In the mean season he was delivered to the hands of the executioner. But
there arose a sage and ancient Physitian, a man of a good conscience
and credit throughout all the City, that stopped the mouth of the
pot wherein the stones were cast, saying: I am right glad ye reverend
judges, that I am a man of name and estimation amongst you, whereby I am
accompted such a one as will not suffer any person to be put to death by
false and untrue accusations, considering there hath bin no homicide
or murther committed by this yong man in this case, neither you (being
sworn to judge uprightly) to be misinformed and abused by invented lyes
and tales. For I cannot but declare and open my conscience, least I
should be found to beare small honour and faith to the Gods, wherefore
I pray you give eare, and I will shew you the whole truth of the matter.
You shall understand that this servant which hath merited to be hanged,
came one of these dayes to speake with me, promising to give me a
hundred crownes, if I would give him present poyson, which would cause
a man to dye suddenly, saying, that he would have it for one that was
sicke of an incurable disease, to the end he might be delivered from all
torment, but I smelling his crafty and subtill fetch, and fearing least
he would worke some mischiefe withall, gave him a drinke; but to the
intent I might cleare my selfe from all danger that might happen, I
would not presently take the money which he offered. But least any of
the crownes should lacke weight or be found counterfeit, I willed him to
scale the purse wherein they were put, with his manuell signe, whereby
the next day we might goe together to the Goldsmith to try them, which
he did; wherefore understanding that he was brought present before you
this day, I hastily commanded one of my servants to fetch the purse
which he had sealed, and here I bring it unto you to see whether he will
deny his owne signe or no: and you may easily conject that his words are
untrue, which he alleadged against the young man, touching the buying
of the poyson, considering hee bought the poyson himselfe. When the
Physitian had spoken these words you might perceive how the trayterous
knave changed his colour, how hee sweat for feare, how he trembled in
every part of his body: and how he set one leg upon another, scratching
Ibis head and grinding his teeth, whereby there was no person but would
judge him culpable. In the end, when he was somewhat returned to his
former subtility, he began to deny all that was said, and stoutly
affirmed, that the Physitian did lye. But the Physitian perceiving that
he was rayled at and his words denyed, did never cease to confirme his
sayings, and to disprove the varlet, till such time as the Officers
by the commandment of the Judges, bound his hands and brought out the
seale, wherewith he had sealed the purse which augmented suspition which
was conceived of him first. Howbeit, neither the feare of the wheele or
any other torment according to the use of the Grecians, which were ready
prepared, no, nor yet the fire could enforce him to confesse the matter,
so obstinate and grounded was he in his mischievous mind. But the
Physitian perceiving that the menaces of these torments did nothing
prevaile, gan say: I cannot suffer or abide that this young man who
is innocent, should against all law and conscience, be punished and
condemned to die, and the other which is culpable, should escape so
easily, and after mocke and flowte at your judgement: for I will give
you an evident proofe and argument of this present crime. You shall
understand, that when this caytiffe demanded of me a present and strong
poyson, considering that it was not my part to give occasion of any
others death, but rather to cure and save sicke persons by meane of
medicines: and on the other side, fearing least if I should deny his
request, I might minister a further cause of his mischiefe, either that
he would buy poyson of some other, or else returne and worke his wicked
intent, with a sword or some dangerous weapon, I gave him no poyson,
but a doling drinke of Mandragora, which is of such force, that it
will cause any man to sleepe as though he were dead. Neither is it any
marvaile if this most desperate man, who is certainly assured to be put
to death, ordained by an ancient custome, can suffer and abide these
facill and easie torments, but if it be so that the child hath received
the drinke as I tempered it with mine owne hands, he is yet alive and
doth but sleepe, and after his sleepe he shall returne to life againe,
but if he be dead indeed, then may you further enquire of the causes
of his death. The opinion of this ancient Physitian was found good, and
every man had a desire to goe to the Sepulchre where the child was layd;
there was none of the Justices, none of any reputation of the towne, nor
any of the common people, but went to see this strange sight. Amongst
them all the father of the child remooved with his owne hands the stone
of the Sepulchre, and found his Sonne rising up after his dead and
soporiferous sleepe, whom when he beheld, he imbraced him in his armes,
and presented him before the people, with great joy and consolation, and
as he was wrapped and bound in his grave, so he brought him before the
Judges, whereupon the wickednesse of the Servant, and, the treason
of the stepdame was plainely discovered, and the verity of the matter
revealed, whereby the woman was perpetually exiled, the Servant hanged
on a Gallowes, and the Physitian had the Crownes, which was prepared to
buy the poyson. Behold how the fortune of the old man was changed, who
thinking to be deprived of all his race and posterity, was in one moment
made the Father of two Children. But as for me, I was ruled and handled
by fortune, according to her pleasure.
THE FORTY-FIFTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was sold to two brethren, whereof one was a Baker, and the
other a Cooke, and how finely and daintily he fared.
THE Souldier that payed never a peny for me, by the commandement of his
Captaine was sent unto Rome, to cary Letters to the great Prince, and
Generall of the Campe. Before he went, he sold me for eleven pence to
two of his Companions, being Servants to a man of worship, whereof one
was a Baker that baked sweet bread and delicates, the other a Cooke,
which dressed fine and excellent meats for his Master. These two lived
in common, and would drive me from place to place, to carry such things
as was necessary, insomuch that I was received by these two, as a third
Brother, and Companion, and I thought I was never better placed, then
with them: for when night came that Supper was done, and their businesse
ended, they would bring many good morsels into their Chamber for
themselves. One would bring Pigs, Chickens, fish, and other good meates,
the other fine bread, pasties, tarts, custards and other delicate
Junkets dipped in hony. And when they had shut their chamber doore, and
went to the bains: (O Lord) how I would fill my guts with these goodly
dishes: neither was I so much a foole, or so very an Asse, to leave
the dainty meats, and to grind my teeth upon hard hay. In this sort
I continued a great space, for I played the honest Asse, taking but a
little of one dish, and a little of another, wherby no man distrusted
me. In the end, I was more hardier and began to devoure the whole messes
of the sweet delicates, which caused the Baker and the Cooke to suspect,
howbeit they nothing mistrusted me, but searched about to apprehend the
theefe. At length they began to accuse one another of theft, and to set
the dishes and morsels of meat in order, one by another, because they
would learne what was taken away, whereby one of them was compelled to
say thus to his fellow: Is it reason to breake promise and faith in
this sort, by stealing away the best meat, and to sell it to augment
thy good, and yet neverthelesse to have thy part in the residue that
is left: if our partnership doe mislike thee, we will be partners and
brothers in other things, but in this we will breake of: for I perceive
that the great losse which I sustain, will at length be a cause of great
discord betweene us. Then answered the other, Verily I praise thy great
constancy and subtilnesse, in that (when thou hast secretly taken away
the meat) [thou] dost begin to complaine first, whereas I by long space
of time have suffered thee, because I would not seeme to accuse my
brother of theft, but I am right glad in that wee are fallen into
communication of the matter, least by our silence, like contention might
arise betweene us, as fortuned betweene Eteocles and his Brother. When
they had reasoned together in this sort, they swore both earnestly, that
neither of them stale or tooke away any jote of the meate, wherefore
they concluded to search out the Theefe by all kind of meanes. For they
could not imagin or thinke, the Asse who stood alone there, would eate
any such meates, neither could they thinke that Mice or Flyes, were so
ravenous, as to devouer whole dishes of meat, like the Birds Harpies
which carried away the meates of Phineus the King of Archadia. In the
Meane season while I was fed with dainty morsels, I gathered together my
flesh, my skin waxed soft, my haire began to shine, and was gallant on
every part, but such faire and comely shape of my body, was cause of
my dishonour, for the Baker and Cooke marvelled to see me so slick and
fine, considering I did eate no hay at all. Wherefore on a time at their
accustomed houre, they went to the baines, and locked their chamber
doore. It fortuned that ere they departed away, they espyed me through
a hole, how I fell roundly to my victuals: then they marvelled greatly,
and little esteemed the losse of their meate, laughed exceedingly,
calling the servants of the house, to shew them the greedy gorge and
appetite of the Asse. Their laughing was so immoderate that the master
of the house heard them, and demanded the cause of their laughter,
and when hee understood all the matter, hee looked through the hole
likewise, wherewith he took such a delectation that hee commanded the
doore to be opened, that hee might see mee at his pleasure. Then I
perceiving every man laugh, was nothing abashed, but rather more bold,
whereby I never rested eating, till such time as the master of the
house commanded me to be brought into his parler as a novelty, and there
caused all kinds of meates which were never touched to be set on the
table, which (although I had eaten sufficiently before, yet to win the
further favour of the master of the house) I did greedily devoure and
made a cleane riddance of all the delicate meates. And to prove my
nature wholly, they gave met such meates as every Asse doth abhorre:
for they put before mee beefe and vinegar, birds and pepper, fish and
verjuice: in the meane season they that beheld met at the table did
nothing but laugh. Then one of the servants of the house sayd to his
master, I pray you sir give him some drinke to his supper: Marry (quoth
hee) I thinke thou saist true, for it may be, that to his meate hee
would drinke likewise a cup of wine. Hoe boy, wash yonder pot, and fill
it with wine, which done, carry it to the Asse, and say that I have
drunke to him. Then all the standers by looked on, to see what would
come to passe: but I (as soone as I beheld the cup) staied not long, but
gathering my lips together, supped up all the wine at one draught. The
master being right joyfull hereat caused the Baker and Cooke which had
bought me, to come before him, to whom he delivered foure times as much
for me, as they paid, which done he committed me to one of his rich
Libertines, and charged him to looke well to me, and that I should lacke
nothing, who obeied his masters commandement in every point: and to the
end he would creepe further into his favour, he taught me a thousand
qualities. First he instructed me to sit at the table upon my taile, and
how I should leape and dance, holding up my former feete: moreover hee
taught me how I should answer when any body spake unto me, with nodding
my head, which was a strange and marvailous thing, and if I did lacke
drinke, I should looke still upon the pot. All which things I did
willingly bring to passe, and obeyed his doctrine: howbeit, I could have
done all these things without his teaching, but I feared greatly lest in
shewing my selfe cunning without a master, I should pretend some great
and strange wonder, and thereby be throwne out to wild beasts. But my
fame was spred about in every place, and the qualities which I could
doe, insomuch that my master was renowned throughout all the Country by
reason of mee. For every man would say: Behold the Gentleman that
hath an Asse, that will eate and drinke with him, that will dance, and
understand what is said to him, will shew his fantasie by signes. But
first I will tell you (which I should have done before) who my master
was, and of what country. His name was Thiasus, hee was borne at
Corinth, which is a principall towne of Achaia, and he had passed many
offices of honor, till hee had taken upon him the degree Quinquenuall,
according as his birth and dignity required, who to shew his
worthinesse, and to purchase the benevolence of every person, appointed
publike joyes and triumphs, to endure the space of three dayes, and to
bring his endeavour to passe, he came into Thessaly to buy excellent
Beasts, and valiant fighters for the purpose.
THE FORTY-SIXTH CHAPTER
How a certaine Matron fell in love with Apuleius, how hee had his
pleasure with her, and what other things happened.
When he had bought such things as was necessary, he would not returne
home into his Countrey in Chariots, or waggon, neither would he ride
upon Thessalian Horses, or Jenets of France, or Spanish Mules, which
be most excellent as can be found, but caused me to be garnished and
trimmed with trappers and barbs of Gold, with brave harnesse, with
purple coverings, with a bridle of silver, with pictured cloths, and
with shrilling bells, and in this manner he rode upon me lovingly,
speaking and intreating me with gentle words, but above all things
he did greatly rejoyce in that I was his Servant to beare him upon my
backe, and his Companion to feed with him at the Table: After long time
when we had travelled as well by Sea as Land, and fortuned to arrive
at Corinth, the people of the Towne came about us on every side, not so
much to doe honour to Thiasus, as to see me: For my fame was so greatly
spread there, that I gained my master much money, and when the people
was desirous to see me play prankes, they caused the Gates to be shut,
and such as entered in should pay money, by meanes whereof I was a
profitable companion to them every day: There fortuned to be amongst the
Assembly a noble and rich Matron that conceived much delight to behold
me, and could find no remedy to her passions and disordinate appetite,
but continually desired to have her pleasure with me, as Pasiphae had
with a Bull. In the end she promised a great reward to my keeper for the
custody of me one night, who for gaine of a little money accorded to her
desire, and when I had supped in a Parler with my Master, we departed
away and went into our Chamber, where we found the faire Matron, who had
tarried a great space for our comming: I am not able to recite unto you
how all things were prepared: there were foure Eunuches that lay on a
bed of downe on the ground with Boulsters accordingly for us to lye on,
the Coverlet was of cloth of Gold, and the pillowes soft and tender,
whereon the delicate Matron had accustomed to lay her head. Then the
Eunuches not minding to delay any longer the pleasure of their Mistresse
closed the doores of the Chamber and departed away: within the Chamber
were Lamps that gave a cleare light all the place over: Then she put off
all her Garments to her naked skinne, and taking the Lampe that
stood next to her, began to annoint all her body with balme, and mine
likewise, but especially my nose, which done, she kissed me, not as they
accustome to doe at the stews, or in brothel houses, or in the Curtain
Schools for gaine of money, but purely, sincerely, and with great
affection, casting out these and like loving words: Thou art he whom I
love, thou art he whom I onely desire, without thee I cannot live, and
other like preamble of talke as women can use well enough, when as they
mind to shew or declare their burning passions and great affection of
love: Then she tooke me by the halter and cast me downe upon the
bed, which was nothing strange unto me, considering that she was so
beautifull a Matron and I so wel bolded out with wine, and perfumed
with balme, whereby I was readily prepared for the purpose: But nothing
grieved me so much as to think, how I should with my huge and great legs
imbrace so faire a Matron, or how I should touch her fine, dainty, and
silken skinne, with my hard hoofes, or how it was possible to kisse her
soft, pretty and ruddy lips, with my monstrous mouth and stony teeth, or
how she, who was young and tender, could be able to receive me.
And I verily thought, if I should hurt the woman by any kind of meane, I
should be throwne to the wild Beasts: But in the meane season she kissed
me, and looked in my mouth with burning eyes, saying: I hold thee my
canny, I hold thee my noose, my sparrow, and therewithall she eftsoones
imbraced my body round about, and had her pleasure with me, whereby I
thought the mother of Miniatures did not ceaseless quench her inordinate
desire with a Bull. When night was passed, with much joy and small
sleepe, the Matron went before day to my keeper to bargain with him
another night, which he willingly granted, partly for gaine of money,
and partly to finde new pastime for my master. Who after he was informed
of all the history of my luxury, was right glad, and rewarded my keeper
well for his paine, minding to shew before the face of all the people,
what I could doe: but because they would not suffer the Matron to abide
such shame, by reason of her dignity, and because they could finde no
other that would endeavour so great a reproach, at length they obtained
for money a poore woman, which was condemned to be eaten of wilde
beasts, with whom I should openly have to doe: But first I will tell you
what tale I heard concerning this woman. This woman had a husband, whose
father minding to ride forth, commanded his wife which he left at home
great with child, that if she were delivered of a daughter, it should
incontinently be killed. When the time of her delivery came, it fortuned
that she had a daughter, whom she would not suffer to be slaine, by
reason of the naturall affection which she have unto her child, but
secretly committed her to one of her neighbours to nurse. And when her
husband returned home, shee declared unto him that shee was delivered of
a daughter, whom (as hee commanded), shee had caused to be put to death.
But when this child came to age, and ready to be married, the mother
knew not by what meanes shee should endow her daughter, but that her
husband should understand and perceive it. Wherefore shee discovered the
matter to her sonne, who was the husband of this woman, condemned to be
eaten of wild beasts: For shee greatly feared least hee should unawares
fancie or fall in love with his owne sister. The young man understanding
the whole matter (to please and gratify his mother) went immediately to
the young maiden, keeping the matter secret in his heart, for feare of
inconvenience, and (lamenting to see his sister forsaken both of mother
and father) incontinently after endowed her with part of his owne goods,
and would have married her to one of his especial and trusty friends:
But although hee brought this to passe very secretly and sagely, yet in
the end cruell fortune sowed great sedition in his house. For his wife
who was now condemned to beasts, waxed jealous of her husband and began
to suspect the young woman as a harlot and common queane, insomuch that
shee invented all manner of meanes to dispatch her out of the way. And
in the end shee invented this kind of mischiefe: She privily stale away
her husbands ring, and went into the country, whereas she commanded one
of her trusty servants to take the ring and carry it to the mayden. To
whom he should declare that her brother did pray her to come into the
country to him, and that she should come alone without any person.
And to the end shee should not delay but come with all speed he should
deliver her the ring, which should be a sufficient testimony of the
message. This mayden as soone as she had received the ring of her
brother, being very willing and desirous to obey his commandement: (For
she knew no otherwise but that he had sent for her) went in all hast as
the messenger willed her to doe. But when she was come to the snare and
engine which was prepared for her, the mischievous woman, like one that
were mad, and possessed with some ill spirit, when the poore maiden
called for helpe with a loud voyce to her brother, the wicked harlot
(weening that she had invented and feined the matter) tooke a burning
firebrand and thrust it into her secret place, whereby she died
miserably. The husband of this maiden but especially her brother,
advertised of her death, came to the place where she was slain, and
after great lamentation and weeping, they caused her to be buried
honourably. This yong man her brother taking in ill part the miserable
death of his sister, as it was convenient he should, conceived so great
dolour within his mind and was strucken with so pestilent fury of bitter
anguish, that he fell into the burning passions of a dangerous ague,
whereby he seemed in such necessity, that he needed to have some speedy
remedy to save his life. The woman that slew the Maiden having lost the
name of wife together with her faith, went to a traiterous Physician,
who had killed a great many persons in his dayes and promised him
fifty peeces of Gold, if he would give her a present poyson to kill her
husband out of hand, but in presence of her Husband, she feined that
it was necessary for him to receive a certaine kind of drink, which
the Maisters and Doctours of Physicke doe call a sacred Potion, to the
intent he might purge Choller and scoure the interiour parts of his
body. But the Physitian in stead of that drinke prepared a mortall and
deadly poyson, and when he had tempered it accordingly, he tooke the pot
in the presence of the family, and other neighbours and friends of the
sick yong man, and offered it to his patient. But the bold and hardy
woman, to the end she might accomplish her wicked intent, and also gaine
the money which she had promised the Physitian, staid the pot with her
hand, saying: I pray you master Physitian, minister not this drinke unto
my deare Husband, untill such time as you have drunke some part thereof
your selfe: For what know I, whether you have mingled any poyson in the
drinke or no, wherein I would have you not to be offended: For I know
that you are a man of wisedome and learning, but this I do to the intent
the conscience and love that I beare to the health and safeguard of my
husband, may be apparent. The Physitian being greatly troubled at the
wickednesse of this mischievous woman, as voyd of all counsell and
leysure to consider of the matter, and least he might give any cause
of suspition to the standers by, or shew any scruple of his guilty
conscience, by reason of long delay, tooke the pot in his hand, and
presently drunke a good draught thereof, which done, the young man
having no mistrust, drunke up the residue. The Physitian would have gone
immediately home to receive a counterpoyson, to expeth and drive out the
first poyson: But the wicked woman persevering in her mischiefe, would
not suffer him to depart a foot, untill such time as the poyson began to
worke in him, and then by much prayer and intercession she licensed him
to goe home: By the way the poyson invaded the intrailes and bowels of
the whole body of the Physitian, in such sort that with great paine he
came to his owne house, where he had scarce time to speake to his wife,
and to will her to receive the promised salitary of the death of two
persons, but he yeelded up the ghost: And the other young man lived not
long after, but likewise dyed, amongst the feined and deceitfull teares
of his cursed wife. A few dayes after, when the young man was buried and
the funerall ended, the Physitians wife demanded of her the fifty peeces
of gold which she promised her husband for the drinke, whereat the ill
disposed woman, with resemblance of honesty, answered her with gentle
words, and promised to give her the fifty peeces of gold, if she would
fetch her a little of that same drinke, to proceed and make an end of
all her enterprise. The Physitians wife partly to winne the further
favour of this rich woman, and partly to gaine the money, ranne
incontinently home, and brought her a whole roote of poyson, which
when she saw, having now occasion to execute her further malice, and
to finish the damnable plot, began to stretch out her bloody hands
to murther. She had a daughter by her husband (that was poysoned) who
according to order of law, was appointed heire of all the lands and
goods of her father: but this woman knowing that the mothers succoured
their children, and received all their goods after their death, purposed
to shew her selfe a like parent to her child, as she was a wife to
her husband, whereupon she prepared a dinner with her owne hands, and
empoysoned both the wife of the Physitian and her owne daughter: The
child being young and tender dyed incontinently by force of the drinke,
but the Physitians wife being stout and strong of complexion, feeling
the poison to trill down into her body, doubted the matter, and
thereupon knowing of certainty that she had received her bane,
ran forthwith to the judges house, that what with her cryes, and
exclamations, she raised up the people of the towne, and promising them
to shew divers wicked and mischievous acts, caused that the doores and
gates were opened. When she came in she declared from the beginning to
the end the abhomination of this woman: but shee had scarce ended her
tale, when opening her falling lips, and grinding her teeth together,
she fell downe dead before the face of the Judge, who incontinently to
try the truth of the matter, caused the cursed woman, and her servants
to be pulled out of the house, and enforced by paine of torment to
confesse the verity, which being knowne, this mischievous woman farre
lesse then she deserved, but because there could be no more cruell a
death invented for the quality of her offence, was condemned to be eaten
with wild beasts. Behold with this woman was I appointed to have to doe
before the face of the people, but I being wrapped in great anguish, and
envying the day of the triumph, when we two should so abandon our selves
together, devised rather to sley my selfe, then to pollute my body with
this mischievous harlot, and so for ever to remaine defamed: but it was
impossible for me so to doe, considering that I lacked hands, and was
not able to hold a knife in my hoofes: howbeit standing in a pretty
cabin, I rejoyced in my selfe to see that spring time was come, and that
all things flourished, and that I was in good hope to find some Roses,
to render me my humane shape. When the day of triumph came, I was led
with great pompe and benevolence to the appointed place, where when I
was brought, I first saw the preamble of that triumph, dedicated with
dancers and merry taunting jests, and in the meane season was placed
before the gate of the Theater, whereas on the one side I saw the greene
and fresh grasse growing before the entry thereof, whereon I greatly
desired to feed: on the other side I conceived a great delectation
to see when the Theater gates were opened, how all things was finely
prepared and set forth: For there I might see young children and
maidens in the flowre of their youth of excellent beauty, and attired
gorgiously, dancing and mooved in comely order, according to the order
of Grecia, for sometime they would dance in length, sometime round
together, sometime divide themselves into foure parts, and sometime
loose hands on every side: but when the trumpet gave warning that every
man should retire to his place, then began the triumph to appeare. First
there was a hill of wood, not much unlike that which the Poet Homer
called Idea, for it was garnished about with all sort of greene verdures
and lively trees, from the top whereof ran downe a cleare and fresh
fountaine, nourishing the waters below, about which wood were many young
and tender Goates, plucking and feeding daintily on the budding trees,
then came a young man a shepheard representing Paris, richly arrayed
with vestments of Barbary, having a mitre of gold upon his head, and
seeming as though he kept the goates. After him ensued another young man
all naked, saving that his left shoulder was covered with a rich cloake,
and his head shining with glistering haires, and hanging downe, through
which you might perceive two little wings, whereby you might conjecture
that he was Mercury, with his rod called Caduceus, he bare in his right
hand an Apple of gold, and with a seemely gate went towards him that
represented Paris, and after hee had delivered him the Apple, he made a
signe, signifying that Jupiter had commanded him so to doe: when he had
done his message he departed away. And by and by, there approached a
faire and comely mayden, not much unlike to Juno, for she had a Diademe
of gold upon her head, and in her hand she bare a regall scepter: then
followed another resembling Pallas, for she had on her head a shining
sallet, whereon was bound a garland of Olive branches, having in one
hand a target or shield: and in the other a speare as though she would
fight: then came another which passed the other in beauty, and presented
the Goddesse Venus, with the color of Ambrosia, when she was a maiden,
and to the end she would shew her perfect beauty, shee appeared all
naked, saving that her fine and dainty skin was covered with a thin
smocke, which the wind blew hither and thither to testifie the youth and
flowre of the age of the dame. Her colour was of two sorts, for her
body was white as descended from heaven, and her smocke was blewish,
as arrived from the sea: After every one of the Virgins which seemed
goddesses, followed certaine waiting servants, Castor and Pollus went
behind Juno, having on their heads helmets covered with starres. This
Virgin Juno sounded a Flute, which shee bare in her hand, and mooved her
selfe towards the shepheard Paris, shewing by honest signes and tokens,
and promising that hee should be Lord of all Asia, if hee would judge
her the fairest of the three, and to give her the apple of gold: the
other maiden which seemed by her armour to be Pallas, was accompanied
with two young men armed, and brandishing their naked swords in their
hands, whereof one named Terror, and the other Feare; behind them
approached one sounding his trumpet to provoke and stirre men to
battell; this maiden began to dance and shake her head, throwing her
fierce and terrible eyes upon Paris and promising that if it pleased him
to give her the victory of beauty, shee would make him the most strong
and victorious man alive. Then came Venus and presented her selfe in the
middle of the Theater, with much favour of all the people, for shee was
accompanied with a great many of youth, whereby you would have judged
them all to be Cupidoes, either to have flowne from heaven or else from
the river of the sea, for they had wings, arrowes, and the residue
of their habit according in each point, and they bare in their hands
torches lighted, as though it had beene a day of marriage. Then came in
a great multitude of faire maidens: on the one side were the most comely
Graces: on the other side, the most beautifull Houres carrying garlands
and loose flowers, and making great honor to the goddesse of pleasure;
the flutes and Pipes yeelded out the sweet sound of Lydians, whereby
they pleased the minds of the standers by exceedingly, but the more
pleasing Venus mooved forward more and more, and shaking her head
answered by her motion and gesture, to the sound of the instruments. For
sometimes she would winke gently, sometimes threaten and looke aspishly,
and sometimes dance onely with her eyes: As soone as she was come before
the Judge, she made a signe and token to give him the most fairest
spouse of all the world, if he would prefer her above the residue of the
goddesses. Then the young Phrygian shepheard Paris with a willing mind
delivered the golden Apple to Venus, which was the victory of beauty.
Why doe ye marvell, ye Orators, ye Lawyers, and Advocates, if many of
our judges now a daies sell their judgements for money, when as in the
beginning of the world one onely Grace corrupted the sentence betweene
God and men, and that one rusticall Judge and shepheard appointed by
the counsell of great Jupiter, sold his judgement for a little pleasure,
which was the cause afterward of the ruine of all his progeny? By like
manner of meane, was sentence given between the noble Greekes: For the
noble and valiant personage Palamedes was convicted and attainted of
treason, by false perswasion and accusation, and Ulisses being but of
base condition, was preferred in Martiall prowesse above great Ajax.
What judgement was there likewise amongst the Athenian lawyers, sage and
expert in all sciences? Was not Socrates who was preferred by Apollo,
above all the wise men in the world, by envy and malice of wicked
persons impoysoned with the herbe Cicuta, as one that corrupted the
youth of the countrey, whom alwaies be kept under by correction? For we
see now a dayes many excellent Philosophers greatly desire to follow his
sect, and by perpetual study to value and revolve his workes, but to
the end I may not be reproved of indignation by any one that might say:
What, shall we suffer an Asse to play the Philosopher? I will returne to
my further purpose.
After the judgement of Paris was ended, Juno and Pallas departed away
angerly, shewing by their gesture, that they would revenge themselves
on Paris, but Venus that was right pleased and glad in her heart, danced
about the Theater with much joy. This done from the top of the hill
through a privy spout, ran a floud of the colour of Saffron, which fell
upon the Goates, and changed their white haire into yellow, with a sweet
odour to all them of the Theater. By and by after by certaine engines,
the ground opened, and swallowed up the hill of wood: and then behold
there came a man of armes through the multitude, demanding by the
consent of the people, the woman who was condemned to the beasts, and
appointed for me to have to doe withall: our bed was finely and bravely
prepared, and covered with silke and other things necessary. But I,
beside the shame to commit this horrible fact, and to pollute my body
with this wicked harlot did greatly feare the danger of death: for I
thought in my selfe, that when she and I were together, the savage beast
appointed to devoure the woman, was not so instructed and taught, or
would so temper his greedinesse, as that hee would teare her in
peeces lying under mee, and spare mee with a regard of mine innocency.
Wherefore I was more carefull for the safeguard of my life, then for the
shame that I should abide, but in the meane season while my master made
ready the bed, all the residue did greatly delight to see the hunting
and pleasantnesse of the triumph, I began to thinke and devise for my
selfe. When I perceived that no man had regard to mee, that was so tame
and gentle an Asse, I stole out of the gate that was next me, and then I
ran away with all force, and came to Cenchris, which is the most famous
towne of all the Carthaginians, bordering upon the Seas called Ageum,
and Saronicum, where is a great and mighty Haven, frequented with many a
sundry Nation. There because I would avoyd the multitude of the people,
I went to a secret place of the Sea coast, where I laid me down upon the
sand, to ease and refresh my selfe, for the day was past and the Sunne
gone downe, and lying in this sort on the ground, did fall in a sound
sleepe.
THE ELEVENTH BOOKE
THE FORTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius by Roses and prayer returned to his humane shape.
When midnight came that I had slept my first sleepe, I awaked with
suddaine feare, and saw the Moone shining bright, as when shee is at the
full, and seeming as though she leaped out of the Sea. Then thought I
with my selfe, that was the most secret time, when the goddesse Ceres
had most puissance and force, considering that all humane things be
governed by her providence: and not onely all beasts private and
tame, but also all wild and savage beasts be under her protection. And
considering that all bodies in the heavens, the earth and the seas,
be by her increasing motions increased, and by her diminishing motions
diminished: as weary of all my cruell fortune and calamity, I found good
hope and soveraigne remedy, though it were very late, to be delivered
from all my misery, by invocation and prayer, to the excellent beauty of
the Goddesse, whom I saw shining before mine eyes, wherefore shaking off
mine Assie and drowsie sleepe, I arose with a joyfull face, and mooved
by a great affection to purifie my selfe, I plunged my selfe seven times
into the water of the Sea, which number of seven is conveniable and
agreeable to holy and divine things, as the worthy and sage Philosopher
Pythagoras hath declared. Then with a weeping countenance, I made this
Orison to the puissant Goddesse, saying: O blessed Queene of heaven,
whether thou be the Dame Ceres which art the originall and motherly
nource of all fruitfull things in earth, who after the finding of thy
daughter Proserpina, through the great joy which thou diddest presently
conceive, madest barraine and unfruitfull ground to be plowed and sowne,
and now thou inhabitest in the land of Eleusie; or whether thou be
the celestiall Venus, who in the beginning of the world diddest couple
together all kind of things with an ingendered love, by an eternall
propagation of humane kind, art now worshipped within the Temples of the
Ile Paphos, thou which art the sister of the God Phoebus, who nourishest
so many people by the generation of beasts, and art now adored at the
sacred places of Ephesus, thou which art horrible Proserpina, by reason
of the deadly howlings which thou yeeldest, that hast power to stoppe
and put away the invasion of the hags and Ghoasts which appeare unto
men, and to keepe them downe in the closures of the earth: thou which
art worshipped in divers manners, and doest illuminate all the borders
of the earth by thy feminine shape, thou which nourishest all the fruits
of the world by thy vigor and force; with whatsoever name or fashion it
is lawfull to call upon thee, I pray thee, to end my great travaile and
misery, and deliver mee from the wretched fortune, which had so
long time pursued me. Grant peace and rest if it please thee to my
adversities, for I have endured too much labour and perill. Remoove from
me my shape of mine Asse, and render to me my pristine estate, and if
I have offended in any point of divine Majesty, let me rather dye then
live, for I am full weary of my life. When I had ended this orison, and
discovered my plaints to the Goddesse, I fortuned to fall asleepe, and
by and by appeared unto me a divine and venerable face, worshipped even
of the Gods themselves. Then by little and little I seemed to see the
whole figure of her body, mounting out of the sea and standing before
mee, wherefore I purpose to describe her divine semblance, if the
poverty of my humane speech will suffer me, or her divine power give me
eloquence thereto. First shee had a great abundance of haire, dispersed
and scattered about her neck, on the crowne of her head she bare many
garlands enterlaced with floures, in the middle of her forehead was a
compasse in fashion of a glasse, or resembling the light of the Moone,
in one of her hands she bare serpents, in the other, blades of corne,
her vestiment was of fine silke yeelding divers colours, sometime
yellow, sometime rosie, sometime flamy, and sometime (which troubled my
spirit sore) darke and obscure, covered with a blacke robe in manner
of a shield, and pleated in most subtill fashion at the skirts of her
garments, the welts appeared comely, whereas here and there the starres
glimpsed, and in the middle of them was placed the Moone, which shone
like a flame of fire, round about the robe was a coronet or garland
made with flowers and fruits. In her right hand shee had a timbrell of
brasse, which gave a pleasant sound, in her left hand shee bare a cup
of gold, out of the mouth whereof the serpent Aspis lifted up his head,
with a swelling throat, her odoriferous feete were covered with shoes
interlaced and wrought with victorious palme. Thus the divine shape
breathing out the pleasant spice of fertill Arabia, disdained not with
her divine voyce to utter these words unto me: Behold Lucius I am come,
thy weeping and prayers hath mooved mee to succour thee. I am she that
is the naturall mother of all things, mistresse and governesse of all
the Elements, the initiall progeny of worlds, chiefe of powers divine,
Queene of heaven! the principall of the Gods celestiall, the light of
the goddesses: at my will the planets of the ayre, the wholesome winds
of the Seas, and the silences of hell be diposed; my name, my divinity
is adored throughout all the world in divers manners, in variable
customes and in many names, for the Phrygians call me the mother of the
Gods: the Athenians, Minerva: the Cyprians, Venus: the Candians,
Diana: the Sicilians Proserpina: the Eleusians, Ceres: some Juno, other
Bellona, other Hecate: and principally the Aethiopians which dwell
in the Orient, and the Aegyptians which are excellent in all kind of
ancient doctrine, and by their proper ceremonies accustome to worship
mee, doe call mee Queene Isis. Behold I am come to take pitty of thy
fortune and tribulation, behold I am present to favour and ayd thee,
leave off thy weeping and lamentation, put away all thy sorrow, for
behold the healthfull day which is ordained by my providence, therefore
be ready to attend to my commandement. This day which shall come after
this night, is dedicated to my service, by an eternall religion, my
Priests and Ministers doe accustome after the tempests of the Sea,
be ceased, to offer in my name a new ship as a first fruit of my
Navigation. I command thee not to prophane or despise the sacrifice
in any wise, for the great Priest shall carry this day following in
procession by my exhortation, a Garland of Roses, next the timbrell of
his right hand: follow thou my procession amongst the people, and when
thou commest to the Priest make as though thou wouldest kisse his hand,
but snatch at the Roses, whereby I will put away the skin and shape of
an Asse, which kind of beast I have long time abhorred and despised, but
above all things beware thou doubt not nor feare any of those things, as
hard and difficill to bee brought to passe, for in the same houre that
I am come to thee, I have commanded the Priest by a vision what he shall
doe, and all the people by my commandement shall be compelled to give
thee place and say nothing! Moreover, thinke not that amongst so faire
and joyfull Ceremonies, and in so good a company that any person shall
abhorre thy ill-favoured and deformed figure, or that any man shall be
so hardy, as to blame and reprove thy suddaine restoration to humane
shape, wherby they should gather or conceive any sinister opinion: and
know thou this of certaine, that the residue of thy life untill the
houre of death shall be bound and subject to me! And think it not an
injury to be alwayes serviceable towards me, since as by my meane and
benefit thou shalt become a man: thou shalt live blessed in this world,
thou shalt live glorious by my guide and protection, and when thou
descendest to Hell, where thou shalt see me shine in that subterene
place, shining (as thou seest me now) in the darkness of Acheron, and
raigning in the deepe profundity of Stix, thou shalt worship me, as
one that hath bin favourable to thee, and if I perceive that thou art
obedient to my commandement, addict to my religion, and merite my divine
grace, know thou, that I will prolong thy dales above the time that the
fates have appointed, and the celestial Planets ordeined.
When the divine Image had spoken these words, she vanished away! By and
by when I awaked, I arose, haveing the members of my bodie mixed with
feare, joy and sweate, and marvailed at the cleare presence of the
puissant goddesse, and being sprinkled with the water of the sea, I
recounted orderly her admonitions and divine commandements. Soone after,
the darknes chased away, and the cleare and golden sunne arose, when as
behold I saw the streets replenished with people going in a religious
sort and in great triumph. All things seemed that day to be joyfull,
as well all manner of beasts and houses, as also the very day it selfe
seemed to rejoyce. For after the hore-frost, ensued the hot and temperat
sun, whereby the little birds weening that the spring time had bin come,
did chirp and sing in their steven melodiously: the mother of stars,
the parent of times, and mistres of all the world: The fruitfull trees
rejoyced at their fertility: The barren and sterill were contented at
their shadow, rendering sweete and pleasant shrills! The seas were quiet
from winds and tempests: the heaven had chaced away the clouds, and
appeared faire and cleare with his proper light. Behold then more and
more appeared the pomps and processions, attired in regall manner and
singing joyfully: One was girded about the middle like a man of armes:
Another bare and spare, and had a cloake and high-shooes like a hunter!
another was attired in a robe of silke, and socks of gold, having his
haire laid out, and dressed in forme of a woman! There was another ware
legge-harnesse, and bare a target, a sallet, and a speare like a martial
souldier: after him marched one attired in purple with vergers before
him like a magistrate! after him followed one with a maurell, a staffe,
a paire of pantofles, and with a gray beard, signifying a philosopher:
after him went one with line, betokening a fowler, another with hookes
declaring a fisher: I saw there a meeke and tame beare, which in matron
habite was carried on a stoole: An Ape with a bonet on his head, and
covered with lawne, resemling a shepheard, and bearing a cup of gold in
his hand: an Asse which had wings glewed to his backe, and went after
an old man, whereby you would judge the one to be Pegasus, and the
other Bellephoron. Amongst the pleasures and popular delectations, which
wandered hither and thither, you might see the pompe of the goddesse
triumphantly march forward: The woman attired in white vestiments, and
rejoicing, in that they bare garlands and flowers upon their heads,
bedspread the waies with hearbes, which they bare in their aprons, where
this regall and devout procession should passe: Other caried glasses
on their backes, to testifie obeisance to the goddess which came after.
Other bare combs of Ivory, and declared by their gesture and motions of
their armes, that they were ordained and readie to dresse the goddesse:
Others dropped in the wayes as they went Balme and other pretious
ointments: Then came a great number, as well of men as women, with
Candels, torches, and other lights, doing honour to the celestiall
goddesse: After that sounded the musical harmony of instruments: then
came a faire companie of youth, apparelled in white vestiments, singing
both meter and verse, with a comely grade which some studious Poet had
made in honour of the Muses: In the meane season, arrived the blowers
of trumpets, which were dedicated unto Serapes, and to the temple before
them were officers and beadles, preparing roome for the goddess to
passe. Then came the great company of men and women, which had taken
divine orders, whose garments glistered all the streets over. The women
had their haire annointed and their heads covered with linnen: but
the men had their crownes shaven, which were the terrene stars of the
goddesse, holding in their hand instruments of brasse, silver and gold,
which rendered a pleasant sound.
The principall Priests which were apparelled with white surplesses
hanging downe to the ground, bare the relikes of the puissant goddesse.
One carried in his hand a light, not unlike to those which we used in
our houses, saving that in the middle thereof appeared a bole which
rendred a more bright flame. The second attired hike the other bare
in his hand an Altar, which the goddesse her selfe named the succor of
nations. The third held a tree of palme with leaves of gold, and the
verge of Mercurie. The fourth shewed out a token of equitie by his left
hand, which was deformed in every place, signifiing thereby more equitie
then by the right hand. The same Priest carried a round vessell of gold,
in forme of a cap. The fifth bare a van, wrought with springs of gold,
and another carried a vessell for wine: By and by after the goddesse
followed a foot as men do, and specially Mercurie, the messenger of
the goddesse infernall and supernall, with his face sometime blacke,
sometime faire, lifting up the head of the dogges Annubis, and bearing
in his left hand, his verge, and in his right hand, the branches of a
palme tree, after whom followed a cow with an upright gate, representing
the figure of the great goddesse, and he that guided her, marched on
with much gravity. Another carried after the secrets of their religion,
closed in a coffer. There was one that bare on his stomacke a figure of
his god, not formed like any beast, bird, savage thing or humane shape,
but made by a new invention, whereby was signified that such a religion
should not be discovered or revealed to any person. There was a vessel
wrought with a round bottome, haveing on the one side, pictures figured
like unto the manner of the Egyptians, and on the other side was an
eare, whereupon stood the Serpent Aspis, holding out his scaly necke.
Finally, came he which was appointed to my good fortun according to the
promise of the goddesse. For the great Priest which bare the restoration
of my human shape, by the commandement of the goddes, Approached more
and more, bearing in his left hand the timbrill, and in the other a
garland of Roses to give me, to the end I might be delivered from cruel
fortune, which was alwaies mine enemie, after the sufferance of so much
calamitie and paine, and after the endurance of so manie perilles:
Then I not returning hastilie, by reason of sodaine joye, lest I should
disturbe the quiet procession with mine importunitie, but going softly
through the prease of the people, which gave me place on every side,
went after the Priest. The priest being admonished the night before, as
I might well perceive stood still and holding out his hand, thrust out
the garland of roses into my mouth, I (trembling) devoured with a great
affection: And as soone as I had eaten them, I was not deceived of the
promise made unto me. For my deforme and Assie face abated, and first
the rugged haire of my body fell off, my thick skin waxed soft and
tender, the hooves of my feet changed into toes, my hands returned
againe, my neck grew short, my head and mouth began round, my long eares
were made little, my great and stonie teeth waxed lesse like the teeth
of men, and my tayle which combred me most, appeared no where: then the
people began to marvaile, and the religious honoured the goddesse, for
so evident a miracle, they wondered at the visions which they saw in
the night, and the facilitie of my reformation, whereby they rendered
testimonie of so great a benefit which I received of the goddesse.
When I saw my selfe in such estate, I stood still a good space and said
nothing, for I could not tell what to say, nor what word I shoulde first
speake, nor what thanks I should render to the goddesse, but the
great Priest understanding all my fortune and miserie, by divine
advertisement, commanded that one should give me garments to cover me:
Howbeit as soone as I was transformed from an asse to my humane shape,
I hid the privitie of my body with my hands as shame and necessity
compelled mee. Then one of the company put off his upper robe and put
it on my backe: which done, the Priest looked upon me, with a sweete
and benigne voice, gan say in this sort: O my friend Lucius, after the
endurance of so many labours, and the escape of so many tempests of
fortune, thou art at length come to the port and haven of rest and
mercy: neither did thy noble linage, thy dignity, thy doctrine, or any
thing prevaile, but that thou hast endured so many servil pleasures,
by a little folly of thy youthfullnes, whereby thou hast had a sinister
reward for thy unprosperous curiositie, but howsoever the blindnes of
fortune tormented thee in divers dangers: so it is, that now unwares to
her, thou art come to this present felicitie: let fortune go, and fume
with fury in another place, let her finde some other matter to execute
her cruelty, for fortune hath no puissance against them which serve and
honour our goddesse. For what availed the theeves: the beasts savage:
thy great servitude: the ill and dangerous waits: the long passages: the
feare of death every day? Know thou, that now thou art safe, and under
the protection of her, who by her cleare light doth lighten the other
gods: wherefore rejoyce and take a convenable countenance to thy white
habit, follow the pomp of this devout and honorable procession, to the
end that such which be not devout to the Goddes, may see and acknowledge
their errour. Behold Lucius, thou art delivered from so great miseries,
by the providence of the goddesse Isis, rejoyce therefore and triumph of
the victory of fortune; to the end thou maist live more safe and sure,
make thy selfe one of this holy order, dedicate thy minde to the Obsequy
of our Religion, and take upon thee a a voluntary yoake of ministrie:
And when thou beginnest to serve and honour the goddes, then thou
shalt feele the fruit of thy liberty: After that the great Priest had
prophesied in this manner, with often breathings, he made a conclusion
of his words: Then I went amongst the company of die rest and followed
the procession: everie one of the people knew me, and pointing at
me with their fingers, said in this sort: Behold him who is this day
transformed into a man by the puissance of the soveraigne goddesse,
verily he is blessed and most blessed that hath merited so great grace
from heaven, as by the innocencie of his former life, and as it were by
a new regeneration is reserved to the obsequie of the goddesse. In the
meane season by little and little we approached nigh unto the sea cost,
even to that place where I lay the night before being an Asse. There
after the images and reliques were orderly disposed, the great Priest
compassed about with divers pictures according to the fashion of the
Aegyptians, did dedicate and consecrate with certaine prayers a fair
ship made very cunningly, and purified the same with a torch, an egge,
and sulphur; the saile was of white linnen cloath, whereon was written
certaine letters, which testified the navigation to be prosperous,
the mast was of a great length, made of a Pine tree, round and very
excellent with a shining top, the cabin was covered over with coverings
of gold, and all the shippe was made of Citron tree very faire; then all
the people as well religious as prophane tooke a great number of Vannes,
replenished with odours and pleasant smells and threw them into the sea
mingled with milke, untill the ship was filled up with large gifts and
prosperous devotions, when as with a pleasant wind it launched out into
the deep. But when they had lost the sight of the ship, every man caried
againe that he brought, and went toward the temple in like pompe and
order as they came to the sea side. When we were come to the temple, the
great priest and those which were deputed to carrie the divine figures,
but especially those which had long time bin worshippers of the
religion, went into the secret chamber of the goddesse, where they put
and placed the images according to their ordor. This done, one of the
company which was a scribe or interpreter of letters, who in forme of a
preacher stood up in a chaire before the place of the holy college, and
began to reade out of a booke, and to interpret to the great prince, the
senate, and to all the noble order of chivalry, and generally to all
the Romane people, and to all such as be under the jurisdiction of Rome,
these words following (Laois Aphesus) which signified the end of their
divin service and that it was lawfull for every man to depart, whereat
all the people gave a great showt, and replenished with much joy, bare
all kind of hearbs and garlands of flowers home to their houses, kissing
and imbracing the steps where the goddesse passed: howbeit I could not
doe as the rest, for my mind would not suffer me to depart one foot away, so attentiv was I to behold the beauty of the goddesse, with remembrance of the great miserie I had endured. |
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