The Golden Asse
by Lucius Apuleius
Adlington's translation, 1566
THE FIRST BOOKE
THE FIRST CHAPTER
How Apuleius riding in
Thessaly, fortuned to fall into company with two strangers, that reasoned
together of the mighty power of Witches.
As I fortuned to take my voyage into
Thessaly, about certaine affaires which I had to doe (for there myne auncestry
by my mothers side inhabiteth, descended of the line of that most excellent
person Plutarch, and of Sextus the Philosopher his Nephew, which is to us a
great honour) and after that by much travell and great paine I had passed over
the high mountaines and slipperie vallies, and had ridden through the cloggy
fallowed fields; perceived that my horse did waxe somewhat slow, and to the
intent likewise 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 himselfe of his weariness and travell: and while hee 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 the 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 speake 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 restrayned 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 darkned,
and the darke 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 that 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 easie to be brought to passe.
THE SECOND CHAPTER
How Apuleius told to the
strangers, what he saw a Jugler do in Athens.
The other night being at supper with a
sort of hungry fellowes, while I did greedily put a great morsell 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 a two hand sword, with a very keene
edge, and by and by for a little money that we that 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 therof (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 thanke 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 that I shall tell 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 unto you, what and who I am, and whither I go, and for what purpose,
know ye that I am of Egin, travelling those 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 sould new cheeses of
exceeding good taste and relish, I fortuned on a day to goe 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 torne 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 beggar 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 halfe in despaire) I drew nigh and said, Alas my Socrates,
what meaneth this? how fareth it with thee? What crime hast thou committed?
verily there is great lamentation and weeping made for thee at home: Thy
children are in ward by the 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 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, although 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 bottome of his heart, and beating his face
in miserable sort) began to say.
THE THIRD CHAPTER
How Socrates in his returne
from Macedony to Larissa was spoyled and robbed, and how he fell acquainted
with one Meroe a Witch.
Alas poore miser that I am, that for
the onely desire to see a game of triall of weapons, am fallen into these
miseries and wretched snares of misfortune. For in my returne from Macedonie,
whereas 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 bottome 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 carefull travell, and of
myne unlucky adventure: and after that I had declared unto her such things as
then presently [*] came to my remembrance, shee gently
entertained mee and made mee good cheere; and by and by beeing pricked by
carnall desire, shee brought mee 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 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 traiterously,
and dishonoured they 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)
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 mee. Then answered hee, Verily shee is a Magitian, which hath power to
rule the heavens, to bring 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 darkenesse of hell. Then sayd
I unto Socrates, I pray thee 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 heare one or two, or more of her facts which she hath done, for
whereas she inforceth not onely the inhabitants of the countrey here, but also
the Antictons, to love her in most raging sort, such are but trifles and chips
of her occupation, but I pray you give eare, and I will declare of more
greater matters, which shee hath done openly and before the face of all men.
THE FOURTH CHAPTER
How Meroe the Witch turned
divers persons into miserable beasts.
In faith Aristomenus to tell you the
truth, this woman had a certaine Lover, whom by the utterance of one only word
she turned into a Bever, because he loved another woman beside her: and the
reason why she transformed him into such a beast is, for that it is his
nature, when hee perceiveth the hunters and hounds to draw after him, to bite
off his members, and lay them in the way, that the hounds may be at a stop
when they finde them, and to the intent it might so happen unto him (because
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. Likewise 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 began first 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 burne 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 binde 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, [sic] towne. Then I spake and said, O my friend
Socrates you have declared unto me many marvellous things and strange chances,
and moreover stricken me with no small trouble of minde, yea rather with great
feare, lest the same old woman using the like practice, should fortune to
heare all our communication. Wherefore let us now sleepe, and after that we
have taken our rest, let us rise betimes [*] in the
morning, and ride away hence before day, as far as we can possible.
THE FIFTH CHAPTER
How Socrates and Aristomenus
slept together in one Chamber, and how they were handled by Witches.
In speaking these words, and devising
with my selfe of our departing the next morrow, lest Meroe the Witch should
play by us as she had done by divers other persons, it fortuned that Socrates
did fall asleepe, and slept very soundly, by reason of his travell, and plenty
of meat and wine wherewithall hee had filled him selfe. Wherefore I closed and
barred fast the doore, and so layed mee down 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 lockes, 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 tears oftentimes trickle down 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 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 onely 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 shall repent himselfe too late, nay rather
forthwith, of his former untemperate 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. The 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 corps 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 myne owne eyes, and as I thinke to the intent she might
alter nothing that pertained to sacrifice, which she accustomed to make, she
thrust her hand downe into the intrails 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 the wide wound of his throat with the Sponge, and said, O
Sponge sprung and made of the sea, beware that thou passe not by running
River. This being sayd, the 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 till I was wringing wet. When this was ended 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 halfe 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 shal 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 helpe; 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 unknowne unto 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 keys. 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 halfe 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 wee 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 halfe 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 meanes to escape away? O
Lord, at that time I remember the earth seemed 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 would minister unto mee, I sayd, O bed, O bed, most dear
unto 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
wholsome 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 typed 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 when I leaped
from the bed, thinking verily to strangle my selfe and so dye, behold the rope
beeing old and rotten burst in the middle, and I fell downe 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 a
sleepe, did rise up first and sayd, It is not without cause that strangers do
speake evill of all such Hostlers, for this Caitife [*] in
his comming in, and with his crying out, I thinke under a colour to steale
away somthing, 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 night.
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 feigned
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 sayd, 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, 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 thou art
imbrued with stinking pisse; and verily I my selfe dreamed this night 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 great 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
remembering those terrible furies of whom I lately dreamed, the first morsell
of bread that I put in my mouth (which was but very small) did so sticke 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 he
waxed very thirsty, for indeed he had well nigh devoured all a whole Cheese:
and behold evill fortune! there was behinde 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 upon the side of the banke to drinke, but he had scarce touched the
water with his lips when as behold the wound of his throat opened wide, and
the Sponge suddenly fell 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 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 obstinately 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 many things chance unto me
and unto you, and to divers others, which beeing declared unto the ignorant
bee 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 also was
delighted with the same, and hath brought me to the gate of this city without
any paine at all. Thus ended both our talke and journey, for they two turned
on the left hand to the next villages, and I rode into the City.
THE SIXTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius came to a city
named Hipate and was lodged in one Milos house, and brought him letters from
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 were called Hipata, or no: Who answered, Yes. Then
I demaunded, whether she knew one Milo an Alderman of the city: Wherat she
laughed and sayd, 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 doe not mocke, but tell
me what manner of man he is, and where he dwelleth. Mary (quoth she) doe you
see those Bay windowes, which on the 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 any more in his house than onely one maid,
who goeth apparelled like unto a beggar. Which when I heard, I laughed in my
selfe 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
afeard 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 sayd, 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, unlesse it be either
plate or Jewels? To whom I answered, I pray thee maid speake more gently, and
tel me whether thy master be within or no? Yes (quoth she) 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 unto mee so
worthy a guest as you are. And therewithall he 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 the 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 downe; 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 every where ministred unto
mee by the way, howbeit I will go into the Baines, but my chiefest care is
that my horse be well looked to, for hee brought mee hither roundly, and
therefore I pray thee Fotis take this money and buy some hay and oats for him
THE SEVENTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius going to buy
fish, met with his companion Pythias.
When this was done, and all my things
brought into the Chamber, I walked towards the Baines; but first I went to the
market to buy some victuals for my supper, whereas I saw a great plenty of
fish set out to be sould: and so I cheapened part thereof, and that which they
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 Aithias, fortuned to passe by, and viewing me 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 each
other, and moreover, from the time that wee departed from our Master Vestius,
I never heard any newes from you. I pray you Lucius tell mee the cause of your
peregrination hither. Then I answered and sayd, I will make relation thereof
unto you to morrow: 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 brought 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 payd for all my Sprots. In faith (quoth I) I could
scarse inforce the fishmonger to sell them for twenty pence. Which when he
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 that 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 unhabitable Desart, by reasone of your excessive prices
of victuals, but assure your selfe that you shall know what myne office is,
and how I ought to punish such as offend. Then he tooke 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 mee to depart, and sayd that that [sic] onely
shame and reproach done unto the old Caitife did suffice him. So I went away
all amazed and astonied, towards the Baines, considering with my selfe and
devising of the grace of my companion Pithias. 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 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, untill such time as you shall goe with me: and to confirme 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, and children, and all
his family: and I made him answer to 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 of the chiefe 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 pratling and hungry supper of this rank old man, and beeing 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.