The Golden Asse
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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 Corin
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