the golden asse-第34章

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　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　m