--- title: "The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses" author: "Apuleius" translator: "William Adlington" languages: [la, en] shelf: "Classical Latin" section: 13 of 21 url: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/13/ cite: "Apuleius, tr. William Adlington, The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses, section 13. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/13/" --- # 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. ## 13. Book VII · chapter 7 · 7 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/13/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/13/#p-N [¶0] Then they called together all their friends of more dignity, to resolve in what manner it were most worthy to reward me; and thus it was concluded: one said that I should be closed in a stable and never work, x but continually be fed and fatted with fine and chosen barley and beans and vetch; howbeit another prevailed, who wished my liberty, for me to run lasciviously in the fields amongst the horses, whereby I might engender upon the mares some stout mules for my mistress. Therefore the groom that kept the horses was called for, and I was delivered unto him with great care, in so much that I ran before him right pleasant and joyous, because I hoped that I should carry no more fardels or burdens: moreover I thought that when I should thus be at liberty, in the springtime of the year, when the meadows and fields were green, I should find some roses in some place; after which it came into my mind that if my master and mistress did render to me so many thanks and honours being an ass, they would much more reward me being turned into a man. But when he (to whom the charge of me was so straitly committed) had brought me a good way distant from the city I perceived no delicate meats nor any liberty which I should have, but by and by his covetous wife and most cursed quean made me a mill ass, and (beating me with a cudgel with many twigs) would wring bread for herself and her household out of my skin. > Latin: Exin me suum sospitatorem nuncupatum matrona prolixe curitabat, ipsoque nuptiarum die praesepium meum hordeo passim repleri iubet faenumque camelo Bactrinae sufficiens apponi. Sed quas ego condignas Fotidi diras devotiones imprecer, quae me formavit non canem sed asinum, quippe cum viderem largissimae cenae reliquiis rapinisque canes omnes inescatos atque distentos! Post noctem unicam et rudimenta Veneris recens nupta gratias summas apud suos parentes ac maritum mihi meminisse non destitit, quoad summos illi promitterent honores habituri mihi. Convocatis denique gravioribus amicis consilium datur, quo potissimum pacto digne remunerarer. Placuerat uni domi me conclusum et otiosum hordeo lecto fabaque et vicia saginari: sed obtinuit alius qui meae libertati prospexerat, suadens ut rurestribus potius campis in greges equinos lasciviens discurrerem, daturus dominis equarum inscensu generoso multas mulas alumnas. [¶1] Yet was she not contented to weary me and make pie a drudge with carriage and grinding of her own corn, but she made me to grind for her neighbours and so earned more gain by my toil: nor would she give me such meat as it was ordained that I should have, for all my miserable labours, for my own parley which I ground in that same mill by my own goings about she would sell to the inhabitants by, and after that I had laboured all day upon this engine of toil, she would set before me at night a little filthy bran, nothing clean but caked together and full of stones. Being crushed down by this calamity, yet cruel fortune worked me other new torments, so that (as they say) I might verily boast of a full reward for all my brave deeds done at home and abroad: for on a day I was let loose into the fields to pasture with the herds of horses by commandment of my master, who so did at last obey his lord's bidding. O how I leaped for joy, how I brayed to see myself in such liberty, but especially since I beheld so many mares, which I thought should be my easy wives and concubines! But this my joyful hope turned into utter destruction, for incontinently all the stallion horses, which were well fed and made strong for their duty by ease of pasture, terrible in any case and much more puissant than a poor ass, were jealous over me, and feared for the cuckolding of their race by a weakling, and (not having regard to the law and order of the hospitable god Jupiter) ran fiercely and terribly against me their rival; > Latin: Ergo igitur evocato statim armentario equisone magna cum praefatione deducendus assignor: et sane gaudens laetusque praecurrebam, sarcinis et ceteris oneribus iam nunc renuntiaturus, nanctaque libertate veris initio pratis herbantibus rosas utique reperturus aliquas. Subibat me tamen illa etiam sequens cogitatio, quod tantis actis gratiis honoribusque plurimis asino meo tributis humana facie recepta, multo tanto pluribus beneficiis honestarer. Sed ubi me procul a civitate gregarius ille perduxerat, nullae deliciae ac ne ulla quidem libertas excipit. Nam protinus uxor eius avara equidem nequissimaque illa mulier molae machinariae subiugum me dedit, frondosoque baculo subinde castigans, panem sibi suisque de meo parabat corio. Nec tantum sui cibi gratia me fatigare contenta, vicinorum etiam frumenta mercenariis discursibus meis conterebat. Nec mihi misero statuta saltem cibaria pro tantis praestabantur laboribus: namque hordeum meum frictum et sub eadem mola meis quasi satum ambagibus colonis proximis venditabat, mihi vero per diem laboriosae machinae attento sub ipsa vespera furfures apponebat incretos ac sordidos, multoque lapide salebrosos. [¶2] one reared up his broad chest and high head, and lifted up his fore feet and kicked me spitefully, another turned to me his strong and brawny back, and with his hinder heels spurned me cruelly, the third threatening with a malicious neighing dressed his ears, and shewing his sharp and white teeth bit me on every side. In like sort have I read in histories how before the king of Thrace 1 would throw his miserable guests to be torn in pieces and devoured of his wild horses; so niggish was that tyrant of his provender that he nourished his hungry and starveling beasts with the bodies of men. After the same manner I was cruelly handled by the horses, so that I longed for the mill again whereby I went round and round; > Latin: Talibus aerumnis edomitum novis Fortuna saeva tradidit cruciatibus, scilicet ut, quod aiunt, domi forisque fortibus factis adoriae plenae gloriarer., Equinis armentis namque me congregem pastor egregius mandati dominici serus anscultator aliquando permisit: at ego tandem liber asinus, laetus et tripudians graduque molli gestiens equas opportunissimas iam mihi concubinas futuras deligebam. Sed haec etiam spes hilarior in capitale processit exitium: mares enim ob admissariam Venerem [¶3] but behold fortune (insatiable of my torments) had devised a new pain for me. I was appointed to bring home wood every day from a high hill, and who should drive me thither and home again but a boy that was the veriest hangman in all the world: he was not contented with the great travail I took in climbing up the steep hill, neither that my hoofs were torn and worn away by sharp flints, but he beat me cruelly and very often with a great staff, in so much that the marrow of my bones did ache for woe; for he would strike me continually in my right hip and still in one place, whereby he tare my skin and made of my wide sore a great hole or trench, or rather a window to look out at, and although it ran down of blood, yet would he not cease beating me in that place. Moreover he laded me with such great trusses and burdens of wood that you would think they had rather been prepared for elephants than for an ass, and when he perceived that my wood hanged more of one side than another (when he should rather take away the heavy sides and so ease me, or else lift them up a little, or at least put them over to make them equal with the other) he laid great stones upon the lighter side to remedy the matter. Yet could he not be contented with this my great misery and immoderate burdens of wood, but when we came to any river by the way, he, to save his boots from water, would leap upon my loins likewise, which was no small load upon load. And if by adventure I had fallen down in any dirty or miry place by the water-side, on the slippery bank, under that load too great for me to bear, when he should have lent a hand to pull me out, or lifted me out by the bridle or by my tail, or taken off some of my load so that I might be able to rise, he would never help me; > Latin: Ad eundem modum distractus et ipse variis equorum incursibus, rursus molares illos circuitus requirebam. Verum Fortuna meis cruciatibus insatiabilis aliam mihi denuo pestem instruxit: delegor enim ligno monte devehundo, puerque mihi praefectus imponitur, omnibus ille quidem deterrimus. Nec me montis excelsi tantum arduum fatigabat iugum, nec saxeas tantum sudes incursando contribam ungulas, verum fustium quoque crebris ictibus prolixe dedolabar, ut usque plagarum mihi medullaris insideret dolor; coxaeque dexterae semper ictus incutiens et unum feriendo locum dissipato corio et ulceris latis simi facto foramine, immo fovea vel etiam fenestra, nullus tamen desinebat identidem vulnus sanguine delibutum obtundere. Lignorum vero tanto me premebat pondere, ut fascium molem elephanto, non asino paratam putares: ille vero etiam quotiens in alterum latus praeponderans declinarat sarcina, cum deberet potius gravantis ruinae fustes demere et levata paulisper pressura sanare me, vel certe in alterum latus translatis peraequare, contra, lapidibus additis insuper, sic iniquitati ponderis medebatur. [¶4] but laid me on from top to toe, yea, from my very ears, with a mighty staff, whereby I was compelled by force of the blows, as by a medicine, to stand up. The same hangman boy did invent another torment for me: fee gathered a great many sharp thorns, as sharp as needles and of most poisonous prick, and bound them with knots into a bundle which he tied at my tail to prick me, so that as I walked they would swing against me and wound me sorely with their accursed spikes. Then was I afflicted on either side; for when I endeavoured to run away from pis bitter onslaughts the thorns pricked me more vehemently, and if I stood still to rest from the pain the boy beat me until I ran again, whereby I perceived that the hangman did devise nothing else save to kill me by some manner of means, and even so he would often swear and threaten to do. And in truth there was some occasion to stir his malicious mind into worse attempts; for upon a day (after my patience had been altogether overcome by his wickedness) I lifted up my heels and spurned him well-favouredly. > Latin: Nec tamen post tantas meas clades immodico sarcinae pondere contentus, cum fluvium transcendet remus, qui forte praeter viam defluebat, peronibus suis ab aquae madore consulens ipse quoque insuper lumbos meos insiliens residebat, exiguum scilicet et illud tantae molis superpondium: ac si quo casu lima caenoso ripae supercilio lubricante oneris impatientia prolapsus deruissem, cum deberet egregius agaso manum porrigere, capistro suspendere, cauda sublevare, certe partem tanti oneris, quoad resurgerem saltem, detrahere, nullum quidem defesso mihi ferebat auxilium, sed occipiens a capite, immo vero et ipsis auribus, totum me compilabat, ceciditque ullum pestis extremae suffugium nec salutis aliquod apparet solacium, et ustrina tales moras non sustinens et meliora consilia praevertitur. [¶5] Then he invented this vengeance against me: after he had well laded me with tow and flax, and had trussed it round safely with ropes upon my back, he brought me out into the way: then he stole a burning coal out of a man's house of the next village and put it into the middle of the load, and soon the fire caught and increased in the dry and light matter and burst into flames, and the fierce heat thereof did burn me on every side; and I could see no remedy for my utter destruction, nor how I might save myself, and in such a burning it was not possible for me to stand still, and there was no time to advise better; but fortune was favourable towards me in my misfortune, perhaps to reserve me for more dangers; at least she saved me from the present death thus devised, for I espied a great hole full of muddy rain-water that fell the day before; thither I ran hastily and plunged myself therein, in such sort that I quenched the fire and was delivered both from my load and from that peril. But the vile boy turned even this his most wicked deed upon me, and declared to all the shepherds about that I willingly leaped over a fire of the neighbours and tumbled in it and set myself afire. Then he laughed upon me, saying: “How long shall we keep this fiery ass in vain?” > Latin: Sed in rebus scaevis affulsit Fortunae nutus hilarior, nescio an futuris periculis me reservans, certe praesente statutaque morte liberans: nam forte pluviae pridianae recens conceptaculum aquae lutulentae proximum conspicatus, ibi memet improvido saltu totum abicio, flammaque prorsus extincta, tandem et pondere levatus et exitio liberatus evado. Sed ille deterrimus ac temerarius puer hoc quoque suum nequissimum factum in me retorsit, gregariisque omnibus affirmavit me sponte vicinorum foculos transeuntem, titubanti gradu prolapsum, ignem ultroneum accersisse mihi, et arridens addidit: ‘Quousque ergo frustra pascemus igninum istum?’ Nec multis interiectis diebus longe peioribus me dolis petivit. Ligno enim quod gerebam in proximam casulam vendito vacuum me ducens, iam se nequitiae meae proclamans imparem miserrimumque istud magisterium renuens, querelas huiusmodi concinnat: [¶6] A few days after, this boy invented another mischief much worse than the former: for when he had sold all the wood which I bare to certain men dwelling in a village by, he led me homeward unladen. And then he cried that he was not able to rule me, for that he was unequal to my naughtiness, and that lie would not drive me to the hill any longer for wood, saying: “Do you see this slow and dull beast, too much an ass? Now, besides all the mischiefs that he hath wrought already, he inventeth daily more and more. For when he espieth any passing my the way, whether it be a fair woman or a maid ready for marriage, or a young boy, he will throw his burden from his back, yea, and often break his very girths, and runneth fiercely upon them. And after that he hath thrown them down, he will stride over them to take his beastly pleasure upon them. Moreover, he will feign as though he would kiss them with his great and wicked mouth, but he will bite their faces cruelly, which thing may work us great displeasure, or rather be imputed unto us as a crime; and even now, when he espied an honest maiden passing by the highway, he by and by threw down his wood in a heap and ran after her; and when this jolly lover had thrown her upon the ground, he would have ravished her before the face of all the world, had it not been that by reason of her crying out with shrieks and loud lamentations, she was succoured of those that passed by, and pulled from his heels and so delivered. > Latin: ‘Videtis istum pigrum tardissimumque et nimis asinum? me praeter cetera flagitia nunc nouis periculis etiam angit: ut quemque enim viatorem prospexerit, sive illa scitula mulier seu virgo nubilis seu tener puellus est, illico disturbato gestamine, nonnunquam etiam ipsis stramentis abiectis, furens incurrit et homines amator talis appetit, et humi prostratis illis inhians illicitas atque incognitas temptat libidines et ferinas compulsat ac morsicat. Quae res nobis non mediocres lites atque iurgia, immo forsitan et crimina pariet. Nunc etiam visa quadam honesta iuvene, ligno quod devehebat abiecto dispersoque, in eam furiosos direxit impetus, et festivus hic amasio humo sordida prostratam mulierem ibidem incoram omnium gestiebat inscendere. Quod nisi ploratu questuque femineo conclamatum viatorum praesidium accurrisset ac de mediis ungulis ipsius esset erepta liberataque, misera illa compavita atque dirupta ipsa quidem cruciabilem cladem sustinuisset, nobis vero poenale reliquisset exitium.’ [¶7] And if it had so come to pass that this fearful maiden had been slain by him by a painful death, what danger had we not been in?” By these and like lies, he provoked the shepherds earnestly to my destruction, which grieved me (God wot) full sore that I could say nothing to defend my chastity. Then one of the shepherds said: “Why I do we not make sacrifice of this common adulterous lass as his horrid doings deserve? My son,” quoth he, “Let us kill him and throw his guts to the dogs, and reserve his flesh for the labourers' supper. Then net us cast dust upon his skin, and carry it home to our master, and easily feign that the wolves have devoured him.” The boy that was my evil accuser made no delay, but prepared himself to execute the sentence of the shepherd, rejoicing at my present danger, and thinking upon the kick which I gave him; but oh how greatly did I then repent that the stripe of my heel had not killed him! > Latin: Talibus mendaciis admiscendo sermones alios, qui meum verecundum silentium vehementius premerent, animos pastorum in meam perniciem atrociter suscitavit. Denique unus ex illis: ‘Quin igitur publicum istum maritum,’ inquit ‘Immo communem omnium adulterum illis suis monstruosis nuptiis condignam victimam us hostiam?’ et ‘heus tu, puer,’ ait ‘Obtruncato protinus eo intestina quidem canibus nostris iacta, ceteram vero carnem omnem operariorum cenae reserva. Nam corium affirmatum cineris inspersu dominis referemus eiusque mortem de lupo facile mentiemur.’ Sublata cunctatione accusator ille meum noxius, ipse etiam pastoralis exsecutor sententiae, laetus et meis insultans malis calcisque illius admonitus, quam inefficacem fuisse mehercules doleo, protinus gladium cotis attritu parabat. [¶8] Then he drew out his sword, and made it sharp upon a whetstone to slay me, but another of the shepherds began to say: “Verily it is a great offence to kill so fair an ass, and so (by accusation of luxury and lascivious wantonness) to lack so necessary his labour and service, where otherwise if you would cut off his stones, he might not only be deprived of his lust, but also become gentle, and that we should be delivered from all fear of danger. Moreover, he would be thereby more fat and better in flesh. For I know myself as well many slow asses, as also most fierce horses, that by reason of their wantonness have been most mad and terrible, but (when they were gelded and cut) they have become very gentle and tame, and tractable both to bearing burdens and to all other use. Wherefore I would counsel you to geld him; and if you consent thereto, I will by and by, when I have gone to the next market, fetch from my house mine irons and 'tools for the purpose: and I will thence immediately return, and I assure you that after I have gelded and cut off his stones, I will deliver this fierce and rude lover unto you as tame as a lamb.” > Latin: Sed quidam dei coetu illo rusticorum ‘Nefas’ ait ‘Tam bellum asinum sic enecare et propter luxuriem lasciviamque, amatoria protinus in Venerem ullo modo surgere vosque omni metu periculi liberare, insuper etiam longe crassior atque corpulentior effici. Multos ego scio non modo asinos inertes, verum etiam ferocissimos equos, nimio libidinis laborantes atque ob id truces vesanosque, adhibita tali detestatione mansuetos ac mansues exinde factos, et oneri ferundo non inhabiles et cetero ministerio patientes. Denique, nisi vobis suadeo nolentibus, possum spatio modico interiecto, quo mercatum proximum obire statui, petitis e domo ferramentis huic curae praeparatis, ad vos actutum redire trucemque amatorem istum atque insuavem dissitis femoribus emasculare et quovis vervece mitiorem efficere.’ [¶9] When I did perceive that I was delivered from.death, but reserved for the pain of gelding, I wept that with the hinder part of my body I should perish altogether, but I sought about to kill myself by some manner of means, whether by fasting continually or by throwing myself down some crag or precipice, to the end if I should die, I would die with unperished members: and while I devised with myself in what manner I might end my life, the rope-ripe boy my destroyer on the next morrow led me to the hill again, and tied me to a bough of a great oak, and in the mean season he took his hatchet and went a little way up and cut wood to load me withal. But behold there crept out of a cave by a marvellous great bear holding out his mighty head; whom when I saw, I was suddenly stricken in fear with the sudden sight and (throwing all the strength of my body into my hinder heels) lifted up my strained head and broke the halter wherewith I was tied. Then there was no need to bid me run away, for I scoured not only on foot, but tumbled over the stones and rocks with my body, till I came into the open fields beneath, to the intent I would escape away from the terrible bear, but especially from the boy that was worse than the bear. Then a certain stranger that passed by the way (espying me alone as a stray ass) took me up quickly and rode upon my back, beating me with a staff which he bare in his hand through a blind and unknown lane: whereat I was little displeased, but willingly went forward to avoid the cruel pain 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 fortune, ever bent on my ruin, would not suffer me to continue in such estate long, but with wondrous quickness undid my timely escape and set a new snare for me: for the shepherds (looking about for a cow that they had lost), after they had sought in divers places, fortuned to come upon us unawares; who when they espied and knew me, they would have taken me by the halter, but he that rode upon my back valiantly resisted them, saying: “Good Lord, masters, what intend you to do? Will you rob me?” Then said the shepherds: “What, thinkest thou that we handle thee otherwise than thou deservest, which art stealing away our ass? Why dost thou not rather tell us where thou hast hidden the boy that led him, whom thou hast doubtless slain?” And therewithal they pulled him down to the ground, beating him with their fists and spurning him with their feet. > Latin: Tali sententia mediis Orci manibus extractus, sedi extremae poenae reservatus, maerebam et in novissima parte corporis totum me periturum deflebam Inedia denique continua vel praecipiti ruina memet ipse quaerebam extinguere, moriturus quidem nihilominus sed moriturus integer. Dumque in ista necis meae decunctor electione, matutino me rursum puer ille peremptor meus contra montis suetum ducit vestigium. Iamque me de cuiusdam vastissimae ilicis ramo pendulo destinato, paululum viam supergressus ipse securi lignum quod deveheret reddebat, et ecce de proximo specu vastum attollens caput funesta proserpit ursa. Quam simul conspexi, pavidus et repentina facie conterritus totum corporis pondus in postremos poplites recello, arduaque cervice sublimiter elevata, lorum, quo tenebar, rumpo, meque protinus pernici fugae committo, perque prona, non tantum pedibus verum etiam toto proiecto corpore propere devolutus immitto me campis subpatentibus, ex sed plane continuatum solutum et solitarium ob indicivae praemium occupasse, domino tamen suo restituturum. ‘Atque utinam ipse asinus,’ inquit ‘Quem nunquam profecto vidissem, vocem quiret humanam dare meaeque testimonium innocentiae perhibere posset; profecto vos huius iniuriae pigeret.’ Sic asseverans nihil quicquam promovebat: nam collo constrictum reducunt eum pastores molesti contra montis illius silvosa nemora, unde lignum puer solebat egerere: nec uspiam ruris reperitur ille sed plane corpus eius membratim laceratum multisque dispersum locis conspicitur. [¶10] Then he sware unto them saying that he saw no manner of boy, but only found the ass loose and straying abroad, which he took up to the intent he might have some reward for the finding of him, and to restore him again to his master. “And I would to God,” quoth he, “That this ass (which I would verily I had never seen) could speak as a man, to give witness of my innocence: then would you be ashamed of the injury which you have done to me.” Thus reasoning for himself, he nothing prevailed, for those angry shepherds tied a rope about his neck and led him back again through the trees of the hill to the place where the boy accustomed to resort for wood. And after that they could discover him in no place, at length they found his body rent and torn in pieces, and his members dispersed in divers places, which I well knew was done by the cruel bear, and verily I would have told it if I might have spoken; but (which I could only do) I greatly rejoiced at the vengeance of his death, although it came too late. Then they gathered the pieces of his body and hardly joined them together and buried them, and straightway they laid all the fault to him that was my Bellerophon, 1 charging him that it was he that took me up by the way, and had assaulted and slain.the boy, and (bringing him home fast bound to their blouses) purposed on the next morrow to accuse him of murder, and to lead him before the justices to have judgement of death. > Latin: Quam rem procul dubio sentiebam ego illius ursae dentibus esse perfectam et Hercule dicerem quod sciebam, si loquendi copia suppeditaret: sed quod solum poteram tacitus licet serae vindictae gratulabar. Et cadaver quidem disiectis partibus tandem totum repertum aegreque concinnatum ibidem terrae dedere, meum vero Bellerophontem, abactorem indubitatum cruentumque percussorem criminantes, ad casas interim suas vinctum perducunt, quoad renascenti die sequenti deductus ad magistratus, ut aiebant, poenae redderetur. Interim dum puerum illum parentes sui plangoribus querebantur et adveniens ecce rusticus nequaquam promissum suum frustratus destinatam sectionem meam flagitat, ‘Non est’ in his inquit unus ‘Indidem praesens iactura nostra, sed plane crastino libet non tantum naturam, verum etiam caput quoque ipsum pessimo isto asino demetere: nee tibi ministerium deerit istorum.’ [¶11] In the mean season, while the parents of the boy did lament and weep for the death of their son, the shepherd (according to his promise) came with his instruments and tools to geld me, and then one of them said: “Tush, our present mischief is not of his doing, but now we are contented that to-morrow not only this vile ass's stones shall be cut off, but also his head, and you shall not lack helpers.” So was it brought to pass that my death was delayed till the next morrow; but what thanks did I give to that good boy who at least (being so slain) was the cause of my pardon for one short day! Howbeit I had no time then to rest myself, for the mother of the boy, weeping and lamenting for his cruel death, attired in mourning vesture, tore her hair and threw ashes upon it, and beat her breast, crying and howling very bitterly, and came presently into the stable, saying: “Is it reason that this careless beast should do nothing all day but hold his head in the manger, filling and boiling his guts with meat, without compassion of my great misery or remembrance of his slain master? Surely, contemning my age and infirmity, he thinketh that I am unable to revenge his great mischiefs. Moreover he would persuade me that he were not culpable; indeed it agreeth with the manner of malefactors to hope for safety, even when as the conscience doth confess the offence: but, O good Lord, thou cursed beast, if thou couldest for the nonce utter the contents of thine own mind, whom (if he were the veriest fool in all the world) mightest thou persuade that this murder was void or without thy fault, when it lay in thy power either to keep off the thieves from this poor boy with thy heels or else to bite and tear them with thy teeth? Couldest not thou (that so oft in his lifetime didst spurn and kick him) defend him now from his death by like means? Yet at least thou shouldest have taken him upon thy back, and so brought him from the cruel hands of thieves, where contrary thou rannest away alone, having forsaken and cast down thy fellow-servant, thy good master, thy pastor and conductor. Knowest thou not that even such as deny their wholesome help and aid to them which are in danger of death, are wont to be punished because they have offended against good manners and the law natural? > Latin: Sic effectum est ut in alterum diem clades differretur mea, at ego gratias agebam bono puero, quod saltem mortuus unam carnificinae meae dieculam donasset. Nec tamen tantillum saltem gratulationi meae quietive spatium datum: nam mater pueri mortem deplorans acerbam filii, fleta et lacrimosa fuscaque veste contecta, ambabus manibus trahens cinerosam canitiem, eiulans et exinde proclamans stabulum irrumpit meum, tunsisque ac diverberatis vehementer uberibus incipit: ‘Et nunc iste securus incumbens praesepio voracitati suae deservit et insatiabilem profundumque ventrem semper esitando distendit, nec aerumnae meae miseretur vel detestabilem casum defuncti magistri recordatur, sed scilicet senectam infirmitatemque meam contemnit ae despicit et impune se laturum tantum scelus credit. At utcumque se praesumit innocentem; est enim congruens pessimis conatibus contra noxiam conscientiam sperare securitatem. Nam pro deum fidem, quadrupes nequissime, licet precariam vocis usuram sumeres, cui tandem vel ineptissimo persuadere possis atrocitatem istam culpa carere, eum propugnare pedibus et arcere morsibus misello puero potueris? An ipsum quidem saepius incursare calcibus potuisti, moriturum vero defendere alacritate simili nequisti? Certe dorso receptum auferres protinus et infesti latronis cruentis manibus eriperes, postiemum deserto deiectoque illo conservo magistro comite pastore non solus aufugeres. An ignoras eos etiam, qui morituris auxilium salutare denegarint, quod contra bonos mores id ipsum fecerint, solere puniri? Sed non diutius meis cladibus laetaberis, homicida: senties, efficiam, misero dolori naturales vires adesse.’ [¶12] But I promise thee that thou shalt not long rejoice at my harms, thou murderer; I will ensure thee thou shalt feel the smart of my grief, and I will see what nature can do.” Therewithal she unloosed her apron, and bound all my feet together to the end I might not help myself in my punishment: then she took a great bar which accustomed to bar the stable door, and never ceased beating of me. till she was so exceeding weary and tired that the bar fell out of her hands: whereupon she (complaining of the soon faintness of her arms) ran to the fire and brought a glowing firebrand and thrust it under my tail, burning me continually till such time as (having but one remedy) I all bewrayed her face and eyes with my dirty dung; whereby, what with the stink thereof, and what with the filthiness that fell in her eyes, she was well nigh blind, and so I enforced the quean to leave off; otherwise I had died as an ass as Meleager did by the stick, which his mad mother Althea 1 cast into the fire. > Latin: Et cum dicto subsertis manibus exsolvit suam sibi fasciam pedesque meos singillatim illigans indidem constringit artissime, scilicet ne quod vindictae meae superesset praesidium, et pertica, qua stabuli fores offirmari solebant, abrepta non prius me desiit obtundere quam victis fessisque viribus, suopte pondere degravatus manibus eius fustis esset elapsus. Tunc de brachiorum suorum cita fatigatione conquesta, procurrit ad focum, ardentemque titionem gerens mediis inguinibus obtrudit, donec, solo quod restabat nisus praesidio, liquida fimo strictim egesta faciem atque oculos eius confoedassem. Qua caecitate atque factore tandem fugata est a me pernicies: ceterum titione delirantis Altheae Meleager asinus interissem.