--- title: "The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses" author: "Apuleius" translator: "William Adlington" languages: [la, en] shelf: "Classical Latin" section: 15 of 21 url: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/15/ cite: "Apuleius, tr. William Adlington, The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses, section 15. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/15/" --- # 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. ## 15. Book VIII · chapter 8 · 8 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/15/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/15/#p-N [¶0] for the wolves came not upon us, either because of the great noise and multitude of our company, or else because of our firebrands, or peradventure they were gone to some other place, for we could see none, even afar off. But the inhabitants of [the next village (supposing that we were thieves by reason of our great multitude) for the defence of their own substance, and for the fear they were in, pet great and mighty mastiffs upon us, worse than any wolves or bears, which they had kept and nourished for the safety of their houses; who were both by nature very fierce and were urged on by their masters, holloing after their wont and driving them with all manner of cries; they, compassing us round about, leaped on every side, tearing us with their teeth, both man and beast, in such sort that they wounded and pulled many of us to the ground. Verily, it was a famous but a pitiful sight to see so L many dogs all mad with fury, some following such as Bed, some invading such as stood still, some leaping upon those which lay prostrate, and going throughput the whole of our company with savage biting, Behold, upon this, another worse danger ensued; the inhabiters of the town stood upon their roofs and the hills hard by, throwing great stones upon our heads, so that we could not tell whether it were best for us to avoid the gaping mouths of the dogs at hand, or the peril of the stones afar. Amongst whom there was one that hurled a great flint upon the head of a woman which sat upon my back; > Latin: Villae vero, quam tunc forte praeteribamus, coloni, multitudinem nostram latrones rati, satis agentes rerum suarum eximieque trepidi canes rabidos et immanes et quibusvis lupis et ursis saeviores, quos ad tutelae praesidia curiose fuerant alumnati, iubilationibus solitis et cuiuscemodi vocibus nobis inhortantur, qui praeter genuinam ferocitatem tumultu suorum exasperati contra nos ruunt, et undique laterum circumfusi passim insiliunt ac sine ullo dilectu iumenta simul et homines lacerant diuque grassati plerosque prosternunt. Cerneres non tam Hercule memorandum quam miserandum etiam spectaculum, canes copiosos ardentibus animis alios fugientes arripere, alios stantibus inhaerere, quosdam iacentes inscendere et per omnem nostrum commeatum morsibus ambulare. Ecce tanto periculo malum maius insequitur: de summis enim tectis ac de proxumo colle rusticani illi saxa super nos raptim devolvunt, ut discernere prorsus nequiremus qua potissimum caveremus clade, comminus canum an eminus lapidum. Quorum quidem unus caput mulieris, quae meum dorsum residebat, repente percussit: quo dolore commota statim fletu cum clamore sublato maritum suum pastorem illum suppetiatum ciet. [¶1] who cried out piteously, desiring her husband, the shepherd, to help her. Then he (coining to wipe off the blood from his wife) began to complain in this sort, calling upon God's name: “Alas, masters, what mean you to trouble us poor labouring men and wayfarers and so cruelly to overcome us? What think you to gain by us? What mean you to revenge yourselves-upon us, that do you no harm? You dwell not in caves or dens, you are no people barbarous that you should delight in effusion of human blood.” At these words the tempest of stones did cease, and the storm of the dogs was called back and vanished away. Then one (standing on the top of a great cypress-tree) spake unto us, saying: “Think you not, masters, that we do this to the intent to rifle or take away any of your goods, but for the safeguard of ourselves and family from a like slaughter at your hands; now in God's name you may depart away.” So we went forward, some wounded with stones, some bitten with dogs, but generally there was none which escaped free. When we had gone a good part of our way we came to a certain wood environed with great trees, and compassed about with pleasant meadows, where the shepherds, our guides, appointed to continue a certain space for rest, to cure their divers wounds and sores. Then they sat down on the ground to refresh their weary minds, and afterwards they sought for medicines to heal their bodies: some washed away their blood with the water of the running river, some laid upon their bruises sponges steeped with vinegar, some stopped their wounds with clouts; in this manner every one provided for his own safety. > Latin: At ille deum fidem clamitans et cruorem uxoris abstergens altius quiritabat: ‘Quid miseros homines et laboriosos viatores tam crudelibus animis invaditis atque obteritis? Quas praedas inhiatis? Quae damna vindicates? At non speluncas ferarum vel cautes incolitis barbarorum, ut humano sanguine profuso gaudeatis.’ Vix haec dicta, et statim lapidum congestus cessavit imber et infestorum canum revocata conquievit procella. Unus illinc denique de summo cupressus cacumine ‘At nos ’ inquit ‘Nor vestrorum spoliorum cupidine latrocinamur, sed hanc ipsam cladem de vestris protelamus manibus: iam denique pace tranquilla securi potestis incedere.’ Sic ille, sed nos plurifariam vulnerati reliquam viam capessimus, alius lapidis, alius morsus vulnera referentes, universi tamen saucii. Aliquanto denique viae permenso spatio pervenimus ad nemus quoddam proceris arboribus consitum et pratentibus virectis amoenum, ubi placuit illis ductoribus nostris refectui paululum conquiescere corporaque sua diverse laniata sedulo recurare. Ergo passim prostrati solo primum fatigatos animos recuperare ac dehinc vulneribus medelas varias adhibere festinant: hic cruorem praeterfluentis aquae rore deluere, ille spongeis inacidatis tumores comprimere, alius fasciolis hiantes vincire plagas. Ad istum modum saluti suae quisque consulebat. [¶2] In the mean season we perceived an old man that looked from the top of an hill, who seemed to be a shepherd by reason of the goats and sheep that fed round about him: then one of our company demanded whether he had any milk to sell, whether new drawn or freshly made into cheese. To whom he made answer, shaking his head, saying: “Do you think now of any meat or drink, or any other refection here? Know none of you in what place you be?” And therewithal he took his sheep and drove them away as fast as he might possible. This answer and his fleeing away made our shepherds greatly to fear, so that they thought of nothing else but to enquire what country they were in: howbeit, they saw no manner of person of whom they might demand. At length, as they were thus in doubt, they perceived another old man very tall and heavy with years, with a staff in his hand and very weary footsteps, who, approaching nigh to our company, began to weep greatly and complain, embracing the knees of every one and saying: “Alas, masters, I pray you by your fates and lucky spirits, may you come to the years of old age strong and joyful, as you shall succour me, miserable caitiff, tend restore my little one from Hell to my white hairs again. > Latin: Interea quidam senex de summo colle prospectat, quem circum capellae pascentes opilionem esse profecto clamabant. Eum rogavit unus e nostris haberetne venui lactem vel adhuc liquidum vel in caseum recentem inchoatum. At ille diu capite quassanti ‘Vos autem ’ inquit ‘De cibo vel poculo) vel omnino ulla refectione nunc cogitatis? An nulli scitis quo loco comederitis?’ Et cum dicto conductis oviculis conversus longe recessit. Quae vox eius et fuga pastoribus nostris non mediocrem pavorem incussit: ac dum perterriti de loci qualitate sciscitari gestiunt nec est qui doceat, senex alius, magnus ille quidem, gravatus annis, totus in baculum pronus et lassum trahens vestigium, ubertim lacrimans per viam proximat, visisque nobis cum fletu maximo singulorum iuvenum genua contingens sic adorabat: [¶3] For he, my grandson, the dear companion of. my path, by following a sparrow that sang upon an hedge, is fallen into a ditch hereby that lay open at the root of the shrubs, and verily I think he is in danger of death. As for me, though I know from his own voice, crying oft upon his grandsire, that he yet liveth, I am not able to help him by reason of my old age, but you, that are so valiant and lusty, may easily help me herein a miserable old man, and deliver me my boy, last of my heirs and single offspring of my race that is yet left alive.” These words and his tearing of his white and aged hair made us all to pity him: and the youngest and stoutest of heart in our company, and strongest of body, who alone escaped unhurt from the late skirmish of dogs and stones, rose up quickly, demanding in what ditch the boy was fallen. > Latin: ‘Per fortunas vestrosque genios, sic ad meae senectutis spatia validi laetique veniatis, decepto seni subsistite meumque parvulum ab inferis ereptum canis meis reddite. Nepos namque meus et itineris huius suavis comes dum forte passerem incantantem saepiculae consectatur arripere, delapsus in proxumam foveam, quae fruticibus imis subpatet, in extremo iam vitae consistit periculo, quippe cum de fletu ac voce ipsius avum sibi saepicule clamitantis vivere illum quidem sentiam, sed per corporis, ut videtis, mei defectam valitudinem opitulari nequeam. At vobis aetatis et roboris beneficio facile est suppetiari miserrimo seni puerumque illum novissimum successionis meae atque unicam stirpem sospitem mihi facere.’ [¶4] “Marry,” said he, “Yonder,” and pointing with his finger, brought him to a great thicket of bushes and thorn, where they both entered in. In the mean season, after that we had well refreshed ourselves with our grazing and they had cured their wounds, each took up his packs, purposing to depart away. And because we would not go away without the young man our fellow, the shepherds whistled and called for him by his name; but when he gave no answer they feared because of his long absence and sent one of their company to seek him out, and to tell him that it was now time to set forth on the journey with us. But he after a while returned again with an ashen-pale face, trembling, with strange and sorrowful news of his fellow, saying that he saw him lying upon his back and a terrible dragon eating and devouring him: and as for the miserable old man, he could see him in no place. When they heard this (remembering likewise the words of the first old man that had warned them of this and no other habitant of the place) they ran away, beating us before them, to fly from this desert and pestilent country. Then after we had very quickly passed a great part of our journey we came to a certain village, where we lay all night. But hearken, and I will tell you a great and notable mischief that happened there. You shall understand that there was a servant to whom his master had committed the whole government of his house, and he was bailiff of the great lodging where we lay: this servant had married a maiden, a fellow-slave of the same house, howbeit he burned greatly for love of a free woman of another house. Therewith was his wife so highly displeased and became so jealous, that she gathered together all her husband's substance, with his tallies and books of accounts, and burned them with fire. She was not contented with this damage, nor thought that she had so avenged the wrong done to her bed, but she took a cord, and now raging against her own bowels, she bound her child which she had by her husband about her middle and cast herself headlong into a deep pit, carrying her babe with her. The master, taking in evil part the death of these twain, took his servant which had made for his wife the cause of this murder, and after that he had first put off all his apparel, he anointed his body with honey, and then bound him sure to a fig-tree, where in a rotten stock a great number of pismires or ants had built their nests, and ran always about in great multitudes like sprinkling water. The pismires, after they had felt the savour and sweetness of the honey, came upon his body, and by little and little but unfailing gnawing, in continuance of time with long torturing devoured all his flesh and his vitals, in such sort that there remained on the fatal tree nothing of his flesh but only his shining white bones. > Latin: Sic deprecantis suamque canitiem distrahentis totos quidem miseruit; sed unus prae ceteris et animo fortior et aetate iuvenior et corpore validior, quique solus praeter alios incolumis proelium superius evaserat, exsurgit alacer et percontatus quonam loci puer, ille decidisset, monstrantem digito non longe frutices horridos senem illum impigre comitatur. Ac dum pabulo nostro suaque cura refecti sarcinulis quisque sumptis suis viam capessunt, clamore primum nominatim cientes illum iuvenem frequenter inclamant; mox mora diutina commoti mittunt e suis arcessitorem unum, qui requisitum comitem tempestivae viae commonefactum reduceret. At ille modicum commoratus refert sese buxanti pallore trepidus miraque itinere confecto pagum quendam accedimus, ibique totam perquiescimus noctem; ubi coeptum facinus oppido memorabile narrare cupio. Servus quidam, cui cunctam familiae tutelam dominus permiserat suus, quique possessionem maximam illam, in quam deverteramus, villicabat, habens ex eodem famulitio conservam coniugam, liberae cuiusdam extrariaeque mulieris flagrabat cupidine. Quo dolore paclicatus uxor eius instricta cunctas mariti rationes et quicquid horreo reconditum continebatur admoto combussit igne. Nec tali damno tori sui contumeliam vindicasse contenta, iam contra sua saeviens viscera laqueum sibi nectit infantulumque, quem de eodem marito iamdudum susceperat, eodem funiculo nectit seque per altissimum puteum, appendicem parvulum trahens praecipitat. Quam mortem dominus eorum aegerrime sustinens arreptum servulum, qui causam tanti sceleris uxori suae praestiterat, nudum ac totum melle perlitum firmiter alligavit arbori ficulneae, cuius in ipso carioso stipite inhabitantium formicarum nidificia borribant et ultro citro commeabant multiiuga scaturigine. Quae simul dulcem ac mellitum corporis nidorem persentiscunt, parvis quidem sed numerosis et continuis morsiunculis penitus inhaerentes, per longi temporis cruciatum ita, carnibus atque ipsis visceribus adesis, homine consumpto membra nudarunt, ut ossa tantum viduata pulpis nitore nimio candentia funestae cohaererent arbori. [¶5] This was declared unto us by the inhabitants of the village there, who greatly sorrowed for this servant: then we, avoiding likewise from this dreadful lodging, incontinently departed away, and for a whole day travelled through the plain country, and then we came very tired to a fair city very populous, where our shepherds determined to make their home and continue, by reason that it seemed a place where they might live unknown, far from such as should pursue them, and because it was a country very plentiful of corn and other victuals. There when we had remained the space of three days, and that I, poor ass, and the other horses were fed and kept in the stable to the intent we might seem more saleable, we were brought out at length to the market, and by and by a crier sounded with his horn to notify that we were to be sold. All my companion horses and the other asses were bought up by gentlemen, but as for me I stood still forsaken, for that most men passed me by with despight. And when many buyers came by and handled me and looked at my teeth in my mouth to know my age, I was so weary with opening my jaws that at length (unable to endure any longer) when one came with a stinking pair of hands and grated my gums often with his filthy fingers, I seized them and well nigh bit them clean off, which thing caused the standers-by to forsake buying me, as being a fierce and cruel beast. > Latin: Hac quoque detestabili deserta mansione, paganos in summo luctu relinquentes, rursum pergimus dieque tota campestres emensi vias civitatem quandam populosam et nobilem iam fessi pervenimus. Inibi Larem sedesque perpetuas pastores illi statuere decernunt, quod et longe a quaesituris firmae latebrae viderentur et annonae copiosae beata celebritas invitabat. Triduo denique iumentorum refectis corporibus, quo vendibiliores videremur, ad mercatum producimur magnaque voce praeconis pretia singulis nuntiantis equi atque alii asini opulentis emptoribus praestinantur; at me relictum solum ac subsecivum cum, fastidio plerique praeteribant. Iamque taedio contreetationis eorum, qui de dentibus meis aetatem computabant, manum cuiusdam faetore sordentem, qui gingivas identidem meas putidis scalpebat digitis, mordicus arreptam plenissime conterui: quae res circumstantium ab emptione mea utpote ferocissimi deterruit animos. Tunc praeco diruptis faucibus et rauca voce saucius in meas fortunas ridiculos construebat iocos: ‘Quem ad finem cantherium istum venui frustra subiciemus, et vetulum et extritis ungulis debilem et dolore deformem et in hebeti pigritia ferocem nec quicquam amplius quam ruderarium cribrum? Atque ideo vel donemus eum cuipiam, si qui tamen faenum suum perdere non gravatur.’ [¶6] The crier when he had gotten a hoarse voice and was well nigh burst with crying, and saw that no man would buy me, began very scurrilously to mock any evil fortune, saying: “To what end stand we mere to offer for sale this vile ass, this old feeble beast, this slow jade with worn hoofs, made hideous my his labours, idle save when he is vicious, and good for nothing but to make sieves of his skin? Why do we not give him to somebody, if there be any that it shall irk not to find him his hay?” In this manner the crier made all the standers-by to laugh exceedingly; but my evil fortune, which was ever so cruel against me, whom I, by travel of so many countries, could in no wise escape nor appease the envy thereof by all the woes I had undergone, did more and more cast its blind and evil eyes upon me, with invention of new means to afflict my poor body, in giving me another master very, fit for my hard fate. Listen what man he was. There was an old naughty man, somewhat bald, with long and grey hair, one of the number of those of the lewdest; dregs of the people which go from door to door throughout all the villages, bearing the image of the Syrian goddess, and playing with cymbals and bones, to get the alms of good and charitable folks. This old man came hastily towards the crier, and demanded where I was bred. “Marry,” quoth he, “In Cappadocia: and he is very strong.” Then he enquired what age I was of, and the crier, jesting, answered: “A mathematician, which disposed to me his planets, said that he was five years old; yet this doth ne know best himself from his own register public. > Latin: Ad istum modum praeco ille cachinnos circumstantibus commovebat. Sed illa fortuna mea saevissima, quam per tot regiones iam fugiens effugere vel praecedentibus malis placare non potui, rursum in me caecos detorsit oculos et emptorem aptissimum duris meis casibus mire repertum obiecit. Scitote qualem: cinaedum et senem cinaedum, calvum quidem sed cincinnis semicanis et pendulis capillatum, unum de triviali popularium faece, qui per plateas et oppida cymbalis et crotalis personantes deamque Syriam circumferentes mendicare compellunt. Is nimio praestinandi studio praeconem rogat cuiatis essem: at ille Cappadocum me et satis forticulum denuntiat. Rursum requirit annos aetatis meae: sed praeco lasciviens: ‘Mathematicus quidem, qui stellas eius disposuit, quintum ei numeravit annum; sed ipse scilicet melius istud de suis novit professionibus. Quanquam enim prudens crimen Corneliae legis incurram, si civem Romanum pro servo tibi vendidero, quin emis bonum et frugi mancipium, quod te et foris et domi poterit iuvare?’ Sed exinde odiosus emptor aliud de alio non desinit quaerere, denique de mansuetudine etiam mea percontatur anxie. [¶7] For I would not willingly incur the penalty of the law Cornelia in selling a free citizen for a servile slave, yet if you shall buy him you shall have a good. Lid useful chattel both at home and about the country.” But this cursed buyer did never stint to question of my qualities, and at length he demanded whether I were gentle or no: “Gentle!” quoth the tier, “As gentle as a lamb, tractable to all use: he will never bite, he will never kick, but you would rather think that under the shape of the ass there were some well-advised man, which verily you may easily conject; for if you would thrust your nose in his tail you shall perceive how patient he is.” Thus the crier wittily mocked the old rascal; but he, perceiving his taunts and jests, waxed very angry, saying: “Away, doting crier, thou deaf and dumb carrion, I pray the omnipotent and omniparent Syrian goddess, Saint Sabadius, Bellona with the Idaean mother, and Venus with her Adonis to strike out both thine eyes that with taunting mocks hast scoffed me in this sort. Dost thou think that I will put a goddess upon the back of any fierce beast, whereby her divine image should be thrown down fan the ground, and so I, poor wretch, should be compelled (tearing my hair) to look for some physician to help her as she lies fallen?” When I heard him speak this, I thought with myself suddenly to leap up like a mad ass, to the intent he should not buy me, thinking me very fierce; > Latin: At praeco ‘Vervecem,’ inquit ‘Non asinum vides ad usus omnes quietum; non mordacem, nec calcitronem quidem sed prorsus ut in asini corio modestum hominem inhabitare credas. Quae res cognitu non ardua: nam si faciem tuam mediis eius feminibus immiseris, facile periclitaberis quam grandem tibi demonstret patientiam.’ Sic praeco lurchonem tractabat dicacule; sed ille cognito cavillatu, similis indignanti ‘At te ’ inquit ‘Cadaver surdum et mutum delirumque praeconem, omnipotens et omniparens dea Syria et sanctus Sabadius et Bellona et Mater Idaea, et cum suo Adone Venus domina caecum reddant, qui scurrilibus iamdudum contra me velitaris iocis. An me putas, inepte, iumento fero posse deam committere, ut turbatum repente divinum deiciat sumulacrum, egoque miser cogar crinibus solutis discurrere et deae meae humi iacenti aliquem medicum quaerere?’ Accepto tali sermone cogitabam subito velut lymphaticus exsilire, ut me ferocitate cernens exasperatum emptionem desineret. Sed praevenit cogitatum meum emptor anxius pretio depenso statim, quod quidem gaudens dominus scilicet taedio mei facile suscepit, septemdecim denarium, et illico me tumida spartea deligatum tradidit Philebo: hoc enim nomine censet batur iam meus dominus. [¶8] but incontinently, like an eager buyer, he prevented my thought, and would lay down my price for me, even seventeen pence: then my master was glad, being weary of me, and receiving the money, delivered me by mine halter of straw to my new master, who was called Philebus. He carried his new servant home, and when he came to the door of the house, he celled out his troop, saying: “Behold, my daughters,1 what a gentle servant I have bought for you.” Yet were these laughters a band of lewd and naughty fellows, and at first they were marvellous glad, prattling and shouting for joy with their broken and harsh voices, like a troop of women, in discordant sounds, and thought verily that he had brought home a fit and convenient servant for their purpose. But when they perceived that it was not even an hind 1 instead of a maiden, but rather a makeshift ass for a man, they began to reprove him with great scorn, saying that he had not brought a servant for them, but rather a stalling ass for himself. “Howbeit,” quoth they, “Keep this pretty beast not wholly for your own delight, but let us, your darling doves, likewise have him at commandment.” Therewithal babbling in this wise, they led me into the stable, and tied me to the manger; and there was a certain stout young man with a mighty body, well skilled in playing on flutes, whom they had bought in a market with the money they had collected; and he walked before their procession, playing the horn when they carried round their goddess, and at home he shared in all their labours and they made great use of him. Now he, as soon as he espied me, entertained me very well, for he filled my rack and manger with meat, and spake merrily, saying: “O master ass, you are welcome; > Latin: At ille susceptum novicium famulum trahebat ad domum statimque illinc de primo limine proclamat: ‘Puellae, servum vobis pulchellum en ecce mercata perduxi.’ Sed illae puella chorus erat cinaedorum, quae statim exultantes in gaudium, fracta et rauca et effeminata voce clamores absonos intollunt, rati scilicet vere quempiam hominem servulum ministerio suo paratum. Sed postquam non cervam pro virgine sed asinum pro homine succidaneum videre, nare detorta magistrum suum varie cavillantur,: non enim servum sed maritum illum scilicet sibi perduxisse: et ‘heus’ aiunt ‘Cave ne solus exedas tam bellum scilicet pullulum, sed nobis quoque tuis palumbulis nonnunquam impertias.’ Haec et huiusmodi mutuo blaterantes praesepio me proximum deligant. Erat quidam iuvenis satis corpulentus, choraula doctissimus, collaticia stipe de mensa paratus, qui foris quidem circumgestantibus deam cornu canens adambulabat, domi vero promiscui operis partiarius agebat concubinus. Hic me simul domi conspexit libenter, appositis largiter cibariis, gaudens alloquitur: ‘Venisti tandem miserrimi laboris vicarius: sed diu vivas et dominis placeas et meis defectis iam lateribus consulas.’ Haec audiens iam meas futuras novas cogitabam aerumnas. [¶9] now you shall take my office in hand: you are come to supply my room, and to ease me of my miserable labour: I pray God thou mayest long live and please my master well, to the end thou mayest continually deliver my weary sides from so great pain and labour.” When I heard his words, I did prognosticate my new misery to come. The day following I saw them apparelled in divers colours, and hideously tricked out, having their faces ruddled with paint, and their eyes tricked out with grease, mitres on their heads, vestments coloured like saffron, surplices of silk and linen; and some ware white tunics painted with purple stripes that pointed every way like spears, girt with belts, and on their feet were yellow shoes; and they attired the goddess in silken robe, and put her upon ray back. Then they went forth with their arras naked to their shoulders, bearing with them great swords and mighty axes, shouting and (lancing like mad persons to the sound of the pipe. After that we had passed many small villages, we fortuned to come to a certain rich man's house, where at our first entry they began to howl all out of tune and hurl themselves hither and thither, as though they were mad. They made a thousand gests with their feet and their heads; they would bend down their necks and spin round so that their hair flew out in a circle; they would bite their own flesh; finally, every one took his twyedged weapon and wounded his arms in divers places. > Latin: Die sequenti variis coloribus indusiati et deformiter quisque formati, facie caenoso pigmento delita et oculis obunctis graphice prodeunt; mitellis et crocotis et carbasinis et bombycinis iniecti, quidam tunicas albas in modum lanciolarum quoquoversum fluente purpura depictas cingulo subligati, pedes luteis induti calceis; deamque serico contectam amiculo mihi gerendam imponunt brachiisque suis humero tenus renudatis, attollentes immanes gladios ac secures, evantes exsiliunt incitante tibiae cantu lymphaticum tripudium. Nec paucis pererratis casulis ad quandam villam possessoris beati perveniunt et ab ingressu primo statim absonis ululatibus constrepentes fanatice pervolant, diuque capite demisso cervices lubricis intorquentes motibus crinesque pendulos in circulum rotantes, et nonnunquam morsibus suos incursantes musculos, ad postremum ancipiti ferro quod gerebant sua quisque brachia dissicant. Inter haec unus ex illis bacchatur effusius ac de imis praecordiis anhelitus crebros referens, velut numinis divino spiritu repletus, simulabat sauciam vecordiam, prorsus quasi deum praesentia soleant homines non sui fieri me liores sed debiles effici vel aegroti. [¶10] Meanwhile there was one more mad than the rest, that fetched many deep sighs from the bottom of his heart, as though he had been ravished in spirit, or replenished with divine power, and he feigned a swoon and frenzy, as if (forsooth) the presence of the gods were not wont to make men better than before, but weak and sickly. Mark then how by divine providence he found a just and worthy recompense after that he had somewhat returned to himself, he invented and forged a great lie, noisily prophesying and accusing and charging himself, saying that he had displeased the divine majesty of the goddess by doing of something which was not convenable to the order of their holy religion, wherefore he prayed that vengeance might be done of himself. And therewithal he took a whip, such as is naturally borne by these womanish men, with many twisted knots and tassels of wool, and strung with sheep's knuckle-bones, and with the knotted thongs scourged his own body very strong to bear the pain of the blows, so that you might see the ground to be wet and defiled with the womanish blood that issued out abundantly with the cutting of the swords and the blows of the scourge: which thing caused me greatly to fear to see such wounds and effusion of blood, lest the same foreign goddess should likewise desire the blood of an ass for her stomach, as some men long for ass's milk After they at last were weary, or at least satisfied with rending themselves, they ceased from this bloody business: and, behold, they received from the inhabitants, who offered eagerly, into their open bosoms copper coins, nay silver too, vessels of wine, milk, cheese, flour and wheat; > Latin: Specta denique quale caelesti providentia meritum reportaverit. Infit vaticinatione clamosa conficto mendacio semel ipsum incessere atque criminari, quasi contra fas sanctae religionis dissignasset aliquid et insuper iustas poenas noxi facinoris ipse de se suis manibus exposcere. Arrepto denique flagro, quod semiviris illis proprium gestamen est, contortis taeniis lanosi velleris prolixe fimbriatum et multiiugis talis ovium tesseratum, indidem sese multinodis commulcat ictibus, mire contra plagarum dolores praesumptione munitus. Cerneres prosectu gladiorum ictuque flagrorum solum spurcitia sanguinis effeminati madescere. Quae res incutiebat mihi non parvam sollicitudinem videnti tot vulneribus largiter profusum cruorem, ne quo casu deae peregrinae stomachus, ut quorundam hominum lactem, sic illa sanguinem concupisceret asininum. Sed ubi tandem fatigati, vel certe suo laniatu satiati, pausam carnificinae dedere, stipes aereas, immo vero et argenteas multis certatim offerentibus, sinu recepere patulo necnon et vini cadum et lactem et caseos et farris et siliginis aliquid, et nonnullis hordeum deae gerulo donantibus. Avidis animis corradentes omnia et in sacculos huic quaestui de industria praeparatos farcientes dorso meo congerunt, ut duplici scilicet sarcinae pondere gravatus, et horreum simul et templum incederem. [¶11] and amongst them there were some that brought barley to the ass that carried the goddess: but the greedy whoresons thrust all into their sacks which they brought for the purpose, and put them upon my back, to the end I might serve for two purposes, that is to say: for the barn by reason of my corn, and for the temple by reason of the goddess that I bare. In this sort they went from place to place robbing all the country over; at length they came to a certain town, purposing to make good cheer there, being Wad at a great gain they had gotten, where, under colour of divination, they brought to pass that they obtained a fat ram of a poor husbandman for the goddess' supper, and to make sacrifice withal. After that the banquet was richly prepared, they washed their bodies, and brought in a lusty young man of the village to sup with them; and when he had scarce tasted a few herbs before the supper they began to discover their beastly customs and inordinate desires. For they compassed him round about as he sat, to abuse him, but when mine eyes would not long bear to behold this horrible fact, I could not but attempt to utter my mind and say, “O masters,” but I could pronounce no more but the first letter “O,” which I roared out very clearly and valiantly and like an ass; but at a time inopportune, for some young men of the town, seeking for a stray ass that they had lost the same night, and searching diligently all the inns, heard my voice within the house; whereby they judged that I had been theirs, but concealed in a hidden place, and resolving to manage their own business, they entered altogether unawares, and found these persons committing their vile abomination. This when they saw they called all the neighbouring inhabitants and declared to them their unnatural villainy, mocking and laughing at this the pure and clean chastity of these priests. > Latin: Ad istum modum palantes omnem illam depraedabantur regionem. Sed in quodam castello copia laetati largioris quaesticuli gaudiales instruunt dapes: a quodam colono fictae vaticinationis mendacio pinguissimum deposcunt arietem, qui deam Syriam esurientem suo satiaret sacrificio, probeque disposita cenula balneas obeunt ac dehinc lauti quendam fortissimum rusticanum, industria laterum atque imis ventris bene praeparatum, comitem cenae secum adducunt paucisque admodum praegustatis olusculis, ante ipsam mensam spurcissima illa propudia ad illicitae libidinis extrema flagitia infandis uriginibus offerantur, passimque circumfusi nudatum supinatumque iuvenem execrandis oribus flagitabant. Nec diu tale facinus meis oculis tolerantibus ‘Porro Quirites’ proclamare gestivi, sed viduatum ceteris syllabis ac litteris processit ‘O’ tantum, sane clarum ac validum et asino proprium sed inopportuno plane tempore: namque de pago proxumo complures iuvenes abactum sibi noctu perquirentes asellum, nimioque studio cuncta devorsoria scrutantes, intus aedium audito, ruditu meo, praedam absconditum latibulis aedium rati, coram rem invasuri suam improvisi conferto gradu se penetrant, palamque illos execrandas foeditates obeuntes deprehendunt: iam iamque vicinos undique percientes turpissimam scaenam patefaciunt, insuper ridicule sacerdotum purissimam laudantes castimoniam. [¶12] Then they, ashamed it the report which was dispersed throughout all the region there of their beastly wickedness, so that they were justly hated and despised of all, about midnight brought together all their trumpery and departed away from the town. When we had passed a good part of our journey before the rising of the sun, and were now come into a wide desert in the broad day, they conspired much together to slay me. For after they had taken the goddess from my back and set her gingerly upon the ground, they likewise took off all my harness and bound me surely to an oak, and then beat me with that whip which was knotted with sheep's bones, in such sort that they had well nigh killed me. Amongst them there was one that threatened to cut my hamstrings with his hatchet, because by my noise I had so famously hurt his pure chastity; but the others, regarding more the image that lay upon the ground than my safety, thought best to spare my life; and so they laded me again, driving me before them with their naked swords till they came to a noble city. There the principal patron, who was in every way a man very religious, and especially bearing high reverence unto the goddess, came in great devotion to meet us when he heard our tinkling cymbals and tapping drums and the soft strain of the Phrygian music, and received her and all our company as a pious host into his great house, and he hastened with much sacrifice and veneration to appease her godhead. > Latin: Hac infamia consternati, quae per ora populi facile dilapsa merito invisos ac detestabiles eos cunctis effecerat, noctem ferme circa mediam collectis omnibus furtim castello facessunt, bonaque itineris parte ante iubaris exortum transacta, iam die claro solitudines avias nacti, multa secum prius collocuti accingunt se meo funeri; deaque vehiculo meo sublata et humi reposita cunctis stramentis me renudatum ac de quadam quercu destinatum flagro illo pecuinis ossibus catenato verberantes paene ad extremam confecerant mortem. Fuit unus qui poplites meos enervare secure sua comminaretur, quod de pudore illo candido scilicet suo tam deformiter triumphassem: sed ceteri non meae salutis sed simulacri iacentis contemplatione in a ita me retinendum censuere. Rursum itaque me refertum sarcinis planis gladiis minantes perveniunt ad quandam nobilem civitatem. Inibi vir principalis et alias religiosus et eximie deam reverens, tinnitu cymbalorum et sonu tympanorum cantusque Phrygii mulcentibus modulis excitus, procurrit obviam, deamque votivo suscipiens hospitio nos omnes intra consaeptum domus amplissimae constituit, numenque summa veneratione atque hostiis opimis placare contendit. [¶13] But there, I remember, I thought myself in most danger of all my life; for there was one that brought venison to the master of the house, a side of a fat buck, for a present; which being hanged carelessly behind the kitchen door, not far from the ground, was clean eaten up by a hunting greyhound that came in, who, joyful to have gotten his prey, escaped the eyes of them that watched. The cook, when he saw the venison devoured, reproving his own negligence, lamented and wept to no purpose, and because supper-time approached nigh, when his master should now call for the meat, he sorrowed and feared greatly; and bidding farewell to his little child, he took a halter to hang himself; but his good wife, perceiving whereabout he went, ran incontinently to him, and taking the deadly halter in both her hands stopped him of his purpose, saying: “O husband, are you out of your wits with this present trouble? What intend you to do? See you not a chance remedy before your eyes ministered unto you by divine providence? I pray you, husband, if you have any sense left in this storm of fortune, listen attentively to my counsel: carry this strange ass out into some secret place and kill him; which done, cut off one of his aides, and sauce it well like the side of the buck, and set it before your master in place thereof.” Then the naughty rascal, the cook, was well pleased to slay me, to save himself, and praised greatly the shrewd counsel of his wife; and to bring his purpose to pass, he went to the whetstone to sharp his tools accordingly for the butchery he had promised. > Latin: Hic ego me potissimum capitis periclitatum memini. Nam quidam colonus partem venationis, immanis cervi pinguissimum femus, domino illi suo muneri miserat, quod incuriose pone culinae fores non altiuscule suspensum canis adaeque venaticus latenter invaserat, laetusque, praeda propere custodientes oculos evaserat. Quo damno cognito suaque reprehensa neglegentia cocus diu lamentatus lacrimis inefficacibus, iam iamque domino cenam flagitante maerens et utcunque metuens altius, filio suo parvulo consalutato arreptoque funiculo, mortem sibi nexu laquei comparabat. Nee tamen latuit fidam uxorem eius casus extremus mariti, sed funestum nodum violenter invadens manibus ambabus ‘Adeone’ inquit ‘Praesenti malo perterritus mente excidisti tua, nee fortuitum istud remedium, quod deum providentia subministrat, intuens? Nam si quid in ultimo fortunae turbine resipiscis, expergite mi ausculta et advenam istum asinum remoto quodam loco deductum iugula, femusque eius ad similitudinem perditi detractum et accuratius in protrimentis sapidissime percoctum appone domino cervini vicem.’ Nequissimo verberoni sua placuit salus de mea morte, et multum conservae laudata sagacitate destinatae iam lanienae cultros acuebat.