the golden asse-第40章
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divine author of ancient Poetry； described him to be a wise man； which had travelled divers countries and nations； wherefore I gave great thanks to my Asse for me； in that by this meanes I had seene the experience of many things； and was become more wise （notwithstanding the great misery and labour which I daily sustained） ： but I will tell you a pretty jest； which commeth now to my remembrance； to the intent your eares may be delighted in hearing the same。
THE FORTIETH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was handled by the Bakers wife； which was a harlot。
The Baker which bought me was an honest and sober man； but his wife was the most pestilent woman in all the world； insomuch that he endured many miseries and afflictions with her； so that I my selfe did secretly pitty his estate； and bewaile his evill fortune ： for she had not one fault alone； but all the mischiefes that could be devised ： shee was crabbed； cruell； lascivious； drunken； obstinate； niggish； covetous； riotous in filthy expenses； and an enemy to faith and chastity； a despise of all the Gods； whom other did honour； one that affirmed that she had a God by her selfe； wherby she deceived all men； but especially her poore husband； one that abandoned her body with continuall whoredome。 This mischievous queane hated me in such sort； that shee commanded every day before she was up； that I should he put into the mill to grind ： and the first thing which she would doe in the morning； was to see me cruelly beaten； and that I should grind when the other beasts did feed and take rest。 When I saw that I was so cruelly handled； she gave me occasion to learne her conversation and life； for I saw oftentimes a yong man which would privily goe into her chamber whose face I did greatly desire to see； but I could not by reason mine eyes were covered every day。 And verily if I had beene free and at liberty； I would have discovered all her abhomination。 She had an old woman； a bawd； a messenger of mischiefe that daily haunted to her house； and made good cheere with her to the utter undoing and impoverishment of her husband； but I that was greatly offended with the negligence of Fotis； who made me an Asse； in stead of a Bird； did yet comfort my selfe by this onely meane； in that to the miserable deformity of my shape； I had long eares； whereby I might heare all things that was done ： On a day I heard the old bawd say to the Bakers wife ：
Dame you have chosen （without my counsell） a young man to your lover； who as me seemeth； is dull； fearefull； without any grace； and dastardlike coucheth at the frowning looke of your odious husband； whereby you have no delight nor pleasure with him ： how farre better is the young man Philesiterus who is comely； beautifull； in the flower of his youth； liberall； courteous； valiant and stout against the diligent pries and watches of your husband； whereby to embrace the worthiest dames of this country； and worthy to weare a crowne of gold； for one part that he played to one that was jealous over his wife。 Hearken how it was and then judge the diversity of these two Lovers ： Know you not one Barbarus a Senator of our towne； whom the vulgar people call likewise Scorpion for his severity of manners？ This Barbarus had a gentlewoman to his wife； whom he caused daily to be enclosed within his house； with diligent custody。 Then the Bakers wife said； I know her very well； for we two dwelleth together in one house： Then you know （quoth the old woman） the whole tale of Philesiterus？ No verily （said she） but I greatly desire to know it ： therefore I pray you mother tell me the whole story。 By and by the old woman which knew well to babble； began to tell as followeth。
THE FORTY…FIRST CHAPTER
How Barbarus being jealous over his wife； commanded that shee should be kept close in his house； and what happened。
You shall understand that on a day this Barbarus preparing himselfe to ride abroad； and willing to keepe the chastity of his wife （whom he so well loved） alone to himselfe； called his man Myrmex （whose faith he had tryed and proved in many things） and secretly committed to him the custody of his wife； willing him that he should threaten； that if any man did but touch her with his finger as he passed by； he would not onely put him in prison； and bind him hand and foote； but also cause him to be put to death； or else to be famished for lacke of sustenance； which words he confirmed by an oath of all the Gods in heaven； and so departed away ： When Barbarus was gone； Myrmex being greatly astonied of his masters threatnings； would not suffer his mistresse to goe abroad； but as she sate all day a Spinning； he was so carefull that he sate by her； when night came he went with her to the baines； holding her by the garment； so faithfull he was to fulfill the commandement of his master ： Howbeit the beauty of this matron could not be hidden from the burning eyes of Philesiterus； who considering her great chastity and how she was diligently kept by Myrmex； thought it impossible to have his purpose； yet （indeavouring by all kind of meanes to enterprise the matter； and remembring the fragility of man； that might be intised and corrupted with money； since as by gold the adamant gates may be opened） on a day； when he found Myrmex alone； he discovered his love； desiring him to shew his favour； （otherwise he should certainly dye） with assurance that he need not to feare when as he might privily be let in and out in the night； without knowledge of any person。 When he thought； with these and other gentle words to allure and prick forward the obstinate mind of Myrmex he shewed him glittering gold in his hand； saying that he would give his mistresse twenty crowns and him ten； but Myrmex hearing these words； was greatly troubled； abhorring in his mind to commit such a mischiefe： wherfore he stopped his eares； and turning his head departed away： howbeit the glittering view of these crownes could never be out of his mind； but being at home he seemed to see the money before his eyes； which was so worthy a prey； wherefore poore Myrmex being in divers opinions could not tell what to doe； for on the one side lie considered the promise which he made to his master； and the punishment that should ensue if he did contrary。 On the other side he thought of the gaine； and the passing pleasure of the crownes of gold； in the end the desire of the money did more prevaile then the feare of death； for the beauty of the flowrishing crownes did so sticke in his mind； that where the menaces of his master compelled him to tarry at home； the pestilent avarice of gold egged him out a doores； wherefore putting all shame aside； without further delay； he declared all the whole matter to his Mistresse； who according to the nature of a woman； when she heard him speake of so great a summe she bound chastity in a string； and gave authority to Myrmex to rule her in that case。 Myrmex seeing the intent of his Mistresse； was very glad； and for great desire of the gold； he ran hastily to Philesiterus； declaring that his Mistresse was consented to his mind； wherefore he demanded the gold which he promised。 Then incontinently Philesiterus delivered him tenne Crownes； and when night came； Myrmex brought him disguised into his mistresses Chamber。 About Midnight when he and she were naked together； making sacrifice unto the Goddesse Venus； behold her husband （contrary to their expectation） came and knocked at the doore； calling with a loud voice to his Servant Myrmex ： whose long tarrying increased the suspition of his Master； in such sort that he threatned to beat Myrmex cruelly ： but he being troubled with feare； and driven to his latter shifts； excused the matter saying ： that he could not find the key ： by reason it was so darke。 In the meane season Philesiterus hearing the noise at the doore； slipt on his coat and privily ran out of the Chamber。 When Myrmex had opened the doore to his Master that threatned terribly； and had let him in； he went into the Chamber to his wife ： In the mean while Myrmex let out Philesiterus； and barred the doores fast； and went againe to bed。 The next morning when Barbarus awaked； he perceived two unknown slippers lying under his bed； which Philesiterus had forgotten when
