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 tire 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 lie had spoken these words he commanded Mercury to call
all the gods to counsell, and if any of the celestiall powers did
faile of appearance he would be condemned in ten thousand pounds: which
sentence was such a terrour to all the goddesses, that the high Theatre
was replenished, and Jupiter began to speake in this sort: O yee gods,
registred in the bookes of the Muses, you all know this young man Cupid
whom I have nourished with mine owne hands, whose raging flames of his
first youth, I thought best to bridle and restraine. It sufficeth that
hee is defamed in every place for his adulterous living, wherefore all
occasion ought to bee taken away by meane of marriage: he hath chosen a
Maiden that fancieth him well, and hath bereaved her of her virginity,
let him have her still, and possesse her according to his owne pleasure:
then he returned to Venus, and said, And you my daughter, take you no
care, neither feare the dishonour of your progeny and estate, neither
have regard in that it is a mortall marriage, for it seemeth unto me
just, lawfull, and legitimate by the law civill. Incontinently after
Jupiter commanded Mercury to bring up Psyches, the spouse of Cupid, into
the Pallace of heaven. And then he tooke a pot of immortality, and said,
Hold Psyches, and drinke, to the end thou maist be immortall, and that
Cupid may be thine everlasting husband. By and by the great banket and
marriage feast was sumptuously prepared, Cupid sate downe with his deare
spouse between his armes: Juno likewise with Jupiter, and all the other
gods in order, Ganimedes filled the pot of Jupiter, and Bacchus served
the rest. Their drinke was Nectar the wine of the gods, Vulcanus
prepared supper, the howers decked up the house with roses and other
sweet smells, the graces threw about blame, the Muses sang with sweet
harmony, Apollo tuned pleasantly to the Harpe, Venus danced finely:
Satirus and Paniscus plaid on their pipes; and thus Psyches was married
to Cupid, and after she was delivered of a child whom we call Pleasure.
This the trifling old woman declared unto the captive maiden: but I
poore Asse, not standing farre of, was not a little sorry in that I
lacked pen and inke to write so worthy a tale.
THE SIXTH BOOKE
THE TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTER
How Apuleius carried away the Gentlewoman, and how they were taken
againe by the theeves, and what a kind of death was invented for them.
By and by the theeves came home laden with treasure, and many of them
which were of strongest courage (leaving behind such as were lame and
wounded, to heale and aire themselves) said they would returne backe
againe to fetch the rest of their pillage, which they had hidden in
a certaine cave, and so they snatched up their dinner greedily, and
brought us forth into the way and beate us before them with staves.
About night (after that we had passed over many hilles and dales) we
came to a great cave, where they laded us with mighty burthens, and
would not suffer us to refresh our selves any season but brought us
againe in our way, and hied so fast homeward, that what with their haste
and their cruell stripes, I fell downe upon a stone by the way side,
then they beate me pittifully in lifting me up, and hurt my right thigh
and my left hoofe, and one of them said, What shall we do with this lame
Ill favoured Asse, that is not worth the meate he eats? And other said,
Since the time that we had him first he never did any good, and I thinke
he came unto our house with evill lucke, for we have had great wounds
since, and losse of our valiant captaines, and other said, As soone as
he hath brought home his burthen, I will surely throw him out upon the
mountaine to be a pray for wild beasts: While these gentlemen reasoned
together of my death, we fortuned to come home, for the feare that I was
in, caused my feet to turne into wings: after that we were discharged
of our burthens, they went to their fellowes that were wounded, and
told them of our great tardity and slownesse by the way, neither was I
brought into small anguish, when I perceived my death prepared before
my face: Why standest thou still Lucius? Why dost thou not looke for
thy death? Knowst thou not that the theeves have ordained to slay thee?
seest thou not these sharpe and pointed flints which shall bruise and
teare thee in peeces, if by adventure thou happen upon them? Thy gentle
Magitian hath not onely given thee the shape and travell of an Asse, but
also a skinne so soft and tender as it were a swallow: why dost thou not
take courage and runne away to save thy selfe? Art thou afraid of the
old woman more then halfe dead, whom with a stripe of thy heele thou
maist easily dispatch? But whither shall I fly? What lodging shall I
seek? See my Assy cogitation. Who is he that passeth by the way and
will not take me up? While I devised these things, I brake the halter
wherewith I was tyed and ran away with all my force, howbeit I could not
escape the kitish eyes of the old woman, for shee ran after me, and with
more audacity then becommeth her kind age, caught me by the halter and
thought to pull me home: but I not forgetting the cruell purpose of the
theeves, was mooved with small pity, for I kicked her with my hinder
heeles to the ground and had welnigh slaine her, who (although shee was
throwne and hurled downe) yet shee held still the halter, and would not
let me goe; then shee cryed with a loud voyce and called for succour,
but she little prevayled, because there was no person that heard her,
save onely the captive gentlewoman, who hearing the voice of the old
woman, came out to see what the matter was, and perceiving her hanging
at the halter, tooke a good courage and wrested it out of her hand, and
(entreating me with gentle words) got upon my backe. Then I began
to runne, and shee gently kicked mee forward, whereof I was nothing
displeased, for I had as great a desire to escape as shee: insomuch
that I seemed to scowre away like a horse. And when the Gentlewoman
did speake, I would answere her with my neighing, and oftentimes (under
colour to rub my backe) I would sweetly kisse her tender feet. Then shee
fetching a sigh from the bottome of her heart, lifted up her eyes to the
heavens, saying: O soveraigne Gods, deliver mee if it be your pleasure,
from these present dangers: and thou cruell fortune cease thy wrath, let
the sorrow suffice thee which I have already sustained. And thou little
Asse, that art the occasion of my safety and liberty, if thou canst
once render me safe and sound to my parents, and to him that so greatly
desireth to have me to his wife, thou shalt see what thankes I will
give: with what honour I will reward thee, and how I will use thee.
First, I will bravely dresse the haires of thy forehead, and then will
I finely combe thy maine, I will tye up thy rugged tayle trimly, I will
decke thee round about with golden trappes, in such sort that thou shalt
glitter like the starres of the skie, I will bring thee daily in my
apron the kirnels of nuts, and will pamper thee up with delicates; I
will set store by thee, as by one that is the preserver of my life:
Finally, thou shalt lack no manner of thing. Moreover amongst thy
glorious fare, thy great ease, and the blisse of thy life, thou shalt
not be destitute of dignity, for thou shalt be chronicled perpetually in
memory of my present fortune, and the providence divine. All the whole
history shall be painted upon the wall of our house, thou shalt he
renowned throughout all the world. And it shall be registred in the
bookes of Doctours, that an Asse saved the life of a young maiden that
was captive amongst Theeves: Thou shalt be numbred amongst the ancient
miracles: wee beleeve that by like example of truth Phryxus saved
himselfe from drowning upon the Ram, Arion escaped upon a Dolphin, and
that Europa was delivered by the Bull. If Jupiter transformed himselfe
into a Bull, why may it not be that under the shape of this Asse, is
hidden the figure of a man, or some power divine? While that the Virgin
did thus sorrowfully unfold her desires, we fortuned to come to a place
where three wayes did meet, and shee tooke me by the halter, and would
have me to turne on the right hand to her fathers house: but I (knowing
that the theeves were gone that way to fetch the residue of their
pillage) resisted with my head as much as I might, saying within my
selfe: What wilt thou doe unhappy maiden? Why wouldst thou goe so
willingly to hell? Why wilt thou runne into destruction by meane of my
feet? Why dost thou seek thine own harme, and mine likewise? And while
we strived together whether way we might take, the theeves returned,
laiden with their pray, and perceived us a farre off by the light of the
Moon: and after they had known us, one of them gan say, Whither goe you
so hastely? Be you not afraid of spirits? And you (you harlot) doe you
not goe to see your parents? Come on, we will beare you company? And
therewithall they tooke me by the hatter, and drave me backe againe,
beating me cruelly with a great staffe (that they had) full of knobs:
then I returning againe to my ready destruction, and remembering the
griefe of my hoofe, began to shake my head, and to waxe lame, but he
that led me by the halter said, What, dost thou stumble? Canst thou not
goe? These rotten feet of thine ran well enough, but they cannot walke:
thou couldest mince it finely even now with the gentlewoman, that thou
seemedst to passe the horse Pegasus in swiftnesse. In saying of these
words they beat mee againe, that they broke a great staffe upon mee. And
when we were come almost home, we saw the old woman hanging upon a bow
of a Cipresse tree; then one of them cut downe the bowe whereon shee
hanged, and cast her into the bottome of a great ditch: after this
they bound the maiden and fell greedily to their victuals, which the
miserable old woman had prepared for them. At which time they began to
devise with themselves of our death, and how they might be revenged;
divers was the opinions of this divers number: the first said, that hee
thought best the Mayd should be burned alive: the second said she should
be throwne out to wild beasts: the third said, she should be hanged upon
a gibbet: the fourth said she should be flead alive: thus was the death
of the poore Maiden scanned betweene them foure. But one of the theeves
after every man had declared his judgement, did speake in this manner:
it is not convenient unto the oath of our company, to suffer you to waxe
more cruell then the quality of the offence doth merit, for I would that
shee should not be hanged nor burned, nor throwne to beasts, nor dye any
sodaine death, but by my council I would have her punished according to
her desert. You know well what you have determined already of this dull
Asse, that eateth more then he is worth, that faineth lamenesse, and
that was the cause of the flying away of the Maid: my mind is that he
shall be slaine to morrow, and when all the guts and entrailes of his
body is taken out, let the Maide be sowne into his belly, then let us
lay them upon a great stone against the broiling heate of the Sunne, so
they shall both sustaine all the punishments which you have ordained:
for first the Asse shall be slaine as you have determined, and she shall
have her members torne and gnawn with wild beasts, when as she is bitten
and rent with wormes, shee shall endure the paine of the fire, when as
the broyling heat of the Sunne shall scortch and parch the belly of the
Asse, shee shall abide the gallows when the Dogs and Vultures shall
have the guts of her body hanging in their ravenous mouthes. I pray you
number all the torments which she shall suffer: First shee shall dwell
within the paunch of an Asse: secondly her nosethrilles shall receive a
carraine stinke of the beast: thirdly shee shall dye for hunger: last of
all, shee shall finde no meane to ridde her selfe from her paines, for
her hand shalt be sowen up within the skinne of the Asse: This being
said, all the Theeves consented, and when I (poore Asse) heard and
understood all their device, I did nothing else but lament and bewayle
my dead carkasse, which should be handled in such sort on the next
morrow.
THE SEVENTH BOOKE
THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER
How hee that was left behinde at Hippata did bring newes concerning the
robbery of Miloes house, came home and declared to his Company, that all
the fault was laid to one Apuleius his charge.
A soone as night was past, and the cleare Chariot of the Sunne had
spred his bright beames on every coast, came one of the company of the
theeves, (for so his and their greeting together did declare) who at the
first entry into the Cave (after hee had breathed himselfe, and was able
to speake) told these tydings unto his companions in this sort. Sirs,
as touching the house of Milo of Hippata, which we forcibly entred and
ransackt the last day, we may put away all feare and doubt nothing at
all. For after that ye by force of armes, had spoyled and taken away all
things in the house, and returned hither into our Cave; I (thrusting my
selfe amongst the presse of the people, and shewing my selfe as though
I were sad and sorrowful for the mischance) consulted with them for the
boulting out of the matter, and devising what meanes might be wrought
for the apprehension of the theeves, to the intent I might learne and
see all that was done to make relation thereof unto you as you willed
me, insomuch that the whole fact at length by manifest and evident
proofes as also by the common opinion and judgement of the people, was
laid to one Lucius Apuleius charge as manifest author of this common
robbery, who a few dayse before by false and forged letters and colored
honesty, fell so farre in favour with this Milo, that he entertained him
into his house, and received him as a chiefe of his familiar friends,
which Lucius after that he had sojourned there a good space, and won the
heart of Miloes Maid, by fained love, did thoroughly learne the waies
and doores of all the house, and curiously viewed the cofers and chests,
wherein was laid the whole substance of Milo: neither was there small
cause given to judge him culpable, since as the very same night that
this robbery was done he fled away, and could not be found in no place:
and to the intent hee might cleane escape, and better prevent such as
made hew and crie after him, he tooke his white horse and galloped away,
and after this, his servant was found in the house, who (accused as
accessary to the fellony and escape of his Master) was committed to
the common gaole, and the next day following was cruelly scourged and
tormented till hee was welnigh dead, to the intent hee should confesse
the matter, but when they could wreast or learne no such thing of him,
yet sent they many persons after, towardes Lucius Countrey to enquire
him out, and so to take him prisoner. As he declared these things, I did
greatly lament with my selfe, to thinke of mine old and pristine estate,
and what felicity I was sometimes in, in comparison to the misery that I
presently susteined, being changed into a miserable Asse, then had I no
small occasion to remember, how the old and ancient Writers did
affirme, that fortune was starke blind without eies, because she alwaies
bestoweth her riches upon evil persons, and fooles, and chooseth or
favoureth no mortall person by judgement, but is alwaies conversent,
especially with much as if she could see, she should most shunne, and
forsake, yea and that which is more worse, she sheweth such evill or
contrary opinions in men, that the wicked doe glory with the name of
good, and contrary the good and innocent be detracted and slandred as
evill. Furthermore I, who by her great cruelty, was turned into a foure
footed Asse, in most vile and abject manner: yea, and whose estate
seemed worthily to be lamented and pittied of the most hard and stonie
hearts, was accused of theft and robbing of my deare host Milo, which
villany might rather be called parricide then theft, yet might not I
defend mine owne cause or denie the fact any way, by reason I could not
speake; howbeit least my conscience should seeme to accuse me by reason
of silence, and againe being enforced by impatience I endevored to
speake, and faine would have said, Never did I that fact, and verely the
first word, never, I cried out once or twise, somewhat handsome, but the
residue I could in no wise pronounce, but still remaining in one voice,
cried, Never, never, never, howbeit I settled my hanging lips as round
as I could to speake the residue: but why should I further complaine of
the crueltie of my fortune, since as I was not much ashamed, by reason
that my servant and my horse, was likewise accused with me of the
robbery.
While I pondered with my selfe all these things, a great care [came] to
my remembrance, touching the death, which the theeves provised for me
and the maiden, and still as I looked downe to my belly, I thought of my
poore gentlewoman that should be closed within me. And the theefe which
a little before had brought the false newes against me, drew out of the
skirt of his coate, a thousand crowns, which he had rifled from such
as hee met, and brought it into the common treasury. Then hee carefully
enquired how the residue of his companions did. To whom it was declared
that the most valiant was murdred and slaine in divers manners,
whereupon he perswaded them to remit all their affaires a certaine
season, and to seeke for other fellowes to be in their places, that by
the exercise of new lads, the terror of their martiall band might be
reduced to the old number, assuring them that such as were unwilling,
might be compelled by menaces and threatnings, and such as were willing
might be incouraged forward with reward. Further be said, that there
were some, which (seeing the profite which they had) would forsake their
base and servile estate, and rather bee contented to live like tyrants
amongst them. Moreover he declared, that for his part he had spoken with
a certaine tall man, a valiant companion, but of young age, stout in
body, and couragious in fight, whom he had fully perswaded to exercise
his idle hands, dull with slothfullnesse, to his greater profit, and
(while he might) to receive the blisse of better Fortune, and not to
hold out his sturdy arme to begge for a penny, but rather to take as
much gold and silver as hee would. Then everyone consented, that hee
that seemed so worthy to be their companion, should be one of their
company, and that they would search for others to make up the residue
of the number, whereupon he went out, and by and by (returning againe)
brought in a tall young man (as he promised) to whom none of the residue
might bee compared, for hee was higher then they by the head, and of
more bignesse in body, his beard began to burgen, but hee was poorely
apparelled, insomuch that you might see all his belly naked. As soone
as he was entred in he said, God speed yee souldiers of Mars and my
faithfull companions, I pray you make me one of your band, and I will
ensure you, that you shall have a man of singular courage and lively
audacity: for I had rather receive stripes upon my backe, then money or
gold in my hands. And as for death (which every man doth feare) I passe
nothing at all, yet thinke you not that I am an abject or a begger,
neither judge you my vertue and prowesse by ragged clothes, for I have
beene a Captaine of a great company, and subdued all the countrey of
Macedonia. I am the renowned theefe Hemes the Thracian, whose name all
countreys and nations do so greatly feare: I am the sonne of Theron
the noble theefe, nourished with humane bloud, entertained amongst
the stoutest; finally I am inheritour and follower of all my fathers
vertues, yet I lost in a short time all my company and all my riches,
by one assault, which I made upon a Factor of the Prince, which sometime
had beene Captaine of two hundred men, for fortune was cleane against
me; harken and I will tell you the whole matter. There was a certaine
man in the court of the Emperour, which had many offices, and in great
favour, who at last by the envy of divers persons, was banished away and
compelled to forsake the court: his wife Platina, a woman of rare faith
and singular shamefastnes having borne ten children to her husband,
despised all worldly Pompe and delicacy, and determined to follow her
husband, and to be partaker of his perils and danger, wherefore shee cut
off her haire, disguised her selfe like a man, and tooke with her all
her treasure, passing through the hands of the souldiers, and the naked
swords without any feare, whereby she endured many miseries, and was
partaker of much affliction, to save the life of her husband, such
was her love which she bare unto him. And when they had escaped many
perillous dangers, as well by land as by sea, they went together towards
Zacynthe, to continue there according as fortune had appointed. But when
they were arived on the sea coast of Actium (where we in our returne
from Macedony were roving about) when night came, they returned into a
house not far distant from their ship, where they lay all night. Then
we entred in and tooke away all their substance, but verely we were in
great danger: for the good matron perceiving us incontinently by the
noise of the gate, went into the chamber, and called up every man by his
name, and likewise the neighbors that dwelled round about, insomuch that
by reason of the feare that every one was in, we hardly escaped away,
but this most holy woman, faithfull and true to her husband (as the
truth must be declared) returned to Caesar, desiring his aid and
puissance, and demanding vengeance of the injury done to her husband,
who granted all her desire: then went my company to wracke, insomuch
that every man was slaine, so great was the authority and word of the
Prince. Howbeit, when all my band was lost, and taken by search of
the Emperours army, I onely stole away and delivered my selfe from the
violence of the souldiers, for I clothed my selfe in a womans attire,
and mounted upon an Asse, that carryed barly sheafes, and (passing
through the middle of them all) I escaped away, because every one deemed
that I was a woman by reason I lacked a beard. Howbeit I left not off
for all this, nor did degenerate from the glory of my father, or mine
own vertue, but freshly comming from the bloody skirmish, and disguised
like a woman, I invaded townes and castles alone to get some pray. And
therewithall he pulled out two thousand crownes, which he had under his
coate, saying: Hold here the dowry which I present unto you, hold eke
my person, which you shall alwayes find trusty and faithfull, if you
willingly receive me: and I will ensure you that in so doing, within
short space I wilt make and turne this stony house of yours into gold.
Then by and by every one consented to make him their Captaine, and so
they gave him better garments, and threw away his old. When they had
changed his attire, hee imbraced them one after another, then placed
they him in the highest roome of the table, and drunk unto him in token
of good lucke.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTER
How the death of the Asse, and the Gentlewoman was stayed.
After supper they began to talke, and declare unto him the going away
of the Gentlewoman, and how I bare her upon my backe, and what death
was ordained for us two. Then he desired to see her, whereupon the
Gentlewoman was brought forth fast bound, whom as soone as he beheld, he
turned himselfe wringing his nose, and blamed them saying: I am not so
much a beast, or so rash a fellow to drive you quite from your purpose,
but my conscience will not suffer me to conceale any thing that toucheth
your profit, since I am as carefull for you, howbeit if my counsell doe
displease you, you may at your liberty proceed in your enterprise.
I doubt not but all theeves, and such as have a good judgement, will
preferre their owne lucre and gain above all things in the world,
and above their vengeance, which purchaseth damage to divers persons.
Therefore if you put this virgin in the Asses belly, you shall but
execute your indignation against her, without all manner of profit; But
I would advise you to carry the virgin to some towne and to sell her:
and such a brave girle as she is, may be sold for a great quantity
of money. And I my selfe know certaine bawdy Marchants, amongst whom
peradventure one will give us summes of gold for her. This is my opinion
touching this affaire: but advise you what you intend to do, for you
may rule me in this case. In this manner the good theefe pleaded and
defended our cause, being a good Patron to the silly virgin, and to
me poore Asse. But they staied hereupon a good space, with long
deliberation, which made my heart (God wot) and spirit greatly to
quaile. Howbeit in the end they consented to his opinion, and by and
by the Maiden was unloosed of her bonds, who seeing the young man, and
hearing the name of brothels and bawdy Merchants, began to wax joyfull,
and smiled with herself. Then began I to deeme evill of the generation
of women, when as I saw the Maiden (who was appointed to be married to a
young Gentleman, and who so greatly desired the same) was now delighted
with the talke of a wicked brothel house, and other things dishonest. In
this sort the consent and manners of women depended in the judgement of
an Asse.
THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER
How all the Theeves were brought asleepe by their new companion.
Then the young man spake againe, saying, Masters, why goe wee not about
to make our prayers unto Mars, touching this selling of the Maiden, and
to seeke for other companions. But as farre as I see, here is no other
manner of beast to make sacrifice withall, nor wine sufficient for us to
drinke. Let me have (quoth hee) tenne more with me, and wee will goe to
the next Castle, to provide for meat and other things necessary. So
he and tenne more with him, went their way: In the meane season, the
residue made a great fire and an Alter with greene turfes in the honour
of Mars. By and by after they came againe, bringing with them bottles
of wine, and a great number of beasts, amongst which there was a big Ram
Goat, fat, old, and hairy, which they killed and offered unto Mars. Then
supper was prepared sumptuously, and the new companion said unto the
other, You ought to accompt me not onely your Captaine in robbery
and fight, but also in pleasures and jolity, whereupon by and by with
pleasant cheere he prepared meat, and trimming up the house he set all
things in order, and brought the pottage and dainty dishes to the
Table: but above all he plyed them wel with great pots and jugs of wine.
Sometimes (seeming to fetch somewhat) hee would goe to the Maiden and
give her pieces of meate, which he privily tooke away, and would drinke
unto her, which she willingly tooke in good part. Moreover, hee kissed
her twice or thrice whereof she was well pleased but I (not well
contented thereat) thought in my selfe: O wretched Maid, thou hast
forgotten thy marriage, and doest esteeme this stranger and bloudy
theefe above thy husband which thy Parents ordained for thee, now
perceive I well thou hast no remorse of conscience, but more delight to
tarry and play the harlot heere amongst so many swords. What? knowest
thou not how the other theeves if they knew thy demeanour would put
thee to death as they had once appointed, and so worke my destruction
likewise? Well now I perceive thou hast a pleasure in the dammage
and hurt of other. While I did angerly devise with my selfe all these
things, I perceived by certaine signes and tokens (not ignorant to
so wise an Asse) that he was not the notable theefe Hemus, but rather
Lepolemus her husband, for after much communication he beganne to speake
more franckly, not fearing at all my presence, and said, Be of good
cheere my sweete friend Charites, for thou shalt have by and by all
these thy enemies captive unto thee. Then hee filled wine to the theeves
more and more, and never ceased, till as they were all overcome with
abundance of meat and drinke, when as hee himselfe abstained and bridled
his owne appetite. And truely I did greatly suspect, least hee had
mingled in their cups some deadly poyson, for incontinently they all
fell downe asleepe on the ground one after an other, and lay as though
they had beene dead.
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER
How the Gentlewoman was carried home by her husband while the theeves
were asleepe, and how much Apuleius was made of.
When the theeves were all asleepe by their great and immoderate
drinking, the young man Lepolemus took the Maiden and set her upon my
backe, and went homeward. When we were come home, all the people of the
Citie, especially her Parents, friends, and family, came running forth
joyfully, and the children and Maidens of the towne gathered together to
see this virgin in great triumph sitting upon an Asse. Then I (willing
to shew as much joy as I might, as present occasion served) I set and
pricked up my long eares, ratled my nosethrils, and cryed stoutly, nay
rather I made the towne to ring againe with my shrilling sound: when
wee were come to her fathers house, shee was received in a chamber
honourably: as for me, Lepolemus (accompanied with a great number of
Citizens) did presently after drive me backe againe with other horses to
the cave of the theeves, where wee found them all asleepe lying on the
ground as wee left them; then they first brought out all the gold, and
silver, and other treasure of the house, and laded us withall, which
when they had done, they threw many of the theeves downe into the
bottome of deepe ditches, and the residue they slew with their swords:
after this wee returned home glad and merry of so great vengeance upon
them, and the riches which wee carried was commited to the publike
treasurie. This done, the Maid was married to Lepolemus, according to
the law, whom by so much travell he had valiantly recovered: then my
good Mistresse looked about for me, and asking for me commanded the very
same day of her marriage, that my manger should be filled with barly,
and that I should have hay and oats aboundantly, and she would call
me her little Camell. But how greatly did I curse Fotis, in that shee
transformed me into an Asse, and not into a dogge, because I saw the
dogges had filled their paunches with the reliks and bones of so worthy
a supper. The next day this new wedded woman (my Mistresse) did greatly
commend me before her Parents and husband, for the kindnesse which I had
shewed unto her, and never leaved off untill such time as they promised
to reward me with great honours. Then they called together all their
friends, and thus it was concluded: one said, that I should be closed
in a stable and never worke, but continually to be fedde and fatted
with fine and chosen barly and beanes and good littour, howbeit another
prevailed, who wishing my liberty, perswaded them that it was better
for me to runne in the fields amongst the lascivious horses and mares,
whereby I might engender some mules for my Mistresse: then he that had
in charge to keepe the horse, was called for, and I was delivered unto
him with great care, insomuch that I was right pleasant and joyous,
because I hoped that I should carry no more fardels nor burthens,
moreover I thought that when I should thus be at liberty, in the spring
time of the yeere when the meddows and fields were greene, I should
find some roses in some place, whereby I was fully perswaded that if my
Master and Mistresse did render to me so many thanks and honours being
an Asse, they would much more reward me being turned into a man: but
when he (to whom the charge of me was so straightly committed) had
brought me a good way distant from the City, I perceived no delicate
meates nor no liberty which I should have, but by and by his covetous
wife and most cursed queane made me a mill Asse, and (beating me with a
cudgill full of knots) would wring bread for her selfe and her husband
out of my skinne. Yet was she not contented to weary me and make me a
drudge with carriage and grinding of her owne corne, but I was hired of
her neighbours to beare their sackes likewise, howbeit shee would not
give me such meate as I should have, nor sufficient to sustaine my life
withall, for the barly which I ground for mine owne dinner she would
sell to the Inhabitants by. And after that I had laboured all day, she
would set before me at night a little filthy branne, nothing cleane
but full of stones. Being in this calamity, yet fortune worked me other
torments, for on a day I was let loose into the fields to pasture, by
the commandement of my master. O how I leaped for joy, how I neighed
to see my selfe in such liberty, but especially since I beheld so many
Mares, which I thought should be my wives and concubines; and I espied
out and chose the fairest before I came nigh them; but this my joyfull
hope turned into otter destruction, for incontinently all the stone
Horses which were well fedde and made strong by ease of pasture, and
thereby much more puissant then a poore Asse, were jealous over me, and
(having no regard to the law and order of God Jupiter) ranne fiercely
and terribly against me; one lifted up his forefeete and kicked me
spitefully, another turned himselfe, and with his hinder heeles spurned
me cruelly, the third threatning with a malicious neighing, dressed his
eares and shewing his sharpe and white teeth bit me on every side. In
like sort have I read in Histories how the King of Thrace would throw
his miserable ghests to be torne in peeces and devoured of his wild
Horses, so niggish was that Tyrant of his provender, that he nourished
them with the bodies of men.
THE TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was made a common Asse to fetch home wood, and how he was
handled by a boy.
After that I was thus handled by horses, I was brought home againe to
the Mill, but behold fortune (insatiable of my torments) had devised a
new paine for me. I was appointed to bring home wood every day from a
high hill, and who should drive me thither and home again, but a boy
that was the veriest hangman in all the world, who was not contented
with the great travell that I tooke in climbing up the hill, neither
pleased when he saw my hoofe torne and worne away by sharpe flintes, but
he beat me cruelly with a great staffe, insomuch that the marrow of my
bones did ake for woe, for he would strike me continually on the right
hip, and still in one place, whereby he tore my skinne and made of my
wide sore a great hole or trench, or rather a window to looke out at,
and although it runne downe of blood, yet would he not cease beating
me in that place: moreover he laded me with such great burthens of wood
that you would thinke they had been rather prepared for Elephants then
for me, and when he perceived that my wood hanged more on one side then
another, (when he should rather take away the heavy sides, and so ease
me, or else lift them up to make them equall with the other) he laid
great stones upon the weaker side to remedy the matter, yet could be not
be contented with this my great misery and immoderate burthens of wood,
but when hee came to any river (as there were many by the way) he to
save his feete from water, would leape upon my loynes likewise, which
was no small loade upon loade. And if by adversity I had fell downe in
any dirty or myrie place, when he should have pulled me out either with
ropes, or lifted me up by the taile, he would never helpe me, but lay
me on from top to toe with a mighty staffe, till he had left no haire on
all my body, no not so much as on mine eares, whereby I was compelled
by force of blowes to stand up. The same hangman boy did invent another
torment for me: he gathered a great many sharp thornes as sharp as
needles and bound them together like a fagot, and tyed them at my
tayle to pricke me, then was I afflicted on every side, for if I had
indeavoured to runne away, the thornes would have pricked me, if I had
stood still, the boy would have beaten mee, and yet the boy beate mee to
make me runne, whereby I perceived that the hangman did devise nothing
else save only to kill me by some manner of meanes, and he would sweare
and threaten to do me worse harme, and because hee might have some
occasion to execute his malicious minde, upon a day (after that I had
endeavoured too much by my patience) I lifted up my heeles and spurned
him welfavouredly. Then he invented this vengeance against me, after
that he had well laded me with shrubs and rubble, and trussed it round
upon my backe, hee brought me out into the way: then hee stole a burning
coale out of a mans house of the next village, and put it into the
middle of the rubbell; the rubbell and shrubs being very dry, did fall
on a light fire and burned me on every side. I could see no remedy how I
might save my selfe, and in such a case it was not best for me to stand
still but fortune was favourable towards me, perhaps to reserve me for
more dangers, for I espyed a great hole full of raine water that fell
the day before, thither I ranne hastily and plunged my selfe therein, in
such sort that I quenched the fire, and was delivered from that
present perill, but the vile boy to excuse himselfe declared to all the
neighbours and shepheards about, that I willingly tumbled in the fire as
I passed through the village. Then he laughed upon me saying: How long
shall we nourish and keepe this fiery Asse in vaine? |
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