, and well nigh unto every part and province of +the 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 towards +the goddesse Venus, that no person travelled unto the Towne Paphos, nor to the +Isle Gyndos, nor to Cythera to worship her. Her ornaments were throwne out, her +temples defaced, her pillowes and cushions torne, her ceremonies neglected, her +images and Statues uncrowned, and her bare altars unswept, and fowl with the +ashes of old burnt sacrifice. For why, every person honoured and worshipped +this maiden in stead of Venus, and in the morning at her first comming abroad +offered 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 in +most reverend fashion. +</p> + +<p> +This sudden change and alteration of celestiall honour, did greatly inflame and +kindle 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, Behold +the originall parent of all these elements, behold the Lady Venus renowned +throughout all the world, with whome a mortall maiden is joyned now partaker of +honour: my name registred in the city of heaven is prophaned and made vile by +terrene absurdities. If I shall suffer any mortall creature to present my +Majesty on earth, or that any shall beare about a false surmised shape of her +person, then in vaine did Paris the sheepheard (in whose judgement and +competence the great Jupiter had affiance) preferre me above the residue of the +goddesses, for the excellency of my beauty: but she, whatever she be that hath +usurped myne honour, shal shortly repent her of her unlawful estate. And by and +by she called her winged sonne Cupid, rash enough and hardy, who by his evill +manners contemning all publique justice and law, armed with fire and arrowes, +running up and down in the nights from house to house, and corrupting the +lawfull marriages of every person, doth nothing but that which is evill, who +although that hee were of his owne proper nature sufficiently prone to worke +mischiefe, 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 cause +of 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 the +pleasant heate of thy fire, revenge the injury which is done to thy mother by +the false and disobedient beauty of a mortall maiden, and I pray thee, that +without 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 none +found in all the world of like wretchednesse. When she had spoken these words +she embraced and kissed her sonne, and took her voyage toward the sea. +</p> + +<p> +When she came upon the sea she began to cal the gods and goddesses, who were +obedient at her voyce. For incontinent came the daughters of Nereus, singing +with tunes melodiously: Portunus with his bristled and rough beard, Salita with +her bosome full of fish, Palemon the driver of the Dolphine, the Trumpetters of +Tryton, leaping hither and thither, and blowing with heavenly noyse: such was +the company which followed Venus, marching towards the ocean sea. +</p> + +<p> +In the meane season Psyches with all her beauty received no fruit of honor. She +was wondred at of all, she was praised of all, but she perceived that no King +nor Prince, nor any one of the superiour sort did repaire to wooe her. Every +one marvelled at her divine beauty, as it were some Image well painted and set +out. Her other two sisters, which were nothing so greatly exalted by the +people, were royally married to two Kings: but the virgin Psyches, sitting +alone at home, lamented her solitary life, and being disquieted both in mind +and body, although she pleased all the world, yet hated shee in her selfe her +owne beauty. Whereupon the miserable father of this unfortunate daughter, +suspecting that the gods and powers of heaven did envy her estate, went to the +town called Milet to receive the Oracle of Apollo, where he made his prayers +and offered sacrifice, and desired a husband for his daughter: but Apollo +though he were a Grecian, and of the country of Ionia, because of the +foundation of Milet, yet hee gave answer in Latine verse, the sence whereof was +this:— +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +Let Psyches corps be clad in mourning weed,<br/> +And set on rock of yonder hill aloft:<br/> +Her husband is no wight of humane seed,<br/> +But Serpent dire and fierce as might be thought.<br/> +Who flies with wings above in starry skies,<br/> +And doth subdue each thing with firie flight.<br/> +The gods themselves, and powers that seem so wise,<br/> +With mighty Jove, be subject to his might,<br/> +The rivers blacke, and deadly flouds of paine<br/> +And darkness eke, as thrall to him remaine. +</p> + +<p> +The King, sometimes happy when he heard the prophesie of Apollo, returned home +sad and sorrowful, and declared to his wife the miserable and unhappy fate of +his daughter. Then they began to lament and weep, and passed over many dayes in +great sorrow. But now the time approached of Psyches marriage, preparation was +made, blacke torches were lighted, the pleasant songs were turned into +pittifull cries, the melody of Hymeneus was ended with deadly howling, the maid +that should be married did wipe her eyes with her vaile. All the family and +people of the city weeped likewise, and with great lamentation was ordained a +remisse time for that day, but necessity compelled that Psyches should be +brought to her appointed place, according to the divine appointment. +</p> + +<p> +And when the solemnity was ended, they went to bring the sorrowful spowse, not +to her marriage, but to her final end and burial. And while the father and +mother of Psyches did go forward weeping and crying unto this enterprise, +Psyches spake unto them in this sort: Why torment your unhappy age with +continuall dolour? Why trouble you your spirits, which are more rather mine +than yours? Why soyle ye your faces with teares, which I ought to adore and +worship? Why teare you my eyes in yours? why pull you your hory haires? Why +knocke 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 did +honour me, and call me new Venus, then yee should have wept, then you should +have sorrowed as though I had been dead: for now I see and perceive that I am +come to this misery by the only name of Venus, bring mee, and as fortune has +appointed, place me on the top of the rocke, I greatly desire to end my +marriage, I greatly covet to see my husband. Why doe I delay? why should I +refuse him that is appointed to destroy all the world. +</p> + +<p> +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 of +the people, and every man gone home, the miserable Parents well nigh consumed +with sorrow, gave themselves to everlasting darknes. +</p> + +<p> +Thus poore Psyches being left alone, weeping and trembling on the toppe of the +rocke, was blowne by the gentle aire and of shrilling Zephyrus, and carried +from the hill with a meek winde, which retained her garments up, and by little +and little bought her downe into a deepe valley, where she was laid in a bed of +most sweet and fragrant flowers. +</p> + +<p> +Thus faire Psyches being sweetly couched among the soft and tender hearbs, as +in a bed of sweet and fragrant floures, and having qualified the thoughts and +troubles of her restlesse minde, was now well reposed. And when she had +refreshed her selfe sufficiently with sleepe, she rose with a more quiet and +pacified minde, and fortuned to espy a pleasant wood invironed with great and +mighty trees. Shee espied likewise a running river as cleare as crystall: in +the midst of the wood well nigh at the fall of the river was a princely +Edifice, wrought and builded not by the art or hand of man, but by the mighty +power of God: and you would judge at the first entry therin, that it were some +pleasant and worthy mansion for the powers of heaven. For the embowings above +were of Citron and Ivory, propped and undermined with pillars of gold, the +walls covered and seeled with silver, divers sorts of beasts were graven and +carved, that seemed to encounter with such as entered in. All things were so +curiously and finely wrought, that it seemed either to be the worke of some +Demy god, or of God himselfe. The pavement was all of pretious stones, divided +and cut one from another, whereon was carved divers kindes of pictures, in such +sort that blessed and thrice blessed were they that might goe upon such a +pavement: Every part and angle of the house was so well adorned, that by reason +of the pretious stones and inestimable treasure there, it glittered and shone +in such sort, that the chambers, porches, and doores gave light as it had beene +the Sunne. Neither otherwise did the other treasure of the house disagree unto +so great a majesty, that verily it seemed in every point an heavenly Palace, +fabricate and built for Jupiter himselfe. +</p> + +<p> +Then Psyches moved with delectation approched nigh and taking a bold heart +entred into the house, and beheld every thing there with great affection, she +saw storehouses wrought exceedingly fine, and replenished with aboundance of +riches. Finally, there could nothing be devised which lacked there: but among +such great store of treasure this was most marvellous, that there was no +closure, bolt, nor locke to keepe the same. And when with great pleasure shee +had viewed all these things, she heard a voyce without any body, that sayd, Why +doe you marvell Madame at so great riches? behold, all that you see is at your +commandement, wherefore goe you into the chamber, and repose your selfe upon +the bed, and desire what bath you will have, and wee whose voyces you heare bee +your servants, and ready to minister unto you according to your desire. In the +meane season, royall meats and dainty dishes shall be prepared for you. +</p> + +<p> +Then Psyches perceived the felicity of divine providence, and according to the +advertisement of the incorporeall voyces she first reposed her selfe upon the +bed, and then refreshed her body in the baines. This done, shee saw the table +garnished with meats, and a chaire to sit downe. +</p> + +<p> +When Psyches was set downe, all sorts of divine meats and wines were brought +in, not by any body, but as it were with a winde, for she saw no person before +her, but only heard voyces on every side. After that all the services were +brought to the table, one came in and sung invisibly, another played on the +harpe, but she saw no man. The harmony of the Instruments did so greatly shrill +in her eares, that though there were no manner of person, yet seemed she in the +midst of a multitude of people. +</p> + +<p> +All these pleasures finished, when night aproched Psyches went to bed, and when +she was layd, that the sweet sleep came upon her, she greatly feared her +virginity, because shee was alone. Then came her unknowne husband and lay with +her: and after that hee had made a perfect consummation of the marriage, he +rose in the morning before day, and departed. Soone after came her invisible +servants, and presented to her such things as were necessary for her +defloration. And thus she passed forth a great while, and as it happeneth, the +novelty of the things by continuall custome did encrease her pleasure, but +especially the sound of the instruments was a comfort to her being alone. +</p> + +<p> +During this time that Psyches was in this place of pleasures, her father and +mother did nothing but weepe and lament, and her two sisters hearing of her +most miserable fortune, came with great dolour and sorrow to comfort and speake +with her parents. +</p> + +<p> +The night following, Psyches husband spake unto her (for she might feele his +eyes, 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 to +beware: for know that thy sisters, thinking that thou art dead, bee greatly +troubled, and are coming to the mountain by thy steps. Whose lamentations if +thou fortune to heare, beware that thou doe in no wise make answer, or looke up +towards them, for if thou doe thou shalt purchase to mee great sorrow, and to +thyself utter destruction. Psyches hearing her Husband, was contented to doe +all things as hee had commanded. +</p> + +<p> +After that hee was departed and the night passed away, Psyches lamented and +lamented all the day following, thinking that now shee was past all hopes of +comfort, in that shee was closed within the walls of a prison, deprived of +humane conversation, and commaunded not to aid her sorrowful Sisters, no nor +once to see them. Thus she passed all the day in weeping, and went to bed at +night, without any refection of meat or baine. +</p> + +<p> +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 wil +you not cease in your husbands armes? Goe too, doe what ye will, purchase your +owne destruction, and when you find it so, then remember my words, and repent +but too late. Then she desired her husband more and more, assuring him that +shee should die, unlesse he would grant that she might see her sisters, wherby +she 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 as +she 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 my +person, lest by your curiosity you deprive your selfe of so great and worthy +estate. Psyches being glad herewith, rendered unto him most entire thankes, and +said, Sweet husband, I had rather die than to bee separated from you, for +whosoever you bee, I love and retaine you within my heart, as if you were myne +owne spirit or Cupid himselfe: but I pray you grant this likewise, that you +would commaund your servant Zephyrus to bring my sisters downe into the valley +as he brought mee. +</p> + +<p> +Wherewithall shee kissed him sweetly, and desired him gently to grant her +request, calling him her spowse, her sweetheart, her Joy and her Solace. Wherby +she enforced him to agree to her mind, and when morning came he departed away. +</p> + +<p> +After long search made, the sisters of Psyches came unto the hill where she was +set on the rocke, and cried with a loud voyce in such sort that the stones +answered againe. And when they called their sister by her name, that their +lamentable cries came unto her eares, shee came forth and said, Behold, heere +is shee for whom you weepe, I pray you torment your selves no more, cease your +weeping. And by and by she commaunded Zephyrus by the appointment of her +husband to bring them downe. Neither did he delay, for with gentle blasts he +retained them up and laid them softly in the valley. I am not able to expresse +the often embracing, kissing and greeting which was between them three, all +sorrows and tears were then layd apart. +</p> + +<p> +Come in (quoth Psyches) into our house, and refresh your afflicted mindes with +your sister. +</p> + +<p> +After this she shewed them the storehouses of treasure, shee caused them to +hear the voyces which served her, the bain was ready, the meats were brought +in, and when they had filled themselves with divine delecates, they conceived +great envy within their hearts, and one of them being curious, did demand what +her husband was, of what estate, and who was Lord of so pretious a house? But +Psyches remembring the promise which she had made to her husband, feigned that +hee was a young man, of comely stature, with a flaxen beard, and had great +delight in hunting the dales and hills by. And lest by her long talke she +should 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. +</p> + +<p> +When they were brought up to the mountain, they made their wayes homeward to +their owne houses, and murmured with envy that they bare against Psyches, +saying, behold cruell and contrary fortune, behold how we, borne all of one +Parent, have divers destinies: but especially we that are the elder two bee +married to strange husbands, made as handmaidens, and as it were banished from +our Countrey and friends. Whereas our younger sister hath great abundance of +treasure, and hath gotten a god to her husband, although shee hath no skill how +to 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 we +trod on? That if shee hath a husband according as shee affirmeth, there is none +that liveth this day more happy in all the world than she. And so it may come +to passe, at length for the great affection which hee may beare unto her that +hee may make her a goddesse, for by Hercules, such was her countenance, so she +behaved her self, that as a goddesse she had voices to serve her, and the +windes did obey her. +</p> + +<p> +But I poore wretch have first married an husband elder than my father, more +bald than a Coot, more weake than a childe, and that locketh me up all day in +the house. +</p> + +<p> +Then said the other sister, And in faith I am married to a husband that hath +the gout, twyfold, crooked, nor couragious in paying my debt, I am faine to rub +and mollifie his stony fingers with divers sorts of oyles, and to wrap them in +playsters and salves, so that I soyle my white and dainty hands with the +corruption of filthy clouts, not using my self like a wife, but more like a +servant. 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 you +not I pray you how proudly and arrogantly she handled us even now? And how in +vaunting her selfe she uttered her presumptuous minde, how she cast a little +gold into our laps, and being weary of our company, commanded that we should be +borne and blown away? +</p> + +<p> +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 to +utter our minde to any person, no not to our parents, nor tell that ever we saw +her. 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, since +as they seeme not happy whose riches are unknowne: so shall she know that she +hath sisters no Abjects, but worthier than she. +</p> + +<p> +But now let us goe home to our husbands and poore houses, and when we are +better instructed, let us return to suppresse her pride. So this evill counsell +pleased these two evil women, and they hid the treasure which Psyches gave +them, and tare their haire, renewing their false and forged teares. When their +father and mother beheld them weep and lament still, they doubled their +sorrowes and griefes, but full of yre and forced with Envy, they tooke their +voyage homeward, devising the slaughter and destruction of their sister. +</p> + +<p> +In the meane season the husband of Psyches did warne her againe in the night +with these words: Seest thou not (quoth he) what perill and danger evill +fortune doth threaten unto thee, whereof if thou take not good heed it will +shortly come upon thee. For the unfaithfull harlots doe greatly endeavor to set +their snares to catch thee, and their purpose is to make and perswade thee to +behold my face, which if thou once fortune to see, as I have often told, thou +shalt 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 heed +that 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 no +communication of thy husband, nor answer a word if they fortune to question of +me, so will we encrease our stocke, and this young and tender childe, couched +in 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 bring +forth a divine babe, and very joyfull in that she should be honored as a +mother. 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 time +her belly should swel so big. But those pestilent and wicked furies breathing +out 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 against +us, 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. O +with what force are we assailed on this day! O sweet Psyches I pray thee to +take pitty on thy selfe, of me, and deliver thy husband and this infant within +thy 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 and +breach of sisterly amity, for they wil come like Syrens to the mountains, and +yeeld out their pittious and lamentable cries. When Psyches had heard these +words she sighed sorrowfully and said, O deare husband this long time have you +had experience and triall of my faith, and doubt you not that I will persever +in the same, wherefore command your winde Zephyrus, that hee may doe as hee +hath done before, to the intent that where you have charged me not to behold +your venerable face, yet that I may comfort myself with the sight of my +sisters. I pray you by these beautifull haires, by these round cheekes delicate +and tender, by your pleasant hot breast, whose shape and face I shall learn at +length by the childe in my belly, grant the fruit of my desire, refresh your +deare Spowse Psyches with joy, who is bound and linked unto you for ever. I +little esteeme to see your visage and figure, little doe I regard the night and +darknesse thereof, for you are my only light. +</p> + +<p> +Her husband being as it were inchanted with these words and compelled by +violence of her often embracing, wiping away her teares with his haire, did +yeeld unto his wife. And when morning came, departed as hee was accustomed to +doe. +</p> + +<p> +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, although +it were against his wil, and laid them in the vally without any harm: by and by +they went into the palace to their sister without leave, and when they had +eftsoone embraced their prey, and thanked her with flattering words for the +treasure which she gave them, they said, O deare sister Psyches, know you that +you are now no more a child, but a mother: O what great joy beare you unto us +in your belly? What a comfort will it be unto all the house? How happy shall we +be, 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 doubt +but a new cupid shall be borne. By this kinde of measures they went about to +winne 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 in +baines 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 immediately +others sung, others tuned their instruments, but no person was seene, by whose +sweet harmony and modulation the sisters of Psyches were greatly delighted. +</p> + +<p> +Howbeit the wickednesse of these cursed women was nothing suppressed by the +sweet noyse of these instruments, but they settled themselves to work their +treasons against Psyches, demanding who was her husband, and of what Parentage. +Then shee having forgotten by too much simplicity, what shee had spoken before +of her husband, invented a new answer, and said that her husband was of a great +province, a merchant, and a man of middle age, having his beard intersparsed +with grey haires. Which when shee had spoken (because shee would have no +further talke) she filled their laps with Gold and Silver, and bid Zephyrus to +bear them away. +</p> + +<p> +In their returne homeward they murmured within themselves, saying, How say you +sister to so apparent a lye of Psyches? First she sayd that her husband was a +young man of flourishing yeares, and had a flaxen beard, and now she sayth that +he is halfe grey with age. What is he that in so short a space can become so +old? You shall finde it no otherwise my sister, but that either this cursed +queane hath invented a great lie, or else that she never saw the shape of her +husband. And if it be so that she never saw him, then verily she is married to +some god, and hath a young god in her belly. But if it be a divine babe, and +fortune to come to the eares of my mother (as God forbid it should) then may I +go and hang my selfe: wherfore let us go to our parents, and with forged lies +let us colour the matter. +</p> + +<p> +After they were thus inflamed, and had visited their Parents, they returned +againe to the mountaine, and by the aid of the winde Zephyrus were carried down +into the valley, and after they had streined their eye lids, to enforce +themselves to weepe, they called unto Psyches in this sort, Thou (ignorant of +so great evill) thinkest thy selfe sure and happy, and sittest at home nothing +regarding thy peril, whereas wee goe about thy affaires and are carefull lest +any harme should happen unto you: for we are credibly informed, neither can we +but 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 the +Oracle of Apollo, who pronounced that thou shouldest be married to a dire and +fierce Serpent, and many of the Inhabitants hereby, and such as hunt about in +the countrey, affirme that they saw him yesternight returning from pasture and +swimming over the River, whereby they doe undoubtedly say, that hee will not +pamper thee long with delicate meats, but when the time of delivery shall +approach he will devoure both thee and thy child: wherefore advise thy selfe +whether thou wilt agree unto us that are carefull of thy safety, and so avoid +the perill of death, bee contented to live with thy sisters, or whether thou +remaine with the Serpent and in the end be swallowed into the gulfe of his +body. 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 more +delight thee, say not but that we have played the parts of naturall sisters in +warning thee. +</p> + +<p> +Then the poore and simple miser Psyches was mooved with the feare of so +dreadful words, and being amazed in her mind, did cleane forget the admonitions +of her husband, and her owne promises made unto him, and throwing her selfe +headlong into extreame misery, with a wanne and sallow countenance, scantly +uttering 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 verily +perswaded that they which have informed you hereof hath informed you of nothing +but truth, for I never saw the shape of my husband, neither know I from whence +he came, only I heare his voice in the night, insomuch that I have an +uncertaine husband, and one that loveth not the light of the day: which causeth +me to suspect that he is a beast, as you affirme. Moreover, I doe greatly feare +to see him, for he doth menace and threaten great evill unto mee, if I should +goe about to spy and behold his shape wherefore my loving sisters if you have +any wholeome remedy for your sister in danger, give it now presently. Then they +opened the gates of their subtill mindes, and did put away all privy guile, and +egged her forward in her fearefull thoughts, perswading her to doe as they +would have her whereupon one of them began and sayd, Because that wee little +esteeme any perill or danger, to save your life we intend to shew you the best +way and meane as we may possibly do. Take a sharpe razor and put it under the +pillow of your bed; and see that you have ready a privy burning lampe with +oyle, hid under some part of the hanging of the chamber, and finely dissembling +the matter when according to his custome he commeth to bed and sleepeth +soundly, 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 of +the poysonous serpent, wherein we will aid and assist you: and when by the +death of him you shall be made safe, we wil marry you to some comely man. +</p> + +<p> +After they had thus inflamed the heart of their sister fearing lest some danger +might happen unto them by reason of their evill counsell, they were carried by +the wind Zephyrus to the top of the mountaine, and so they ran away and tooke +shipping. +</p> + +<p> +When Psyches was left alone (saving that she seemed not to be alone, being +stirred by so many furies) she was in a tossing minde like the waves of the +sea, and although her wil was obstinate, and resisted to put in execution the +counsell of her Sisters, yet she was in doubtfull and divers opinions touching +her calamity. Sometime she would, sometime she would not, sometime she is bold, +sometime she feareth, sometime shee mistrusteth, somtime she is mooved, somtime +she hateth the beast, somtime she loveth her husband: but at length night came, +when as she prepared for her wicked intent. +</p> + +<p> +Soon after her husband came, and when he had kissed and embraced her he fell +asleep. Then Psyches (somwhat feeble in body and mind, yet mooved by cruelty of +fate) received boldnes and brought forth the lampe, and tooke the razor, so by +her audacity she changed her mind: but when she took the lamp and came to the +bed side, she saw the most meeke and sweetest beast of all beasts, even faire +Cupid couched fairly, at whose sight the very lampe encreased his light for +joy, and the razor turned his edge. +</p> + +<p> +But when Psyches saw so glorious a body shee greatly feared, and amazed in +mind, with a pale countenance all trembling fel on her knees and thought to +hide 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. And +when she saw and beheld the beauty of the divine visage shee was well recreated +in her mind, she saw his haires of gold, that yeelded out a sweet savor, his +neck more white than milk, his purple cheeks, his haire hanging comely behinde +and before, the brightnesse whereof did darken the light of the lamp, his +tender plume feathers, dispersed upon his sholders like shining flours, and +trembling hither and thither, and his other parts of his body so smooth and so +soft, that it did not repent Venus to beare such a childe. At the beds feet lay +his bow, quiver, and arrowes, that be the weapons of so great a god: which when +Psyches did curiously behold, she marvelling at her husbands weapons, took one +of the arrows out of the quiver, and pricked her selfe withall, wherwith she +was so grievously wounded that the blood followed, and thereby of her owne +accord shee added love upon love; then more broyling in the love of Cupid shee +embraced him and kissed him and kissed him a thousand times, fearing the +measure of his sleepe. But alas while shee was in this great joy, whether it +were for envy for desire to touch this amiable body likewise, there fell out a +droppe of burning oyle from the lampe upon the right shoulder of the god. O +rash and bold lampe, the vile ministery of love, how darest thou bee so bold as +to burne the god of all fire? When as he invented thee, to the intent that all +lovers might with more joy passe the nights in pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +The god beeing burned in this sort, and perceiving that promise and faith was +broken, hee fled away without utterance of any word, from the eyes and hands of +his most unhappy wife. But Psyches fortuned to catch him as hee was rising by +the right thigh, and held him fast as hee flew above in the aire, until such +time 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, and +angerly spake unto her in this manner: O simple Psyches, consider with thy +selfe how I, little regarding the commandement of my mother (who willed mee +that thou shouldst bee married to a man of base and miserable condition) did +come my selfe from heaven to love thee, and wounded myne owne body with my +proper 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 so +well? Did not I alwayes give thee a charge? Did not I gently will thee to +beware? But those cursed aides and Counsellors of thine shall be worthily +rewarded for their pains. As for thee thou shalt be sufficiently punished by my +absence. 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 husband +she 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 next +running river, for the great anguish and dolour that shee was in for the lack +of her husband, howbeit the water would not suffer her to be drowned, but tooke +pity upon her, in the honour of Cupid which accustomed to broyle and burne the +river, and threw her upon the bank amongst the herbs. +</p> + +<p> +Then Pan the rusticall god sitting on the river side, embracing and +[instructing] the goddesse Canna to tune her songs and pipes, by whom were +feeding the young and tender Goats, after that he perceived Psyches in +sorrowful case, not ignorant (I know not by what meanes) of her miserable +estate, endeavored to pacific her in this sort: O faire maid, I am a rusticke +and rude heardsman, howbeit by reason of my old age expert in many things, for +as farre as I can learnt by conjecture (which according as wise men doe terme +is called divination) I perceive by your uncertaine gate, your pale hew, your +sobbing sighes, and your watery eyes, that you are greatly in love. Wherefore +hearken to me, and goe not about to slay your selfe, nor weepe not at all, but +rather adore and worship the great god Cupid, and winne him unto you by your +gentle promise of service. +</p> + +<p> +When the god of Shepherds had spoken these words, she gave no answer, but made +reverence to him as to a god, and so departed. +</p> + +<p> +After that Psyches had gone a little way, she fortuned unawares to come to a +city where the husband of one of her Sisters did dwell. Which when Psyches did +understand, shee caused that her sister had knowledge of her comming, and so +they met together, and after great embracing and salutation, the sister of +Psyches demaunded the cause of her travell thither. Marry (quoth she) doe you +not remember the counsell you gave me, whereby you would that I should kill the +beast which under colour of my husband did lie with mee every night? You shall +understand, that as soone as I brought forth the lampe to see and behold his +shape, I perceived that he was the sonne of Venus, even Cupid himselfe that lay +with mee. Then I being stricken with great pleasure, and desirous to embrace +him, could not thoroughly asswage my delight, but alas by evill ill chance the +oyle 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 bold +to doe so great a mischiefe? Depart from me and take such things as thou didst +bring: for I will have thy sister (and named you) to my wife, and she shall be +placed in thy felicity, and by and by hee commaunded Zephyrus to carry me away +from the bounds of his house. +</p> + +<p> +Psyches had scantly finished her tale but her sister pierced with the pricke of +carnall desire and wicked envy ran home, and feigning to her husband that she +had heard word of the death of her parents tooke shipping and came to the +mountaine. And although there blew a contrary winde, yet being brought in a +vaine hope shee cried O Cupid take me a more worthy wife, and thou Zephyrus +beare downe thy mistresse, and so she cast her selfe headlong from the +mountaine: but shee fell not into the valley neither alive nor dead, for all +the members and parts of her body were torne amongst the rockes, wherby she was +made prey unto the birds and wild beasts, as she worthily deserved. +</p> + +<p> +Neither was the vengeance of the other delayed, for Psyches travelling in that +country, fortuned to come to another city where her other sister did dwel; to +whom when shee had declared all such things as she told to her other sister +shee ran likewise unto the rock and was slaine in like sort. Then Psyches +travelled about in the countrey to seeke her husband Cupid, but he was gotten +into his mothers chamber and there bewailed the sorrowful wound which he caught +by the oyle of a burning lamp. +</p> + +<p> +Then the white bird the Gull, which swims on the waves of the water, flew +toward the Ocean sea, where he found Venus washing and bathing her selfe: to +whom she declared that her son was burned and in danger of death, and moreover +that it was a common brute in the mouth of every person (who spake evill of all +the family of Venus) that her son doth nothing but haunt harlots in the +mountain, and she her self lasciviously use to ryot in the sea: wherby they say +that they are now become no more gratious, pleasant nor gentle, but incivile, +monstrous and horrible. Moreover, that marriages are not for any amity, or for +love of procreation, but full of envy, discord, and debate. This the curious +Gul did clatter in the ears of Venus, reprehending her son. But Venus began to +cry and sayd, What hath my sonne gotten any Love? I pray thee gentle bird that +doest serve me so faithfully, tell me what she is, and what is her name that +hath troubled my son in such sort? whether shee be any of the Nymphs, of the +number of the goddesses, of the company of the Muses, or of the mistery of the +Graces? To whom the bird answered, Madam I know not what shee is, but this I +know that she is called Psyches. Then Venus with indignation cried out, What is +it she? the usurper of my beauty, the Vicar of my name? What did he think that +I was a bawd, by whose shew he fell acquainted with the maid? And immediately +she departed and went to her chamber, where she found her son wounded as it was +told unto her, whom when she beheld she cries out in this sort. +</p> + +<p> +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 soveraign +mistresse: and whereas thou shouldst have vexed my enemy with loathsom love, +thou hast done otherwise? +</p> + +<p> +For being of tender and unripe yeares, thou hast with too licentious appetite +embraced my most mortall Foe, to whome I shall bee made a mother, and she a +Daughter. +</p> + +<p> +Thou presumest and thinkest, thou trifling boy, thou Varlet, and without all +reverence, that thou art most worthy and excellent, and that I am not able by +reason of myne age to have another son, which if I should have, thou shouldst +well understand that I would beare a more worthier than thou. But to worke thee +a greater despight, I do determine to adopt one of my servants, and to give him +these wings, this fire, this bow, and these Arrowes, and all other furniture +which I gave to thee, not to this purpose, neither is any thing given thee of +thy father for this intent: but first thou hast been evill brought up and +instructed in thy youth thou hast thy hands ready and sharpe. Thou hast often +offended thy antients, and especially me that am thy mother, thou hast pierced +mee with thy darts thou contemnest me as a widow, neither dost thou regard +thy valiant and invincible father, and to anger me more, thou art amorous of +harlots and wenches: hot I will cause that thou shalt shortly repent thee, and +that 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 I +aske 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 I +rather dye, howbeit I will not cease my vengeance, to her must I have recourse +for helpe, and to none other (I meane to Sobriety), who may correct thee +sharpely, 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 when +that I have rased and cut off this thy haire, which I have dressed with myne +owne 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 my +selfe sufficiently upon thee for the injury which thou hast done. When shee had +spoken these words shee departed in a great rage out of her chamber. +</p> + +<p> +Immediatelie as she was going away came Juno and Ceres, demaunding the cause of +her anger. Then Venus answered, Verily you are come to comfort my sorrow, but I +pray you with all diligence to seeke out one whose name is Psyches, who is a +vagabond, and runneth about the Countries, and (as I thinke) you are not +ignorant of the brute of my son Cupid, and of his demeanour, which I am ashamed +to declare. Then they understanding the whole matter, endeavoured to mitigate +the ire of Venus in this sort: What is the cause Madam, or how hath your son so +offended, that you shold so greatly accuse his love, and blame him by reason +that he is amorous? and why should you seeke the death of her, whom he doth +fancie? We most humbly intreat you to pardon his fault if he have accorded to +the mind of any maiden: what do you not know that he is a young man? Or have +you forgotten of what yeares he is? Doth he seeme alwayes unto you to be a +childe? You are his mother, and a kind woman, will you continually search out +his dalliance? Will you blame his luxury? Will you bridle his love? and will +you reprehend your owne art and delights in him? What God or man is hee, that +can 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 the +cause of the suppression of the publike paces of young Dames. In this sort this +goddesse endeavoured to pacifie her mind, and to excuse Cupid with al their +power (although he were absent) for feare of his darts and shafts of love. But +Venus would in no wise asswage her heat, but (thinking that they did rather +trifle and taunt at her injuries) she departed from them, and tooke her voiage +towards the sea in all haste. In the meane season Psyches hurled her selfe +hither and thither, to seeke her husband, the rather because she thought that +if he would not be appeased with the sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would +take mercy on her at her servile and continuall prayers. And (espying a Church +on the top of a high hill) she said, What can I tell whether my husband and +master be there or no? wherefore she went thitherward, and with great paine and +travell, moved by hope, after that she climbed to the top of the mountaine, she +came to the temple, and went in, wheras behold she espied sheffes of corn lying +on a heap, blades withered with garlands, and reeds of barly, moreover she saw +hooks, sithes, sickles, and other instruments, to reape, but every thing lay +out of order, and as it were cast in by the hands of laborers which when +Psyches saw she gathered up and put everything in order, thinking that she +would not despise or contemne the temples of any of the Gods, but rather get +the favour and benevolence of them all: by and by Ceres came in, and beholding +her busie and curious in her chapell, cried out a far off, and said, O Psyches +needfull of mercy, Venus searcheth for thee in every place to revenge her selfe +and to punish thee grievously, but thou hast more mind to be heere, and carest +for nothing lesse, then for thy safety. Then Psyches fell on her knees before +her, watring her feet with her teares, wiping the ground with her haire, and +with great weeping and lamentation desired pardon, saying, O great and holy +Goddesse, I pray thee by thy plenteous and liberall right hand, by the joyfull +ceremonies of thy harvest, by the secrets of thy Sacrifice, by the flying +chariots of thy dragons, by the tillage of the ground of Sicilie, which thou +hast invented, by the marriage of Proserpin, by the diligent inquisition of thy +daughter, and by the other secrets which are within the temple of Eleusis in +the land of Athens, take pitty on me thy servant Psyches, and let me hide my +selfe a few dayes amongst these sheffes of corne, untill the ire of so great a +Goddesse 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 and +teares, and desire with all my heart to aide thee, but if I should suffer thee +to be hidden here, I should increase the displeasure of my Cosin, with whom I +have made a treatie of peace, and an ancient promise of amity: wherefore I +advise thee to depart hence and take it not in evil part in that I will not +suffer thee to abide and remaine here within my temple. Then Psyches driven +away contrary to her hope, was double afflicted with sorrow and so she returned +back againe. And behold she perceived a far off in a vally a Temple standing +within a Forest, faire and curiously wrought, and minding to over-passe no +place whither better hope did direct her, and to the intent she would desire +pardon of every God, she approached nigh unto the sacred doore, whereas she saw +pretious riches and vestiments ingraven with letters of gold, hanging upon +branches of trees, and the posts of the temple testifying the name of the +goddesse Juno, to whom they were dedicate, then she kneeled downe upon her +knees, and imbraced the Alter with her hands, and wiping her teares, gan pray +in this sort: O deere spouse and sister of the great God Jupiter which art +adored and worshipped amongst the great temples of Samos, called upon by women +with child, worshipped at high Carthage, because thou wast brought from heaven +by the lyon, the rivers of the floud Inachus do celebrate thee: and know that +thou art the wife of the great god, and the goddesse of goddesses; all the east +part of the world have thee in veneration, all the world calleth thee Lucina: I +pray thee to be my advocate in my tribulations, deliver me from the great +danger which pursueth me, and save me that am weary with so long labours and +sorrow, for I know that it is thou that succorest and helpest such women as are +with child and in danger. Then Juno hearing the prayers of Psyches, appeared +unto 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 law +Venus, whom alwaies I have loved as mine owne child, moreover I shall incurre +the danger of the law, intituled, De servo corrupto, whereby am forbidden to +retaine any servant fugitive, against the will of his Master. Then Psyches cast +off 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 my +afflictions, when as my prayers will nothing availe with the goddesses? what +shall I do? whither shall I go? In what cave or darknesse shall I hide my +selfe, to avoid the furor of Venus? Why do I not take a good heart, and offer +my selfe with humilitie unto her, whose anger I have wrought? What do I know +whether he (whom I seeke for) be in his mothers house or no? Thus being in +doubt, poore Psyches prepared her selfe to her owne danger, and devised how she +might make her orison and prayer unto Venus. After that Venus was weary with +searching by Sea and Land for Psyches, shee returned toward heaven, and +commanded that one should prepare her Chariot, which her husband Vulcanus gave +unto her by reason of marriage, so finely wrought that neither gold nor silver +could be compared to the brightnesse therof. Four white pigeons guided the +chariot with great diligence, and when Venus was entred in a number of +sparrowes flew chirping about, making signe of joy, and all other kind of birds +sang sweetly, foreshewing the comming of the great goddesse: the clouds gave +place, the heavens opened, and received her joyfully, the birds that followed +nothing feared the Eagle, Hawkes, or other ravenous foules of the aire. +Incontinently she went unto the royall Pallace of God Jupiter, and with a proud +and bold petition demanded the service of Mercury, in certaine of her affaires, +whereunto Jupiter consented: then with much joy shee descended from Heaven with +Mercury, 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 also +how long I have sought for a girle and cannot finde her, wherefore there +resteth nothing else save that thou with thy trumpet doe pronounce the reward +to such as take her: see thou put in execution my commandment, and declare that +whatsoever he be that retaineth her wittingly, against my will shall not defend +himselfe by any meane or excusation: which when she had spoken, she delivered +unto him a libell, wherein was contained the name of Psyches, and the residue +of his publication, which done, she departed away to her lodging. By and by, +Mercurius (not delaying the matter) proclaimed throughout all the world, that +whatsoever hee were that could tell any tydings of a Kings fugitive Daughter, +the servant of Venus, named Psyches, should bring word to Mercury, and for +reward of his paines, he should receive seaven sweet kisses of Venus. After +that Mercury had pronounced these things, every man was enflamed with desire to +search out Psyches. +</p> + +<p> +This proclamation was the cause that put all doubt from Psyches, who was +scantly come in the sight of the house of Venus, but one of her servants called +Custome came out, who espying Psyches, cried with a loud voyce, saying: O +wicked harlot as thou art, now at length thou shalt know that thou hast a +mistresse above thee. What, dost thou make thy selfe ignorant, as though thou +didst not understand what travell wee have taken in searching for thee? I am +glad that thou art come into my hands, thou art now in the golfe of hell, and +shalt abide the paine and punishment of thy great contumacy, and therewithall +she tooke her by the haire, and brought her in, before the presence of the +goddesse Venus. When Venus spied her, shee began to laugh, and as angry persons +accustome to doe, she shaked her head, and scratched her right eare saying, O +goddesse, goddesse, you are now come at length to visit your husband that is in +danger of death, by your meanes: bee you assured, I will handle you like a +daughter: where be my maidens, Sorrow and Sadnesse? To whom (when they came) +she delivered Psyches to be cruelly tormented; then they fulfilled the +commandement of their Mistresse, and after they had piteously scourged her with +rods and whips, they presented her againe before Venus; then she began to laugh +againe, saying: Behold she thinketh (that by reason of her great belly, which +she hath gotten by playing the whore) to move me to pitty, and to make me a +grandmother to her childe. Am not I happy, that in the flourishing time of al +mine age, shall be called a grandmother, and the sonne of a vile harlot shall +bee accounted the nephew of Venus: howbeit I am a foole to tearm him by the +name of my son, since as the marriage was made betweene unequall persons, in +the field without witnesses, and not by the consent of parents, wherefore the +marriage is illegitimate, and the childe (that shall be borne) a bastard; if we +fortune to suffer thee to live so long till thou be delivered. When Venus had +spoken these words she leaped upon the face of poore Psyches, and (tearing her +apparell) tooke her by the haire, and dashed her head upon the ground. Then she +tooke a great quantity of wheat, of barly, poppy seede, peason, lintles, and +beanes, and mingled them altogether on a heape saying: Thou evil favoured +girle, 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 thou +canst doe: see that thou separate all these graines one from another, disposing +them orderly in their quantity, and let it be done before night. When she had +appointed this taske unto Psyches, she departed to a great banket that was +prepared that day. But Psyches went not about to dissever the graine, (as being +a thing impossible to be brought to passe by reason it lay so confusedly +scattered) but being astonyed at the cruell commandement of Venus, sate still +and said nothing. Then the little pismire the emote, taking pitty of her great +difficulty and labour, cursing the cruellnesse of the daughter of Jupiter, and +of so evill a mother, ran about, hither and thither, and called to all her +friends, Yee quick sons of the ground, the mother of all things, take mercy on +this poore maid, espouse to Cupid, who is in great danger of her person, I pray +you helpe her with all diligence. Incontinently one came after another, +dissevering and dividing the graine, and after that they had put each kinde of +corne in order, they ranne away againe in all haste. When night came, Venus +returned home from the banket wel tippled with wine, smelling of balme, and +crowned 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 amorous +of thee: then she gave her a morsel of brown bread, and went to sleep. In the +mean season, Cupid was closed fast in the surest chamber of the house, partly +because he should not hurt himself with wanton dalliance, and partly because he +should not speake with his love: so these two lovers were divided one from +another. When night was passed Venus called Psyches, and said, Seest thou +yonder Forest that extendeth out in length with the river? there be great +sheepe shining like gold, and kept by no manner of person. I command thee that +thou go thither and bring me home some of the wooll of their fleeces. Psyches +arose willingly not to do her commandement, but to throw her selfe headlong +into water to end her sorrows. Then a green reed inspired by divine +inspiration, with a gratious tune and melody gan say, O Psyches I pray thee not +to trouble or pollute my water by the death of thee, and yet beware that thou +goe not towards the terrible sheepe of this coast, untill such time as the heat +of the sunne be past, for when the sunne is in his force, then seeme they most +dreadfull and furious, with their sharpe hornes, their stony foreheads and +their gaping throats, wherewith they arme themselves to the destruction of +mankinde. But untill they have refreshed themselves in the river, thou must +hide thy selfe here by me, under this great plaine tree, and as soone as their +great fury is past, thou maist goe among the thickets and bushes under the wood +side and gather the lockes their golden Fleeces, which thou shalt finde hanging +upon the briers. Then spake the gentle and benigne reed, shewing a mean to +Psyches to save her life, which she bore well in memory, and with all diligence +went and gathered up such lockes as shee found, and put them in her apron, and +carried them home to Venus. Howbeit the danger of this second labour did not +please 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 that +this is not thy fact, but I will prove if that thou bee of so stout, so good a +courage, and singular prudency as thou seemest to bee. Then Venus spake unto +Psyches againe saying: Seest thou the toppe of yonder great Hill, from whence +there runneth downe waters of blacke and deadly colour, which nourisheth the +floods of Stix, Cocytus? I charge thee to goe thither, and bring me a vessell +of that water: wherewithall she gave her a bottle of Christall, menacing and +threatening her rigorously. Then poor Psyches went in all haste to the top of +the mountaine, rather to end her life, then to fetch any water, and when she +was come up to the ridge of the hill, she perceived that it was impossible to +bring it to passe: for she saw a great rocke gushing out most horrible +fountaines of waters, which ran downe and fell by many stops and passages into +the valley beneath: on each side shee did see great Dragons, which were +stretching out their long and bloody Neckes, that did never sleepe, but +appointed to keepe the river there: the waters seemed to themselves likewise +saying, Away; away, what wilt thou doe? flie, flie, or else thou wilt be +slaine. Then Psyches (seeing the impossibility of this affaire) stood still as +though 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 she +saw, insomuch that she could not comfort her self with weeping, such was the +present danger that she was in. But the royall bird of great Jupiter, the Eagle +remembring his old service which he had done, when as by the pricke of Cupid he +brought up the boy Ganimedes, to the heavens, to be made butler of Jupiter, and +minding to shew the like service in the person of the wife of Cupid, came from +the high-house of the Skies, and said unto Psyches, O simple woman without all +experience, doest thou thinke to get or dip up any drop of this dreadfull +water? No, no, assure thy selfe thou art never able to come nigh it, for the +Gods themselves do greatly feare at the sight thereof. What, have you not +heard, 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 thy +bottle, 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 it +unto Psyches: who being very joyfull thereof, presented it to Venus, who would +not yet be appeased, but menacing more and more said, What, thou seemest unto +me a very witch and enchauntresse, that bringest these things to passe, howbeit +thou shalt do nothing more. Take this box and to Hell to Proserpina, and desire +her to send me a little of her beauty, as much as will serve me the space of +one 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 to +the 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 as +she was compelled to go to the gulfe and furies of hell. Wherefore without any +further 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 (as +inspired) spake unto her saying, O poore miser, why goest thou about to slay +thy selfe? Why dost thou rashly yeeld unto thy last perill and danger? know +thou that if thy spirit be once separated from thy body, thou shalt surely go +to hell, but never to returne againe, wherefore harken to me; Lacedemon a Citie +in 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: but +Carrie two sops sodden in the flour of barley and Honney in thy hands, and two +halfepence 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, who +will desire thee to give him up the sticks that fall downe, but passe thou on +and do nothing; by and by thou shalt come unto a river of hell, whereas Charon +is ferriman, who will first have his fare paied him, before he will carry the +soules over the river in his boat, whereby you may see that avarice raigneth +amongst the dead, neither Charon nor Pluto will do any thing for nought: for if +it be a poore man that would passe over and lacketh money, he shal be compelled +to die in his journey before they will shew him any reliefe, wherefore deliver +to 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 thou +sittest 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, but +beware thou do not consent unto them in any case, for these and like baits and +traps will Venus set to make thee let fall one of thy sops, and thinke not that +the keeping of thy sops is a light matter, for if thou leese one of them thou +shalt be assured never to returne againe to this world. Then shalt thou see a +great and marvailous dogge, with three heads, barking continually at the soules +of such as enter in, but he can do them no other harme, he lieth day and night +before the gate of Proserpina, and keepeth the house of Pluto with great +diligence, to whom if thou cast one of thy sops, thou maist have accesse to +Proserpina without all danger: shee will make thee good cheere, and entertaine +thee with delicate meate and drinke, but sit thou upon the ground, and desire +browne bread, and then declare thy message unto her, and when thou hast +received such beauty as she giveth, in thy returne appease the rage of the +dogge 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 all +things have a regard that thou looke not in the boxe, neither be not too +curious about the treasure of the divine beauty. In this manner the tower +spake unto Psyches, and advertised her what she should do: and immediately she +tooke two halfe pence, two sops, and all things necessary, and went to the +mountaine Tenarus to go towards hell. After that Psyches had passed by the lame +Asse, 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 dogge +with a sop, shee came to the chamber of Proserpina. There Psyches would not sit +in any royall seate, nor eate any delicate meates, but kneeled at the feete of +Proserpina, onely contented with course bread, declared her message, and after +she had received a mysticall secret in a boxe, she departed, and stopped the +mouth of the dogge with the other sop, and paied the boatman the other halfe +penny. When Psyches was returned from hell, to the light of the world, shee was +ravished with great desire, saying, Am not I a foole, that knowing that I +carrie here the divine beauty, will not take a little thereof to garnish my +face, to please my love withall? And by and by shee opened the boxe where she +could perceive no beauty nor any thing else, save onely an infernall and deadly +sleepe, which immediatly invaded all her members as soone as the boxe was +uncovered, in such sort that she fell downe upon the ground, and lay there as a +sleeping corps. +</p> + +<p> +But Cupid being now healed of his wound and Maladie, not able to endure the +absence of Psyches, got him secretly out at a window of the chamber where hee +was enclosed, and (receiving his wings,) tooke his flight towards his loving +wife, whom when he had found, hee wiped away the sleepe from her face, and put +it 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, with +the overmuch curiositie: well, goe thou, and do thy message to my Mother, and +in the meane season, I will provide for all things accordingly: wherewithall he +tooke his flight into the aire, and Psyches brought her present to Venus. +</p> + +<p> +Cupid being more and more in love with Psyches, and fearing the displeasure of +his Mother, did pearce into the heavens, and arrived before Jupiter to declare +his cause: then Jupiter after that hee had eftsoone embraced him, gan say in +this manner: O my well beloved sonne, although thou haste not given due +reverence and honour unto me as thou oughtest to doe, but haste rather spoiled +and wounded this my brest (whereby the laws and order of the Elements and +Planets be disposed) with continuall assaults, of Terren luxury and against all +laws, and the discipline Julia, and the utility of the publike weale, in +transforming my divine beauty into serpents, fire, savage beasts, birds, and +into Bulles: howbeit remembring my modesty, and that I have nourished thee with +mine owne proper hands, I will doe and accomplish all thy desire, so that thou +canst beware of spitefull and envious persons. And if there be any excellent +Maiden of comely beauty in the world, remember yet the benefit which I shall +shew unto thee by recompence of her love towards me againe. When he had spoken +these words he commanded Mercury to call all the gods to counsell, and if any +of the celestiall powers did faile of appearance he would be condemned in ten +thousand pounds: which sentence was such a terrour to all the goddesses, that +the high Theatre was replenished, and Jupiter began to speake in this sort: O +yee gods, registred in the bookes of the Muses, you all know this young man +Cupid whom I have nourished with mine owne hands, whose raging flames of his +first youth, I thought best to bridle and restraine. It sufficeth that hee is +defamed in every place for his adulterous living, wherefore all occasion ought +to bee taken away by meane of marriage: he hath chosen a Maiden that fancieth +him well, and hath bereaved her of her virginity, let him have her still, and +possesse her according to his owne pleasure: then he returned to Venus, and +said, And you my daughter, take you no care, neither feare the dishonour of +your 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 spouse +of 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, and +that Cupid may be thine everlasting husband. By and by the great banket and +marriage feast was sumptuously prepared, Cupid sate downe with his deare spouse +between 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 drinke +was Nectar the wine of the gods, Vulcanus prepared supper, the howers decked up +the house with roses and other sweet smells, the graces threw about blame, the +Muses sang with sweet harmony, Apollo tuned pleasantly to the Harpe, Venus +danced finely: Satirus and Paniscus plaid on their pipes; and thus Psyches was +married 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 to +write so worthy a tale. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"></a> +THE SIXTH BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"></a> +THE TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius carried away the Gentlewoman, and how they were taken againe by +the theeves, and what a kind of death was invented for them. +</p> + +<p> +By and by the theeves came home laden with treasure, and many of them which +were of strongest courage (leaving behind such as were lame and wounded, to +heale and aire themselves) said they would returne backe againe to fetch the +rest of their pillage, which they had hidden in a certaine cave, and so they +snatched up their dinner greedily, and brought us forth into the way and beate +us before them with staves. About night (after that we had passed over many +hilles and dales) we came to a great cave, where they laded us with mighty +burthens, and would not suffer us to refresh our selves any season but brought +us againe in our way, and hied so fast homeward, that what with their haste and +their cruell stripes, I fell downe upon a stone by the way side, then they +beate me pittifully in lifting me up, and hurt my right thigh and my left +hoofe, 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 had +him first he never did any good, and I thinke he came unto our house with evill +lucke, 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 surely +throw him out upon the mountaine to be a pray for wild beasts: While these +gentlemen reasoned together of my death, we fortuned to come home, for the +feare that I was in, caused my feet to turne into wings: after that we were +discharged of our burthens, they went to their fellowes that were wounded, and +told them of our great tardity and slownesse by the way, neither was I brought +into small anguish, when I perceived my death prepared before my face: Why +standest thou still Lucius? Why dost thou not looke for thy death? Knowst thou +not that the theeves have ordained to slay thee? seest thou not these sharpe +and pointed flints which shall bruise and teare thee in peeces, if by adventure +thou happen upon them? Thy gentle Magitian hath not onely given thee the shape +and travell of an Asse, but also a skinne so soft and tender as it were a +swallow: why dost thou not take courage and runne away to save thy selfe? Art +thou afraid of the old woman more then halfe dead, whom with a stripe of thy +heele thou maist easily dispatch? But whither shall I fly? What lodging shall I +seek? See my Assy cogitation. Who is he that passeth by the way and will not +take me up? While I devised these things, I brake the halter wherewith I was +tyed and ran away with all my force, howbeit I could not escape the kitish eyes +of the old woman, for shee ran after me, and with more audacity then becommeth +her kind age, caught me by the halter and thought to pull me home: but I not +forgetting the cruell purpose of the theeves, was mooved with small pity, for I +kicked 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 for +succour, 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 with +gentle words) got upon my backe. Then I began to runne, and shee gently kicked +mee forward, whereof I was nothing displeased, for I had as great a desire to +escape as shee: insomuch that I seemed to scowre away like a horse. And when +the Gentlewoman did speake, I would answere her with my neighing, and +oftentimes (under colour to rub my backe) I would sweetly kisse her tender +feet. Then shee fetching a sigh from the bottome of her heart, lifted up her +eyes to the heavens, saying: O soveraigne Gods, deliver mee if it be your +pleasure, from these present dangers: and thou cruell fortune cease thy wrath, +let the sorrow suffice thee which I have already sustained. And thou little +Asse, that art the occasion of my safety and liberty, if thou canst once render +me safe and sound to my parents, and to him that so greatly desireth to have me +to his wife, thou shalt see what thankes I will give: with what honour I will +reward thee, and how I will use thee. First, I will bravely dresse the haires +of thy forehead, and then will I finely combe thy maine, I will tye up thy +rugged tayle trimly, I will decke thee round about with golden trappes, in such +sort that thou shalt glitter like the starres of the skie, I will bring thee +daily 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, thy +great 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, and +the providence divine. All the whole history shall be painted upon the wall of +our house, thou shalt be renowned throughout all the world. And it shall be +registred in the bookes of Doctours, that an Asse saved the life of a young +maiden that was captive amongst Theeves: Thou shalt be numbred amongst the +ancient miracles: wee beleeve that by like example of truth Phryxus saved +himselfe from drowning upon the Ram, Arion escaped upon a Dolphin, and that +Europa 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 a +man, or some power divine? While that the Virgin did thus sorrowfully unfold +her desires, we fortuned to come to a place where three wayes did meet, and +shee tooke me by the halter, and would have me to turne on the right hand to +her fathers house: but I (knowing that the theeves were gone that way to fetch +the residue of their pillage) resisted with my head as much as I might, saying +within my selfe: What wilt thou doe unhappy maiden? Why wouldst thou goe so +willingly 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 strived +together whether way we might take, the theeves returned, laiden with their +pray, and perceived us a farre off by the light of the Moon: and after they had +known us, one of them gan say, Whither goe you so hastely? Be you not afraid of +spirits? And you (you harlot) doe you not goe to see your parents? Come on, we +will beare you company? And therewithall they tooke me by the hatter, and drave +me backe againe, beating me cruelly with a great staffe (that they had) full of +knobs: then I returning againe to my ready destruction, and remembering the +griefe of my hoofe, began to shake my head, and to waxe lame, but he that led +me by the halter said, What, dost thou stumble? Canst thou not goe? These +rotten feet of thine ran well enough, but they cannot walke: thou couldest +mince it finely even now with the gentlewoman, that thou seemedst to passe the +horse 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, we +saw the old woman hanging upon a bow of a Cipresse tree; then one of them cut +downe the bowe whereon shee hanged, and cast her into the bottome of a great +ditch: 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 began +to devise with themselves of our death, and how they might be revenged; divers +was the opinions of this divers number: the first said, that hee thought best +the Mayd should be burned alive: the second said she should be throwne out to +wild beasts: the third said, she should be hanged upon a gibbet: the fourth +said she should be flead alive: thus was the death of the poore Maiden scanned +betweene them foure. But one of the theeves after every man had declared his +judgement, did speake in this manner: it is not convenient unto the oath of our +company, to suffer you to waxe more cruell then the quality of the offence doth +merit, for I would that shee should not be hanged nor burned, nor throwne to +beasts, nor dye any sodaine death, but by my council I would have her punished +according to her desert. You know well what you have determined already of this +dull Asse, that eateth more then he is worth, that faineth lamenesse, and that +was the cause of the flying away of the Maid: my mind is that he shall be +slaine 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 stone +against the broiling heate of the Sunne, so they shall both sustaine all the +punishments which you have ordained: for first the Asse shall be slaine as you +have determined, and she shall have her members torne and gnawn with wild +beasts, when as she is bitten and rent with wormes, shee shall endure the paine +of the fire, when as the broyling heat of the Sunne shall scortch and parch the +belly of the Asse, shee shall abide the gallows when the Dogs and Vultures +shall have the guts of her body hanging in their ravenous mouthes. I pray you +number all the torments which she shall suffer: First shee shall dwell within +the paunch of an Asse: secondly her nosethrilles shall receive a carraine +stinke of the beast: thirdly shee shall dye for hunger: last of all, shee shall +finde no meane to ridde her selfe from her paines, for her hand shalt be sowen +up 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 nothing +else but lament and bewayle my dead carkasse, which should be handled in such +sort on the next morrow. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"></a> +THE SEVENTH BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"></a> +THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How hee that was left behinde at Hippata did bring newes concerning the robbery +of Miloes house, came home and declared to his Company, that all the fault was +laid to one Apuleius his charge. +</p> + +<p> +A soone as night was past, and the cleare Chariot of the Sunne had spred his +bright beames on every coast, came one of the company of the theeves, (for so +his and their greeting together did declare) who at the first entry into the +Cave (after hee had breathed himselfe, and was able to speake) told these +tydings unto his companions in this sort. Sirs, as touching the house of Milo +of Hippata, which we forcibly entred and ransackt the last day, we may put away +all feare and doubt nothing at all. For after that ye by force of armes, had +spoyled and taken away all things in the house, and returned hither into our +Cave; I (thrusting my selfe amongst the presse of the people, and shewing my +selfe as though I were sad and sorrowful for the mischance) consulted with them +for the boulting out of the matter, and devising what meanes might be wrought +for the apprehension of the theeves, to the intent I might learne and see all +that was done to make relation thereof unto you as you willed me, insomuch that +the whole fact at length by manifest and evident proofes as also by the common +opinion and judgement of the people, was laid to one Lucius Apuleius charge as +manifest author of this common robbery, who a few dayse before by false and +forged 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 his +familiar 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 the +waies 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 cause +given to judge him culpable, since as the very same night that this robbery was +done he fled away, and could not be found in no place: and to the intent hee +might cleane escape, and better prevent such as made hew and crie after him, he +tooke his white horse and galloped away, and after this, his servant was found +in the house, who (accused as accessary to the fellony and escape of his +Master) was committed to the common gaole, and the next day following was +cruelly scourged and tormented till hee was welnigh dead, to the intent hee +should confesse the matter, but when they could wreast or learne no such thing +of him, yet sent they many persons after, towardes Lucius Countrey to enquire +him out, and so to take him prisoner. As he declared these things, I did +greatly lament with my selfe, to thinke of mine old and pristine estate, and +what felicity I was sometimes in, in comparison to the misery that I presently +susteined, being changed into a miserable Asse, then had I no small occasion to +remember, how the old and ancient Writers did affirme, that fortune was starke +blind without eies, because she alwaies bestoweth her riches upon evil persons, +and fooles, and chooseth or favoureth no mortall person by judgement, but is +alwaies conversent, especially with much as if she could see, she should most +shunne, and forsake, yea and that which is more worse, she sheweth such evill +or 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 be +lamented and pittied of the most hard and stonie hearts, was accused of theft +and robbing of my deare host Milo, which villany might rather be called +parricide then theft, yet might not I defend mine owne cause or denie the fact +any way, by reason I could not speake; howbeit least my conscience should seeme +to accuse me by reason of silence, and againe being enforced by impatience I +endevored to speake, and faine would have said, Never did I that fact, and +verely the first word, never, I cried out once or twise, somewhat handsome, but +the 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 I +could to speake the residue: but why should I further complaine of the crueltie +of my fortune, since as I was not much ashamed, by reason that my servant and +my horse, was likewise accused with me of the robbery. +</p> + +<p> +While I pondered with my selfe all these things, a great care [came] to my +remembrance, touching the death, which the theeves provised for me and the +maiden, and still as I looked downe to my belly, I thought of my poore +gentlewoman that should be closed within me. And the theefe which a little +before had brought the false newes against me, drew out of the skirt of his +coate, a thousand crowns, which he had rifled from such as hee met, and brought +it into the common treasury. Then hee carefully enquired how the residue of his +companions did. To whom it was declared that the most valiant was murdred and +slaine in divers manners, whereupon he perswaded them to remit all their +affaires a certaine season, and to seeke for other fellowes to be in their +places, that by the exercise of new lads, the terror of their martiall band +might 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 might +be incouraged forward with reward. Further he said, that there were some, which +(seeing the profite which they had) would forsake their base and servile +estate, and rather bee contented to live like tyrants amongst them. Moreover he +declared, that for his part he had spoken with a certaine tall man, a valiant +companion, but of young age, stout in body, and couragious in fight, whom he +had fully perswaded to exercise his idle hands, dull with slothfullnesse, to +his greater profit, and (while he might) to receive the blisse of better +Fortune, and not to hold out his sturdy arme to begge for a penny, but rather +to take as much gold and silver as hee would. Then everyone consented, that hee +that 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 young +man (as he promised) to whom none of the residue might bee compared, for hee +was higher then they by the head, and of more bignesse in body, his beard began +to burgen, but hee was poorely apparelled, insomuch that you might see all his +belly naked. As soone as he was entred in he said, God speed yee souldiers of +Mars and my faithfull companions, I pray you make me one of your band, and I +will ensure you, that you shall have a man of singular courage and lively +audacity: for I had rather receive stripes upon my backe, then money or gold in +my 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 vertue +and 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 the +Thracian, whose name all countreys and nations do so greatly feare: I am the +sonne of Theron the noble theefe, nourished with humane bloud, entertained +amongst the stoutest; finally I am inheritour and follower of all my fathers +vertues, yet I lost in a short time all my company and all my riches, by one +assault, which I made upon a Factor of the Prince, which sometime had beene +Captaine of two hundred men, for fortune was cleane against me; harken and I +will tell you the whole matter. There was a certaine man in the court of the +Emperour, which had many offices, and in great favour, who at last by the envy +of divers persons, was banished away and compelled to forsake the court: his +wife Platina, a woman of rare faith and singular shamefastnes having borne ten +children to her husband, despised all worldly Pompe and delicacy, and +determined 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 tooke +with her all her treasure, passing through the hands of the souldiers, and the +naked swords without any feare, whereby she endured many miseries, and was +partaker of much affliction, to save the life of her husband, such was her love +which she bare unto him. And when they had escaped many perillous dangers, as +well by land as by sea, they went together towards Zacynthe, to continue there +according as fortune had appointed. But when they were arived on the sea coast +of Actium (where we in our returne from Macedony were roving about) when night +came, they returned into a house not far distant from their ship, where they +lay all night. Then we entred in and tooke away all their substance, but verely +we were in great danger: for the good matron perceiving us incontinently by the +noise 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 of +the feare that every one was in, we hardly escaped away, but this most holy +woman, faithfull and true to her husband (as the truth must be declared) +returned to Caesar, desiring his aid and puissance, and demanding vengeance of +the injury done to her husband, who granted all her desire: then went my +company to wracke, insomuch that every man was slaine, so great was the +authority and word of the Prince. Howbeit, when all my band was lost, and taken +by search of the Emperours army, I onely stole away and delivered my selfe from +the violence of the souldiers, for I clothed my selfe in a womans attire, and +mounted upon an Asse, that carryed barly sheafes, and (passing through the +middle of them all) I escaped away, because every one deemed that I was a woman +by reason I lacked a beard. Howbeit I left not off for all this, nor did +degenerate from the glory of my father, or mine own vertue, but freshly comming +from the bloody skirmish, and disguised like a woman, I invaded townes and +castles alone to get some pray. And therewithall he pulled out two thousand +crownes, which he had under his coate, saying: Hold here the dowry which I +present unto you, hold eke my person, which you shall alwayes find trusty and +faithfull, 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 gave +him 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 roome +of the table, and drunk unto him in token of good lucke. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"></a> +THE TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How the death of the Asse, and the Gentlewoman was stayed. +</p> + +<p> +After supper they began to talke, and declare unto him the going away of the +Gentlewoman, and how I bare her upon my backe, and what death was ordained for +us two. Then he desired to see her, whereupon the Gentlewoman was brought forth +fast 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 drive +you quite from your purpose, but my conscience will not suffer me to conceale +any thing that toucheth your profit, since I am as carefull for you, howbeit if +my counsell doe displease you, you may at your liberty proceed in your +enterprise. 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, and +above their vengeance, which purchaseth damage to divers persons. Therefore if +you put this virgin in the Asses belly, you shall but execute your indignation +against her, without all manner of profit; But I would advise you to carry the +virgin to some towne and to sell her: and such a brave girle as she is, may be +sold for a great quantity of money. And I my selfe know certaine bawdy +Marchants, 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 and +defended our cause, being a good Patron to the silly virgin, and to me poore +Asse. But they staied hereupon a good space, with long deliberation, which made +my heart (God wot) and spirit greatly to quaile. Howbeit in the end they +consented 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 of +the generation of women, when as I saw the Maiden (who was appointed to be +married to a young Gentleman, and who so greatly desired the same) was now +delighted 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 an +Asse. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"></a> +THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How all the Theeves were brought asleepe by their new companion. +</p> + +<p> +Then the young man spake againe, saying, Masters, why goe wee not about to make +our prayers unto Mars, touching this selling of the Maiden, and to seeke for +other companions. But as farre as I see, here is no other manner of beast to +make 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 provide +for meat and other things necessary. So he and tenne more with him, went their +way: In the meane season, the residue made a great fire and an Alter with +greene turfes in the honour of Mars. By and by after they came againe, bringing +with them bottles of wine, and a great number of beasts, amongst which there +was a big Ram Goat, fat, old, and hairy, which they killed and offered unto +Mars. Then supper was prepared sumptuously, and the new companion said unto the +other, 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 he +prepared meat, and trimming up the house he set all things in order, and +brought the pottage and dainty dishes to the Table: but above all he plyed them +wel with great pots and jugs of wine. Sometimes (seeming to fetch somewhat) hee +would goe to the Maiden and give her pieces of meate, which he privily tooke +away, 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 hast +forgotten thy marriage, and doest esteeme this stranger and bloudy theefe above +thy husband which thy Parents ordained for thee, now perceive I well thou hast +no remorse of conscience, but more delight to tarry and play the harlot heere +amongst so many swords. What? knowest thou not how the other theeves if they +knew thy demeanour would put thee to death as they had once appointed, and so +worke my destruction likewise? Well now I perceive thou hast a pleasure in the +dammage and hurt of other. While I did angerly devise with my selfe all these +things, I perceived by certaine signes and tokens (not ignorant to so wise an +Asse) that he was not the notable theefe Hemus, but rather Lepolemus her +husband, for after much communication he beganne to speake more franckly, not +fearing at all my presence, and said, Be of good cheere my sweete friend +Charites, for thou shalt have by and by all these thy enemies captive unto +thee. Then hee filled wine to the theeves more and more, and never ceased, till +as they were all overcome with abundance of meat and drinke, when as hee +himselfe abstained and bridled his owne appetite. And truely I did greatly +suspect, least hee had mingled in their cups some deadly poyson, for +incontinently they all fell downe asleepe on the ground one after an other, and +lay as though they had beene dead. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"></a> +THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How the Gentlewoman was carried home by her husband while the theeves were +asleepe, and how much Apuleius was made of. +</p> + +<p> +When the theeves were all asleepe by their great and immoderate drinking, the +young man Lepolemus took the Maiden and set her upon my backe, and went +homeward. When we were come home, all the people of the Citie, especially her +Parents, friends, and family, came running forth joyfully, and the children and +Maidens of the towne gathered together to see this virgin in great triumph +sitting upon an Asse. Then I (willing to shew as much joy as I might, as +present occasion served) I set and pricked up my long eares, ratled my +nosethrils, and cryed stoutly, nay rather I made the towne to ring againe with +my shrilling sound: when wee were come to her fathers house, shee was received +in a chamber honourably: as for me, Lepolemus (accompanied with a great number +of Citizens) did presently after drive me backe againe with other horses to the +cave of the theeves, where wee found them all asleepe lying on the ground as +wee left them; then they first brought out all the gold, and silver, and other +treasure of the house, and laded us withall, which when they had done, they +threw many of the theeves downe into the bottome of deepe ditches, and the +residue they slew with their swords: after this wee returned home glad and +merry of so great vengeance upon them, and the riches which wee carried was +commited to the publike treasurie. This done, the Maid was married to +Lepolemus, according to the law, whom by so much travell he had valiantly +recovered: then my good Mistresse looked about for me, and asking for me +commanded the very same day of her marriage, that my manger should be filled +with barly, and that I should have hay and oats aboundantly, and she would call +me her little Camell. But how greatly did I curse Fotis, in that shee +transformed me into an Asse, and not into a dogge, because I saw the dogges had +filled their paunches with the reliks and bones of so worthy a supper. The next +day this new wedded woman (my Mistresse) did greatly commend me before her +Parents and husband, for the kindnesse which I had shewed unto her, and never +leaved 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: one +said, that I should be closed in a stable and never worke, but continually to +be fedde and fatted with fine and chosen barly and beanes and good littour, +howbeit another prevailed, who wishing my liberty, perswaded them that it was +better 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 in +charge to keepe the horse, was called for, and I was delivered unto him with +great care, insomuch that I was right pleasant and joyous, because I hoped that +I should carry no more fardels nor burthens, moreover I thought that when I +should thus be at liberty, in the spring time of the yeere when the meddows and +fields were greene, I should find some roses in some place, whereby I was fully +perswaded that if my Master and Mistresse did render to me so many thanks and +honours 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 brought +me a good way distant from the City, I perceived no delicate meates nor no +liberty which I should have, but by and by his covetous wife and most cursed +queane made me a mill Asse, and (beating me with a cudgill full of knots) would +wring bread for her selfe and her husband out of my skinne. Yet was she not +contented to weary me and make me a drudge with carriage and grinding of her +owne 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 to +sustaine my life withall, for the barly which I ground for mine owne dinner she +would sell to the Inhabitants by. And after that I had laboured all day, she +would set before me at night a little filthy branne, nothing cleane but full of +stones. Being in this calamity, yet fortune worked me other torments, for on a +day I was let loose into the fields to pasture, by the commandement of my +master. 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 wives +and 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 all +the stone Horses which were well fedde and made strong by ease of pasture, and +thereby much more puissant then a poore Asse, were jealous over me, and (having +no regard to the law and order of God Jupiter) ranne fiercely and terribly +against me; one lifted up his forefeete and kicked me spitefully, another +turned himselfe, and with his hinder heeles spurned me cruelly, the third +threatning with a malicious neighing, dressed his eares and shewing his sharpe +and white teeth bit me on every side. In like sort have I read in Histories how +the King of Thrace would throw his miserable ghests to be torne in peeces and +devoured of his wild Horses, so niggish was that Tyrant of his provender, that +he nourished them with the bodies of men. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"></a> +THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was made a common Asse to fetch home wood, and how he was handled +by a boy. +</p> + +<p> +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 should +drive me thither and home again, but a boy that was the veriest hangman in all +the world, who was not contented with the great travell that I tooke in +climbing up the hill, neither pleased when he saw my hoofe torne and worne away +by sharpe flintes, but he beat me cruelly with a great staffe, insomuch that +the marrow of my bones did ake for woe, for he would strike me continually on +the right hip, and still in one place, whereby he tore my skinne and made of my +wide sore a great hole or trench, or rather a window to looke out at, and +although it runne downe of blood, yet would he not cease beating me in that +place: moreover he laded me with such great burthens of wood that you would +thinke they had been rather prepared for Elephants then for me, and when he +perceived that my wood hanged more on one side then another, (when he should +rather take away the heavy sides, and so ease me, or else lift them up to make +them equall with the other) he laid great stones upon the weaker side to remedy +the matter, yet could be not be contented with this my great misery and +immoderate burthens of wood, but when hee came to any river (as there were many +by the way) he to save his feete from water, would leape upon my loynes +likewise, which was no small loade upon loade. And if by adversity I had fell +downe in any dirty or myrie place, when he should have pulled me out either +with ropes, or lifted me up by the taile, he would never helpe me, but lay me +on from top to toe with a mighty staffe, till he had left no haire on all my +body, no not so much as on mine eares, whereby I was compelled by force of +blowes to stand up. The same hangman boy did invent another torment for me: he +gathered a great many sharp thornes as sharp as needles and bound them together +like a fagot, and tyed them at my tayle to pricke me, then was I afflicted on +every side, for if I had indeavoured to runne away, the thornes would have +pricked me, if I had stood still, the boy would have beaten mee, and yet the +boy beate mee to make me runne, whereby I perceived that the hangman did devise +nothing else save only to kill me by some manner of meanes, and he would sweare +and threaten to do me worse harme, and because hee might have some occasion to +execute his malicious minde, upon a day (after that I had endeavoured too much +by my patience) I lifted up my heeles and spurned him welfavouredly. Then he +invented this vengeance against me, after that he had well laded me with shrubs +and rubble, and trussed it round upon my backe, hee brought me out into the +way: 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 very +dry, did fall on a light fire and burned me on every side. I could see no +remedy how I might save my selfe, and in such a case it was not best for me to +stand still but fortune was favourable towards me, perhaps to reserve me for +more dangers, for I espyed a great hole full of raine water that fell the day +before, thither I ranne hastily and plunged my selfe therein, in such sort that +I quenched the fire, and was delivered from that present perill, but the vile +boy 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 he +laughed upon me saying: How long shall we nourish and keepe this fiery Asse in +vaine? +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"></a> +THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was accused of Lechery by the boy. +</p> + +<p> +A few dayes after, the boy invented another mischiefe: For when he had sold all +the wood which I bare, to certaine men dwelling in a village by, he lead me +homeward unladen: And then he cryed that he was not able to rule me, and that +hee would not drive mee any longer to the hill for wood, saying: Doe you not +see this slow and dulle Asse, who besides all the mischiefes that he hath +wrought already, inventeth daily more and more. For he espyeth any woman +passing 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. And +after that he hath thrown them downe, he will stride over them to commit his +buggery and beastly pleasure, moreover hee will faine as though hee would kisse +them, but he will bite their faces cruelly, which thing may worke us great +displeasure, or rather to be imputed unto us as a crime: and even now when he +espyed an honest maiden passing by the high way, he by and by threw downe his +wood and runne after her: And when he had throwne her down upon the ground, he +would have ravished her before the face of all the world, had it not beene that +by reason of her crying out, she was succored and pulled from his heeles, and +so delivered. And if it had so come to passe that this fearefull maid had beene +slaine by him, what danger had we beene in? By these and like lies, he provoked +the shepheards earnestly against me, which grieved mee (God wot) full sore that +said nothing. Then one of the shepheards said: Why doe we not make sacrifice of +this common adulterous Asse? My sonne (quoth he) let us kill him and throw his +guts to the dogges, and reserve his flesh for the labourers supper. Then let us +cast dust upon his skinne, and carry it home to our master, and say that the +Woolves have devoured him. The boy that was my evill accuser made no delay, but +prepared himselfe to execute the sentence of the shepheard, rejoycing at my +present danger, but O how greatly did I then repent that the stripe which I +gave him with my heele had not killed him. Then he drew out his sword and made +it 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 of +luxurie and lascivious wantonnesse) to lack so necessarie his labour and +service, where otherwise if ye would cut off his stones, he might not onely be +deprived of his courage but also become gentle, that we should be delivered +from all feare and danger. Moreover he would be thereby more fat and better in +flesh. For I know my selfe as well many Asses, as also most fierce horses, that +by reason of their wantonnesse have beene most mad and terrible, but (when they +were gelded and cut) they have become gentle and tame, and tractable to all +use. Wherefore I would counsell you to geld him. And if you consent thereto, I +will by and by, when I go to the next market fetch mine irons and tooles for +the 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 was +delivered from death, and reserved to be gelded, I was greatly sorrie, insomuch +that 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 I +should die, I would die with unperished members. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"></a> +THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How the boy that lead Apuleius to the field, was slaine in the wood. +</p> + +<p> +While I devised with my selfe in what manner I might end my life, the roperipe +boy on the next morrow lead me to the same hill againe, and tied me to a bow of +a great Oke, and in the meane season he tooke his hatchet and cut wood to load +me 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 my +strained head and brake the halter, wherewith I was tied. Then there was no +need to bid me runne away, for I scoured not only on foot, but tumbled over the +stones and rocks with my body till I came into the open fields, to the intent I +would escape from the terrible Beare, but especially from the boy that was +worse than the Beare. Then a certaine stranger that passed by the way (espying +me alone as a stray Asse) tooke me up and roade upon my backe, beating me with +a staffe (which he bare in his hand) through a wide and unknowne lane, whereat +I was nothing displeased, but willingly went forward to avoid the cruell paine +of gelding, which the shepherds had ordained for me, but as for the stripes I +was nothing moved, since I was accustomed to be beaten so every day. But evill +fortune would not suffer me to continue in so good estate long: For the +shepheards looking about for a Cow that they had lost (after they had sought in +divers places) fortuned to come upon us unwares, who when they espied and knew +me, they would have taken me by the halter, but he that rode upon my backe +resisted 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 then +thou deservest, which hast stollen away our Asse? Why dost thou not rather tell +us where thou hast hidden the boy whom thou hast slaine? And therewithall they +pulled him downe to the ground, beating him with their fists, and spurning him +with their feete. Then he answered unto them saying, that he saw no manner of +boy, but onely found the Asse loose and straying abroad, which he tooke up to +the intent to have some reward for the finding of him and to restore him againe +to his Master. And I would to God (quoth he) that this Asse (which verely was +never seene) could speake as a man to give witnesse of mine innocency: Then +would you be ashamed of the injury which you have done to me. Thus (reasoning +for 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 through +the woods of the hill to the place where the boy accustomed to resort. And +after they could find him in no place, at length they found his body rent and +torne in peeces, and his members dispersed in sundry places, which I well knew +was done by the cruell Beare: and verely I would have told it if I might have +spoken, but (which I could onely do) I greatly rejoiced at his death, although +it came too late. Then they gathered together the peeces of his body and buried +them. By and by they laid the fault to my new Master, that tooke me up by the +way, and (bringing him home fast bound to their houses) purposed on the next +morrow to accuse him of murther, and to lead him before the Justices to have +judgement of death. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"></a> +THE THIRTY-FIRST CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was cruelly beaten by the Mother of the boy that was slaine. +</p> + +<p> +In the meane season, while the Parents of the boy did lament and weepe for the +death of their sonne, the shepheard (according to his promise) came with his +instruments and tooles to geld me. Then one of them said, Tush we little +esteeme the mischiefe he did yesterday, but now we are contented that to morrow +his stones shall not onely be cut off, but also his head. So was it brought to +passe, that my death was delayed till the next morrow, but what thanks did I +give to that good boy, who (being so slaine) was the cause of my pardon for one +short day. Howbeit I had no time then to rest my selfe, for the Mother of the +boy, weeping and lamenting for his death, attired in mourning vesture, tare her +haire and beat her breast, and came presently into the stable, saying, Is it +reason that this carelesse beast should do nothing all day but hold his head in +the manger, filling and belling his guts with meat without compassion of my +great miserie, or remembrance of the pittiful death of his slaine Master: and +contemning my age and infirmity, thinketh that I am unable to revenge his +mischiefs, moreover he would perswade me, that he were not culpable. Indeed, it +is a convenient thing to looke and plead for safety, when as the conscience +doeth confesse the offence, as theeves and malefactors accustome to do. But O +good Lord, thou cursed beast, if thou couldest utter the contents of thine owne +mind, whom (though it were the veriest foole in all the world) mightest thou +perswade that this murther was voide or without thy fault, when as it lay in +thy power, either to keepe off the theeves with thy heeles, or else to bite and +teare them with thy teeth? Couldest not thou (that so often in his life time +diddest spurne and kicke him) defend him now at the point of death by the like +meane? Yet at least, thou shouldest have taken him upon thy backe, and so +brought him from the cruell hands of the theeves: where contrary thou runnest +away alone, forsaking thy good Master, thy pastor and conductor. Knowest thou +not, that such as denie their wholsome help and aid to them which lie in danger +of death, ought to be punished, because they have offended against good +manners, and the law naturall? But I promise thee, thou shalt not long rejoyce +at my harmes, thou shalt feele the smart of thy homicide and offence, I will +see what I can doe. And therewithall she unclosed her apron, and bound all my +feete together, to the end I might not help my selfe, then she tooke a great +barre, which accustomed to bar the stable doore, and never ceased beating me +till 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 brought +a firebrand and thrust it under my taile, burning me continually, till such +time 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 fell +in 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 Althea +cast into the fire. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"></a> +THE EIGHTH BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"></a> +THE THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How a young man came and declared the miserable death of Lepolemus and his wife +Charites. +</p> + +<p> +About midnight came a young man, which seemed to be one of the family of the +good woman Charites, who sometimes endured so much misery and calamity with mee +amongst the theeves, who after that hee had taken a stoole, and sate downe +before the fireside, in the company of the servants, began to declare many +terrible things that had happened unto the house of Charites, saying: O yee +house-keepers, shepheards and cowheards, you shall understand that wee have +lost our good mistris Charites miserably and by evill adventure: and to the end +you may learne and know all the whole matter, I purpose to tell you the +circumstances of every point, whereby such as are more learned then I (to whom +fortune hath ministred more copious stile) may painte it out in paper in forme +of an History. There was a young Gentleman dwelling in the next City, borne of +good parentage, valiant in prowesse, and riche in substance, but very much +given and adicted to whorehunting, and continuall revelling. Whereby he fell in +company 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 every +man. Hee demanded Charites in marriage, who although he were a man more comely +then the residue that wooed her, and also had riches abundantly, yet because he +was of evill fame, and a man of wicked manners and conversation, he had the +repulse and was put off by Charites, and so she married with Lepolemus. Howbeit +this young man secretly loved her, yet moved somewhat at her refusall, hee +busily searched some meanes to worke his damnable intent. And (having found +occasion and opportunity to accomplish his purpose, which he had long time +concealed) brought to passe, that the same day that Charites was delivered by +the subtill meane and valiant audacity of her husband, from the puissance of +the Theeves, he mingled himselfe among the assembly, faining that he was glad +of the new marriage, and comming home againe of the maiden, Whereby (by reason +that he came of so noble parents) he was received and entertained into the +house as one of their chiefe and principall friends: Howbeit under cloake of a +faithfull welwiller, hee dissimuled his mischievous mind and intent: in +continuance of time by much familiarity and often conversation and banketting +together, he fell more and more in favour, like as we see it fortuneth to +Lovers, who first doe little delight themselves in love: till as by continuall +acquaintance they kisse and imbrace each other. Thrasillus perceiving that it +was a hard matter to breake his minde secretly to Charites, whereby he was +wholly barred from the accomplishment of his luxurious appetite, and on the +other side perceiving that the love of her and her husband was so strongly +lincked together, that the bond betweene them might in no wise be dissevered, +moreover, it was a thing impossible to ravish her, although he had consented +thereto, yet was hee still provoked forward by vehement lust, when as hee saw +himselfe unable to bring his purpose to passe. Howbeit at length the thing +which seemed so hard and difficill, thorough hope of his fortified love, did +now appeare easie and facill: but marke I pray you diligently to what end the +furious force of his inordinate desire came. On a day Lepolemus went to the +chase with Thrasillus, to hunt for Goates, for his wife Charites desired him +earnestly to meddle with no other beasts, which were of more fierce and wilde +nature. When they were come within the chase to a great thicket fortressed +about with bryers and thornes, they compassed round with their Dogs and beset +every place with nets: by and by warning was given to let loose. The Dogs +rushed in with such a cry, that all the Forrest rang againe with the noyse, but +behold there leaped out no Goat, nor Deere, nor gentle Hinde, but an horrible +and dangerous wild Boare, hard and thicke skinned, bristeled terribly with +thornes, foming at the mouth, grinding his teeth, and looking direfully with +fiery 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 the +fury of this beast, wee were greatly striken with feare, and because wee never +accustomed to chase such dreadfull Boares, and further because we were unarmed +and without weapons, we got and hid our selves under bushes and trees. Then +Thrasillus having found opportunity to worke his treason, said to Lepolemus: +What stand we here amazed? Why show we our selves like dastards? Why leese we +so worthy a prey with our feminine hearts? Let us mount upon our Horses, and +pursue him incontinently: take you a hunting staffe, and I will take a chasing +speare. By and by they leaped upon their Horses, and followed the beast. But +hee returning against them with furious force, pryed with his eyes, on whom hee +might first assayle with his tuskes: Lepolemus strooke the beast first on the +backe with his hunting staffe. Thrasillus faining to ayde and assist him, came +behind, and cut off the hinder legges of Lepolemus Horse, in such sort that hee +fell downe to the ground with his master: and sodainely the Boare came upon +Lepolemus and furiously tare and rent him with his teeth. Howbeit, Thrasillus +was not sufficed to see him thus wounded, but when he desired his friendly +help, he thrust Lepolemus through the right thigh with his speare, the more +because he thought the wound of the speare would be taken for a wound of the +Boars teeth, then he killed the beast likewise, And when he was thus miserably +slaine, every one of us came out of our holes, and went towards our slaine +master. But although that Thrasillus was joyfull of the death of Lepolemus, +whom he did greatly hate, yet he cloked the matter with a sorrowfull +countenance, he fained a dolorous face, he often imbraced the body which +himselfe slew, he played all the parts of a mourning person, saving there fell +no teares from his eyes. Thus hee resembled us in each point, who verily and +not without occasion had cause to lament for our master, laying all the blame +of this homicide unto the Boare. Incontinently after the sorrowfull newes of +the death of Lepolemus, came to the eares of all the family, but especially to +Charites, who after she had heard such pitifull tydings, as a mad and raging +woman, ran up and down the streets, crying and howling lamentably. All the +Citizens gathered together, and such as they met bare them company running +towards the chasse. When they came to the slaine body of Lepolemus, Charites +threw her selfe upon him weeping and lamenting grievously for his death, in +such sort, that she would have presently ended her life, upon the corps of her +slaine husband, whom shee so entirely loved, had it not beene that her parents +and friends did comfort her, and pulled her away. The body was taken up, and in +funerall pompe brought to the City and buried. In the meane season, Thrasillus +fained much sorrow for the death of Lepolemus, but in his heart he was well +pleased and joyfull. And to counterfeit the matter, he would come to Charites +and say: O what a losse have I had of my friend, my fellow, my companion +Lepolemus? O Charites comfort your selfe, pacifie your dolour, refraine your +weeping, beat not your breasts: and with such other and like words and divers +examples he endeavoured to suppresse her great sorrow, but he spake not this +for any other intent but to win the heart of the woman, and to nourish his +odious love with filthy delight. Howbeit Charites after the buriall of her +husband sought the meanes to follow him, and (not sustaining the sorrows +wherein she was Wrapped) got her secretly into a chamber and purposed to finish +her life there with dolour and tribulation. But Thrasillus was very +importunate, and at length brought to passe, that at the intercession of the +Parents and friends of Charites, she somewhat refreshed her fallen members with +refection of meate and baine. Howbeit, she did it more at the commandement of +her Parents, then for any thing else: for she could in no wise be merry, nor +receive any comfort, but tormented her selfe day and night before the Image of +her husband which she made like unto Bacchus, and rendred unto him divine +honours and services. In the meane season Thrasillus not able to refraine any +longer, before Charites had asswaged her dolor, before her troubled mind had +pacified her fury, even in the middle of all her griefes, while she tare her +haire and rent her garments, demanded her in marriage, and so without shame, he +detected the secrets and unspeakeable deceipts of his heart. But Charites +detested and abhorred his demand, and as she had beene stroken with some clap +of thunder, with some storme, or with the lightning of Jupiter, she presently +fell downe to the ground all amazed. Howbeit when her spirits were revived and +that she returned to her selfe, perceiving that Thrasillus was so importunate, +she demanded respite to deliberate and to take advise on the matter. In the +meane season, the shape of Lepolemus that was slaine so miserably, appeared to +Charites saying, O my sweet wife (which no other person can say but I) I pray +thee for the love which is betweene us two, if there be any memorie of me in +thy heart, or remembrance of my pittifull death, marry with any other person, +so that thou marry not with the traitour Thrasillus, have no conference with +him, eate not with him, lie not with him, avoid the bloudie hand of mine +enemie, couple not thy selfe with a paricide, for those wounds (the bloud +whereof thy teares did wash away) were not the wounds of the teeth of the +Boare, but the speare of Thrasillus, that deprived me from thee. Thus spake +Lepolemus, unto his loving wife, and declared the residue of the damnable fact. +Then Charites, awaking from sleepe, began to renew her dolour, to teare her +garments, and to beate her armes with her comely hands, howbeit she revealed +the vision which she saw to no manner of person, but dissimuling that she knew +no part of the mischiefe, devised with her selfe how she might be revenged on +the traitor, and finish her owne life to end and knit up all sorrow. +Incontinently came Thrasillus, the detestable demander of sodaine pleasure, and +wearied the closed eares of Charites with talke of marriage, but she gently +refused his communication, and coloring the matter, with passing craft in the +middest of his earnest desires gan say, Thrasillus you shall understand that +yet the face of your brother and my husband, is alwayes before mine eies, I +smell yet the Cinamon sent of his pretious body, I yet feele Lepolemus alive in +my 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 your +wholsome profit, lest peradventure by your speed and quicke marriage we should +justly raise and provoke the spirit of my husband to worke our destruction. +Howbeit, Thrasillus was not contented with this promise, but more and more came +upon her: Insomuch, that she was enforced to speake to him in this manner: My +friend Thrasillus, if thou be so contented untill the whole yeare be compleate +and finished, behold here is my bodie, take thy pleasure, but in such sort and +so secret that no servant of the house may perceive it. Then Thrasillus +trusting to the false promises of the woman, and preferring his inordinate +pleasure above all things in the world, was joyfull in his heart and looked for +night, when as he might have his purpose. But come thou about midnight (quoth +Charites) disguised without companie, and doe but hisse at my chamber doore, +and my nourse shall attend and let thee in. This counsell pleased Thrasillus +marveilously, who (suspecting no harme) did alwaies looke for night, and the +houre assigned by Charites. The time was scarce come, when as (according to her +commandement) he disguised himselfe, and went straight to the chamber, where he +found 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 on +her Father being sick, untill such time, that with sweet talke and operation of +the wine, he fell in a sound sleepe: Now when he lay prostrate on the ground +readie to all adventure, Charites (being called for) came in, and with manly +courage and bold force stood over the sleeping murderer, saying: Behold the +faithfull companion of my husband, behold this valiant hunter; behold me deere +spouse, this is the hand which shed my bloud, this is the heart which hath +devised so many subtill meanes to worke my destruction, these be the eies whom +I have ill pleased, behold now they foreshew their owne destinie: sleepe +carelesse, dreame that thou art in the hands of the mercifull, for I will not +hurt thee with thy sword or any other weapon: God forbid that I should slay +thee as thou slewest my husband, but thy eies shall faile thee, and thou shalt +see no more, then that whereof thou dreamest: Thou shalt thinke the death of +thine enemie more sweet then thy life: Thou shalt see no light, thou shalt +lacke the aide of a leader, thou shalt not have me as thou hopest, thou shalt +have no delight of my marriage, thou shalt not die, and yet living thou shalt +have no joy, but wander betweene light and darknesse as an unsure Image: thou +shalt seeke for the hand that pricked out thine eies, yet shalt thou not know +of whom thou shouldest complaine: I will make sacrifice with the bloud of thine +eies 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 the +darknesse of sleepe and awake thou to receive a penall deprivation of thy +sight, lift up thy face, regard thy vengeance and evill fortune, reckon thy +miserie; so pleaseth thine eies to a chast woman, that thou shall have +blindnesse to thy companion, and an everlasting remorse of thy miserable +conscience. When she had spoken these words, she tooke a great needle from her +head and pricked out both his eies: which done, she by and by caught the naked +sword which her husband Lepolemus accustomed to weare, and ranne throughout all +the Citie like a mad woman towards the Sepulchre of her husband. Then all we of +the house, with all the Citizens, ranne incontinently after her to take the +sword out of her hand, but she clasping about the tombe of Lepolemus, kept us +off with her naked weapon, and when she perceived that every one of us wept and +lamented, she spake in this sort: I pray you my friends weepe not, nor lament +for me, for I have revenged the death of my husband, I have punished deservedly +the wicked breaker of our marriage; now is it time to seeke out my sweet +Lepolemus, and presently with this sword to finish my life. And therewithall +after she had made relation of the whole matter, declared the vision which she +saw and told by what meane she deceived Thrasillus, thrusting her sword under +her right brest, and wallowing in her owne bloud, at length with manly courage +yeelded up the Ghost. Then immediately the friends of miserable Charites did +bury her body within the same Sepulchre. Thrasillus hearing all the matter, and +knowing not by what meanes he might end his life, for he thought his sword was +not sufficient to revenge so great a crime, at length went to the same +Sepulchre, and cryed with a lowd voice, saying: o yee dead spirites whom I have +so highly and greatly offended, vouchsafe to receive me, behold I make +Sacrifice unto you with my whole body: which said, hee closed the Sepulchre, +purposing to famish himselfe, and to finish his life there in sorrow. These +things the young man with pitifull sighes and teares, declared unto the +Cowheards and Shepheards, which caused them all to weepe: but they fearing to +become subject unto new masters, prepared themselves to depart away. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0044" id="link2H_4_0044"></a> +THE THIRTY-THIRD CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was lead away by the Horsekeeper: and what danger he was in. +</p> + +<p> +By and by the Horsekeeper, to whom the charge of me was committed, brought +forth all his substance, and laded me and other Horses withall, and so departed +thence: we bare women, children, pullets, sparrowes, kiddes, whelpes, and other +things which were not able to keepe pace with us, and that which I bare upon my +backe, although it was a mighty burthen, yet seemed it very light because I was +driven away from him that most terribly had appointed to kill me. When we had +passed over a great mountaine full of trees, and were come againe into the open +fields, behold we approached nigh to a faire and rich Castell, where it was +told unto us that we were not able to passe in our journey that night, by +reason 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 they +would invade and set upon such which passed by like theeves, and devoure both +them and their beasts. Moreover, we were advertised that there lay in the way +where we should passe, many dead bodies eaten and torne with wolves. Wherefore +we were willed to stay there all night, and on the next morning, to goe close +and round together, whereby we might passe and escape all dangers. But +(notwithstanding this good counsell) our caitife drivers were so covetous to +goe forward, and so fearefull of pursuite, that they never stayed till the +morning: But being welnigh midnight, they made us trudge in our way apace. Then +I fearing the great danger which might happen, ran amongst the middle of the +other Horses, to the end I might defend and save my poore buttocks from the +Wolves, whereat every man much marvelled to see, that I scowred away swifter +then the other Horses. But such was my agility, not to get me any prayse, but +rather for feare: at that time I remembered with my selfe, that the valiant +Horse 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 well +armed like warriours: one had a speare, another had a sheepehooke, some had +darts, some clubbes, some gathered up great stones, some held up their sharp +Javelings, and some feared away the Woolves with light firebrands. Finally wee +lacked nothing to make up an Army, but onely Drummes and Trumpets. But when we +had passed these dangers, not without small feare, wee fortuned to fall into +worse, for the Woolves came not upon us, either because of the great multitude +of our company, or else because [of] our firebrands, or peradventure they were +gone to some other place, for wee could see none, but the Inhabitants of the +next villages (supposing that wee were Theeves by reason of the great +multitude) for the defence of their owne substance, and for the feare that they +were in, set great and mighty masties upon us, which they had kept and +nourished for the safety of their houses, who compassing us round about leaped +on every side, tearing us with their teeth, in such sort that they pulled many +of us to the ground: verily it was a pittifull sight to see so many Dogs, some +following such as flyed, some invading such as stood still, some tearing those +which lay prostrate, but generally there were none which escaped cleare: Behold +upon this another danger ensued, the Inhabitants of the Towne stood in their +garrets and windowes, throwing great stones upon our heads, that wee could not +tell whether it were best for us to avoyd the gaping mouthes of the Dogges at +hand or the perill of the stones afarre, amongst whome there was one that +hurled a great flint upon a woman, which sate upon my backe, who cryed out +pitiously, desiring her husband to helpe her. Then he (comming to succour and +ayd his wife) beganne to speake in this sort: Alas masters, what mean you to +trouble us poore labouring men so cruelly? What meane you to revenge your +selves upon us, that doe you no harme? What thinke you to gaine by us? You +dwell not in Caves or Dennes: you are no people barbarous, that you should +delight in effusion of humane blood. At these words the tempest of stones did +cease, and the storme of the Dogges vanished away. Then one (standing on the +toppe of a great Cypresse tree) spake unto us saying: Thinke you not masters +that we doe this to the intent to rifle or take away any of your goods, but for +the safeguard of our selves and family: now a Gods name you may depart away. So +we went forward, some wounded with stones, some bitten with Dogs, but generally +there was none which escaped free. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"></a> +THE THIRTY-FOURTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How the shepheards determined to abide in a certaine wood to cure their wounds. +</p> + +<p> +When we had gone a good part of our way, we came to a certaine wood invironed +with great trees and compassed about with pleasant meddowes, whereas the +Shepheards appointed to continue a certaine space to cure their wounds and +sores; then they sate downe on the ground to refresh their wearie minds, and +afterwards they sought for medicines, to heale their bodies: some washed away +their blood with the water of the running River: some stopped their wounds with +Spunges and cloutes, in this manner every one provided for his owne safety. In +the meane season wee perceived an old man, who seemed to be a Shepheard, by +reason of the Goates and Sheep that fed round about him. Then one of our +company demanded whether he had any milke, butter, or cheese to sell. To whom +he made answere saying: Doe you looke for any meate or drinke, or any other +refection here? Know you not in what place you be? +</p> + +<p> +And therewithall he tooke his sheepe and drave them away as fast as he might +possible. This answere made our shepheards greatly to feare, that they thought +of nothing else, but to enquire what Country they were in: Howbeit they saw no +manner of person of whom they might demand. At length as they were thus in +doubt, they perceived another old man with a staffe in his hand very weary with +travell, who approaching nigh to our company, began to weepe and complaine +saying: Alas masters I pray you succour me miserable caitife, and restore my +nephew to me againe, that by following a sparrow that flew before him, is +fallen into a ditch hereby, and verily I thinke he is in danger of death. As +for me, I am not able to helpe him out by reason of mine old age, but you that +are so valiant and lusty may easily helpe me herein, and deliver me my boy, my +heire and guide of my life. These words made us all to pity him. And then the +youngest and stoutest of our company, who alone escaped best the late skirmish +of 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 great +thicket 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. And +because we would not goe away without the young man our fellow: The shepheards +whistled and called for him, but when he gave no answer, they sent one out of +their company to seeke him out, who after a while returned againe with a pale +face and sorrowfull newes, saying that he saw a terrible Dragon eating and +devouring their companion: and as for the old man, hee could see him in no +place. When they heard this, (remembring likewise the words of the first old +man that shaked his head, and drave away his sheep) they ran away beating us +before them, to fly from this desart and pestilent Country. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0046" id="link2H_4_0046"></a> +THE THIRTY-FIFTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How a woman killed her selfe and her child, because her husband haunted +harlots. +</p> + +<p> +After that we had passed a great part of our journey, we came to a village +where we lay all night, but harken, and I will tell you what mischiefe happened +there: you shall understand there was a servant to whom his Master had +committed the whole government of his house, and was Master of the lodging +where we lay: this servant had married a Maiden of the same house, howbeit he +was greatly in love with a harlot of the towne, and accustomed to resort unto +her, wherewith his wife was so highly displeased and became so jealous, that +she gathered together all her husbands substance, with his tales and books of +account, and threw them into a light fire: she was not contented with this, but +she tooke a cord and bound her child which she had by her husband, about her +middle and cast her selfe headlong into a deepe pit. The Master taking in evill +part the death of these twaine, tooke his servant which was the cause of this +murther 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, where +in a rotten stocke a great number of Pismares had builded their neasts, the +Pismares 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, in +such sort, that there remained on the tree but his bare bones: this was +declared unto us by the inhabitants of the village there, who greatly sorrowed +for the death of this servant: then we avoiding likewise from this dreadfull +lodging incontinently departed away. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0047" id="link2H_4_0047"></a> +THE THIRTY-SIXTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was cheapned by divers persons, and how they looked in his mouth +to know his age. +</p> + +<p> +After this we came to a faire Citie very populous, where our shepheards +determined to continue, by reason that it seemed a place where they might live +unknowne, far from such as should pursue them, and because it was a countrey +very plentifull of corne and other victuals, where when we had remained the +space of three dayes, and that I poore Asse and the other horses were fed and +kept in the stable to the intent we might seeme more saleable, we were brought +out at length to the market, and by and by a crier sounded with his horne to +notifie that we were to be sold: all my companion horses were bought up by +Gentlemen, but as for me I stood still forsaken of all men. And when many +buiers came by and looked in my mouth to know mine age, I was so weary with +opening my jawes that at length (unable to endure any longer) when one came +with a stinking paire of hands and grated my gummes with his filthy fingers, I +bit them cleane off, which thing caused the standers by to forsake me as being +a fierce and cruell beast: the crier when he had gotten a hoarse voice with +crying, and saw that no man would buy me, began to mocke me saying, To what end +stand we here with this wilde Asse, this feeble beast, this slow jade with +worne hooves, good for nothing but to make sives of his skin? Why do we not +give him to some body for he earneth not his hay? In this manner he made all +the standers by to laugh exceedingly, but my evill fortune which was ever so +cruell against me, whom I by travell of so many countreys could in no wise +escape, did more and more envie me, with invention of new meanes to afflict my +poore body in giving me a new Master as spitefull as the rest. There was an old +man somewhat bald, with long and gray haire, one of the number of those that go +from door to door, throughout all the villages, bearing the Image of the +goddesse Syria, and playing with Cimbals to get the almes of good and +charitable folks, this old man came hastely towards the cryer, and demanded +where I was bred: Marry (quoth he) in Cappadocia: Then he enquired what age I +was 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 I +would not willingly (quoth he) incur the penalty of the law Cornelia, in +selling a free Citizen for a servile slave, buy a Gods name this faire beast to +ride home on, and about in the countrey: But this curious buier did never stint +to question of my qualities, and at length he demanded whether I were gentle or +no: Gentle (quoth the crier) as gentle as a Lambe, tractable to all use, he +will never bite, he will never kicke, but you would rather thinke that under +the shape of an Asse there were some well advised man, which verely you may +easily conject, for if you would thrust your nose in his taile you shall +perceive how patient he is: Thus the cryer mocked the old man, but he +perceiving his taunts and jests, waxed very angry saying, Away doting cryer, I +pray the omnipotent and omniparent goddesse Syria, Saint Sabod, Bellona, with +her mother Idea, and Venus, with Adonis, to strike out both thine eies, that +with taunting mocks hast scoffed me in this sort: Dost thou thinke that I will +put a goddesse upon the backe of any fierce beast, whereby her divine Image +should 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 him +speake 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 another +Marchant that prevented my thought, and offered 17 Pence for me, then my Master +was glad and received the money, and delivered me to my new Master who was +called Phelibus, and he caried his new servant home, and before he came to his +house, he called out his daughters saying, Behold my daughters, what a gentle +servant I have bought for you: then they were marvailous glad, and comming out +pratling and shouting for joy, thought verely that he had brought home a fit +and conveniable servant for their purpose, but when they perceived that it was +an Asse, they began to provoke him, saying that he had not bought a servant for +his Maidens, but rather an Asse for himselfe. Howbeit (quoth they) keepe him +not 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 was +a certaine yong man with a mighty body, wel skilled in playing on instruments +before the gods to get money, who (as soone as he had espied me) entertained me +verie well, for he filled my racke and maunger full of meat, and spake merrily +saying, O master Asse, you are very welcome, now you shall take my office in +hand, 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 thou +maist continually deliver me from so great paine. When I heard these words I +did prognosticate my miserie to come. +</p> + +<p> +The day following I saw there a great number of persons apparelled in divers +colours, having painted faces, mitres on their heads, vestiments coloured like +saffron, Surplesses of silke, and on their feet yellow shooes, who attired the +goddesse in a robe of Purple, and put her upon my backe. Then they went forth +with their armes naked to their shoulders, bearing with them great swords and +mightie axes, and dancing like mad persons. After that we had passed many small +villages, we fortuned to come to one Britunis house, where at our first entrie +they 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 bite +themselves, finally, every one tooke his weapon and wounded his armes in divers +places. +</p> + +<p> +Amongst whom there was one more mad then the rest, that let many deepe sighes +from the bottome of his heart, as though he had beene ravished in spirite, or +replenished with divine power. And after that, he somewhat returning to +himselfe, invented and forged a great lye, saying, that he had displeased the +divine majesty of the goddesse, by doing of some thing which was not convenable +to the order of their holy religion, wherefore he would doe vengeance of +himselfe: and therewithall he tooke a whip, and scourged his owne body, that +the bloud issued out aboundantly, which thing caused me greatly to feare, to +see such wounds and effusion of bloud, least the same goddesse desiring so much +the bloud of men, should likewise desire the bloud of an Asse. After they were +wearie with hurling and beating themselves, they sate downe, and behold, the +inhabitants came in, and offered gold, silver, vessels of wine, milke, cheese, +flower, wheate and other things: amongst whom there was one, that brought barly +to the Asse that carried the goddesse, but the greedie whoresons thrust all +into 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 by +reason 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 they +came to a certaine Castle where under colour of divination, they brought to +passe that they obtained a fat sheepe of a poore husbandman for the goddesse +supper and to make sacrifice withall. After that the banket was prepared, they +washed their bodies, and brought in a tall young man of the village, to sup +with them, who had scarce tasted a few pottage, when hee began to discover +their beastly customes and inordinate desire of luxury. For they compassed him +round about, sitting at the table, and abused the young man, contrary to all +nature and reason. When I beheld this horrible fact, I could not but attempt to +utter my mind and say, O masters, but I could pronounce no more but the first +letter O, which I roared out so valiantly, that the young men of the towne +seeking for a straie Asse, that they had lost the same night, and hearing my +voice, whereby they judged that I had beene theirs, entred into the house +unwares, and found these persons committing their vile abhomination, which when +they saw, they declared to all the inhabitants by, their unnatural villany, +mocking and laughing at this the pure and cleane chastity of their religion. In +the meane season, Phelibus and his company, (by reason of the bruit which was +dispersed throughout all the region there of their beastly wickednesse) put all +their trumpery upon my backe, and departed away about midnight. When we had +passed a great part of our journey, before the rising of the Sun, we came into +a wild desart, where they conspired together to slay me. For after they had +taken the goddesse from my backe and set her gingerly upon the ground, they +likewise tooke off my harnesse, and bound me surely to an Oake, beating me with +their whip, in such sort that all my body was mortified. Amongst whom there was +one that threatened to cut off my legs with his hatchet, because by my noyse I +diffamed his chastity, but the other regarding more their owne profit than my +utility, thought best to spare my life, because I might carry home the +goddesse. So they laded me againe, driving me before them with their naked +swords, till they came to a noble City: where the principall Patrone bearing +high reverence unto the goddesse, Came in great devotion before us with +Tympany, Cymbals, and other instruments, and received her, and all our company +with much sacrifice and veneration. But there I remember, I thought my selfe in +most danger, for there was one that brought to the Master of the house, a side +of a fat Bucke for a present, which being hanged behind the kitchin doore, not +far from the ground, was cleane eaten up by a gray hound, that came in. The +Cooke when he saw the Venison devoured, lamented and wept pitifully. And +because supper time approached nigh, when as he should be reproved of too much +negligence, he tooke a halter to hang himselfe: but his wife perceiving +whereabout he went, ran incontinently to him, and taking the halter in both her +hands, stopped him of his purpose, saying, O husband, are you out of your +writs? pray husband follow my counsel, cary this strange Asse out into some +secret place and kill him, which done, cut off one of his sides, and sawce it +well like the side of the Bucke, and set it before your Master. Then the Cooke +hearing 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. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0048" id="link2H_4_0048"></a> +THE NINTH BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0049" id="link2H_4_0049"></a> +THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius saved himselfe from the Cooke, breaking his halter, and of other +things that happened. +</p> + +<p> +In this manner the traiterous Cooke prepared himselfe to slay me: and when he +was ready with his knives to doe his feat, I devised with my selfe how I might +escape the present perill, and I did not long delay: for incontinently I brake +the halter wherewith I was tied, and flinging my heeles hither and thither to +save my selfe, at length I ran hastily into a Parlour, where the Master of the +house was feasting with the Priests of the goddesse Syria, and disquieted all +the company, throwing downe their meats and drinks from the table. The Master +of the house dismayed at my great disorder, commanded one of his servants to +take me up, and locke me in some strong place, to the end I might disturb them +no more. But I little regarded my imprisonment, considering that I was happily +delivered from the hands of the traiterous Cooke. Howbeit fortune, or the +fatall disposition of the divine providence, which neither can be avoided by +wise 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, and +declared to the Master of the house, that there was a madde Dog running about +in the streetes, which had done much harme, for he had bitten many grey hounds +and horses in the Inne by: And he spared neither man nor beast. For there was +one Mitilius a Mulettour, Epheseus, a Cooke, Hyppanius a chamberlaine, and +Appolonius a Physition, who (thinking to chase away the madde Dogge) were +cruelly wounded by him, insomuch that many Horses and other beasts infected +with the venyme of his poysonous teeth became madde likewise. Which thing +caused them all at the table greatly to feare, and thinking that I had beene +bitten in like sort, came out with speares, Clubs, and Pitchforks purposing to +slay me, and I had undoubtedly beene slaine, had I not by and by crept into the +Chamber, where my Master intended to lodge all night. Then they closed and +locked fast the doores about me, and kept the chamber round, till such time as +they thought that the pestilent rage of madnesse had killed me. When I was thus +shutte 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 the +meane season, they which were appointed to watch about the chamber all night, +reasoned with themselves in this sort, Verely (quoth one) I think that this +rude Asse be dead. So think I (quoth another) for the outragious poyson of +madness hath killed him, but being thus in divers opinions of a poore Ass, they +looked through a crevis, and espied me standing still, sober and quiet in the +middle of the chamber; then they opened the doores, and came towards me, to +prove whether I were gentle or no. Amongst whom there was one, which in my +opinion, was sent from Heaven to save my life, that willed the other to set a +bason of faire water before me, and thereby they would know whether I were mad +or no, for if I did drinke without feare as I accustomed to do, it was a signe +that I was whole, and in mine Assie wits, where contrary if I did flie and +abhorre the tast of the water, it was evident proofe of my madness, which thing +he said that he had read in ancient and credible books, whereupon they tooke a +bason of cleere water, and presented it before me: but I as soone as I +perceived the wholesome water of my life, ran incontinently, thrusting my head +into the bason, drank as though I had beene greatly athirst; then they stroked +me with their hands, and bowed mine eares, and tooke me by the halter, to prove +my patience, but I taking each thing in good part, disproved their mad +presumption, by my meeke and gentle behaviour: when I was thus delivered from +this 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 to +beg in the villages which we passed by according to our custome. And after that +we had gone through a few towns and Castles, we fortuned to come to a certaine +village, which was builded (as the inhabitants there affirme) upon the +foundation of a famous ancient Citie. And after that we had turned into the +next Inne, we heard of a prettie jest committed in the towne there, which I +would that you should know likewise. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0050" id="link2H_4_0050"></a> +THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +Of the deceipt of a Woman which made her husband Cuckold. +</p> + +<p> +There was a man dwelling in the towne very poore, that had nothing but that +which he got by the labour and travell of his hands: his wife was a faire young +woman, 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 morning +to the field about his businesse, according as he accustomed to doe, his wives +lover secretly came into his house to have his pleasure with her. And so it +chanced that during the time that shee and he were basking together, her +husband suspecting no such matter, returned home praising the chast continency +of his wife, in that hee found his doores fast closed, wherefore as his custome +was, he whistled to declare his comming. Then his crafty wife ready with +shifts, caught her lover and covered him under a great tub standing in a +corner, and therewithall she opened the doore, blaming her husband in this +sort: Commest thou home every day with empty hands, and bringest nothing to +maintaine our house? thou hast no regard for our profit, neither providest for +any meate or drinke, whereas I poore wretch doe nothing day and night but +occupie my selfe with spinning, and yet my travell will scarce find the Candels +which we spend. O how much more happy is my neighbour Daphne, that eateth and +drinketh at her pleasure and passeth the time with her amorous lovers according +to her desire. What is the matter (quoth her husband) though Our Master hath +made holiday at the fields, yet thinke not but I have made provision for our +supper; doest thou not see this tub that keepeth a place here in our house in +vaine, and doth us no service? Behold I have sold it to a good fellow (that is +here present) for five pence, wherefore I pray thee lend me thy hand, that I +may deliver him the tub. His wife (having invented a present shift) laughed on +her husband, saying: What marchant I pray you have you brought home hither, to +fetch away my tub for five pence, for which I poore woman that sit all day +alone in my house have beene proffered so often seaven: her husband being well +apayed of her words demanded what he was that had bought the tub: Looke (quoth +she) he is gone under, to see where it be sound or no: then her lover which was +under the tub, began to stirre and rustle himselfe, and because his words might +agree 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 to +her husband sayd: I pray you honest man light a Candle, that I may make cleane +the tub within, to see if it be for my purpose or no, for I doe not mind to +cast away my money wilfully: he by and by (being made a very Oxe) lighted a +candle, 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 meane +season this minion lover cast his wife on the bottome of the tub and had his +pleasure 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 and +with that, till as they had both ended their businesse, when as he delivered +seaven pence for the tub, and caused the good man himselfe to carry it on his +backe againe to his Inne. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0051" id="link2H_4_0051"></a> +THE THIRTY-NINTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How the Priests of the goddesse Siria were taken and put in prison, and how +Apuleius was sold to a Baker. +</p> + +<p> +After that we had tarried there a few dayes at the cost and charges of the +whole Village, and had gotten much mony by our divination and prognostication +of things to come: The priests of the goddesse Siria invented a new meanes to +picke mens purses, for they had certaine lotts, whereon were written: +</p> + +<p> +Coniuncti terram proscindunt boves ut in futurum loeta germinent sata +</p> + +<p> +That is to say: The Oxen tied and yoked together, doe till the ground to the +intent it may bring forth his increase: and by these kind of lottes they +deceive many of the simple sort, for if one had demanded whether he should have +a good wife or no, they would say that his lot did testifie the same, that he +should be tyed and yoked to a good woman and have increase of children. If one +demanded whether he should buy lands and possession, they said that he should +have much ground that should yeeld his increase. If one demanded whether he +should have a good and prosperous voyage, they said he should have good +successe, and it should be for the increase of his profit. If one demanded +whether 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 pursuits +after theeves should be prosperous. Thus by the telling of fortunes, they +gathered a great quantity of money, but when they were weary with giving of +answers, they drave me away before them next night, through a lane which was +more dangerous and stony then the way which we went the night before, for on +the one side were quagmires and foggy marshes, on the other side were falling +trenches and ditches, whereby my legges failed me, in such sort that I could +scarce come to the plaine field pathes. And behold by and by a great company of +inhabitants of the towne armed with weapons and on horsebacke overtooke us, and +incontinently arresting Philebus and his Priests, tied them by the necks and +beate them cruelly, calling them theeves and robbers, and after they had +manacled their hands: Shew us (quoth they) the cup of gold, which (under the +colour of your solemne religion) ye have taken away, and now ye thinke to +escape in the night without punishment for your fact. By and by one came +towards 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 evident +and plaine they would not be confounded nor abashed, but jesting and laughing +out the matter, gan say: Is it reason masters that you should thus rigorously +intreat us, and threaten for a small trifling cup, which the mother of the +Goddesse determined to give to her sister for a present? Howbeit for all their +lyes and cavellations, they were carryed backe unto the towne, and put in +prison by the Inhabitants, who taking the cup of gold, and the goddesse which I +bare, did put and consecrate them amongst the treasure of the temple. The next +day I was carryed to the market to be sold, and my price was set at seaven +pence more then Philebus gave for me. There fortuned to passe by a Baker of the +next village, who after that he had bought a great deale of corne, bought me +likewise to carry it home, and when he had well laded me therewith, be drave me +through a thorny and dangerous way to his bake house; there I saw a great +company of horses that went in the mill day and night grinding of corne, but +lest I should be discouraged at the first, my master entertained me well, for +the first day I did nothing but fare daintily, howbeit such mine ease and +felicity did not long endure, for the next day following I was tyed to the mill +betimes in the morning with my face covered, to the end in turning amid winding +so often one way, I should not become giddy, but keepe a certaine course, but +although when I was a man I had seen many such horsemills and knew well enough +how 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 the +mill as an Asse unapt, and put to some other light thing, or else to be driven +into the fields to pasture, but my subtility did me small good, for by and by +when the mill stood still, the servants came about me, crying and beating me +forward, in such sort that I could not stay to advise my selfe, whereby all the +company laughed to see so suddaine a change. When a good part of the day was +past, that I was not able to endure any longer, they tooke off my harnesse, and +tied me to the manger, but although my bones were weary, and that I needed to +refresh my selfe with rest and provender, yet I was so curious that I did +greatly delight to behold the bakers art, insomuch that I could not eate nor +drinke while I looked on. +</p> + +<p> +O good Lord what a sort of poore slaves were there; some had their skinne +blacke and blew, some had their backes striped with lashes, some were covered +with rugged sackes, some had their members onely hidden: some wore such ragged +clouts, that you might perceive all their naked bodies, some were marked and +burned in the heads with hot yrons, some had their haire halfe clipped, some +had lockes of their legges, some very ugly and evill favoured, that they could +scarce see, their eyes and face were so blacke and dimme with smoake, like +those that fight in the sands, and know not where they strike by reason of +dust: And some had their faces all mealy. But how should I speake of the horses +my companions, how they being old and weake, thrust their heads into the +manger: they had their neckes all wounded and worne away: they rated their +nosethrilles with a continuall cough, their sides were bare with their harnesse +and great travell, their ribs were broken with beating, their hooves were +battered broad with incessant labour, and their skinne rugged by reason of +their lancknesse. When I saw this dreadfull sight, I began to feare, least I +should come to the like state: and considering with my selfe the good fortune +which I was sometime in when I was a man, I greatly lamented, holding downe my +head, and would eate no meate, but I saw no comfort or consolation of my evill +fortune, saving that my mind was somewhat recreated to heare and understand +what every man said, for they neither feared nor doubted my presence. At that +time I remembred how Homer the divine author of ancient Poetry, described him +to be a wise man, which had travelled divers countries and nations, wherefore I +gave great thanks to my Asse for me, in that by this meanes I had seene the +experience of many things, and was become more wise (notwithstanding the great +misery 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 delighted +in hearing the same. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0052" id="link2H_4_0052"></a> +THE FORTIETH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was handled by the Bakers wife, which was a harlot. +</p> + +<p> +The Baker which bought me was an honest and sober man; but his wife was the +most pestilent woman in all the world, insomuch that he endured many miseries +and afflictions with her, so that I my selfe did secretly pitty his estate, and +bewaile his evill fortune: for she had not one fault alone, but all the +mischiefes that could be devised: shee was crabbed, cruell, lascivious, +drunken, obstinate, niggish, covetous, riotous in filthy expenses, and an enemy +to faith and chastity, a despise of all the Gods, whom other did honour, one +that affirmed that she had a God by her selfe, wherby she deceived all men, but +especially her poore husband, one that abandoned her body with continuall +whoredome. This mischievous queane hated me in such sort, that shee commanded +every day before she was up, that I should be put into the mill to grind: and +the first thing which she would doe in the morning, was to see me cruelly +beaten, 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 her +conversation and life, for I saw oftentimes a yong man which would privily goe +into her chamber whose face I did greatly desire to see, but I could not by +reason mine eyes were covered every day. And verily if I had beene free and at +liberty, I would have discovered all her abhomination. She had an old woman, a +bawd, a messenger of mischiefe that daily haunted to her house, and made good +cheere with her to the utter undoing and impoverishment of her husband, but I +that was greatly offended with the negligence of Fotis, who made me an Asse, in +stead of a Bird, did yet comfort my selfe by this onely meane, in that to the +miserable deformity of my shape, I had long eares, whereby I might heare all +things that was done: On a day I heard the old bawd say to the Bakers wife: +</p> + +<p> +Dame you have chosen (without my counsell) a young man to your lover, who as me +seemeth, is dull, fearefull, without any grace, and dastard-like coucheth at +the frowning looke of your odious husband, whereby you have no delight nor +pleasure with him: how farre better is the young man Philesiterus who is +comely, beautifull, in the flower of his youth, liberall, courteous, valiant +and stout against the diligent pries and watches of your husband, whereby to +embrace the worthiest dames of this country, and worthy to weare a crowne of +gold, 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 you +not one Barbarus a Senator of our towne, whom the vulgar people call likewise +Scorpion for his severity of manners? This Barbarus had a gentlewoman to his +wife, whom he caused daily to be enclosed within his house, with diligent +custody. Then the Bakers wife said, I know her very well, for we two dwelleth +together in one house: Then you know (quoth the old woman) the whole tale of +Philesiterus? No verily (said she) but I greatly desire to know it: therefore I +pray you mother tell me the whole story. By and by the old woman which knew +well to babble, began to tell as followeth. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0053" id="link2H_4_0053"></a> +THE FORTY-FIRST CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Barbarus being jealous over his wife, commanded that shee should be kept +close in his house, and what happened. +</p> + +<p> +You shall understand that on a day this Barbarus preparing himselfe to ride +abroad, 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 proved +in many things) and secretly committed to him the custody of his wife, willing +him that he should threaten, that if any man did but touch her with his finger +as he passed by, he would not onely put him in prison, and bind him hand and +foote, but also cause him to be put to death, or else to be famished for lacke +of 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 of +his masters threatnings, would not suffer his mistresse to goe abroad, but as +she sate all day a Spinning, he was so carefull that he sate by her; when night +came he went with her to the baines, holding her by the garment, so faithfull +he was to fulfill the commandement of his master: Howbeit the beauty of this +matron could not be hidden from the burning eyes of Philesiterus, who +considering her great chastity and how she was diligently kept by Myrmex, +thought it impossible to have his purpose, yet (indeavouring by all kind of +meanes to enterprise the matter, and remembring the fragility of man, that +might be intised and corrupted with money, since as by gold the adamant gates +may 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) with +assurance that he need not to feare when as he might privily be let in and out +in the night, without knowledge of any person. When he thought, with these and +other gentle words to allure and prick forward the obstinate mind of Myrmex he +shewed him glittering gold in his hand, saying that he would give his mistresse +twenty crowns and him ten, but Myrmex hearing these words, was greatly +troubled, abhorring in his mind to commit such a mischiefe: wherfore he stopped +his eares, and turning his head departed away: howbeit the glittering view of +these crownes could never be out of his mind, but being at home he seemed to +see the money before his eyes, which was so worthy a prey, wherefore poore +Myrmex being in divers opinions could not tell what to doe, for on the one side +he considered the promise which he made to his master, and the punishment that +should ensue if he did contrary. On the other side he thought of the gaine, and +the passing pleasure of the crownes of gold; in the end the desire of the money +did more prevaile then the feare of death, for the beauty of the flowrishing +crownes did so sticke in his mind, that where the menaces of his master +compelled him to tarry at home, the pestilent avarice of gold egged him out a +doores, wherefore putting all shame aside, without further delay, he declared +all 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 intent +of his Mistresse, was very glad, and for great desire of the gold, he ran +hastily to Philesiterus, declaring that his Mistresse was consented to his +mind, wherefore he demanded the gold which he promised. Then incontinently +Philesiterus delivered him tenne Crownes, and when night came, Myrmex brought +him disguised into his mistresses Chamber. About Midnight when he and she were +naked together, making sacrifice unto the Goddesse Venus, behold her husband +(contrary to their expectation) came and knocked at the doore, calling with a +loud voice to his Servant Myrmex: whose long tarrying increased the suspition +of his Master, in such sort that he threatned to beat Myrmex cruelly: but he +being troubled with feare, and driven to his latter shifts, excused the matter +saying: that he could not find the key: by reason it was so darke. In the meane +season Philesiterus hearing the noise at the doore, slipt on his coat and +privily ran out of the Chamber. When Myrmex had opened the doore to his Master +that threatned terribly, and had let him in, he went into the Chamber to his +wife: In the mean while Myrmex let out Philesiterus, and barred the doores +fast, and went againe to bed. The next morning when Barbarus awaked, he +perceived two unknown slippers lying under his bed, which Philesiterus had +forgotten when he went away. Then he conceived a great suspition and jealousie +in mind, howbeit he would not discover it to his wife, neither to any other +person, but putting secretly the slippers into his bosome, commanded his other +Servants to bind Myrmex incontinently, and to bring him bound to the Justice +after him, thinking verily that by the meane of the slippers he might boult out +the matter. It fortuned that while Barbarus went towards the Justice in a fury +and rage, and Myrmex fast bound, followed him weeping, not because he was +accused before his master, but by reason he knew his owne conscience guilty: +behold by adventure Philesiterus (going about earnest businesse) fortuned to +meet with them by the way, who fearing the matter which he committed the night +before, and doubting lest it should be knowne, did suddainly invent a meane to +excuse 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 good +deed if the Goddesse and thy master here, would put thee to death, for thou art +worthy to be imprisoned and to weare out these yrons, that stalest my slippers +away when thou werest at my baines yester night. Barbarus hearing this returned +incontinently home, and called his servant Myrmex, commanding him to deliver +the slippers againe to the right owner. +</p> + +<p> +The old woman had scant finished her tale when the Bakers wife gan say: Verily +she 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 not +onely afraid of my husband but also of every clap of the mill, and dares not +doe nothing, before the blind face of yonder scabbed Asse. Then the old woman +answered, I promise you certainly if you will, you shall have this young man at +your pleasure, and therewithall when night came, she departed out of her +chamber. In the meane season, the Bakers wife made ready a supper with +abundance of wine and exquisite fare: so that there lacked nothing, but the +comming of the young man, for her husband supped at one of her neighbours +houses. When time came that my harnesse should be taken off and that I should +rest my selfe, I was not so joyfull of my liberty, as when the vaile was taken +from 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 young +man, who seemed to be but a child, by reason he had no beard, came to the +doore. Then the Bakers wife kissed him a thousand times and received him +courteously, placed him downe at the table: but he had scarce eaten the first +morsell, 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 meane +season, she caught her lover and thrust him into the bin where she bolted her +flower, and dissembling the matter, finely came to her husband demanding why he +came home so soone. I could not abide (quoth he) to see so great a mischiefe +and wicked fact, which my neighbours wife committed, but I must run away: O +harlot as she is, how hath she dishonoured her husband, I sweare by the +goddesse Ceres, that if I had [not] seene it with mine eyes, I would never I +have beleeved it. His wife desirous to know the matter, desired him to tell +what she had done: then hee accorded to the request of his wife, and ignorant +of the estate of his own house, declared the mischance of another. You shall +understand (quoth he) that the wife of the Fuller my companion, who seemed to +me 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, hee +and 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 to +make them white with the smoake of fume and brymstone. Then she sate down with +us at the table to colour the matter: in the meane season the young man covered +in the mow, could not forbeare sneesing, by reason of the smoake of the +brymstone. 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 to +know who it was, rose from the table, and went to the mow, where hee found a +young man welnigh dead with smoke. When hee understood the whole matter, he was +so inflamed with anger that he called for a sword to kill him, and undoubtedly +he 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, without +the harme which he should doe. Howbeit my words would not appease his fury, but +as necessity required he tooke the young man well nigh choked, and carried him +out at the doores. In the meane season, I counsailed his wife to absent her +selfe at some of her Neighbours houses, till the choller of her husband was +pacified, 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 Baker +had told his tale, his impudent wife began to curse and abhorre the wife of the +Fuller, and generally all other wives, which abandon their bodies with any +other 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 owne +guilty conscience and proper whoredome, lest her lover should be hurt lying in +the 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 to +maugre her eies, to set such things on the Table as she had prepared for her +lover. +</p> + +<p> +But I, considering the great mischiefe of this wicked queane, devised with my +selfe how I might reveale the matter to my Master, and by kicking away the +cover of the binne (where like a Snaile the young-man was couched) to make her +whoredome 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 me +poore Asse, and the other Horses the same time to the water to drinke; then had +I good occasion ministred, to revenge the injury of my master, for as I passed +by, I perceived the fingers of the young-man upon the side of the binne, and +lifting 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 the +ground, and so the whoredome of the Bakers wife was knowne and revealed. The +Baker seeing this was not a little moved at the dishonesty of his wife, but hee +tooke the young-man trembling for feare by the hand, and with cold and +courteous words spake in this sort: Feare not my Sonne, nor thinke that I am so +barbarous or cruell a person, that I would stiffle thee up with the smoke of +Sulphur as our neighbour accustometh, nor I will not punish thee according to +the rigour of the law of Julia, which commandeth the Adulterers should be put +to death: No no, I will not execute my cruelty against so faire and comely a +young man as you be, but we will devide our pleasure betweene us, by lying all +three 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 wife +in such tranquillity, that according to the saying of the wisemen, whatsoever I +say, she holdeth for law, and indeed equity will not suffer, but that the +husband should beare more authority then the wife: with these and like words he +led the young-man to his Chamber, and closed his wife in another Chamber. On +the next morrow, he called two of the most sturdiest Servants of his house, who +held up the young man, while he scourged his buttockes welfavouredly with rods +like a child. When he had well beaten him, he said: Art not thou ashamed, thou +that art so tender and delicate a child, to desire the violation of honest +marriages, and to defame thy selfe with wicked living, whereby thou hast gotten +the name of an Adulterer? After he had spoken these and like words, he whipped +him againe, and chased him out of his house. The young-man who was the +comeliest of all the adulterers, ran away, and did nothing else that night save +onely bewaile his striped and painted buttockes. Soone after the Baker sent one +to his wife, who divorced her away in his name, but she beside her owne +naturall mischiefe, (offended at this great contumely, though she had worthily +deserved the same) had recourse to wicked arts and trumpery, never ceasing +untill she had found out an Enchantresse, who (as it was thought) could doe +what she would with her Sorcery and conjuration. The Bakers wife began to +intreate her, promising that she would largely recompence her, if shee could +bring one of these things to passe, eyther to make that her husband may be +reconciled to her againe, or else if hee would not agree thereto, to send an +ill spirit into him, to dispossesse the spirit of her husband. Then the witch +with her abhominable science, began to conjure and to make her Ceremonies, to +turne the heart of the Baker to his wife, but all was in vaine, wherefore +considering on the one side that she could not bring her purpose to passe, and +on 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, being +an Asse, and tyed alwayes in the mill house, could know the secrets of these +women: Verily I answer, notwithstanding my shape of an Asse, I had the sence +and knowledge of a man, and curiously endeavoured to know out such injuries as +were done to my master. About noone there came a woman into the Milhouse, very +sorrowfull, raggedly attired, with bare feete, meigre, ill-favoured, and her +hayre scattering upon her face: This woman tooke the Baker by the hand, and +faining that she had some secret matter to tell him, went into a chamber, where +they remained a good space, till all the corne was ground, when as the servants +were compelled to call their master to give them more corne, but when they had +called very often, and no person gave answer, they began to mistrust, insomuch +that they brake open the doore: when they were come in, they could not find the +woman, but onely their master hanging dead upon a rafter of the chamber, +whereupon they cryed and lamented greatly, and according to the custome, when +they had washed themselves, they tooke the body and buried it. The next day +morrow, the daughter of the Baker, which was married but a little before to one +of the next Village, came crying and beating her breast, not because she heard +of the death of her father by any man, but because his lamentable spirit, with +a halter about his necke appeared to her in the night, declaring the whole +circumstance 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 had +lamented 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 away +all the substance of the house, whereby the goods chanced into divers mens +hands. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0054" id="link2H_4_0054"></a> +THE FORTY-SECOND CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius after the Baker was hanged, was sold to a Gardener, and what +dreadfull things happened. +</p> + +<p> +There was a poore Gardener amongst the rest, which bought me for the summe of +fifty pence, which seemed to him a great price, but he thought to gayne it +againe by the continuall travell of my body. The matter requireth to tell +likewise, how I was handled in his service. This Gardener accustomed to drive +me, every morning laded with hearbes to the next Village, and when he had sold +his hearbes, hee would mount upon my backe and returne to the Garden, and while +he digged the ground and watered the hearbes, and went about other businesse, I +did nothing but repose my selfe with great ease, but when Winter approached +with sharpe haile, raine and frosts, and I standing under a hedge side, was +welnigh killed up with cold, and my master was so poore that he had no lodging +for himselfe, much lesse had he any littor or place to cover me withall, for he +himselfe alwayes lay under a little roofe shadowed with boughes. In the morning +when I arose, I found my hoofes shriveled together with cold, and unable to +passe upon the sharpe ice, and frosty mire, neither could I fill my belly with +meate, as I accustomed to doe, for my master and I supped together, and had +both one fare: howbeit it was very slender since as wee had nothing else saving +old and unsavoury sallets which were suffered to grow for seed, like long +broomes, and that had lost all their sweet sappe and juice. +</p> + +<p> +It fortuned on a day that an honest man of the next village was benighted and +constrained by reason of the rain to lodge (very lagged and weary) in our +Garden, where although he was but meanely received, yet it served well enough +considering time and necessity. This honest man to recompence our +entertainment, promised to give my master some corne, oyle, and two bottels of +wine: wherefore my master not delaying the matter, laded me with sackes and +bottels, and rode to the Towne which was seaven miles off. +</p> + +<p> +When we came to the honest mans house, he entertained and feasted my master +exceedingly. And it fortuned while they eate and dranke together as signe of +great amity there chanced a strange and dreadfull case: for there was a Hen +which ran kackling about the yard, as though she would have layed an Egge. The +good man of the house perceiving her, said: O good and profitable pullet that +feedest us every day with thy fruit, thou seemest as though thou wouldest give +us some pittance for our dinner: Ho boy put the Pannier in the corner that the +Hen may lay. Then the boy did as his master commanded, but the Hen forsaking +the Pannier, came toward her master and laid at his feet not an Egge, which +every man knoweth, but a Chickin with feathers, clawes, and eyes, which +incontinently ran peeping after his damme. By and by happened a more strange +thing, 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 time +while they wondred at this dreadfull sight one of the Servants came running out +of the Seller, and told that all the wine was boyled out of the vessels, as +though there had beene some great fire under. By and by a Weasel was scene that +drew into the house a dead Serpent, and out of the mouth of a Shepheards dog +leaped a live frog, and immediately after one brought word that a Ram had +strangled the same dog at one bit. All these things that happened, astonied the +good man of the house, and the residue that were present, insomuch that they +could not tell what to doe, or with what sacrifice to appease the anger of the +gods. While every man was thus stroken in feare, behold, one brought word to +the good man of the house, that his three sonnes who had been brought up in +good literature, and endued with good manners were dead, for they three had +great acquaintance and ancient amity with a poore man which was their +neighbour, and dwelled hard by them: and next unto him dwelled another young +man very rich both in lands and goods, but bending from the race of his +progenies dissentions, and ruling himselfe in the towne according to his owne +will. This young royster did mortally hate this poore man, insomuch that he +would kill his sheepe, steale his oxen, and spoyle his corne and other fruits +before the time of ripenesse, yet was he not contented with this, but he would +encroch 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 taken +away by the avarice of the rich man, called together and assembled many of his +friends to shew them all his land, to the end he might have but so much ground +of his fathers heritage, as might bury him. Amongst whom, he found these three +brethren, as friends to helpe and ayd him in his adversity and tribulation. +</p> + +<p> +Howbeit, the presence of these honest Citizens, could in no wise perswade him +to 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 more +would he fret and likewise fume, swearing all the oathes under God, that he +little regarded the presence of the whole City, whereupon incontinently he +commanded his servants to take the poore man by the eares, and carry him out of +his ground, which greatly offended all the standers by. Then one of the +brethren spake unto him somewhat boldly, saying: It is but a folly to have such +affiance 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 suppresse +your insolency. These words chafed him more then the burning oile, or flaming +brimstone, or scourge of whipps, saying: that they should be hanged and their +law too, before he would be subject unto any person: and therewithall he called +out his bandogges and great masties, which accustomed to eate the carrion and +carkases of dead beasts in the fields, and to set upon such as passed by the +way: then he commanded they should be put upon all the assistance to teare them +in peeces: who as soone as they heard the hisse of their master, ran fiercely +upon them invading them on every side, insomuch that the more they flied to +escape away, the more cruell and terrible were the dogges. It fortuned amongst +all this fearefull company, that in running, the youngest of the three brethren +stombled at a stone, and fell down to the ground: Then the dogs came upon him +and tare him in peeces with their teeth, whereby he was compelled to cry for +succour: His other two brethren hearing his lamentable voice ran towards him to +helpe him, casting their cloakes about their left armes, tooke up stones to +chase away the dogs, but all was in vaine, for they might see their brother +dismembred 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: And +therewithall he gave up the ghost. The other two brethren perceiving so great +a murther, and neglecting their owne lives, like desperate persons dressed +themselves against the tyrant, and threw a great number of stones at him, but +the bloudy theefe exercised in such and like mischiefes, tooke a speare and +thrust it cleane through the body: howbeit he fell not downe to the ground. For +the 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 to +helpe his master, who at the first comming tooke up a stone and threw at the +third 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 man +feigning that his arme was greatly wounded, spake these words unto the cruell +bloud sucker: Now maist thou, thou wretch, triumph upon the destruction of all +our family, now hast thou fed thy insatiable cruelty with the bloud of three +brethren, now maist thou rejoyce at the fall of us Citizens, yet thinke not but +that how farre thou dost remove and extend the bounds of thy land, thou shalt +have some neighbor, but how greatly am I sorry in that I have lost mine arme +wherewithall I minded to cut off thy head. When he had spoken these words, the +furious theefe drew out his dagger, and running upon the young man thought +verily to have slaine him, but it chanced otherwise: For the young man resisted +him stoutly, and in buckling together by violence wrested the dagger out of his +hand: which done, he killed the rich theefe with his owne weapon, and to the +intent the young man would escape the hands of the servants which came running +to assist their master, with the same dagger he cut his owne throat. These +things were signified by the strange and dreadfull wondres which fortuned in +the house of the good man, who after he had heard these sorrowfull tydings +could in no wise weepe, so farre was he stroken with dolour, but presently +taking his knife wherewith he cut his cheese and other meate before, he cut his +owne throat likewise, in such sort that he fell upon the bord and imbraced the +table with the streames of his blond, in most miserable manner. Hereby was my +master the Gardener deprived of his hope, and paying for his dinner the watry +teares of his eyes, mounted upon my backe and so we went homeward the same way +as wee came. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0055" id="link2H_4_0055"></a> +THE FORTY-THIRD CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was found by his shadow. +</p> + +<p> +As wee passed by the way wee met with a tall souldier (for so his habite and +countenance declared) who with proud and arrogant words spake to my master in +this sort: +</p> + +<p> +Quorsum vacuum ducis Asinum? +</p> + +<p> +My master somewhat astonied at the strange sights which he saw before, and +ignorant of the Latine tongue, roade on and spake never a word: The souldier +unable to refraine his insolence, and offended at his silence, strake him on +the shoulders as he sate on my backe; then my master gently made answer that he +understood 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 (quoth +the souldier) have need of his helpe, to carry the trusses of our Captaine from +yonder Castle, and therewithall he tooke me by the halter and would violently +have taken me away: but my master wiping away the blood of the blow which he +received of the souldier, desired him gently and civilly to take some pitty +upon him, and to let him depart with his owne, swearing and affirming that his +slow Asse, welnigh dead with sicknesse, could scarce carry a few handfuls of +hearbs 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 his +staffe to cleave my masters head, my master fell down at his feete, under +colour to move him to some pitty, but when he saw his time, he tooke the +souldier 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, that +he could not turne and defend himselfe, but onely threaten that if ever he +rose, 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 it +away, he knockt and beate him more cruelly then he did before, insomuch that +the souldier could not tell by what meanes to save himselfe, but by feining +that 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 declared +all the whole matter, desiring him to save his life and to hide himselfe and +his Asse in some secret place, untill such time as all danger were past. Then +his friends not forgetting the ancient amity betweene them, entertained him +willingly and drew me up a paire of staires into a chamber, my master crept +into a chest, and lay there with the cover closed fast: The souldier (as I +afterwards learned) rose up as one awaked from a drunken sleepe, but he could +scarce goe by reason of his wounds: howbeit at length by little and little +through ayd of his staffe he came to the towne, but hee would not declare the +matter to any person nor complaine to any justice, lest he should be accused of +cowardise or dastardnesse, yet in the end he told some of his companions of all +the matter that happened: then they tooke him and caused him to be closed in +some secret place, thinking that beside the injury which he had received, he +should be accused of the breach of his faith, by reason of the losse of his +speare, and when they had learned the signes of my master, they went to search +him out: at last there was an unfaithfull neighbour that told them where he +was, then incontinently the souldiers went to the Justice declaring that they +had lost by the way a silver goblet of their Captaines, and that a Gardener had +found it, who refusing to deliver the goblet, was hidden in one of his friends +houses: by and by the Magistrates understanding the losse of the Captaine, came +to the doores where we were, commanded our host to deliver my master upon paine +of death: howbeit these threatnings could not enforce him to confesse that he +was within his doores, but by reason of his faithfull promise and for the +safeguard 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 the +verity of the matter, the Magistrates commanded their Seargants and ministers +to search every corner of the house, but when they could find neither Gardener +nor Asse, there was a great contention betweene the souldiers and our Host, for +they sayd we were within the house: and he said no, but I that was very curious +to know the matter, when I heard so great a noyse, put my head out of the +window to learne what the stirre and tumult did signifie. It fortuned that one +of the souldiers perceived my shadow, whereupon he began to cry, saying: that +hee had certainly seene me; then they were all glad and came up into the +chamber, and pulled me downe like a prisoner. When they had found mee, they +doubted nothing of the Gardener, but seeking about more narrowly, at length +they found him couched in a chest. And so they brought out the poore gardener +to the Justices, who was committed immediately to prison, but they could never +forbeare laughing from the time they found me by my shadow, wherefore is risen +a common Proverbe: “The shadow of the Asse.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0056" id="link2H_4_0056"></a> +THE TENTH BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0057" id="link2H_4_0057"></a> +THE FORTY-FOURTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How the souldier drave Apuleius away, and how he came to a Captaines house, and +what happened there. +</p> + +<p> +The next day how my master the Gardener sped, I knew not, but the gentle +souldier, who was well beaten for his cowardise, lead me to his lodging without +the 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 helmet +that shined exceedingly: On the other side a Target that glistered more a +thousand folde. And on the top of my burthen he put a long speare, which things +he placed thus gallantly, not because he was so expert in warre (for the +Gardener proved the contrary) but to the end he might feare those which passed +by, when they saw such a similitude of warre. When we had gone a good part of +our journey, over the plaine and easie fields, we fortuned to come to a little +towne, where we lodged at a certaine Captaines house. And there the souldier +tooke 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 few +dayes, I understood of a wicked and mischievous fact committed there, which I +have put in writing to the end you may know the same. The master of the house +had 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 mother +dyed, and when his father married a new wife, and had another child of the age +of xii. yeares. The stepdame was more excellent in beauty then honesty: for she +loved this young man her sonne in law, either because she was unchast by +nature, or because she was enforced by fate of stepmother, to commit so great a +mischiefe. 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 easily +resist her desire and inordinate appetite by reason of shame and feare, lest +her intent should be knowne: But after it compassed and burned every part of +her brest, she was compelled to yeeld unto the raging flame of Cupid, and under +colour of the disease and infirmity of her body, to conceale the wound of her +restlesse mind. Every man knoweth well the signes and tokens of love, and the +malady convenient to the same: Her countenance was pale, her eyes sorrowfull, +her knees weake, and there was no comfort in her, but continuall weeping and +sobbing, insomuch that you would have thought that she had some spice of an +ague, saving that she wept unmeasurably: the Phisitians knew not her disease, +when they felt the beating of her veines, the intemperance of her heart, the +sobbing sighes, and her often tossing of every side: No, no, the cunning +Phisitian knew it not, but a scholler of Venus Court might easily conjecture +the whole. After that she had beene long time tormented in her affliction, and +was no more able to conceale her ardent desire, shee caused her sonne to be +called 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 and +modest countenance, came into the chamber of his stepdame, the mother of his +brother, 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 man +suspecting no ill, with humble courtesie demanded the cause of her present +disease. Then she having found an occasion to utter her intent, with weeping +eyes 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 onely +health, for those thy comely eyes are so enfastned within my brest, that +unlesse they succour me, I shall certainly die: Have pitty therefore upon me, +be not the occasion of my destruction, neither let my conscience reclaime to +offend thy father, when as thou shalt save the life of thy mother. Moreover +since thou dost resemble thy fathers shape in every point, it giveth me cause +the more to fancy thee: Now is ministred unto thee time and place: Now hast +thou occasion to worke thy will, seeing that we are alone. And it is a common +saying: +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +Never knowne, never done. +</p> + +<p> +This young man troubled in mind at so suddaine an ill, although hee abhorred to +commit so beastly a crime, yet hee would not cast her off with a present +deniall, but warily pacified her mind with delay of promise. Wherefore he +promised to doe all according to her desire: And in the meane season, he willed +his mother to be of good cheere, and comfort her selfe till as he might find +some convenient time to come unto her, when his father was ridden forth: +Wherewithall hee got him away from the pestilent sight of his stepdame. And +knowing that this matter touching the ruine of all the whole house needed the +counsell of wise and grave persons, he went incontinently to a sage old man and +declared the whole circumstance of the matter. The old man after long +deliberation, thought there was no better way to avoyd the storme of cruell +fortune to come, then to run away. In the meane season this wicked woman +impatient of her love, and the long delay of her sonne, egged her husband to +ride abroad into farre countreyes. And then she asked the young-man the +accomplishment of his promise, but he to rid himselfe entirely from her hands, +would find alwayes excuses, till in the end she understood by the messengers +that came in and out, that he nothing regarded her. Then she by how much she +loved him before, by so much and more she hated him now. And by and by she +called one of her servants, ready to all mischiefes: To whom she declared all +her secrets. And there it was concluded betweene them two, that the surest way +was to kill the young man: Whereupon this varlet went incontinently to buy +poyson, which he mingled with wine, to the intent he would give it to the young +man to drinke, and thereby presently to kill him. But while they were in +deliberation how they might offer it unto him, behold here happened a strange +adventure. 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 ignorant +of the venim, dranke a good draught thereof, which was prepared to kill his +brother: whereby he presently fell downe to the ground dead. His schoolemaster +seeing his suddaine change, called his mother, and all the servants of the +house with a lowd voyce. Incontinently every man declared his opinion, touching +the death of the child: but the cruell woman the onely example of stepmothers +malice, was nothing moved by the bitter death of her sonne, or by her owne +conscience of paracide, or by the misfortune of her house, or by the dolour of +her husband, but rather devised the destruction of all her family. For by and +by shee sent a messenger after her husband to tell him the great misfortune +which happened after his departure. And when he came home, the wicked woman +declared that his sonne had empoysoned his brother, because he would not +consent to his will, and told him divers other leasings, adding in the end that +hee threatned to kill her likewise, because she discovered the fact: Then the +unhappy 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 the +other 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 further +occasion to hate his sonne more deadly; but the funerals of his younger sonne +were scarce finished, when the old man the father with weeping eyes even at the +returne from the grave, went to the Justice and accused his sonne of the +slaughter of his brother, and how he threatned to slay his wife, whereby the +rather at his weeping and lamentation, he moved all the Magistrates and people +to pitty, insomuch that without any delay, or further inquisition they cryed +all that hee should be stoned to death, but the Justices fearing a farther +inconvenience to arise by the particular vengeance, and to the end there might +fortune no sedition amongst the people, prayed the decurions and other Officers +of the City, that they might proceed by examination of witnesses, and with +order of justice according to the ancient custome before the judging of any +hasty sentence or judgment, without the hearing of the contrary part, like as +the barbarous and cruell tyrants accustome to use: otherwise they should give +an ill example to their successours. This opinion pleased every man, wherefore +the Senatours and counsellors were called, who being placed in order according +to their dignity, caused the accuser and defender to be brought forth, and by +the example of the Athenian law, and judgement materiall, their Advocates were +commanded to plead their causes briefly without preambles or motions of the +people to pitty, which were too long a processe. And if you demand how I +understood all this matter, you shall understand that I heard many declare the +same, but to recite what words the accuser used in his invective, what answer +the defender made, the orations and pleadings of each party, verily I am not +able to doe: for I was fast bound at the manger. But as I learned and knew by +others, I will God willing declare unto you. So it was ordered, that after the +pleadings of both sides was ended, they thought best to try and boult out the +verity by witnesses, all presumptions and likelihood set apart, and to call in +the servant, who onely was reported to know all the matter: by and by the +servant came in, who nothing abashed, at the feare of so great a judgment, or +at the presence of the Judges, or at his owne guilty conscience, which hee so +finely fained, but with a bold countenance presented himselfe before the +justices and confirmed the accusation against the young man, saying: O yee +judges, on a day when this young man loathed and hated his stepmother, hee +called mee, desiring mee to poyson his brother, whereby hee might revenge +himselfe, and if I would doe it and keepe the matter secret, hee promised to +give me a good reward for my paines: but when the young man perceived that I +would not accord to his will, he threatned to slay mee, whereupon hee went +himselfe and bought poyson, and after tempered it with wine, and then gave it +me to give the child, which when I refused he offered it to his brother with +his own hands. When the varlet with a trembling countenance had ended these +words which seemed a likelihood of truth, the judgement was ended: neither was +there found any judge or counsellor, so mercifull to the young man accused, as +would 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 against +parricides: wherefore they wanted nothing but (as the ancient custome was) to +put white stones and black into a pot, and to take them out againe, to see +whether the young-man accused should be acquitted by judgment or condemned, +which was a thing irrevocable. +</p> + +<p> +In the mean season he was delivered to the hands of the executioner. But there +arose a sage and ancient Physitian, a man of a good conscience and credit +throughout all the City, that stopped the mouth of the pot wherein the stones +were cast, saying: I am right glad ye reverend judges, that I am a man of name +and estimation amongst you, whereby I am accompted such a one as will not +suffer 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 in +this case, neither you (being sworn to judge uprightly) to be misinformed and +abused by invented lyes and tales. For I cannot but declare and open my +conscience, least I should be found to beare small honour and faith to the +Gods, wherefore I pray you give eare, and I will shew you the whole truth of +the matter. You shall understand that this servant which hath merited to be +hanged, came one of these dayes to speake with me, promising to give me a +hundred crownes, if I would give him present poyson, which would cause a man to +dye suddenly, saying, that he would have it for one that was sicke of an +incurable disease, to the end he might be delivered from all torment, but I +smelling his crafty and subtill fetch, and fearing least he would worke some +mischiefe withall, gave him a drinke; but to the intent I might cleare my selfe +from all danger that might happen, I would not presently take the money which +he offered. But least any of the crownes should lacke weight or be found +counterfeit, I willed him to scale the purse wherein they were put, with his +manuell signe, whereby the next day we might goe together to the Goldsmith to +try them, which he did; wherefore understanding that he was brought present +before you this day, I hastily commanded one of my servants to fetch the purse +which he had sealed, and here I bring it unto you to see whether he will deny +his 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 these +words you might perceive how the trayterous knave changed his colour, how hee +sweat for feare, how he trembled in every part of his body: and how he set one +leg upon another, scratching Ibis head and grinding his teeth, whereby there +was no person but would judge him culpable. In the end, when he was somewhat +returned to his former subtility, he began to deny all that was said, and +stoutly affirmed, that the Physitian did lye. But the Physitian perceiving that +he 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 commandment +of the Judges, bound his hands and brought out the seale, wherewith he had +sealed the purse which augmented suspition which was conceived of him first. +Howbeit, neither the feare of the wheele or any other torment according to the +use of the Grecians, which were ready prepared, no, nor yet the fire could +enforce him to confesse the matter, so obstinate and grounded was he in his +mischievous mind. But the Physitian perceiving that the menaces of these +torments did nothing prevaile, gan say: I cannot suffer or abide that this +young man who is innocent, should against all law and conscience, be punished +and 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 evident +proofe and argument of this present crime. You shall understand, that when this +caytiffe demanded of me a present and strong poyson, considering that it was +not my part to give occasion of any others death, but rather to cure and save +sicke persons by meane of medicines: and on the other side, fearing least if I +should 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 his +wicked intent, with a sword or some dangerous weapon, I gave him no poyson, but +a doling drinke of Mandragora, which is of such force, that it will cause any +man to sleepe as though he were dead. Neither is it any marvaile if this most +desperate man, who is certainly assured to be put to death, ordained by an +ancient custome, can suffer and abide these facill and easie torments, but if +it be so that the child hath received the drinke as I tempered it with mine +owne hands, he is yet alive and doth but sleepe, and after his sleepe he shall +returne to life againe, but if he be dead indeed, then may you further enquire +of the causes of his death. The opinion of this ancient Physitian was found +good, and every man had a desire to goe to the Sepulchre where the child was +layd; there was none of the Justices, none of any reputation of the towne, nor +any of the common people, but went to see this strange sight. Amongst them all +the father of the child remooved with his owne hands the stone of the +Sepulchre, and found his Sonne rising up after his dead and soporiferous +sleepe, whom when he beheld, he imbraced him in his armes, and presented him +before the people, with great joy and consolation, and as he was wrapped and +bound in his grave, so he brought him before the Judges, whereupon the +wickednesse of the Servant, and, the treason of the stepdame was plainely +discovered, and the verity of the matter revealed, whereby the woman was +perpetually exiled, the Servant hanged on a Gallowes, and the Physitian had the +Crownes, which was prepared to buy the poyson. Behold how the fortune of the +old 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 ruled +and handled by fortune, according to her pleasure. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0058" id="link2H_4_0058"></a> +THE FORTY-FIFTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius was sold to two brethren, whereof one was a Baker, and the other a +Cooke, and how finely and daintily he fared. +</p> + +<p> +THE Souldier that payed never a peny for me, by the commandement of his +Captaine was sent unto Rome, to cary Letters to the great Prince, and Generall +of the Campe. Before he went, he sold me for eleven pence to two of his +Companions, being Servants to a man of worship, whereof one was a Baker that +baked sweet bread and delicates, the other a Cooke, which dressed fine and +excellent meats for his Master. These two lived in common, and would drive me +from place to place, to carry such things as was necessary, insomuch that I was +received by these two, as a third Brother, and Companion, and I thought I was +never better placed, then with them: for when night came that Supper was done, +and their businesse ended, they would bring many good morsels into their +Chamber for themselves. One would bring Pigs, Chickens, fish, and other good +meates, the other fine bread, pasties, tarts, custards and other delicate +Junkets dipped in hony. And when they had shut their chamber doore, and went to +the bains: (O Lord) how I would fill my guts with these goodly dishes: neither +was I so much a foole, or so very an Asse, to leave the dainty meats, and to +grind my teeth upon hard hay. In this sort I continued a great space, for I +played the honest Asse, taking but a little of one dish, and a little of +another, wherby no man distrusted me. In the end, I was more hardier and began +to devoure the whole messes of the sweet delicates, which caused the Baker and +the Cooke to suspect, howbeit they nothing mistrusted me, but searched about to +apprehend the theefe. At length they began to accuse one another of theft, and +to set the dishes and morsels of meat in order, one by another, because they +would learne what was taken away, whereby one of them was compelled to say thus +to his fellow: Is it reason to breake promise and faith in this sort, by +stealing away the best meat, and to sell it to augment thy good, and yet +neverthelesse to have thy part in the residue that is left: if our partnership +doe mislike thee, we will be partners and brothers in other things, but in this +we will breake of: for I perceive that the great losse which I sustain, will at +length be a cause of great discord betweene us. Then answered the other, Verily +I praise thy great constancy and subtilnesse, in that (when thou hast secretly +taken away the meat) [thou] dost begin to complaine first, whereas I by long +space of time have suffered thee, because I would not seeme to accuse my +brother of theft, but I am right glad in that wee are fallen into communication +of the matter, least by our silence, like contention might arise betweene us, +as fortuned betweene Eteocles and his Brother. When they had reasoned together +in this sort, they swore both earnestly, that neither of them stale or tooke +away any jote of the meate, wherefore they concluded to search out the Theefe +by all kind of meanes. For they could not imagin or thinke, the Asse who stood +alone there, would eate any such meates, neither could they thinke that Mice or +Flyes, were so ravenous, as to devouer whole dishes of meat, like the Birds +Harpies which carried away the meates of Phineus the King of Archadia. In the +Meane 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, but +such faire and comely shape of my body, was cause of my dishonour, for the +Baker and Cooke marvelled to see me so slick and fine, considering I did eate +no hay at all. Wherefore on a time at their accustomed houre, they went to the +baines, and locked their chamber doore. It fortuned that ere they departed +away, they espyed me through a hole, how I fell roundly to my victuals: then +they marvelled greatly, and little esteemed the losse of their meate, laughed +exceedingly, calling the servants of the house, to shew them the greedy gorge +and appetite of the Asse. Their laughing was so immoderate that the master of +the house heard them, and demanded the cause of their laughter, and when hee +understood all the matter, hee looked through the hole likewise, wherewith he +took such a delectation that hee commanded the doore to be opened, that hee +might see mee at his pleasure. Then I perceiving every man laugh, was nothing +abashed, but rather more bold, whereby I never rested eating, till such time as +the master of the house commanded me to be brought into his parler as a +novelty, and there caused all kinds of meates which were never touched to be +set on the table, which (although I had eaten sufficiently before, yet to win +the further favour of the master of the house) I did greedily devoure and made +a 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 mee +beefe and vinegar, birds and pepper, fish and verjuice: in the meane season +they that beheld mee at the table did nothing but laugh. Then one of the +servants of the house sayd to his master, I pray you sir give him some drinke +to his supper: Marry (quoth hee) I thinke thou saist true, for it may be, that +to 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 have +drunke to him. Then all the standers by looked on, to see what would come to +passe: but I (as soone as I beheld the cup) staied not long, but gathering my +lips together, supped up all the wine at one draught. The master being right +joyfull hereat caused the Baker and Cooke which had bought me, to come before +him, to whom he delivered foure times as much for me, as they paid, which done +he committed me to one of his rich Libertines, and charged him to looke well to +me, and that I should lacke nothing, who obeied his masters commandement in +every point: and to the end he would creepe further into his favour, he taught +me a thousand qualities. First he instructed me to sit at the table upon my +taile, and how I should leape and dance, holding up my former feete: moreover +hee taught me how I should answer when any body spake unto me, with nodding my +head, which was a strange and marvailous thing, and if I did lacke drinke, I +should looke still upon the pot. All which things I did willingly bring to +passe, and obeyed his doctrine: howbeit, I could have done all these things +without his teaching, but I feared greatly lest in shewing my selfe cunning +without a master, I should pretend some great and strange wonder, and thereby +be throwne out to wild beasts. But my fame was spred about in every place, and +the qualities which I could doe, insomuch that my master was renowned +throughout all the Country by reason of mee. For every man would say: Behold +the Gentleman that hath an Asse, that will eate and drinke with him, that will +dance, 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 a +principall towne of Achaia, and he had passed many offices of honor, till hee +had taken upon him the degree Quinquenuall, according as his birth and dignity +required, who to shew his worthinesse, and to purchase the benevolence of every +person, appointed publike joyes and triumphs, to endure the space of three +dayes, and to bring his endeavour to passe, he came into Thessaly to buy +excellent Beasts, and valiant fighters for the purpose. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0059" id="link2H_4_0059"></a> +THE FORTY-SIXTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How a certaine Matron fell in love with Apuleius, how hee had his pleasure with +her, and what other things happened. +</p> + +<p> +When he had bought such things as was necessary, he would not returne home into +his Countrey in Chariots, or waggon, neither would he ride upon Thessalian +Horses, or Jenets of France, or Spanish Mules, which be most excellent as can +be found, but caused me to be garnished and trimmed with trappers and barbs of +Gold, with brave harnesse, with purple coverings, with a bridle of silver, with +pictured cloths, and with shrilling bells, and in this manner he rode upon me +lovingly, speaking and intreating me with gentle words, but above all things he +did greatly rejoyce in that I was his Servant to beare him upon my backe, and +his Companion to feed with him at the Table: After long time when we had +travelled as well by Sea as Land, and fortuned to arrive at Corinth, the people +of 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 master +much money, and when the people was desirous to see me play prankes, they +caused the Gates to be shut, and such as entered in should pay money, by meanes +whereof I was a profitable companion to them every day: There fortuned to be +amongst the Assembly a noble and rich Matron that conceived much delight to +behold 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 a +Bull. In the end she promised a great reward to my keeper for the custody of me +one night, who for gaine of a little money accorded to her desire, and when I +had supped in a Parler with my Master, we departed away and went into our +Chamber, where we found the faire Matron, who had tarried a great space for our +comming: I am not able to recite unto you how all things were prepared: there +were foure Eunuches that lay on a bed of downe on the ground with Boulsters +accordingly for us to lye on, the Coverlet was of cloth of Gold, and the +pillowes soft and tender, whereon the delicate Matron had accustomed to lay her +head. Then the Eunuches not minding to delay any longer the pleasure of their +Mistresse closed the doores of the Chamber and departed away: within the +Chamber were Lamps that gave a cleare light all the place over: Then she put +off all her Garments to her naked skinne, and taking the Lampe that stood next +to her, began to annoint all her body with balme, and mine likewise, but +especially my nose, which done, she kissed me, not as they accustome to doe at +the 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 like +loving words: Thou art he whom I love, thou art he whom I onely desire, without +thee I cannot live, and other like preamble of talke as women can use well +enough, when as they mind to shew or declare their burning passions and great +affection of love: Then she tooke me by the halter and cast me downe upon the +bed, which was nothing strange unto me, considering that she was so beautifull +a Matron and I so wel bolded out with wine, and perfumed with balme, whereby I +was readily prepared for the purpose: But nothing grieved me so much as to +think, how I should with my huge and great legs imbrace so faire a Matron, or +how I should touch her fine, dainty, and silken skinne, with my hard hoofes, or +how it was possible to kisse her soft, pretty and ruddy lips, with my monstrous +mouth and stony teeth, or how she, who was young and tender, could be able to +receive me. +</p> + +<p> +And I verily thought, if I should hurt the woman by any kind of meane, I should +be throwne to the wild Beasts: But in the meane season she kissed me, and +looked in my mouth with burning eyes, saying: I hold thee my canny, I hold thee +my noose, my sparrow, and therewithall she eftsoones imbraced my body round +about, and had her pleasure with me, whereby I thought the mother of Miniatures +did not ceaseless quench her inordinate desire with a Bull. When night was +passed, with much joy and small sleepe, the Matron went before day to my keeper +to bargain with him another night, which he willingly granted, partly for gaine +of money, and partly to finde new pastime for my master. Who after he was +informed of all the history of my luxury, was right glad, and rewarded my +keeper 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 such +shame, by reason of her dignity, and because they could finde no other that +would endeavour so great a reproach, at length they obtained for money a poore +woman, which was condemned to be eaten of wilde beasts, with whom I should +openly have to doe: But first I will tell you what tale I heard concerning this +woman. This woman had a husband, whose father minding to ride forth, commanded +his wife which he left at home great with child, that if she were delivered of +a daughter, it should incontinently be killed. When the time of her delivery +came, it fortuned that she had a daughter, whom she would not suffer to be +slaine, by reason of the naturall affection which she have unto her child, but +secretly committed her to one of her neighbours to nurse. And when her husband +returned 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 this +child came to age, and ready to be married, the mother knew not by what meanes +shee should endow her daughter, but that her husband should understand and +perceive it. Wherefore shee discovered the matter to her sonne, who was the +husband of this woman, condemned to be eaten of wild beasts: For shee greatly +feared 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 of +mother 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: But +although hee brought this to passe very secretly and sagely, yet in the end +cruell fortune sowed great sedition in his house. For his wife who was now +condemned to beasts, waxed jealous of her husband and began to suspect the +young woman as a harlot and common queane, insomuch that shee invented all +manner of meanes to dispatch her out of the way. And in the end shee invented +this kind of mischiefe: She privily stale away her husbands ring, and went into +the country, whereas she commanded one of her trusty servants to take the ring +and carry it to the mayden. To whom he should declare that her brother did pray +her to come into the country to him, and that she should come alone without any +person. And to the end shee should not delay but come with all speed he should +deliver 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 very +willing and desirous to obey his commandement: (For she knew no otherwise but +that 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, the +mischievous 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, the +wicked harlot (weening that she had invented and feined the matter) tooke a +burning firebrand and thrust it into her secret place, whereby she died +miserably. The husband of this maiden but especially her brother, advertised of +her death, came to the place where she was slain, and after great lamentation +and weeping, they caused her to be buried honourably. This yong man her brother +taking in ill part the miserable death of his sister, as it was convenient he +should, conceived so great dolour within his mind and was strucken with so +pestilent fury of bitter anguish, that he fell into the burning passions of a +dangerous ague, whereby he seemed in such necessity, that he needed to have +some speedy remedy to save his life. The woman that slew the Maiden having lost +the name of wife together with her faith, went to a traiterous Physician, who +had killed a great many persons in his dayes and promised him fifty peeces of +Gold, 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 to +receive a certaine kind of drink, which the Maisters and Doctours of Physicke +doe call a sacred Potion, to the intent he might purge Choller and scoure the +interiour parts of his body. But the Physitian in stead of that drinke prepared +a mortall and deadly poyson, and when he had tempered it accordingly, he tooke +the pot in the presence of the family, and other neighbours and friends of the +sick yong man, and offered it to his patient. But the bold and hardy woman, to +the end she might accomplish her wicked intent, and also gaine the money which +she had promised the Physitian, staid the pot with her hand, saying: I pray you +master Physitian, minister not this drinke unto my deare Husband, untill such +time as you have drunke some part thereof your selfe: For what know I, whether +you have mingled any poyson in the drinke or no, wherein I would have you not +to be offended: For I know that you are a man of wisedome and learning, but +this I do to the intent the conscience and love that I beare to the health and +safeguard of my husband, may be apparent. The Physitian being greatly troubled +at the wickednesse of this mischievous woman, as voyd of all counsell and +leysure to consider of the matter, and least he might give any cause of +suspition to the standers by, or shew any scruple of his guilty conscience, by +reason of long delay, tooke the pot in his hand, and presently drunke a good +draught thereof, which done, the young man having no mistrust, drunke up the +residue. The Physitian would have gone immediately home to receive a +counterpoyson, to expell and drive out the first poyson: But the wicked woman +persevering in her mischiefe, would not suffer him to depart a foot, untill +such time as the poyson began to worke in him, and then by much prayer and +intercession she licensed him to goe home: By the way the poyson invaded the +intrailes and bowels of the whole body of the Physitian, in such sort that with +great paine he came to his owne house, where he had scarce time to speake to +his wife, and to will her to receive the promised salitary of the death of two +persons, but he yeelded up the ghost: And the other young man lived not long +after, but likewise dyed, amongst the feined and deceitfull teares of his +cursed wife. A few dayes after, when the young man was buried and the funerall +ended, the Physitians wife demanded of her the fifty peeces of gold which she +promised her husband for the drinke, whereat the ill disposed woman, with +resemblance of honesty, answered her with gentle words, and promised to give +her the fifty peeces of gold, if she would fetch her a little of that same +drinke, to proceed and make an end of all her enterprise. The Physitians wife +partly to winne the further favour of this rich woman, and partly to gaine the +money, ranne incontinently home, and brought her a whole roote of poyson, which +when she saw, having now occasion to execute her further malice, and to finish +the damnable plot, began to stretch out her bloody hands to murther. She had a +daughter by her husband (that was poysoned) who according to order of law, was +appointed heire of all the lands and goods of her father: but this woman +knowing that the mothers succoured their children, and received all their goods +after their death, purposed to shew her selfe a like parent to her child, as +she was a wife to her husband, whereupon she prepared a dinner with her owne +hands, and empoysoned both the wife of the Physitian and her owne daughter: The +child being young and tender dyed incontinently by force of the drinke, but the +Physitians wife being stout and strong of complexion, feeling the poison to +trill down into her body, doubted the matter, and thereupon knowing of +certainty 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 the +towne, and promising them to shew divers wicked and mischievous acts, caused +that the doores and gates were opened. When she came in she declared from the +beginning to the end the abhomination of this woman: but shee had scarce ended +her tale, when opening her falling lips, and grinding her teeth together, she +fell downe dead before the face of the Judge, who incontinently to try the +truth of the matter, caused the cursed woman, and her servants to be pulled out +of the house, and enforced by paine of torment to confesse the verity, which +being knowne, this mischievous woman farre lesse then she deserved, but because +there 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 I +appointed to have to doe before the face of the people, but I being wrapped in +great anguish, and envying the day of the triumph, when we two should so +abandon our selves together, devised rather to sley my selfe, then to pollute +my body with this mischievous harlot, and so for ever to remaine defamed: but +it was impossible for me so to doe, considering that I lacked hands, and was +not able to hold a knife in my hoofes: howbeit standing in a pretty cabin, I +rejoyced in my selfe to see that spring time was come, and that all things +flourished, and that I was in good hope to find some Roses, to render me my +humane shape. When the day of triumph came, I was led with great pompe and +benevolence to the appointed place, where when I was brought, I first saw the +preamble of that triumph, dedicated with dancers and merry taunting jests, and +in the meane season was placed before the gate of the Theater, whereas on the +one 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 great +delectation to see when the Theater gates were opened, how all things was +finely prepared and set forth: For there I might see young children and maidens +in the flowre of their youth of excellent beauty, and attired gorgiously, +dancing and mooved in comely order, according to the order of Grecia, for +sometime they would dance in length, sometime round together, sometime divide +themselves into foure parts, and sometime loose hands on every side: but when +the trumpet gave warning that every man should retire to his place, then began +the triumph to appeare. First there was a hill of wood, not much unlike that +which the Poet Homer called Idea, for it was garnished about with all sort of +greene verdures and lively trees, from the top whereof ran downe a cleare and +fresh fountaine, nourishing the waters below, about which wood were many young +and tender Goates, plucking and feeding daintily on the budding trees, then +came a young man a shepheard representing Paris, richly arrayed with vestments +of Barbary, having a mitre of gold upon his head, and seeming as though he kept +the goates. After him ensued another young man all naked, saving that his left +shoulder was covered with a rich cloake, and his head shining with glistering +haires, 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 went +towards 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 he +had done his message he departed away. And by and by, there approached a faire +and comely mayden, not much unlike to Juno, for she had a Diademe of gold upon +her head, and in her hand she bare a regall scepter: then followed another +resembling Pallas, for she had on her head a shining sallet, whereon was bound +a garland of Olive branches, having in one hand a target or shield: and in the +other a speare as though she would fight: then came another which passed the +other 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, shee +appeared all naked, saving that her fine and dainty skin was covered with a +thin smocke, which the wind blew hither and thither to testifie the youth and +flowre of the age of the dame. Her colour was of two sorts, for her body was +white as descended from heaven, and her smocke was blewish, as arrived from the +sea: After every one of the Virgins which seemed goddesses, followed certaine +waiting servants, Castor and Pollus went behind Juno, having on their heads +helmets covered with starres. This Virgin Juno sounded a Flute, which shee bare +in her hand, and mooved her selfe towards the shepheard Paris, shewing by +honest signes and tokens, and promising that hee should be Lord of all Asia, if +hee would judge her the fairest of the three, and to give her the apple of +gold: the other maiden which seemed by her armour to be Pallas, was accompanied +with two young men armed, and brandishing their naked swords in their hands, +whereof one named Terror, and the other Feare; behind them approached one +sounding his trumpet to provoke and stirre men to battell; this maiden began to +dance and shake her head, throwing her fierce and terrible eyes upon Paris and +promising that if it pleased him to give her the victory of beauty, shee would +make him the most strong and victorious man alive. Then came Venus and +presented her selfe in the middle of the Theater, with much favour of all the +people, for shee was accompanied with a great many of youth, whereby you would +have judged them all to be Cupidoes, either to have flowne from heaven or else +from the river of the sea, for they had wings, arrowes, and the residue of +their habit according in each point, and they bare in their hands torches +lighted, as though it had beene a day of marriage. Then came in a great +multitude of faire maidens: on the one side were the most comely Graces: on the +other side, the most beautifull Houres carrying garlands and loose flowers, and +making great honor to the goddesse of pleasure; the flutes and Pipes yeelded +out the sweet sound of Lydians, whereby they pleased the minds of the standers +by exceedingly, but the more pleasing Venus mooved forward more and more, and +shaking her head answered by her motion and gesture, to the sound of the +instruments. For sometimes she would winke gently, sometimes threaten and looke +aspishly, and sometimes dance onely with her eyes: As soone as she was come +before the Judge, she made a signe and token to give him the most fairest +spouse of all the world, if he would prefer her above the residue of the +goddesses. Then the young Phrygian shepheard Paris with a willing mind +delivered the golden Apple to Venus, which was the victory of beauty. +</p> + +<p> +Why doe ye marvell, ye Orators, ye Lawyers, and Advocates, if many of our +judges now a daies sell their judgements for money, when as in the beginning of +the world one onely Grace corrupted the sentence betweene God and men, and that +one rusticall Judge and shepheard appointed by the counsell of great Jupiter, +sold his judgement for a little pleasure, which was the cause afterward of the +ruine of all his progeny? By like manner of meane, was sentence given between +the noble Greekes: For the noble and valiant personage Palamedes was convicted +and attainted of treason, by false perswasion and accusation, and Ulisses being +but of base condition, was preferred in Martiall prowesse above great Ajax. +What judgement was there likewise amongst the Athenian lawyers, sage and expert +in all sciences? Was not Socrates who was preferred by Apollo, above all the +wise men in the world, by envy and malice of wicked persons impoysoned with the +herbe Cicuta, as one that corrupted the youth of the countrey, whom alwaies be +kept under by correction? For we see now a dayes many excellent Philosophers +greatly desire to follow his sect, and by perpetual study to value and revolve +his workes, but to the end I may not be reproved of indignation by any one that +might say: What, shall we suffer an Asse to play the Philosopher? I will +returne to my further purpose. +</p> + +<p> +After the judgement of Paris was ended, Juno and Pallas departed away angerly, +shewing by their gesture, that they would revenge themselves on Paris, but +Venus that was right pleased and glad in her heart, danced about the Theater +with much joy. This done from the top of the hill through a privy spout, ran a +floud of the colour of Saffron, which fell upon the Goates, and changed their +white haire into yellow, with a sweet odour to all them of the Theater. By and +by after by certaine engines, the ground opened, and swallowed up the hill of +wood: 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 the +beasts, and appointed for me to have to doe withall: our bed was finely and +bravely 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 this +wicked 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 the +woman, was not so instructed and taught, or would so temper his greedinesse, as +that hee would teare her in peeces lying under mee, and spare mee with a regard +of 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 master +made ready the bed, all the residue did greatly delight to see the hunting and +pleasantnesse of the triumph, I began to thinke and devise for my selfe. When I +perceived that no man had regard to mee, that was so tame and gentle an Asse, I +stole out of the gate that was next me, and then I ran away with all force, and +came to Cenchris, which is the most famous towne of all the Carthaginians, +bordering upon the Seas called Ageum, and Saronicum, where is a great and +mighty Haven, frequented with many a sundry Nation. There because I would avoyd +the multitude of the people, I went to a secret place of the Sea coast, where I +laid me down upon the sand, to ease and refresh my selfe, for the day was past +and the Sunne gone downe, and lying in this sort on the ground, did fall in a +sound sleepe. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0060" id="link2H_4_0060"></a> +THE ELEVENTH BOOKE</h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0061" id="link2H_4_0061"></a> +THE FORTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How Apuleius by Roses and prayer returned to his humane shape. +</p> + +<p> +When midnight came that I had slept my first sleepe, I awaked with suddaine +feare, and saw the Moone shining bright, as when shee is at the full, and +seeming as though she leaped out of the Sea. Then thought I with my selfe, that +was 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 onely +all beasts private and tame, but also all wild and savage beasts be under her +protection. And considering that all bodies in the heavens, the earth and the +seas, be by her increasing motions increased, and by her diminishing motions +diminished: as weary of all my cruell fortune and calamity, I found good hope +and soveraigne remedy, though it were very late, to be delivered from all my +misery, by invocation and prayer, to the excellent beauty of the Goddesse, whom +I saw shining before mine eyes, wherefore shaking off mine Assie and drowsie +sleepe, I arose with a joyfull face, and mooved by a great affection to purifie +my selfe, I plunged my selfe seven times into the water of the Sea, which +number of seven is conveniable and agreeable to holy and divine things, as the +worthy and sage Philosopher Pythagoras hath declared. Then with a weeping +countenance, I made this Orison to the puissant Goddesse, saying: O blessed +Queene of heaven, whether thou be the Dame Ceres which art the originall and +motherly nource of all fruitfull things in earth, who after the finding of thy +daughter Proserpina, through the great joy which thou diddest presently +conceive, madest barraine and unfruitfull ground to be plowed and sowne, and +now thou inhabitest in the land of Eleusie; or whether thou be the celestiall +Venus, who in the beginning of the world diddest couple together all kind of +things with an ingendered love, by an eternall propagation of humane kind, art +now worshipped within the Temples of the Ile Paphos, thou which art the sister +of 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 horrible +Proserpina, by reason of the deadly howlings which thou yeeldest, that hast +power to stoppe and put away the invasion of the hags and Ghoasts which appeare +unto men, and to keepe them downe in the closures of the earth: thou which art +worshipped in divers manners, and doest illuminate all the borders of the earth +by thy feminine shape, thou which nourishest all the fruits of the world by thy +vigor and force; with whatsoever name or fashion it is lawfull to call upon +thee, I pray thee, to end my great travaile and misery, and deliver mee from +the wretched fortune, which had so long time pursued me. Grant peace and rest +if it please thee to my adversities, for I have endured too much labour and +perill. Remoove from me my shape of mine Asse, and render to me my pristine +estate, and if I have offended in any point of divine Majesty, let me rather +dye 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 by +and by appeared unto me a divine and venerable face, worshipped even of the +Gods themselves. Then by little and little I seemed to see the whole figure of +her body, mounting out of the sea and standing before mee, wherefore I purpose +to describe her divine semblance, if the poverty of my humane speech will +suffer me, or her divine power give me eloquence thereto. First shee had a +great abundance of haire, dispersed and scattered about her neck, on the crowne +of her head she bare many garlands enterlaced with floures, in the middle of +her forehead was a compasse in fashion of a glasse, or resembling the light of +the Moone, in one of her hands she bare serpents, in the other, blades of +corne, her vestiment was of fine silke yeelding divers colours, sometime +yellow, sometime rosie, sometime flamy, and sometime (which troubled my spirit +sore) darke and obscure, covered with a blacke robe in manner of a shield, and +pleated in most subtill fashion at the skirts of her garments, the welts +appeared comely, whereas here and there the starres glimpsed, and in the middle +of them was placed the Moone, which shone like a flame of fire, round about the +robe was a coronet or garland made with flowers and fruits. In her right hand +shee had a timbrell of brasse, which gave a pleasant sound, in her left hand +shee bare a cup of gold, out of the mouth whereof the serpent Aspis lifted up +his head, with a swelling throat, her odoriferous feete were covered with shoes +interlaced and wrought with victorious palme. Thus the divine shape breathing +out the pleasant spice of fertill Arabia, disdained not with her divine voyce +to utter these words unto me: Behold Lucius I am come, thy weeping and prayers +hath mooved mee to succour thee. I am she that is the naturall mother of all +things, mistresse and governesse of all the Elements, the initiall progeny of +worlds, chiefe of powers divine, Queene of heaven! the principall of the Gods +celestiall, the light of the goddesses: at my will the planets of the ayre, the +wholesome winds of the Seas, and the silences of hell be diposed; my name, my +divinity is adored throughout all the world in divers manners, in variable +customes and in many names, for the Phrygians call me the mother of the Gods: +the Athenians, Minerva: the Cyprians, Venus: the Candians, Diana: the Sicilians +Proserpina: the Eleusians, Ceres: some Juno, other Bellona, other Hecate: and +principally the Aethiopians which dwell in the Orient, and the Aegyptians which +are excellent in all kind of ancient doctrine, and by their proper ceremonies +accustome to worship mee, doe call mee Queene Isis. Behold I am come to take +pitty of thy fortune and tribulation, behold I am present to favour and ayd +thee, leave off thy weeping and lamentation, put away all thy sorrow, for +behold the healthfull day which is ordained by my providence, therefore be +ready 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 Ministers +doe accustome after the tempests of the Sea, be ceased, to offer in my name a +new ship as a first fruit of my Navigation. I command thee not to prophane or +despise the sacrifice in any wise, for the great Priest shall carry this day +following in procession by my exhortation, a Garland of Roses, next the +timbrell of his right hand: follow thou my procession amongst the people, and +when 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 all +things beware thou doubt not nor feare any of those things, as hard and +difficill to bee brought to passe, for in the same houre that I am come to +thee, I have commanded the Priest by a vision what he shall doe, and all the +people by my commandement shall be compelled to give thee place and say +nothing! Moreover, thinke not that amongst so faire and joyfull Ceremonies, and +in so good a company that any person shall abhorre thy ill-favoured and +deformed figure, or that any man shall be so hardy, as to blame and reprove thy +suddaine restoration to humane shape, wherby they should gather or conceive any +sinister opinion: and know thou this of certaine, that the residue of thy life +untill the houre of death shall be bound and subject to me! And think it not an +injury to be alwayes serviceable towards me, since as by my meane and benefit +thou shalt become a man: thou shalt live blessed in this world, thou shalt live +glorious by my guide and protection, and when thou descendest to Hell, where +thou 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, thou +shalt worship me, as one that hath bin favourable to thee, and if I perceive +that thou art obedient to my commandement, addict to my religion, and merite my +divine grace, know thou, that I will prolong thy dales above the time that the +fates have appointed, and the celestial Planets ordeined. +</p> + +<p> +When the divine Image had spoken these words, she vanished away! By and by when +I awaked, I arose, haveing the members of my bodie mixed with feare, joy and +sweate, and marvailed at the cleare presence of the puissant goddesse, and +being sprinkled with the water of the sea, I recounted orderly her admonitions +and divine commandements. Soone after, the darknes chased away, and the cleare +and golden sunne arose, when as behold I saw the streets replenished with +people going in a religious sort and in great triumph. All things seemed that +day to be joyfull, as well all manner of beasts and houses, as also the very +day it selfe seemed to rejoyce. For after the hore-frost, ensued the hot and +temperat sun, whereby the little birds weening that the spring time had bin +come, did chirp and sing in their steven melodiously: the mother of stars, the +parent of times, and mistres of all the world: The fruitfull trees rejoyced at +their fertility: The barren and sterill were contented at their shadow, +rendering sweete and pleasant shrills! The seas were quiet from winds and +tempests: the heaven had chaced away the clouds, and appeared faire and cleare +with his proper light. Behold then more and more appeared the pomps and +processions, attired in regall manner and singing joyfully: One was girded +about the middle like a man of armes: Another bare and spare, and had a cloake +and high-shooes like a hunter! another was attired in a robe of silke, and +socks 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 a +speare like a martial souldier: after him marched one attired in purple with +vergers before him like a magistrate! after him followed one with a maurell, a +staffe, a paire of pantofles, and with a gray beard, signifying a philosopher: +after him went one with lime, betokening a fowler, another with hookes +declaring a fisher: I saw there a meeke and tame beare, which in matron habite +was carried on a stoole: An Ape with a bonet on his head, and covered with +lawne, resemling a shepheard, and bearing a cup of gold in his hand: an Asse +which had wings glewed to his backe, and went after an old man, whereby you +would judge the one to be Pegasus, and the other Bellephoron. Amongst the +pleasures and popular delectations, which wandered hither and thither, you +might see the pompe of the goddesse triumphantly march forward: The woman +attired in white vestiments, and rejoicing, in that they bare garlands and +flowers upon their heads, bedspread the waies with hearbes, which they bare in +their aprons, where this regall and devout procession should passe: Other +caried glasses on their backes, to testifie obeisance to the goddess which came +after. Other bare combs of Ivory, and declared by their gesture and motions of +their armes, that they were ordained and readie to dresse the goddesse: Others +dropped in the wayes as they went Balme and other pretious ointments: Then came +a great number, as well of men as women, with Candels, torches, and other +lights, doing honour to the celestiall goddesse: After that sounded the musical +harmony of instruments: then came a faire companie of youth, apparelled in +white vestiments, singing both meter and verse, with a comely grade which some +studious Poet had made in honour of the Muses: In the meane season, arrived the +blowers of trumpets, which were dedicated unto Serapes, and to the temple +before them were officers and beadles, preparing roome for the goddess to +passe. Then came the great company of men and women, which had taken divine +orders, whose garments glistered all the streets over. The women had their +haire annointed and their heads covered with linnen: but the men had their +crownes shaven, which were the terrene stars of the goddesse, holding in their +hand instruments of brasse, silver and gold, which rendered a pleasant sound. +</p> + +<p> +The principall Priests which were apparelled with white surplesses hanging +downe to the ground, bare the relikes of the puissant goddesse. One carried in +his hand a light, not unlike to those which we used in our houses, saving that +in the middle thereof appeared a bole which rendred a more bright flame. The +second attired like the other bare in his hand an Altar, which the goddesse her +selfe named the succor of nations. The third held a tree of palme with leaves +of gold, and the verge of Mercurie. The fourth shewed out a token of equitie by +his left hand, which was deformed in every place, signifiing thereby more +equitie then by the right hand. The same Priest carried a round vessell of +gold, 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 a +foot as men do, and specially Mercurie, the messenger of the goddesse infernall +and supernall, with his face sometime blacke, sometime faire, lifting up the +head of the dogges Annubis, and bearing in his left hand, his verge, and in his +right hand, the branches of a palme tree, after whom followed a cow with an +upright gate, representing the figure of the great goddesse, and he that guided +her, marched on with much gravity. Another carried after the secrets of their +religion, closed in a coffer. There was one that bare on his stomacke a figure +of his god, not formed like any beast, bird, savage thing or humane shape, but +made by a new invention, whereby was signified that such a religion should not +be discovered or revealed to any person. There was a vessel wrought with a +round bottome, haveing on the one side, pictures figured like unto the manner +of the Egyptians, and on the other side was an eare, whereupon stood the +Serpent Aspis, holding out his scaly necke. Finally, came he which was +appointed to my good fortun according to the promise of the goddesse. For the +great Priest which bare the restoration of my human shape, by the commandement +of 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 delivered +from cruel fortune, which was alwaies mine enemie, after the sufferance of so +much calamitie and paine, and after the endurance of so manie perilles: Then I +not returning hastilie, by reason of sodaine joye, lest I should disturbe the +quiet procession with mine importunitie, but going softly through the prease of +the people, which gave me place on every side, went after the Priest. The +priest being admonished the night before, as I might well perceive stood still +and 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 face +abated, and first the rugged haire of my body fell off, my thick skin waxed +soft and tender, the hooves of my feet changed into toes, my hands returned +againe, my neck grew short, my head and mouth began round, my long eares were +made little, my great and stonie teeth waxed lesse like the teeth of men, and +my tayle which combred me most, appeared no where: then the people began to +marvaile, 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 of +my reformation, whereby they rendered testimonie of so great a benefit which I +received of the goddesse. When I saw my selfe in such estate, I stood still a +good space and said nothing, for I could not tell what to say, nor what word I +shoulde first speake, nor what thanks I should render to the goddesse, but the +great Priest understanding all my fortune and miserie, by divine advertisement, +commanded that one should give me garments to cover me: Howbeit as soone as I +was transformed from an asse to my humane shape, I hid the privitie of my body +with my hands as shame and necessity compelled mee. Then one of the company put +off his upper robe and put it on my backe: which done, the Priest looked upon +me, 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 of +fortune, 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 thy +youthfullnes, whereby thou hast had a sinister reward for thy unprosperous +curiositie, but howsoever the blindnes of fortune tormented thee in divers +dangers: so it is, that now unwares to her, thou art come to this present +felicitie: let fortune go, and fume with fury in another place, let her finde +some other matter to execute her cruelty, for fortune hath no puissance against +them which serve and honour our goddesse. For what availed the theeves: the +beasts savage: thy great servitude: the ill and dangerous waits: the long +passages: the feare of death every day? Know thou, that now thou art safe, and +under the protection of her, who by her cleare light doth lighten the other +gods: wherefore rejoyce and take a convenable countenance to thy white habit, +follow the pomp of this devout and honorable procession, to the end that such +which be not devout to the Goddes, may see and acknowledge their errour. Behold +Lucius, thou art delivered from so great miseries, by the providence of the +goddesse Isis, rejoyce therefore and triumph of the victory of fortune; to the +end 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 a +voluntary yoake of ministrie: And when thou beginnest to serve and honour the +goddes, then thou shalt feele the fruit of thy liberty: After that the great +Priest had prophesied in this manner, with often breathings, he made a +conclusion of his words: Then I went amongst the company of the rest and +followed the procession: everie one of the people knew me, and pointing at me +with their fingers, said in this sort: Behold him who is this day transformed +into a man by the puissance of the soveraigne goddesse, verily he is blessed +and most blessed that hath merited so great grace from heaven, as by the +innocencie of his former life, and as it were by a new regeneration is reserved +to the obsequie of the goddesse. In the meane season by little and little we +approached nigh unto the sea cost, even to that place where I lay the night +before being an Asse. There after the images and reliques were orderly +disposed, the great Priest compassed about with divers pictures according to +the fashion of the Aegyptians, did dedicate and consecrate with certaine +prayers a fair ship made very cunningly, and purified the same with a torch, an +egge, and sulphur; the saile was of white linnen cloath, whereon was written +certaine letters, which testified the navigation to be prosperous, the mast was +of a great length, made of a Pine tree, round and very excellent with a shining +top, the cabin was covered over with coverings of gold, and all the shippe was +made of Citron tree very faire; then all the people as well religious as +prophane tooke a great number of Vannes, replenished with odours and pleasant +smells and threw them into the sea mingled with milke, untill the ship was +filled up with large gifts and prosperous devotions, when as with a pleasant +wind it launched out into the deep. But when they had lost the sight of the +ship, every man caried againe that he brought, and went toward the temple in +like pompe and order as they came to the sea side. When we were come to the +temple, the great priest and those which were deputed to carrie the divine +figures, but especially those which had long time bin worshippers of the +religion, went into the secret chamber of the goddesse, where they put and +placed the images according to their ordor. This done, one of the company which +was a scribe or interpreter of letters, who in forme of a preacher stood up in +a chaire before the place of the holy college, and began to reade out of a +booke, and to interpret to the great prince, the senate, and to all the noble +order of chivalry, and generally to all the Romane people, and to all such as +be under the jurisdiction of Rome, these words following (Laois Aphesus) which +signified the end of their divin service and that it was lawfull for every man +to depart, whereat all the people gave a great showt, and replenished with much +joy, 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 not +doe as the rest, for my mind would not suffer me to depart one foot away, so +attentiv was I to behold the beauty of the goddesse, with remembrance of the +great miserie I had endured. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0062" id="link2H_4_0062"></a> +THE FORTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER</h2> + +<p class="letter"> +How the parents and friends of Apuleius heard news that he was alive and in +health. +</p> + +<p> +In the mean season newes was carried into my countrey (as swift as the flight +of birds, or as the blast of windes) of the grace and benefit which I received +of the goddesse, and of my fortune worthy to be had in memory. Then my parents +friends and servants of our house understanding that I was not dead, as they +were falsely informed, came towards me with great diligence to see me, as a man +raised from death to life: and I which never thought to see them againe, was as +joyfull as they, accepting and taking in good part their honest gifts and +oblations that they gave, to the intent I might buy such things as was +necessarie for my body: for after I had made relation unto them of all my +pristine miserie, and present joyes, I went before the face of the goddesse and +hired me a house within the cloister of the temple to the end I might +continually be ready to the service of the goddesse, and ordinarily frequent +the company of the priests, whereby I would wholy become devout to the +goddesse, and an inseparable worshipper of her divine name: It fortuned that +the goddesse appeared to me oftetimes in the night perswading and commanding me +to take the order of her religion, but I, though I was indued with a desirous +good will, yet the feare of the same withheld me considering her obeysance was +hard and difficile, the chastitie of the Priests intolerable, and the life +fraile and subject to manie inconveniences. Being thus in doubt, I refrained my +selfe from all those things as seemed impossible. +</p> + +<p> +On a night the great priest appeared unto me, presenting his lap full of +treasure, and when I demanded what it signified, he answered, that it was sent +me from the countrey of Thessaly, and that a servant of mine named Candidus was +arived likewise: when I was awake, I mused in my selfe what this vision should +pretend, considering I had never any servant called by that name: but what +soever it did signifie, this I verely thought, that it was a foreshew of gaine +and prosperous chance: while I was thus astonied I went to the temple, and +taried there till the opening of the gates, then I went in and began to pray +before the face of the goddesse, the Priest prepared and set the divine things +of every Altar, and pulled out the fountaine and holy vessell with solempne +supplication. Then they began to sing the mattens of the morning, testifying +thereby the houre of the prime. By and by behold arived my servant which I had +left in the country, when Fotis by errour made me an Asse, bringing with him my +horse, recovered by her through certaine signes and tokens which I had upon my +backe. Then I perceived the interpretation of my dreame, by reason that beside +the promise of gaine, my white horse was restored to me, which was signified by +the argument of my servant Candidus. +</p> + +<p> +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 increased +every day more and more to take upon me the orders and sacraments of the +temple: insomuch that I oftentimes communed with the Priest, desiring him +greatly to give me the degree of the religion, but he which was a man of +gravitie, and well renowned in the order of priesthood, deferred my affection +from day to day, with comfort and better hope, as parents commonly bridle the +desires of their children, when they attempt or indeavour any unprofitable +thing, saying, that the day when any one should be admitted into their order is +appointed by the goddesse, the Priest which should minister the sacrifice is +chosen by her providence, and the necessary charges of the ceremonies is +alotted by her commandement, all which things he willed me to attend with +marvailous patience, and that I should beware either of too much hastinesse, or +too great slacknesse, considering that there was like danger, if being called I +should delay: or not called I should be hasty: moreover he said that there was +none of his company either of so desperate a mind, or so rash and hardy, as to +enterprise any thing without the commandernent of the goddesse, whereby he +should commit a deadly offence, considering that it was in her power to damne +and save all persons, and if any were at the point of death, and in the way to +damnation, so that he were capable to receive the secrets of the goddesse, it +was in her power by divine providence to reduce him to the path of health, as +by a certaine kind of regeneration: Finally he said that I must attend the +celestiall precept, although it was evident and plaine, that the goddesse had +already vouchsafed to call and appoint me to her ministery, and to will me +refraine from prophane and unlawfull meates, as those Priests which were +already received, to the end I might come more apt and cleane to the knowledge +of the secrets of religion. Then was I obedient unto these words, and attentive +with 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 come +which I had wished for so long, she told me what provision and charges I should +be at, and how that she had appointed her principallest Priest Mythra to be +minister with me in my sacrifices. +</p> + +<p> +When I heard these divine commandements, I greatly rejoyced: and arose before +day to speake with the great Priest, whom I fortuned to espie comming out of +his chamber: Then I saluted him, and thought with my selfe to aske and demand +his counsell with a bold courage, but as soone as he perceived me, he began +first 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 thou +delay? Behold the day which thou desiredst when as thou shalt receive at my +hands 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 the +great temple, where at the first entrie he made a solempne celebration, and +after morning sacrifice ended, brought out of the secret place of the temple +books, partly written with unknown characters, and partly painted with figures +of beasts declaring briefly every sentence, with tops and tailes, turning in +fashion of a wheele, which were strange and impossible to be read of the +prophane people: There he interpreted to me such things as were necessary to +the use and preparation of mine order. This done, I gave charge to certaine of +my companions to buy liberally, whatsoever was needfull and convenient, then he +brought me to the next bains accompanied with all the religious sort, and +demanding pardon of the goddesse, washed me and purified my body, according to +custome. After this, when noone approached, he brought me backe againe to the +temple, presented me before the face of the goddesse, giving a charge of +certaine secret things unlawfull to be uttered, and commanding me, and +generally all the rest, to fast by the space of ten continuall daies, without +eating of any beast, or drinking any wine, which thing I observed with a +marvellous continencie. Then behold the day approached, when as the sacrifice +should be done, and when night came there arrived on every coast, a great +multitude of Priests, who according to their order offered me many presents and +gifts: then was all the Laity and prophane people commanded to depart, and when +they had put on my back a linnen robe, they brought me to the most secret and +sacred place of all the temple. You would peradventure demand (you studious +reader) what was said and done there, verely I would tell you if it were +lawfull 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 rash +curiositie: Howbeit, I will content thy mind for this present time, which +peradventure is somewhat religious and given to some devotion, listen therefore +and beleeve it to be true: Thou shalt understand that I approached neere unto +Hell, even to the gates of Proserpina, and after that, I was ravished +throughout all the Element, I returned to my proper place: About midnight I saw +the Sun shine, I saw likewise the gods celestiall and gods infernall, before +whom 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; this +have I declared without offence, for the understanding of the prophane. +</p> + +<p> +When morning came, and that the solemnities were finished, I came forth +sanctified with xii. Stoles and in a religious habit, whereof I am not +forbidden to speake, considering that many persons saw me at that time: there I +was commanded to stand upon a seate of wood, which stood in the middle of the +temple, before the figure and remembrance of the goddesse; my vestiment was of +fine linnen, covered and embroidered with flowers. I had a pretious Cope upon +my shoulders hanging downe to the ground, whereon were beasts wrought of divers +colours as Indian dragons, and Hiperborian Griphons, whom in forme of birds, +the other world doth ingender; the Priests commonly call such a habit, a +celestiall Stole: in my right hand I carried a light torch, and a garland of +flowers upon my head, with Palme leaves sprouting out on every side: I was +adorned like unto the Sun, and made in fashion of an Image, in such sort that +all the people compassed about to behold me: then they began to solemnize the +feast of the nativitie, and the new procession with sumptuous bankets and +delicate meates: the third day was likewise celebrated with like ceremonies +with a religious dinner, and with all the consummation of the order: when I had +continued there a good space, I conceived a marvailous great pleasure and +consolation in beholding ordinarily the Image of the goddesse, who at length +admonished me to depart homeward, not without rendring of thanks, which +although it were not sufficient, yet they were according to my power. Howbeit I +could unneth be perswaded to depart, before I had fallen prostrate before the +face of the goddesse, and wiped her steps with my face, whereby I began so +greatly to weepe and sigh that my words were interrupted, and as devouring my +prayer, I began to say in this sort: O holy and blessed dame, the perpetuall +comfort 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 loving +mother thou takest no rest, neither art thou idle at any time in giving thy +benefits, and succoring all men, as well on land as sea; thou art she that +puttest away all stormes and dangers from mans life by thy right hand, whereby +likewise thou restrainest the fatall dispositions, appeasest the great tempests +of fortune and keepest backe the course of the stars: the gods supernall doe +honour thee: the gods infernall have thee in reverence: thou environest all the +world, thou givest light to the Sunne, thou governest the world, thou treadest +downe 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 beasts +of the hill, the serpents of the den, and the fishes of the sea, do tremble at +thy majesty, but my spirit is not able to give thee sufficient praise, my +patrimonie is unable to satisfie thy sacrifice, my voice hath no power to utter +that which I thinke, no if I had a thousand mouths and so many tongues: Howbeit +as a good religious person, and according to my estate, I will alwaies keepe +thee in remembrance and close thee within my breast. When I had ended mine +orison, I went to embrace the great Priest Mythra my spirituall father, and to +demand his pardon, considering I was unable to recompence the good which he had +done to me: after great greeting and thanks I departed from him to visit my +parents and friends; and within a while after by the exhortation of the +goddesse, 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 the +greatest desire that I had there, was daily to make my praiers to the +soveraigne goddesse Isis, who by reason of the place where her temple was +builded, 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, and +unknowne to her religion there. +</p> + +<p> +When the yeare was ended, and the goddesse warned me againe to receive this new +order and consecration, I marvailed greatly what it should signifie, and what +should happen, considering that I was a sacred person already, but it fortuned +that while I partly reasoned with my selfe, and partly examining the thing with +the 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 to +the religion of great Osiris the soveraigne father of all the goddesses, +between whom, although there was a religious unitie and concord, yet there was +a great difference of order and ceremony. And because it was necessary that I +should likewise be a minister unto Osiris, there was no long delay: for in the +night after, appeared unto me one of that order, covered with linnen robes, +holding in his hands speares wrapped in Ivie, and other things not convenient +to declare, which then he left in my chamber, and sitting in my seate, recited +to 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 left +foote was somewhat maimed, which caused him a little to halt. +</p> + +<p> +After that I manifestly knew the will of the God Osiris, when mattins was +ended, I went from one to another, to find him out which had the halting marke +on 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 token +of his foote, but the stature and habite of his body, resembling in every point +as he appeared in the night: he was called Asinius Marcellus, a name not much +disagreeing from my transformation. By and by I went to him, which knew well +enough all the matter, as being monished by like precept in the night: for the +night before as he dressed the flowers and garlands about the head of the god +Osiris, he understood by the mouth of the image which told the predestinations +of all men, how he had sent a poore man of Madura, to whom he should minister +his 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 deputed +unto religion, my desire was stopped by reason of povertie, for I had spent a +great part of my goods in travell and peregrination, but most of all in the +Citie of Rome, whereby my low estate withdrew me a great while. +</p> + +<p> +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 for +all my affaires. Then the Priest spake unto me saying, How is it that for a +little pleasure thou art not afraid to sell thy vestiments, and entring into so +great ceremonies, fearest to fall into povertie? Prepare thy selfe, and +abstaine from all animall meats, as beasts and fish. In the meane season I +frequented the sacrifices of Serapis, which were done in the night, which thing +gave me great comfort to my peregrination, and ministred unto me more +plentifull living, considering I gained some money in haunting the court, by +reason of my Latin tongue. +</p> + +<p> +Immediately after I was eftsoones called and admonished by the god Osiris, to +receive a third order of religion. Then I was greatly astonied, because I could +not tell what this new vision signified, or what the intent of the celestiall +god was, doubting least the former Priests had given me ill counsell, and +fearing that they had not faithfully instructed me: being in this manner as it +were incensed the god Osiris appeared to me the night following, and giving me +admonition said, There is no occasion why thou shouldest be afraid with so +often order of religion, as though there were somewhat omitted, but that thou +shouldest rather rejoyce, since as it hath pleased the gods to call thee three +times, when as there was never yet any person that atchieved to the order but +once: wherefore thou maist thinke thy selfe happy for so great benefits. And +know thou that the religion which thou must now receive, is right necessary, if +thou meane to persever in the worshipping of the goddesse, and to make +solempnity on the festivall day with the blessed habite, which thing shalt be a +glory and renowne to thee. +</p> + +<p> +After this sort, the divine majesty perswaded me in my sleepe, whereupon by and +by I went towards the Priest, and declared all that which I had seene, then I +fasted ten dayes according to the custome, and of mine owne proper will I +abstained longer then I was commanded: and verely I did nothing repent of the +paine which I had taken, and of the charges which I was at, considering that +the divine providence had given me such an order, that I gained much money in +pleading of causes: Finally after a few dayes, the great god Osiris appeared to +me 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 the +slander and envie of ill persons, which beare me stomacke and grudge by reason +of my doctrine, which I had gotten by much labour: moreover, he would not that +I should be any longer of the number of his Priests, but he allotted me to be +one of the Decurions and Senatours: and after he appointed me a place within +the ancient pallace, which was erected in the time of Silla, where I executed +my office in great joy with a shaven Crowne. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN ASSE ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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