---
title: "The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses"
author: "Apuleius"
translator: "William Adlington"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 12 of 21
url: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/12/
cite: "Apuleius, tr. William Adlington, The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses, section 12. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/12/"
---

# The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses

*Apuleius, tr. William Adlington*

Lucius dabbles in magic, is turned into a donkey, and is saved by Isis; with the tale of Cupid and Psyche.

> Latin: ed. Stephen Gaselee, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi1212.phi002, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: William Adlington, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi1212.phi002.perseus-eng1). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (books, chapters and sections), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 12. Book VII · chapter 7 · 7

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/12/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/12/#p-N

[¶0] 7. As soon as the day shone bright and night was past, land the clear chariot of the sun had spread his bright beams on every coast, came one of the company of the thieves (for so his and their greeting did declare); who at his first entry into the cave (after he had breathed himself and was able to speak) told these tidings unto his companions in this sort: “Sirs, as touching the house of Milo of Hypata, which we forcibly entered and ransacked the last day, we may put away all fear, and doubt nothing at all; for after that you by force and arms had spoiled and taken way all things in the house, and so returned hither unto our cave, I (thrusting in amongst the press of the people and shewing myself as though I were sad and sorrowful for the mischance) consulted with them for the bolting out of the matter, whether and how far they would devise for the apprehension of the thieves, to the intent I might learn and see all that was done to make relation thereof unto you, as you willed me. The whole fact at length by manifest and evident proofs, as also by the common opinion and judgement of all the people, was laid to one Lucius' charge, as manifest author of this committed robbery, who, a few days before, by false and forged letters and coloured honesty, had feigned himself to me a true man and had gotten himself so far in favour with this Milo that he entertained him into his house and received him as chief of his familiar friends; which Lucius, after that he had sojourned there a good space, and won the heart of Milo's maid by feigned love, did thoroughly learn the ways and doors of all the house, and curiously viewed the coffers and chests, wherein was laid the whole substance of Milo.

> Latin: 7. sic enim mutuae salutationis officium indicabat. Is in primo speluncae aditu residens et ex anhelitu recepto spiritu tale collegio suo nuntium facit: ‘Quod ad domum Milonis Hypatini quam proxime diripuimus pertinet, discussa sollicitudine iam possumus esse securi. Postquam vos enim fortissimis viribus cunctis ablatis castra nostra remeastis, immixtus ego turbelis popularium dolentique atque indignanti similis arbitrabar super investigatione facti cuiusmodi consilium caperent, et an et quatenus latrones placeret inquiri, renuntiaturus vobis, uti mandaveratis, omnia. Nec argumentis dubiis sed rationibus probabilibus congruo cunctae multitudinis consensu nescioqui Lucius auctor manifestus facinoris postulabatur, qui proximis diebus fictis commendaticiis litteris Miloni sese virum commentitus bonum artius conciliaverat, ut etiam hospitio susceptus inter familiares intimos haberetur, plusculisque ibidem diebus demoratus falsis amoribus ancillae Milonis animum irrepens ianuae claustra sedulo exploraverat et ipsa membra, in quis omne patrimonium condi solebat, curiose perspexerat.’

[¶1] Neither was there small cause to judge him culpable, since as the very same night as this robbery was done, he fled away, and could be found in no place, and to the intent he might clean escape and better prevent such as made hue and cry after him, he took his white horse and galloped away. After this his servant was found in the house, who was taken as able to give an information of the felony and escape of his master, and was committed to the common gaol, and the next day following was cruelly scourged rand tormented till he was well nigh dead, but he would confess nothing of the matter; and when they could wrest or learn no such thing of him, yet sent they many persons after towards Lucius' country to enquire him out, and so take him prisoner to pay the punishment of that his crime.” As he declared these things, I did greatly lament with myself to think of mine old and pristine estate, and what felicity I was sometimes in, in comparison to the misery that I presently sustained, being changed into a miserable ass. Then had I no small occasion to remember how the old and ancient writers did feign and affirm that fortune was stark blind and without eyes, because she always bestoweth her riches upon evil persons and fools, and chooseth and favoureth no mortal person by judgement, but is always conversant especially with such whom if she could see, she would more shun and forsake; yea, and which is worse, she soweth such diverse or rather contrary opinions in men, that the wicked do glory with the name of good, and contrary the good and innocent he detracted and slandered as evil. Furthermore I, who by her great cruelty was turned into a four-footed ass in most vile and abject manner, yea, and whose estate seemed worthy to be lamented and pitied of the most hard and stony hearts, was accused of theft and robbing of my dear 'host Milo.

> Latin: ‘Nec exiguum scelerati monstrabatur indicium, quippe cum eadem nocte sub ipso flagitii momento idem profugisset nec exinde usquam compareret; nam et praesidium fugae, quo velocius frustratis insecutoribus procul ac procul abderet sese, eidem facile suppeditasse: equum namque illum suum candidum vectorem futurum duxisse secum. Plane servum eius ibidem in hospitio repertum scelerum consiliorumque herilium futurum indicem per magistratus in publicam custodiam receptum, et altera die tormentis vexatum pluribus ae paene ad ultimam mortem excarnificatum nil quicquam rerum talium esse confessum, missos tamen| in patriam Lucii illius multos numero qui reum poenas daturum sceleris inquirerent.’ Haec eo enarrante, veteris fortunae et illius beati Lucii praesentisque aerumnae et infelicis asini facta comparatione medullitus ingemebam, subiitque me non de nihilo veteris priscaeque doctrinae viros finxisse ac pronuntiasse caecam et prorsus exoculatam esse Fortunam, quae semper suas opes ad malos et indignos conferat, nec unquam iudicio quemquam mortalium eligat, immo vero cum iis potissimum dei versetur, quos procul si videret, fugere deberet, quodque cunctis est extremius, varias opiniones, immo contrarias nobis attribuat, ut et malus boni viri fama glorietur et innocentissimus contra noxio rumore plectatur.

[¶2] This villainy might rather be called parricide than theft, yet might I not defend mine own cause, or deny the fact by any one word, by reason I could not speak; howbeit lest my conscience should seem to accuse me of so base a crime by reason of silence, and again being enforced by impatience, I endeavoured to speak, and fain would have said: “Never did I do that deed.” And verily the first word, “Never,” I cried out once or twice somewhat handsomely, but the residue I could in no wise pronounce, but still remaining in one voice cried “Never, never, never,” though I settled my hanging lips as round as I could to speak the rest of it. But why should I further complain of the cruelty of fortune, since she was not much ashamed to make me a fellow-slave and partner with my servant and my own horse? While I pondered tempestuously with myself all these things, a greater care came to my remembrance, touching the death which the thieves had devised for me to be an offering to the ghost of the maiden, and still as I looked down to my belly, I thought of the poor gentlewoman that should be closed within me. then the thief which a little before had brought the false news against me, drew out of the skirt of his coat a thousand gold crowns, which he had rifled away from such as he met, and cast it very honestly, las he said, into the common treasury.

> Latin: Ego denique quem saevissimus eius impetus in bestiam et extremae sortis quadripedem deduxerat, cuiusque casus etiam quovis nequissimo dolendus atque miserandus merito videretur, crimine latrocinii in hospitem mihi carissimum postulabar. Quod crimen non modo latrocinium, verum etiam parricidium quisque rectius nominarit, nec mihi tamen licebat causam meam defendere vel unico verbo saltem denegare. Denique ne mala conscientia tam scelesto crimini praesens viderer silentio consentire, hoc tantum impatientia perductus volui dicere ‘Non feci.’ Et verbum quidem praecedens semel ac saepius immodice clamitavi, sequens vero nullo pacto disserere potui, sed in prima remansi voce, et identidem boavi ‘Non, non,’ quamquam nimia rotunditate pendulas vibrassem labias. Sed quid ego pluribus de Fortunae scacvitate conqueror? Quam nec istud puduit, me cum meo famulo meoque vectore illo equo factum conservum atque coniugem.

[¶3] Then he carefully enquired how the residue of his companions did, and to him it was declared that the most valiant were murdered and slain in divers manners, but very bravely; whereupon he persuaded them to remit all their affairs a certain season, leaving the highways in peace, and Ito seek for other fellows to be in their places, that by the exercise of new lads the terror of their martial band might be brought again to the old number; land he assured them that such as were unwilling might be compelled by menaces and threatenings, and such as were willing might be encouraged forward with reward: further, he said that there were some which (seeing the profit which they had) would for-sake their base and servile estate and rather be consented to live like tyrants amongst them. Moreover, he declared that for his part he had spoken with a certain tall man, a valiant companion, but of young age, stout in body, and courageous in fight, whom he pad advised and at last fully persuaded to exercise his idle hands, dull with long slothfulness, to his greater profit, and, while he might, to receive the bliss of better fortune, and not to hold out his sturdy arms to beg for a penny, but rather to take as much gold and silver as he would Then every one consented that he that seemed so worthy to be their companion should be one of their company, and that they would search for others to make up the residue pf the number: whereupon he went out, and by and by returning again brought in a tall young man, as he promised, to whom none of the residue might be compared, for he was higher than they by the head, and of more bigness in body, though the down of his beard had but now begun to spread over his cheeks; nut he was poorly apparelled with rags of divers clothes sewn ill together, in so much that you might see all his breast and strong belly naked.

> Latin: Talibus cogitationibus fluctuantem subit me illa cura potior, qua statuto consilio latronum manibus virginis decretam me victimam recordabar, ventremque crebro suspiciens meum iam misellam puellam parturibam. Sed ille qui commodum falsam de me notoriam pertulerat, expromptis mille aureum, quo« insutu laciniae contexerat quosque variis viatoribus detractos, ut aiebat, pro sua frugalitate communi conferebat arcae, infit etiam de salute commilitonum sollicite sciscitari; cognitoque quosdam, immo vero fortissimum quemque variis quidem sed impigris casibus oppetisse, suadet, tantisper pacatis itineribus omniumque proeliorum servatis induciis, inquisitioni commilitonum potius insisteretur et tirocinio novae iuventutis ad pristinae manus numerum Martiae cohortis facies integraretur: nam et invitos terrore compelli et volentes praemio provocari posse, nec paucos humili servilique vitae renuntiantes ad instar tyrannicae potestatis sectam suam conferre malle. Se quoque iamdudum pro sua parte quendam convenisse hominem et statu procerum et aetate iuvenem et corpore vastum et manu strenuum, eique suasisse ac denique persuasisse, ut manus hebetatas diutina pigritia tandem referret ad frugem meliorem bonoque secundae dum posset frueretur valetudinis, nec manum validam erogandae stipi porrigeret, sed hauriendo potius exerceret auro.

[¶4] As soon as he was entered in, he said: “ God speed ye, soldiers of Mars, and my faithful companions, I pray you make me welcome as one of your band, and I will ensure you that you shall have a man of singular courage and lively audacity, for I had rather receive wounds upon my body than money or gold in my hands; and as for death (which other men do fear) I care nothing at all for it. Yet think you not that I am an abject or a beggar, neither judge you my virtue and prowess by my ragged clothes, for I have been a captain of a great company, and wasted all the country of Macedonia; I am the renowned thief Haemus the Thracian, whose name whole countries and nations do greatly fear: I am the son of Theron the notable thief, nourished with human blood, brought up amongst the stoutest of such a band, and finally I am inheritor and follower pf my father's virtues. Yet I lost in a short time all my ancient company and all my riches by one assault which I made, to my hurt, upon a factor of the Prince, which sometime had received a wage of two hundred pounds, but then had been cast down from his rank by fortune. Hearken, and I will tell you the whole matter in order. There was a certain man in the Court of the Emperor which had many offices and high renown, and in great favour with the Prince himself, who at last by the envy and cunning of divers persons was banished away and compelled to forsake the Court: but his wife Plotina, a woman of rare faith and singular shamefastness, having borne ten children to her husband to be the foundation of his house, despised all worldly pomp and delicacy of living, in cities, and determined to follow her husband, and to be a partaker of all his perils and dangers: wherefore she cut off her hair, disguised herself like a man, and sewed into her girdle much jewellery and treasure, passing through the bands of the soldiers that guarded him and the naked swords without any fear;

> Latin: Talibus dictis universi omnes assensere, et illum qui iam comprobatus videretur adscisci et alios ad supplendum numerum vestigari statuunt. Tunc profectus et paululum commoratus ille perducit immanem quendam iuvenem, uti fuerat pollicitus, nescio an ulli praesentium comparandum (nam praeter ceteram corporis molem toto vertice cunctos antepollebat et ei commodum lanugo malis inserpebat) sed plane centunculis disparibus et male consarcinatis semiamictum, inter quos pectus et venter crustata crassitie reluctabant. Sic introgressus ‘Havete’ inquit “Fortissimo deo Marti clientes, mihique iam fidi commilitones, et virum magnanimae vivacitatis volentem volentes accipite, libentius vulnera corpore excipientem quam aurum manu suscipientem, ipsaque morte, quam formidant alii, meliorem. Nec me putetis egenum vel abiectum, neve de pannulis istis virtutes meas aestimetis: nam praefui validissimae manui totamque prorsus devastavi Macedoniam. Ego sum praedo famosus, Haemus ille Thracius, cuius totae provinciae nomen horrescunt, patre Therone aeque latrone inclito prognatus, humano sanguine nutritus interque ipsos manipulos factionis educatus, heres et aemulus virtutis paternae.

[¶5] whereby she shared all his dangers and endured many miseries with the spirit of a man, not of a woman, and was partaker of much affliction to save the life of her husband. And when they had escaped many perilous dangers as well by land as by sea, they went towards Zacynthus to continue there for a time according as fortune had appointed. But when they arrived on the sea-coast of Actium (where we in our return from Macedonia were roving about) when deep night was come they turned into a house, not far distant from the shore and their ship, where they lay all night to escape the tossing of the waves. Then we entered in and took away all their substance, but verily we were in great danger, for the good matron, perceiving us incontinently by the noise of the gate, went into the chamber, and aroused all by her cries, calling up soldiers and servants, every man by his name, and likewise the neighbours that dwelt round about;

> Latin: Sed omnem pristinam sociorum fortium multitudinem magnasque illas opes exiguo temporis amisi spatio: nam procuratorem principis ducenaria perfunctum, dehinc fortuna tristiore decussum, praetereuntem deo comes et infortunii socia, tonso capillo in masculinam faciem reformato habitu, pretiosissimis monilium et auro monetali zonis refertis incincta, inter ipsas custodientium militum manus et gladios nudos intrepida, cunctorum periculorum particeps et pro mariti salute pervigilem curam suscipiens, aerumnas assiduas ingenio masculo sustinebat. Iamque plurimis itineris difficultatibus marisque terroribus exanclatis Zacynthum petebat, quam sors ei fatalis decreverat temporariam sedem.

[¶6] and it was but by reason of the fear that every one was in, each one hiding himself, that we hardly escaped away. But this most holy woman, faithful and true to her husband (as the truth must be declared) and a favourite of all for her great worth, returned to Caesar desiring his aid and puissance, land obtained for her husband his soon return and vengeance for the injury done to him.

> Latin: Sed cum primum litus Actiacum, quo tunc Macedonia delapsi grassabamur, appulisset, nocte promota tabernulam quandam litori navique proximam, quam magni principis. Tota denique factione militarium vexillationum indagatu confecta atque concisa, ipse me furatus aegre solus mediis Orci faucibus ad hunc evasi modum:

[¶7] Then willed Caesar that the company of Haemus should not any longer be, and straightway it went to wrack: so great was the authority and word of the Prince. Howbeit when all my band was lost and cut up by search of the Emperor's army, I only stole away and hardly delivered myself from the very jaws of death, in this manner: I clothed myself in a woman's gaudy attire, that flowed into loose and free folds, covering my head with a woven cap, and placing the white and thin shoes of women upon my feet: and thus hidden land changed into the similitude of the worser sex, land mounted upon an ass that carried barley sheaves, passing through the middle of them all, I escaped away, because every one deemed I was a woman that drove asses, by reason at that time I lacked a beard and my cheeks shone with the colour and smoothness of a boy's. Howbeit I left not off for all? this, nor did degenerate from the glory of my father or mine own virtue, though somewhat fearful among the drawn martial swords, yet disguised like a woman I invaded towns and castles alone to get some prey.” And therewithal he pulled out two thousand crowns, by ripping up his ragged coat, saying: “Hold here this gift, or rather this dowry which I present unto your brotherhood;

> Latin: sumpta veste muliebri florida in sinus flaccidos abundante, mitellaque textili confecto capite, calceis femininis albis illis et tenuibus indutus et in sequiorem sexum incertus atque absconditus, asello spicas hordeacias gerenti residens per medias acies infesti militis transabivi; nam mulierem putantes asinariam concedebant liberos abitus, quippe cum mihi etiam tunc depiles genae levi pueritia splendicarent. Nec ab illa tamen paterna gloria vel mea virtute descivi, quamquam semitrepidus iuxta mucrones Martios constitutus, sed habitus alieni fallacia tectus, villas seu castella solus aggrediens, viaticulum mihi corrasi,” et diloricatis statim pannulis in medium duo milia profudit aureorum, et ‘En ’ inquit ‘Istam sportulam, immo vero dotem collegio vestro libens meque vobis ducem fidissimum, si tamen non recusatis, offero, brevi temporis spatio lapideam istam domum vestram facturus auream.’

[¶8] hold eke my person, which you shall always find trusty and faithful if you shall willingly receive me to be your captain: and I will ensure you that in so doing, within short space I will make and turn this stony house of yours into gold.” Then by and by every one consented to make him their captain, and so they gave him a better garment to wear and throw away his old, wherein the gold had been. When he had changed his attire, he embraced them one after another; then placed they him in the highest room of the table, and drank unto him in great cups in token of good luck: and then they began to talk, and declared unto him the going away of the gentlewoman, and how I bare her upon my back, and what horrid death was ordained for us two. Then he asked where she was, whereupon being brought to the place where the gentlewoman was fast bound, whom as soon as he beheld, he turned himself despising and wringing his nose and blamed them, saying: “ I am not so much a beast or so rash a fellow that I would drive you quite from your purpose; but my conscience will not suffer me to conceal anything that toucheth your profit, since I am careful for you; therefore give me your affiance, especially seeing that if my counsel do displease you, you may at your own liberty proceed again in your enterprise to the ass. For I doubt not but all thieves, and such as have a good judgement, will prefer their own lucre and gain above all things in the world, and above their vengeance which may purchase damage both to themselves and to divers other persons. Therefore if you put this virgin in the ass's belly, you shall but execute your indignation against her without all manner of profit: but I would advise you to carry the virgin to some town and to sell her. And such a brave girl as she is, and so young, may be sold for a great quantity of money: and I myself know certain bawd merchants, amongst whom peradventure some one will give us great sums of gold for her, rand will lay her in a brothel equal to her good birth, when she shall not again run away: and so, as bound in slavery to a bawdy-house, you shall have vengeance enough of her. This is my true opinion pouching this affair; but advise you what you intend to do, for you may rule me in this case.” In this manner the good thief pleaded for the thieves' treasury and defended our cause, being a good patron to the hapless virgin and to me poor ass.

> Latin: Nec mora nec cunctatio, sed calculis omnibus ducatum latrones unanimes ei deferunt, vestemque lautiusculam proferunt sumeret abiecto centunculo divite: sic reformatus singulos exosculatus et in summo pulvinari locatus cena poculisque magnis inauguratur. Tunc sermonibus mutuis de virginis fuga deque mea vectura et utrique destinata monstruosa morte cognoscit, et ubi locorum esset illa percontatus deductusque, visa ea, ut erat vinculis onusta, contorta et vituperanti nare discessit, et ‘Non sum quidem tam brutus vel certe temerarius ’ inquit ‘Ut scitum vestrum inhibeam. sed malae conscientiae reatum intra me sustinebo, si quod bonum mihi videtur dissimulavero. Sed prius fiduciam vestri causa sollicito mihi tribuite, cum praesertim vobis, si sententia haec mea displicuerit, liceat rursum ad asinum redire. Nam ego arbitror latrones,, quique eorum recte sapiunt, nihil anteferre lucro suo debere, ac ne ipsam quidem saepe et aliis damnosam ultionem. Ergo igitur si perdideritis in asino virginem, nihil amplius quam sine ullo compendio indignationem vestram exercueritis. Quin ego censeo deducendam eam ad quampiam civitatem ibique venundandam. Nec enim levi pretio distrahi poterit talis aetatula: nam et ipse quosdam lenones pridem cognitos habeo, quorum poterit unus magnis equidem talentis, ut arbitror, puellam istam praestinare, condigne natalibus suis fornicem processuram nec in similem fugam discursuram; non nihil etiam cum lupanari servierit, vindictae vobis depensuram Hanc ex animo quidem meo sententiam conducibilem protuli, sed vos vestrorum estis consiliorum rerumque domini.’

[¶9] But they stayed hereupon a good space with long deliberation, which made my heart (God wot) and spirit greatly to quail. Howbeit in the end they consented freely to his opinion, and by and by the maiden was unloosed of her bonds; who, seeing the young man, and hearing the name of brothels and bawd merchants, began to wax joyful, and smiled with herself. Then began I to deem evil of the generation of women, when I saw that the maiden (who had pretended that she had loved a young gentleman, and that she so greatly desired her chaste marriage with the same) was now delighted with the talk of a wicked and filthy brothel-house and other things dishonest. In this sort the consent and manners of all the race of women depended in the judgement of an ass. But then the young man spoke again, saying: “Masters, why go we not about to make our prayers to Mars touching this selling of the maiden, and seeking for other companions? But as far as I see, here is no manner of beast to make sacrifice withal nor wine sufficient for us to drink. Let me have ten more with me, and we will go to the next town, whence I will bring you back a supper fit for a priest.” So he and ten more with him went their way, and in the mean season the residue made a great fire and an altar with green turfs in the honour of Mars. By and by they came again, bringing with them bottles of wine and a great number of beasts, amongst which there was a big ram goat, fat, old, and hairy, which they killed and offered unto Mars, to help and be with them. Then supper was prepared sumptuously; and the new companion said unto the others: “You ought to account me not only your captain in robbery and fight, but also in your pleasures and jollity.”

> Latin: Sic ille latronum fisci advocatus nostram causam pertulerat, virginis et asini sospitator egregius; sed in diutina deliberatione ceteri cruciantes mora consilii mea praecordia, immo miserum spiritum, libentes tandem novicii latronis accedunt sententiae et protinus vinculis exsolvunt virginem. Quae quidem simul viderat illum iuvenem, fornicisque et lenonis audierat mentionem, coepit risu laetissimo gestire, ut mihi merito subiret vituperatio totius sexus, eum viderem puellam, proci iuvenis amore nuptiarumque castarum desiderio simulato, lupanaris spurci sordidique subito delectari nomine; et tunc quidem totarum mulierum secta moresque de asini pendebant iudicio. Sed ille iuvenis sermone repetito ‘Quin igitur,’ inquit ‘Supplicatum Marti comiti pergimus et puellam simul vendituri et socios indagaturi? Sed, ut video, nullum uspiam pecus sacrificatui ac ne vinum quidem potatui affatim vel sufficiens habemus. Decem mihi itaque legate comites, quis contentus proximum castellum petam, inde vobis epulas saliares comparaturus.’ Sic eo profecto ceteri copiosum instruunt ignem aramque caespite virenti Marti deo faciunt.

[¶10] Whereupon by and by with pleasant cheer he prepared all things very cleverly; and trimming up the house he set the table in order and cooked the meal, and brought the pottage and dainty dishes to the table; but above all, he plied them well with great pots and jugs of wine. Sometimes (feigning to fetch somewhat they required) he would go to the maiden and give her pieces of meat which he had privily taken away, and would give her cups of wine whence he had already drunken, which she willingly took in good part. Moreover, he kissed her twice or thrice, whereof she was well pleased, and would gladly kiss him in return again; but I (not well content thereat) thought in myself: “O wretched maid, hast thou forgotten thy marriage, and thy lover whom thou didst love, thou a virgin maid, and dost esteem this stranger and bloody thief above thy dear husband which thy parents ordained for thee? Now perceive I well thou hast no remorse of conscience, but more delight to do utterly away with thy love and play the harlot here amongst so many weapons and swords. What, knowest thou not how the other thieves, if they knew thy demeanour, would put thee back to the ass's death as they had once appointed, and so work my destruction likewise? Well do now I perceive that thou dost take pleasure and sport at the risk of another's hide.” While I did devise with myself all these things with an orator's indignation, I perceived by certain signs and tokens (which were doubtful but yet not ignorant to so wise an ass) that he was not the notable thief Haemus, but rather Tlepolemus her husband. For after much communication he began to speak more openly, not fearing any more my presence than if I were dead, and said: “Be of good cheer, my sweet friend Charite, for thou shalt have by and by all these thy enemies captive unto thee.”

> Latin: Nec multo post adveniunt illi vinarios utres ferentes et gregatim pecua comminantes: unde praelectum grandem hircum, annosum et horricomem, Marti secutori comitique victimant, et illico prandium fabricatur opipare. Tune hospes ille ‘Non modo ’ inquit ‘Expeditionum praedarumque, verum etiam voluptatum vestrarum ducem me strenuum sentire debetis,’ et aggressus insigni facilitate naviter cuncta praeministrat. Verrit, sternit, coquit, tucceta concinnat, apponit scitule, sed praecipui poculis crebris grandibusque singulos ingurgitat. Interdum tamen insimulatione promendi quae poscebat usus, ad puellam commeabat assidue, partesque surreptas clanculo et praegustatas a se potiones offerebat hilaris: at illa sumebat appetenter, et noni nunquam basiare volenti promptis saviolis allubescebat. Quae res oppido mihi displicebat: ‘Hem oblita es nuptiarum tuique mutui cupitoris, puella virgo? Et illi nesciocui recenti marito, quem tibi parentes iunxerunt, hunc advenam cruentumque percussorem praeponis? Nec te conscientia stimulat, sed affectione calcata inter lanceas et gladios istos scortari tibi libet? Quid, si quo modo latrones ceteri persenserint? Non rursum recurres ad asinum et rursum exitium mihi parabis? Re vera ludis dei alieno corio.’

[¶11] Then he filled wine to the thieves more and more, mixed with no water, but a little warmed, and never ceased till they were all overcome and soaked with abundance of drink, whereas he himself abstained and bridled his own appetite: and truly, I did greatly suspect that he had mingled in their cups some deadly poison, for incontinently they all fell down asleep on the ground one after another, drowned and overcome by the wine, and lay as though they had been dead. Then did he very easily tie them all in chains and bind them as he would, and he took the maiden and set her upon my back and went homeward. Now when we were near come home, all the people of the city (especially her parents and kinsmen, friends and family and servants) came running forth joyfully; and all they of the town of every age and sex gathered together to see this new sight and strange, a virgin in great triumph sitting upon an ass.1 Then I (not willing to show less joy than the rest, as far as I might as present occasion served) set end pricked up my long ears, blew out my nostrils, and cried stoutly; nay rather I made the town to ring again with my shrilling sound. When we were come to her father's house she was received into a chamber honourably, and her parents tended her well;

> Latin: Dum ista sycophanta ego mecum maxima cum indignatione disputo, de verbis eorum quibusdam dubiis, sed non obscuris prudenti asino, cognosco non Haemum illum praedonem famosum sed Tlepolemum sponsum puellae ipsius. Nam procedente sermone paulo iam clarius, contempta mea praesentia! quasi vere mortui, ‘Bono animo es’ inquit ‘Charite dulcissima, nam totos istos hostes tuos statim captivos habebis,’ et instantia validiore vinum iam inmixtum, sed modico tepefactum vapore, sauciis illis et crapula vinolentiaque madidis ipse abstemius non cessat impingere. Et Hercule suspicionem mihi fecit, quasi soporiferum quoddam venenum cantharis immisceret illis. Cuncti denique sed prorsus omnes vino sepulti iacebant, omnes pares mortuis. Tunc nullo negotio artissimis vinculis impeditis ac pro arbitrio suo constrictis illis, imposita dorso meo puella, dirigit gressum ad suam patriam.

[¶12] as for me, Tlepolemus, with a great number of other citizens, did drive me back again with other horses to the cave of the thieves, and I was not very unwilling, for I much desired to be present to see the taking of them. There we found them all asleep, lying on the ground as we left them, overcome rather by wine than by bonds: and then they first brought out all the gold and silver and other treasures of the house and laded us withal: which when they had done, they threw many of the thieves down I into the bottom of deep cliffs hard by, and the residue they slew with their own swords. After this we returned home glad and merry of so great vengeance upon them, and the riches which we carried was committed to the public treasury, and this done the maid was married to Tlepolemus, according to the law, whom by so much travail he had valiantly recovered. Then my good mistress looked about for me, calling me her saviour and deliverer, and asking for me, commanded, the very same day as her marriage, that my manger should be filled with barley, and that I should have hay and pats abundantly, as much as would be enough for a camel of Bactria. But how greatly and worthily did I curse Fotis in that she had transformed me into an ass, and not into a dog, because I saw the dogs had Riled their paunches to bursting with the relies and bones of so worthy a supper as they had. The next day, after that best of nights and her learning of the secrets of Venus, this new wedded woman.(my mistress) did not forget to commend me before her parents and husband for the kindness I had shewed unto her, and never left off until such time as they ¦promised to reward me with great honours.

> Latin: Quam simul accessimus, tota civitas ad votivum conspectum effunditur. Procurrunt parentes, affines, clientes, alumni, famuli, laeti faciem, gaudio delibuti:( pompam cerneres omnis sexus et omnis aetatis novumque et Hercule memorandum spectamen, virginem asino triumphantem. Denique ipse etiam hilarior pro virili parte ne praesenti negotio ut alienus discreparem, porrectis auribus proflatisque naribus rudivi fortiter, immo tonanti clamore personui. Et illam thalamo receptam commode parentes sui fovebant, me vero cum ingenti iumentorum civiumque multitudine confestim retro Tlepolemus agebat non invitum, nam et alias curiosus et tunc latronum captivitatis spectator optabam fieri. Quos quidem colligatos adhuc vino magis quam vinculis deprehendimus: totis ergo prolatis erutisque rebus et nobis auro argentoque et ceteris onustis, ipsos partim constrictos, uti fuerant, provolutosque in proximas rupinas praecipites dedere, alios vero suis sibi gladiis obtruncatos reliquere. Tali vindicta laeti et gaudentes civitatem revenimus: et illas quidem divitias publicae custodelae commisere, Tlepolemo puellam repetitam lege tradidere.