the golden asse-第33章
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While I devised with my selfe in what manner I might end my life； the roperipe boy on the next morrow lead me to the same hill againe； and tied me to a bow of a great Oke； and in the meane season he tooke his hatchet and cut wood to load me withall； but behold there crept out of a cave by； a marvailous great Beare； holding out his mighty head； whom when I saw； I was sodainly stroken in feare； and （throwing all the strength of my body into my hinder heeles） lifted up my strained head and brake the halter； wherewith I was tied。 Then there was no need to bid me runne away； for I scoured not only on foot； but tumbled over the stones and rocks with my body till I carne into the open fields； to the intent I would escape from the terrible Beare； but especially from the boy that was worse than the Beare。 Then a certaine stranger that passed by the way （espying me alone as a stray Asse） tooke me up and roade upon my backe； beating me with a staffe （which he bare in his hand） through a wide and unknowne lane； whereat I was nothing displeased； but willingly went forward to avoid the cruell paine of gelding； which the shepherds had ordained for me； but as for the stripes I was nothing moved； since I was accustomed to be beaten so every day。 But evill fortune would not suffer me to continue in so good estate long ： For the shepheards looking about for a Cow that they had lost （after they had sought in divers places） fortuned to come upon us unwares； who when they espied and knew me； they would have taken me by the halter； but he that rode upon my backe resisted them saying； O Lord masters； what intend you to do？ Will you rob me？ Then said the shepheards； What？ thinkest thou we handle thee otherwise then thou deservest； which hast stollen away our Asse？ Why dost thou not rather tell us where thou hast hidden the boy whom thou hast slaine？ And therewithall they pulled him downe to the ground； beating him with their fists； and spurning him with their feete。 Then he answered unto them saying； titathat he saw no manner of boy； but onely found the Asse loose and straying abroad； which he tooke up to the intent to have some reward for the finding of him and to restore him againe to his Master。 And I would to God （quoth he） that this Asse （which verely was never seene） could speake as a man to give witnesse of mine innocency ： Then would you be ashamed of the injury which you have done to me。 Thus （reasoning for Himselfe） he nothing prevailed； for they tied the halter about my necke； and （maugre his face） pulled me quite away； and lead me backe againe through the woods of the hill to the place where the boy accustomed to resort。 And after they could find him in no place； at length they found his body rent and torne in peeces； and his members dispersed in sundry places； which I well knew was done by the cruell Beare ： and verely 1 would have told it if I might have spoken； but （which I could onely do） I greatly rejoiced at his death； although it came too late。 Then they gathered together the peeces of his body and buried them。 By and by they laid the fault to my new Master； that tooke me up by the way； and （bringing him home fast bound to their houses） purposed on the next morrow to accuse him of murther； and to lead him before the Justices to have judgement of death。
THE THIRTY…FIRST CHAPTER
How Apuleius was cruelly beaten by the Mother of the boy that was slaine。
In the meane season； while the Parents of the boy did lament and weepe for the death of their sonne； the shepheard （according to his promise） came with his instruments and tooles to geld me。 Then one of them said； Tush we little esteeme the mischiefe he did yesterday； but now we are contented that to morrow his stones shall not onely be cut off； but also his head。 So was it brought to passe； that my death was delayed till the next morrow； but what thanks did I give to that good boy； who （being so slaine） was the cause of my pardon for one short day。 Howbeit I had no time then to rest my selfe； for the Mother of the boy； weeping and lamenting for his death； attired in mourning vesture； tare her haire and beat her breast； and came presently into the stable； saying； Is it reason that this carelesse beast should do nothing all day but hold his head in the manger； filling and belling his guts with meat without compassion of my great miserie； or remembrance of the pittiful death of his slaine Master ： and contemning my age and infirmity； thinketh that I am unable to revenge his mischiefs； moreover he would perswade me； that he were not culpable。 Indeed； it is a convenient thing to looke and plead for safety； when as the conscience doeth confesse the offence； as theeves and malefactors accustome to do。 But O good Lord； thou cursed beast； if thou couldest utter the contents of thine owne mind； whom （though it were the veriest foole in all the world） mightest thou perswade that this murther was voide or without thy fault； when as it lay in thy power； either to keepe off the theeves with thy heeles； or else to bite and teare them with thy teeth？ Couldest not thou （that so often in his life time diddest spurne and kicke him） defend him now at the point of death by the like meane？ Yet at least； thou shouldest have taken him upon thy backe； and so brought him from the cruell hands of the theeves ： where contrary thou runnest away alone； forsaking thy good Master； thy pastor and conductor。 Knowest thou not； that such as denie their wholsome help and aid to them which lie in danger of death； ought to be punished； because they have offended against good manners； and the law naturall？ But I promise thee； thou shalt not long rejoyce at my harmes； thou shalt feele the smart of thy homicide and offence； I will see what I can doe。 And therewithall she unclosed her apron； and bound all my feete together； to the end I might not help my selfe； then she tooke a great barre； which accustomed to bar the stable doore； and never ceased beating me till she was so weary that the bar fell out of her hands； whereupon she （complaining of the soone faintnesse of her armes） ran to her fire and brought a firebrand and thrust it under my taile； burning me continually； till such time as （having but one remedy） I arayed her face and eies with my durty dunge； whereby （what with the stinke thereof； and what with the filthinesse that fell in her eies） she was welnigh blinded ： so I enforced the queane to leave off； otherwise I had died as Meleager did by the sticke； which his mad mother Althea cast into the fire。
THE EIGHTH BOOKE
THE THIRTY…SECOND CHAPTER
How a young man came and declared the miserable death of Lepolemus and his wife Charites。
About midnight came a young man； which seemed to be one of the family of the good woman Charites； who sometimes endured so much misery and calamity with mee amongst the theeves； who after that hee had taken a stoole； and sate downe before the fireside； in the company of the servants； began to declare many terrible things that had happened unto the house of Charites； saying： O yee house…keepers； shepheards and cowheards； you shall understand that wee have lost our good mistris Charites miserably and by evill adventure： and to the end you may learne and know all the whole matter； I purpose to tell you the circumstances of every point； whereby such as are more learned then I （to whom fortune hath ministred more copious stile） may painte it out in paper in forme of an History。 There was a young Gentleman dwelling in the next City； borne of good parentage； valiant in prowesse； and riche in substance； but very much given and adicted to whorehunting； and continuall revelling。 Whereby he fell in company with Theeves； and had his hand ready to the effusion of humane blood； his name was Thrasillus。 The matter was this according to the report of every man。 Hee demanded Charites in marriage； who although he were a man more comely then the residue that wooed her； and also had riches abundantly； yet because he was of evill fame； and a man of wicked manners and conversation； he had the repulse and was put off by Charites； and so she married with Lepolemus。 Howbeit this young man secretly loved her； yet moved somewhat at her refusall； hee busily searched
