the golden asse-第4章

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throat；　to　see　if　I　could　espy　the　place　where　Meroe　thrust　in　her　sword　：　but　when　I　could　not　perceive　any　such　thing；　I　thought　with　my　selfe；　What　a　mad　man　am　I；　that　being　overcome　with　wine　yester　night；　have　dreamed　such　terrible　things？　　Behold　I　see　Socrates　is　sound；　safe　and　in　health。　　Where　is　his　wound？　　Where　is　the　Sponge？　Where　is　his　great　and　new　cut？　　And　then　I　spake　to　him　and　said；　Verily　it　is　not　without　occasion；　that　Physitians　of　experience　do　affirme；　That　such　as　fill　their　gorges　abundantly　with　meat　and　drinke；　shall　dreame　of　dire　and　horrible　sights　：　for　I　my　selfe；　not　tempering　my　appetite　yester　night　from　the　pots　of　wine；　　did　seeme　to　see　this　night　strange　and　cruel　visions；　that　even　yet　I　think　my　self　sprinkled　and　wet　with　human　blood　：　whereunto　Socrates　laughing　made　answer　and　said；　Nay；　thou　art　not　wet　with　the　blood　of　men；　but　art　embrued　with　stinking　pisse；　and　verily　I　dreamed　that　my　throat　was　cut；　and　that　I　felt　the　paine　of　the　wound；　and　that　my　heart　was　pulled　out　of　my　belly；　and　the　remembrance　thereof　makes　me　now　to　feare；　for　my　knees　do　so　tremble　that　I　can　scarce　goe　any　further；　and　therefore　I　would　faine　eat　somewhat　to　strengthen　and　revive　my　spirits。　　Then　said　I；　behold　here　thy　breakefast；　and　therewithall　I　opened　my　script　that　hanged　upon　my　shoulder；　and　gave　him　bread　and　cheese；　and　we　sate　downe　under　a　greate　Plane　tree；　and　I　eat　part　with　him；　and　while　I　beheld　him　eating　greedily；　I　perceived　that　he　waxed　meigre　and　pale；　and　that　his　lively　colour　faded　away；　insomuch　that　beeing　in　great　fear；　and　remembring　those　terrible　furies　of　whom　I　lately　dreamed；　the　first　morsell　of　bread　that　I　put　in　my　mouth　（that　was　　but　very　small）　did　so　stick　in　my　jawes；　that　I　could　neither　swallow　it　downe；　nor　yet　yeeld　it　up；　and　moreover　the　small　time　of　our　being　together　increased　my　feare；　and　what　is　hee　that　seeing　his　companion　die　in　the　high…way　before　his　face；　would　not　greatly　lament　and　bee　sorry？　　But　when　that　Socrates　had　eaten　sufficiently　hee　waxed　very　thirsty；　for　indeed　he　had　well　nigh　devoured　a　whole　Cheese　：　and　behold　evill　fortune！　　There　was　behind　the　Plane　tree　a　pleasant　running　water　as　cleere　as　Crystal；　and　I　sayd　unto　him；　Come　hither　Socrates　to　this　water　and　drinke　thy　fill。　　And　then　he　rose　and　came　to　the　River；　and　kneeled　downe　on　the　side　of　the　banke　to　drinke；　but　he　had　scarce　touched　the　water　with　lips；　when　as　behold　the　wound　in　his　throat　opened　wide；　and　the　Sponge　suddenly　fell　out　into　the　water；　and　after　issued　out　a　little　remnant　of　bloud；　and　his　body　being　then　without　life；　had　fallen　into　the　river；　had　not　I　caught　him　by　the　leg　and　so　pulled　him　up。　　And　after　that　I　had　lamented　a　good　space　the　death　of　my　wretched　companion；　I　buried　him　in　the　Sands　there　by　the　river。

Which　done；　in　great　feare　I　rode　through　many　Outwayes　and　desart　places；　and　as　culpable　of　the　death　of　Socrates；　I　forsooke　my　countrey；　my　wife；　and　my　children；　and　came　to　Etolia　where　I　married　another　Wife。

This　tale　told　Aristomenus；　and　his　fellow　which　before　obstinatly　would　give　no　credit　unto　him；　began　to　say；　Verily　there　was　never　so　foolish　a　tale；　nor　a　more　absurd　lie　told　than　this。　　And　then　he　spake　unto　me　saying；　Ho　sir；　what　you　are　I　know　not；　but　your　habit　and　countenance　declareth　that　you　should　be　some　honest　Gentleman；　　（speaking　to　Apuleius）　doe　you　beleeve　this　tale？　　Yea　verily　（quoth　I）；　why　not？　　For　whatsoever　the　fates　have　appointed　to　men；　that　I　beleeve　shall　happen。　　For　may　things　chance　unto　me　and　unto　you；　and　to　divers　others；　which　beeing　declared　unto　the　ignorant　be　accounted　as　lies。　　But　verily　I　give　credit　unto　his　tale；　and　render　entire　thankes　unto　him；　in　that　by　the　pleasant　relation　thereof　we　have　quickly　passed　and　shortned　our　journey；　and　I　thinke　that　my　horse　was　also　delighted　with　the　same；　and　hath　brought　me　to　the　gate　of　this　city　without　any　paine　at　all。　Thus　ended　both　our　talk　and　our　journey；　for　they　two　turned　on　the　left　hand　to　the　next　villages；　and　I　rode　into　the　city。



THE　SIXTH　CHAPTER

How　Apuleius　came　unto　a　city　named　Hipate；　and　was　lodged　in　one　Milos　house；　and　brought　him　letters　from　one　Demeas　of　Corinth。

After　that　those　two　Companions　were　departed　I　entred　into　the　City　：　where　I　espied　an　old　woman；　of　whom　I　enquired　whether　that　city　was　called　Hipata；　or　no　：　Who　answered；　Yes。　　Then　I　demaunded；　Whether　she　knew　one　Milo　an　Alderman　of　the　city　：　Whereat　she　laughed　and　said　：　Verily　it　is　not　without　cause　that　Milo　is　called　an　Elderman；　and　accounted　as　chiefe　of　those　which　dwel　without　the　walls　of　the　City。　　To　whom　I　sayd　againe；　I　pray　thee　good　mother　do　not　mocke；　but　tell　me　what　manner　of　man　he　is；　and　where　he　dwelleth。　　Mary　（quoth　shee）　do　you　see　these　Bay　windowes；　which　on　one　side　abut　to　the　gates　of　the　city；　and　on　the　other　side　to　the　next　lane？　　There　Milo　dwelleth；　very　rich　both　in　mony　and　substance；　but　by　reason　of　his　great　avarice　and　insatiable　covetousnes；　he　is　evill　spoken　of；　and　he　is　a　man　that　liveth　all　by　usurie；　and　lending　his　money　upon　pledges。　　Moreover　he　dwelleth　in　a　small　house；　and　is　ever　counting　his　money；　and　hath　a　wife　that　is　a　companion　of　his　extreame　misery；　neither　keepeth　he　more　in　his　house　than　onely　one　maid；　who　goeth　apparelled　like　unto　a　beggar。　　Which　when　I　heard；　I　laughed　in　my　self　and　thought；　In　faith　my　friend　Demeas　hath　served　me　well；　which　hath　sent　me　being　a　stranger；　unto　such　a　man；　in　whose　house　I　shall　not　bee　afeared　either　of　smoke　or　of　the　sent　of　meat；　and　therewithall　I　rode　to　the　doore；　which　was　fast　barred；　and　knocked　aloud。　　Then　there　came　forth　a　maid　which　said；　Ho　sirrah　that　knocks　so　fast；　in　what　kinde　of　sort　will　you　borrow　money？　　Know　you　not　that　we　use　to　take　no　gage；　unless　it　be　either　plate　or　Jewels？　　To　whom　I　answered；　I　pray　you　maid　speak　more　gently；　and　tel　me　whether　thy　master　be　within　or　no？　Yes　（quoth　shee）　that　he　is；　why　doe　you　aske？　　Mary　（said　I）　I　am　come　from　Corinth；　and　have　brought　him　letters　from　Demeas　his　friend。　　Then　sayd　the　Maid；　I　pray　you　tarry　here　till　I　tell　him　so；　and　therewithall　she　closed　fast　the　doore；　and　went　in；　and　after　a　while　she　returned　againe　and　sayd；　My　master　desireth　you　to　alight　and　come　in。　　And　so　I　did；　whereas　I　found　him　sitting　upon　a　little　bed；　going　to　supper；　　and　his　wife　sate　at　his　feet；　but　there　was　no　meat　upon　the　table；　and　so　by　appointment　of　the　maid　I　came　to　him　and　saluted　him；　and　delivered　the　letters　which　I　had　brought　from　Demeas。　　Which　when　hee　had　read　hee　sayd；　Verily；　I　thanke　my　friend　Demeas　much；　in　that　hee　hath　sent　mee　so　worthy　a　guest　as　you　are。　　And　therewithall　hee　commanded　his　wife　to　sit　away　and　bid　mee　sit　in　her　place；　which　when　I　refused　by　reason　of　courtesie；　hee　pulled　me　by　my　garment　and　willed　me　to　sit　downe；　for　wee　have　（quoth　he）　no　other　stool　here；　nor　no　other　great　store　of　household　stuffe；　for　fear　of　robbing。　　Then　I　according　to　his　commandement；　sate　down；　and　he　fell　in　further　communication　with　me　and　sayd；　Verily　I　doe　conjecture　by　the　comly　feature　of　your　body；　and　by　the　maidenly　shamefastnesse　of　your　face　that　you　are　a　Gentleman　borne；　as　my　friend　Demeas　hath　no　lesse　declared　the　same　in　his　letters。　Wherfore　I　pray　you　take　in　good　part　our　poore　lodging；　and　behold　yonder　chamber　is　at　your　commaundement；　use　it　as　your　owne；　and　if　you　be　contented　therewithall；　you　shall　resemble　and　follow　the　vertuous　qualities　of　your　good　father　Theseus；　who　disdained　not　the　slender　and　poore　Cottage　of　Hecades。

And　then　he　called　his　maid　which　was　named　Fotis；　　and　said；　Carry　this　Gentlemans　packet　into　the　chamber；　and　lay　it　up　safely；　and　bring　water　quickly　to　wash　him；　and　a　towel　to　rub　him；　and　other　things　necessary；　and　then　bring　him　to　the　next　Baines；　for　I　know　that　he　is　very　weary　of　travell。

These　things　when　I　heard；　I　partly　perceived　the　manners　of　Milo；　and　endeavouring　to　bring　my　selfe　further　into　his　favour；　I　sayd；　Sir　there　is　no　need　of　any　of　these　things；　for　they　have　been　everywhere　ministred　unto　mee　by　the　way；　howbeit　I　will　go　into　the　Baines；　but　my　chiefest　care　is　that　my　horse　be　well　looked　to；　for　hee　brought　mee　hither　roundly；　and　therefore　I　pray　thee　Fotis　take　this　money　and　buy　some　hay　and　oats　for　him。



THE　SEVENTH　CHAPTER


How　Apuleius　going　to　buy　fish；　met　with　his　companion　Pythias。

When　this　was　done；　and　all　my　things　brought　into　the　Chamber；　I　walked　towards　the　Baines；　but　first　I　went　to　the　market　to　buy　some　victuals　for　my　supper；　whereas　I　saw　great　plenty　of　fish　set　out　to　be　sould　：　and　so　I　cheapened　part　thereof；　and　that　which　they　at　first　held　at　an　hundred　pence；　I　bought　at　length　for　twenty。　Which　when　I　had　done；　and　was　departing　away；　one　of　myne　old　acquaintance；　and　fellow　at　Athens；　named　Pithias；　fortuned　to　passe　by；　and　viewing　me　at　a　good　space；　in　the　end　brought　me　to　his　remembrance；　and　gently　came　and　kissed　mee；　saying；　O　my　deare　friend　Lucius；　it　is　a　great　while　past　since　we　two　saw　one　another；　and　moreover；　from　the　time　that　wee　departed　from　our　Master　Vestius；　I　never　heard　any　newes　from　you。　　I　pray　you　Lucius　tell　me　the　cause　of　your　peregrination　hither。　　Then　I　answered　and　sayd；　I　will　make　relation　thereof　unto　you　tomorrow　：　but　I　pray　you　tell　me；　what　meaneth　these　servitors　that　follow　you；　and　these　rods　or　verges　which　they　beare；　and　this　habit　which　you　wear　like　unto　a　magistrate；　verily　I　thinke　you　have　obtained　your　own　desire；　whereof　I　am　right　glad。　　Then　answered　Pithias；　I　beare　the　office　of　the　Clerke　of　the　market；　　and　therfore　if　you　will　have　any　pittance　for　your　supper　speake　and　I　will　purvey　it　for　you。　　Then　I　thanked　him　heartily　and　sayd　I　had　bought　meat　sufficient　already。　　But　Pithias　when　hee　espied　my　basket　wherein　my　fish　was；　　tooke　it　and　shaked　it；　and　demanded　of　me　what　I　had　payd　for　all　my　Sprots。　　In　faith　（quoth　I）；　I　could　scarce　inforce　the　fishmonger　to　sell　them　for　twenty　pence。　Which　when　I　heard；　he　brought　me　backe　again　into　the　market；　and　enquired　of　me　of　whom　I　bought　them。　　I　shewed　him　the　old　man　which　sate　in　a　corner；　whome　by　and　by；　by　reason　of　his　office；　hee　did　greatly　blame；　and　sayd；　Is　it　thus　you　serve　and　handle　strangers；　and　specially　our　friends？　　Wherefore　sell　you　this　fish　so　deare；　which　is　not　worth　a　halfepenny？　　Now　perceive　I　well；　that　you　are　an　occasion　to　make　this　place；　which　is　the　principall　city　of　all　Thessaly；　to　be　forsaken　of　all　men；　and　to　reduce　it　into　an　uninhabitable　Desart；　by　reasone　of　your　excessive　prices　of　victuals；　but　assure　yourself　that　you　shall　not　escape　without　punishment；　and　you　shall　know　what　myne　office　is；　and　how　I　ought　to　punish　such　as　offend。　　Then　he　took　my　basket　and　cast　the　fish　on　the　ground；　and　commanded　one　of　his　Sergeants　to　tread　them　under　his　feet。　　This　done　he　perswaded　me　to　depart；　and　sayd　that　onely　shame　and　reproach　done　unto　the　old　Caitife　did　suffice　him；　So　I　went　away　amazed　and　astonied；　towards　the　Baines；　considering　with　myself　and　devising　of　the　grace　of　my　companion