Apuleius — The Golden Ass

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.