The Golden Asse

by Lucius Apuleius _“Africanus”_

Translated by William Adlington

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


Contents

 Dedication
 The Life of Lucius Apuleius Briefly Described
 The Preface of the Author To His Sonne, Faustinus

 THE FIRST BOOKE
 THE FIRST CHAPTER
 THE SECOND CHAPTER
 THE THIRD CHAPTER
 THE FOURTH CHAPTER
 THE FIFTH CHAPTER
 THE SIXTH CHAPTER
 THE SEVENTH CHAPTER

 THE SECOND BOOKE
 THE EIGHTH CHAPTER
 THE NINTH CHAPTER
 THE TENTH CHAPTER
 THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER

 THE THIRD BOOKE
 THE TWELFTH CHAPTER
 THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER
 THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER
 THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER
 THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER
 THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER

 THE FOURTH BOOKE
 THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER
 THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER
 THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER
 THE TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER

 THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHES
 THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER

 THE SIXTH BOOKE
 THE TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTER

 THE SEVENTH BOOKE
 THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER
 THE TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTER
 THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER
 THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER
 THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER
 THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER
 THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER
 THE THIRTY-FIRST CHAPTER

 THE EIGHTH BOOKE
 THE THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTER
 THE THIRTY-THIRD CHAPTER
 THE THIRTY-FOURTH CHAPTER
 THE THIRTY-FIFTH CHAPTER
 THE THIRTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

 THE NINTH BOOKE
 THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER
 THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER
 THE THIRTY-NINTH CHAPTER
 THE FORTIETH CHAPTER
 THE FORTY-FIRST CHAPTER
 THE FORTY-SECOND CHAPTER
 THE FORTY-THIRD CHAPTER

 THE TENTH BOOKE
 THE FORTY-FOURTH CHAPTER
 THE FORTY-FIFTH CHAPTER
 THE FORTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

 THE ELEVENTH BOOKE
 THE FORTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER
 THE FORTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER




Dedication


To the Right Honourable and Mighty Lord, THOMAS EARLE OF SUSSEX,
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.

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.

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

Your Honours most bounden,

WIL. ADLINGTON.




The Life of Lucius Apuleius Briefly Described


LUCIUS APULEIUS African, an excellent follower of Plato his sect, born
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.

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.

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.




The Preface of the Author To His Sonne, Faustinus


And unto the Readers of this Book


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


What and who he was attend a while, and you shall understand that it
was 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.




THE FIRST BOOKE




THE FIRST CHAPTER


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


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.

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.




THE SECOND CHAPTER


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


The other night being at supper with a sort of hungry fellowes, while I
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.

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?

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.

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.




THE THIRD CHAPTER


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


Alas poore miser that I am, that for the onely desire to see a game of
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.

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.




THE FOURTH CHAPTER


How Meroe the Witch turned divers persons into miserable beasts.


In faith Aristomenus to tell you the truth, this woman had a certaine
Lover, whom by the utterance of one only word she turned into a Bever,
because 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.

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.




THE FIFTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.

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.




THE SIXTH CHAPTER


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


After that those two Companions were departed I entred into the City:
where 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.

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.

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.




THE SEVENTH CHAPTER


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


When this was done, and all my things brought into the Chamber, I
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.




THE SECOND BOOKE




THE EIGHTH CHAPTER


How Apuleius fortuned to meet with his Cousin Byrrhena.


As soone as night was past, and the day began to spring, I fortuned to
awake, and rose out of my bed as halfe amazed, and very desirous to
know and see 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.

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.

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.




THE NINTH CHAPTER


How Apuleius fell in love with Fotis.


When I was within the house I found my deare and sweet love Fotis
mincing 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.

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.

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.




THE TENTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.




THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.




THE THIRD BOOKE




THE TWELFTH CHAPTER


How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for murther.


When morning was come, and that I was awaked from sleep, my heart
burned 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.

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.




THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER


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


O most reverend and just Judges, the thing which I propose to declare
to you 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.




THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.

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.




THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER


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


When I was a bed I began to call to minde all the sorrowes and griefes
that 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.




THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER


How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistresse enchant.


On a day Fotis came running to me in great feare, and said that her
mistresse, to work her sorceries on such as shee loved, intended the
night following 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.

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.

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.




THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.




THE FOURTH BOOKE




THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.




THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.

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.

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.




THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER


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


When the skin was a drying we made merry with the flesh, and then we
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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.




THE TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER


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


When night was come the Theeves awaked and rose up, and when they had
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.




THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHES




THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER


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


There was sometimes a certaine King, inhabiting in the West parts, who
had 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:—

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


The King, sometimes happy when he heard the prophesie of Apollo,
returned 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.




THE SIXTH BOOKE




THE TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTER


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.


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.




THE SEVENTH BOOKE




THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER


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.


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.

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.




THE TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTER


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


After supper they began to talke, and declare unto him the going away
of 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.




THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER


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


Then the young man spake againe, saying, Masters, why goe wee not about
to 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.




THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER


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


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.




THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER


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


After that I was thus handled by horses, I was brought home againe to
the Mill, but behold fortune (insatiable of my torments) had devised a
new paine for me. I was appointed to bring home wood every day from a
high hill, and who 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?




THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER


How Apuleius was accused of Lechery by the boy.


A few dayes after, the boy invented another mischiefe: For when he had
sold 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.




THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER


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


While I devised with my selfe in what manner I might end my life, the
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.




THE THIRTY-FIRST CHAPTER


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


In the meane season, while the Parents of the boy did lament and weepe
for 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.




THE EIGHTH BOOKE




THE THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTER


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


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.




THE THIRTY-THIRD CHAPTER


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


By and by the Horsekeeper, to whom the charge of me was committed,
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.




THE THIRTY-FOURTH CHAPTER


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


When we had gone a good part of our way, we came to a certaine wood
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?

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.




THE THIRTY-FIFTH CHAPTER


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


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.




THE THIRTY-SIXTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.




THE NINTH BOOKE




THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER


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


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.




THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER


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


There was a man dwelling in the towne very poore, that had nothing but
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.




THE THIRTY-NINTH CHAPTER


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


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:

Coniuncti terram proscindunt boves ut in futurum loeta germinent sata

That is to say: The Oxen tied and yoked together, doe till the ground
to 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.

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.




THE FORTIETH CHAPTER


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


The Baker which bought me was an honest and sober man; but his wife was
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:

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.




THE FORTY-FIRST CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.




THE FORTY-SECOND CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.

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.




THE FORTY-THIRD CHAPTER


How Apuleius was found by his shadow.


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

Quorsum vacuum ducis Asinum?

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.”




THE TENTH BOOKE




THE FORTY-FOURTH CHAPTER


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


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:

Never knowne, never done.


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.

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.




THE FORTY-FIFTH CHAPTER


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


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.




THE FORTY-SIXTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.

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.




THE ELEVENTH BOOKE




THE FORTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER


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


When midnight came that I had slept my first sleepe, I awaked with
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.

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.

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.




THE FORTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER


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


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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.