the golden asse-第44章
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ntinently the souldiers went to the Justice declaring that they had lost by the way a silver goblet of their Captaines； and that a Gardener had found it； who refusing to deliver the goblet； was hidden in one of his friends houses ： by and by the Magistrates understanding the losse of the Captaine； came to the doores where we were； commanded our host to deliver my master upon paine of death： howbeit these threatnings could not enforce him to confesse that he was within his doores； but by reason of his faithfull promise and for the safeguard of his friend； he said； that hee saw not the Gardener a great while； neither knew where he was ： the souldiers said contrary； whereby to know the verity of the matter； the Magistrates commanded their Seargants and ministers to search every comer of the house； but when they could find neither Gardener nor Asse； there was a great contention betweene the souldiers and our Host； for they sayd we were within the house ： and he said no； but I that was very curious to know the matter； when I heard so great a noyse； put my head out of the window to learne what the stirre and tumult did signifie。 It fortuned that one of the souldiers perceived my shadow； whereupon he began to cry； saying ： that hee had certainly seene me； then they were all glad and came up into the chamber； and pulled me downe like a prisoner。 When they had found mee； they doubted nothing of the Gardener； but seeking about more narrowly； at length they found him couched in a chest。 And so they brought out the poore gardener to the Justices； who was committed immediately to prison； but they could never forbeare laughing from the time they found me by my shadow； wherefore is risen a common Proverbe ： ' The shadow of the Asse。'
THE TENTH BOOKE
THE FORTY…FOURTH CHAPTER
How the souldier drave Apuleius away； and how he came to a Captaines house； and what happened there。
The next day how my master the Gardener sped； I knew not； but the gentle souldier； who was well beaten for his cowardise； lead me to his lodging without the contradiction of any man ： Where hee laded me well； and garnished my body （as seemed to me） like an Asse of armes。 For on the one side I bare an helmet that shined exceedingly ： On the other side a Target that glistered more a thousand folde。 And on the top of my burthen he put a long speare； which things he placed thus gallantly； not because he was so expert in warre （for the Gardener proved the contrary） but to the end he might feare those which passed by； when they saw such a similitude of warre。 When we had gone a good part of our journey； over the plaine and easie fields； we fortuned to come to a little towne； where we lodged at a certaine Captaines house。 And there the souldier tooke me to one of the servants； while he himselfe went towards his captaine； who had the charge of a thousand men。 And when we had remained there a few dayes； I understood of a wicked and mischievous fact committed there； which I have put in writing to the end you may know the same。 The master of the house had a sonne instructed in good literature； and endued with vertuous manners； such a one as you would desire to have the like。 Long time before his mother dyed； and when his father married a new wife； and had another child of the age of xii。 yeares。 The stepdame was more excellent in beauty then honesty ： for she loved this young man her sonne in law； either because she was unchast by nature； or because she was enforced by fate of stepmother； to commit so great a mischiefe。 Gentle reader； thou shalt not read of a fable； but rather a tragedy ： This woman when her love began first to kindle in her heart； could easily resist her desire and inordinate appetite by reason of shame and feare； lest her intent should be knowne： But after it compassed and burned every part of her brest； she was compelled to yeeld unto the raging flame of Cupid； and under colour of the disease and infirmity of her body； to conceale the wound of her restlesse mind。 Every man knoweth well the signes and tokens of love； and the malady convenient to the same ： Her countenance was pale； her eyes sorrowfull； her knees weake； and there was no comfort in her； but continuall weeping and sobbing； insomuch that you would have thought that she had some spice of an ague； saving that she wept unmeasurably： the Phisitians knew not her disease； when they felt the beating of her veines； the intemperance of her heart； the sobbing sighes； and her often tossing of every side ： No； no； the cunning Phisitian knew it not； but a scholler of Venus Court might easily conjecture the whole。 After that she had beene long time tormented in her affliction； and was no more able to conceale her ardent desire； shee caused her sonne to be called for； （which word son she would faine put away if it were not for shame ：） Then he nothing disobedient to the commandement of his mother； with a sad and modest countenance； came into the chamber of his stepdame； the mother of his brother； but she speaking never a word was in great doubt what she might doe； and could not tell what to say first； by reason of shame。 The young man suspecting no ill； with humble courtesie demanded the cause of her present disease。 Then she having found an occasion to utter her intent； with weeping eyes and covered face； began boldly to speake unto him in this manner ： Thou； thou； art the originall cause of all my dolour ： Thou art my comfort and onely health； for those thy comely eyes are so enfastned within my brest； that unlesse they succour me； I shall certainly die ： Have pitty therefore upon me； be not the occasion of my destruction； neither let my conscience reclaime to offend thy father； when as thou shalt save the life of thy mother。 Moreover since thou dost resemble thy fathers shape in every point； it giveth me cause the more to fancy thee ： Now is ministred unto thee time and place ： Now hast thou occasion to worke thy will； seeing that we are alone。 And it is a common saying ：
Never knowne； never done。
This young man troubled in mind at so suddaine an ill； although hee abhorred to commit so beastly a crime； yet hee would not cast her off with a present deniall； but warily pacified her mind with delay of promise。 Wherefore he promised to doe all according to her desire ： And in the meane season； he willed his mother to be of good cheere； and comfort her selfe till as he might find some convenient time to come unto her； when his father was ridden forth ： Wherewithall hee got him away from the pestilent sight of his stepdame。 And knowing that this matter touching the ruine of all the whole house needed the counsell of wise and grave persons； he went incontinently to a sage old man and declared the whole circumstance of the matter。 The old man after long deliberation； thought there was no better way to avoyd the storme of cruell fortune to come； then to run away。 In the meane season this wicked woman impatient of her love； and the long delay of her sonne； egged her husband to ride abroad into farre countreyes。 And then she asked the young…man the accomplishment of his promise； but he to rid himselfe entirely from her hands； would find alwayes excuses； till in the end she understood by the messengers that came in and out； that he nothing regarded her。 Then she by how much she loved him before； by so much and more she hated him now。 And by and by she called one of her servants； ready to all mischiefes ： To whom she declared all her secrets。 And there it was concluded betweene them two； that the surest way was to kill the young man ： Whereupon this varlet went incontinently to buy poyson； which he mingled with wine； to the intent he would give it to the young man to drinke； and thereby presently to kill him。 But while they were in deliberation how they might offer it unto him； behold here happened a strange adventure。 For the young sonne of the woman that came from schoole at noone （being very thirsty） tooke the pot wherein the poyson was mingled； and ignorant of the venim； dranke a good draught thereof； which was prepared to kill his brother ： whereby he presently fell downe to the ground dead。 His schoolemaster seeing his suddaine change； called his mother； and all the servants o
