The Golden Asse
by Lucius Apuleius
Adlington's translation, 1566
THE SEVENTH BOOKE
THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER
How hee that was left
behinde at Hippata did bring newes concerning the robbery of Miloes house,
came home and declared to his Company, that all the fault was laid to one
Apuleius his charge.
As 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 sorrowfull for the mischance, 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 the 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 every one
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 than they by the head, and of more bignesse in
body, his beard began to burgen, but he 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 virtue 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 virtues, 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
Cæsar, 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 will make and turne this stony house of
yours into gold. Then by and by every one consented to make him their
Captaine, and so they gave him better garments, and threw away his old. When
they had changed his attire, hee imbraced them one after another, then placed
they him in the highest roome of the table, and drunk unto him in token of
good lucke.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTER
How the death of the
Asse, and the Gentlewoman was stayed.
After supper they began to talke, and
declare unto him the going away of the Gentlewoman, and how I bare her upon my
backe, and what death was ordained for us two. Then he desired to see her,
whereupon the gentlewoman was brought forth fast bound, whom as soone as he
beheld, he turned himselfe wringing his nose, and blamed them saying: I am not
so much a beast, or so rash a fellow to drive you quite from your purpose, but
my conscience will not suffer me to conceale any thing that toucheth your
profit, since I am as carefull for you, howbeit if my counsell doe displease
you, you may at 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 Merchants, 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 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 within herself. Then began I to deeme evill of the
generation of women, when as I saw the Maiden (who was appointed to be married
to a young Gentleman, and who so greatly desired the same) was now delighted
with the talke of a wicked brothel house, and other things dishonest. In this
sort the consent and manners of women depended in the judgement of an Asse.
THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER
How all the Theeves
were brought asleepe by their new companion.
Then the young man spake againe,
saying, Masters, why goe wee not about to make our prayers unto Mars, touching
this selling of the Maiden, and to seeke for other companions. But as farre as
I see, here is no other manner of beast to make sacrifice withall, nor wine
sufficient 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 green turffes 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 pleasure 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 sweet friend Charites, for thou shalt
have by and by all these thy enemies captive unto thee. Then hee filled wine
to the theeves more and more, and never ceased, till as they were all overcome
with abundance of meat and drinke, when as hee himselfe abstained and bridled
his owne appetite. And truely I did greatly suspect, least hee had mingled in
their cups some deadly poyson, for incontinently they all fell downe asleepe
on the ground one after an other, and lay as though they had beene dead.
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER
How the Gentlewoman
was carried home by her husband while the theeves were asleepe, and how much
Apuleius was made of.
When the theeves were all asleepe by
their great and immoderate drinking, the young man Lepolemus took the Maiden
and set her upon my backe, and went homeward. When we were come home, all the
people of the Citie, especially her Parents, friends, and family, came forth
running forth joyfully, and all 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, I 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 into 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 a
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 me so
many thanks and honours being an Asse, they would much more reward me being
turned into a man: but when hee (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 she was 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 commandement of my master. O how I leaped for joy, how I neighed
to see my selfe in such liberty, but especially because 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 utter destruction, for incontinently all the stone Horses which were well
fedde and made strong by ease of pasture, and thereby much more puissant than
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, bit me on every side. In like sort have I read in Histories how the
King of Thrace would throw his miserable ghests to be torne in peeces and
devoured of his wild Horses, so niggish was that Tyrant of his provender, that
he nourished them with the bodies of men.
THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was made
a common Asse to fetch home wood, and how he was handled by a boy.
After that I was thus handled by
horses, I was brought home againe to the Mill, but behold fortune (insatiable
of my torments) had devised a new paine for me. I was appointed to bring home
wood every day from a high hill, and who should drive me thither and home
again, but a boy that was the veriest hangman in all the world, who was not
contented with the great travell that I tooke in climbing up the hill, neither
pleased when he saw my hoofe torne and worne away by sharpe flintes, but he
beat me cruelly with a great staffe, insomuch that the marrow of my bones did
ake for woe, for he would strike me continually on the right hip, and still in
one place, whereby he tore my skinne and made of my wide sore a great hole or
trench, or rather a window to looke out at, and although it runne down 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 he 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 of 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
typed 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 to make me runne, whereby I
perceived that the hangman did devise nothing else save onely 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 in the next village, and put it into the middle of
the rubbell; the rubbell and shrubs being very dry, did fall on a light fire
and burned me on every side. I could see no remedy how I might save my selfe,
and in such a case it was not best for me to stand still: [;?] but fortune was
favourable towards me, perhaps to reserve me for more dangers, for I espyed a
great hole full of raine water that fell the day before, thither I ranne
hastily and plunged my selfe therein, in such sort that I quenched the fire,
and was delivered from that present perill, but the vile boy to excuse
himselfe declared to all the neighbours and shepheards about, that I willingly
tumbled in the fire as I passed through the village. Then he laughed upon me
saying: How long shall we nourish and keepe this fiery Asse in vaine?
THE TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was
accused of Lechery by the boy.
A few dayes after, the boy invented
another mischiefe: For when he had sold all the wood which I bare, to certaine
men dwelling in a village by, he lead me homeward unladen: And then he cryed
that he was not able to rule me, and that hee would not drive mee any longer
to the hill for wood, saying: Doe you not see this slow and dulle Asse, who
besides all the mischiefes that he hath wrought already, inventeth daily more
and more. For he espyeth any woman passing by the way, whether she be old or
marryed, or if it be a young child, hee will throw his burthen from his backe,
and runneth fiercely upon them. And after that he hath thrown them downe, he
will stride over them to commit his buggery and beastly pleasure, moreover hee
will faine as though hee would kisse them, but he will bite their faces
cruelly, which thing may worke us great displeasure, or rather to be imputed
unto us as a crime: and even now when he espyed an honest maiden passing by
the high way, he by and by threw downe his wood and runne after her: And when
he had throwne her down upon the ground, he would have ravished her before the
face of all the world, had it not beene that by reason of her crying out, she
was succored and pulled from his heeles and so delivered. And if it had so
come to passe that this fearefull maid had beene slaine by him, what danger
had we beene in? By these and like lies, he provoked the shepheards earnestly
against me, which grieved me (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 been most mad and terrible, but (when
they were gelded and cut) they have become gentle and tame, and tractable to
all use. Wherefore I would counsell you to geld him. And if you consent
thereto, I will by and by, when I go to the next market fetch mine irons and
tooles for the purpose: And I ensure you after that I have gelded and cut off
his stones, I will deliver him unto you as tame as a lambe. When I did
perceive that I was delivered from death, and reserved to be gelded, I was
greatly sorrie, insomuch that I thought all the hinder part of my body and my
stones did ake for woe, but I sought about to kill my selfe by some manner of
meanes, to the end if I should die, I would die with unperished members.
THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER
How the boy that lead
Apuleius to the field, was slaine in the wood.
While I devised with my selfe in what
manner I might end my life, the roperipe boy on the next morrow lead me to the
same hill againe, and tied me to a bow of a great Oke, and in the meane season
he tooke his hatchet and cut wood to load me withall, but behold there crept
out of a cave by, a marvailous great Beare, holding out his mighty head, whom
when I saw I was sodainly stroken in feare, and (throwing all the strength of
my body into my hinder heeles) lifted up my strained head and brake the
halter, wherewith I was tied. Then there was no need to bid me runne away, for
I scoured not onely 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 an 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 unawares, 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 than
thou deservest, which has stollen away our Asse? Why dost thou not rather tell
us where thou hast hidden the boy whom thou hast slaine? And therewithall they
pulled him downe to the ground, beating him with their fists, and spurning him
with their feete. Then he answered unto them saying, that he saw no manner of
boy, but onely found the Asse loose and straying abroad, which he tooke up to
the intent to have some reward for the finding of him and to restore him
againe to his Master. And I would to God (quoth he) that this Asse (which
verely was never seene) could speake as a man to give witnesse of mine
innocency: Then would you be ashamed of the injury which you have done to me.
Thus (reasoning for himselfe) he nothing prevailed, for they tied the halter
about my necke, and (maugre his face) pulled me quite away, and lead me backe
againe through the woods of the hill to the place where the boy accustomed to
resort. And after they could find him in no place, at length they found his
body rent and torne in peeces, and his members dispersed in sundry places,
which I well knew was done by the cruell Beare: and verely I would have told
it if I might have spoken, but (which I could onely do) I greatly rejoiced at
his death, although it came too late. Then they gathered together the peeces
of his body and buried them. By and by they laid the fault to my new Master,
that tooke me up by the way, and (bringing him home fast bound to their
houses) purposed on the next morrow to accuse him of murther, and to lead him
before the Justices to have judgement of death.
THE THIRTY-FIRST CHAPTER
How Apuleius was
cruelly beaten by the Mother of the boy that was slaine.
In the meane season, while the Parents
of the boy did lament and weepe for the death of their sonne, the shepheard
(according to his promise) came with his instruments and tooles to geld me.
Then one of them said, Tush we little esteeme the mischiefe he did yesterday,
but now we are contented that to morrow his stones shall not onely be cut off,
but also his head. So was it brought to passe, that my death was delayed till
the next morrow, but what thanks did I give to that good boy, who (being so
slaine) was the cause of my pardon for one short day. Howbeit I had no time
then to rest my selfe, for the Mother of the boy, weeping and lamenting for
his death, attired in mourning vesture, tare her haire and beat her breast,
and came presently into the stable, saying, Is it reason that this carelesse
beast should do nothing all day but hold his head in the manger, filling and
belling his guts with meat without compassion of my great miserie, or
remembrance of the pittifull 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 manner?
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 all arrayed 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.