2. As soon as night was past and the new day began to spring, I fortuned to awake and rose out of my bed as half amazed, and indeed very desirous to know and see some marvellous and strange things, remembering with myself that I was in the midst part of all Thessaly, where, by the common report of all the world, is the birthplace of sorceries and enchantments, and I oftentimes repeated with myself the tale of my companion Aristomenes whereof the scene was set in this city; all agog moreover (being moved both by desire and my own especial longing) I viewed the whole situation thereof with care. Neither was there anything which I saw there that I did believe to be the same which it was indeed, but everything seemed unto me to be transformed into other shapes by the wicked power of enchantment, in so much that I thought the stones against which I might stumble were indurate and turned from men into that figure, and that the birds which I heard chirping, and the trees without the walls of the city, and the running waters were changed from men into such feathers and leaves and fountains. And further I thought that the statues and images would by and by move, and that the walls would talk, and the kine and other brute beasts would speak and tell strange news, and that immediately I should hear some oracle from the heaven and from the ray of the sun.
2. Ut primum nocte discussa sol novus diem fecit, et somno simul emersus et lectulo, anxius alioquin et nimis cupidus cognoscendi quae rara miraque sunt, reputansque me media Thessaliae loca tenere, quo artis magicae nativa contamina totius orbis consona ore celebrentur, fabulamque illam optimi comitis Aristomenis de situ civitatis huius exortam, suspensus alioquin et voto simul et studio, curiose singula considerabam. Nec fuit in illa civitate quod aspiciens id esse crederem quod esset, sed omnia prorsus ferali murmure in aliam effigiem translata, ut et lapides quos offenderem de homine duratos, et aves quas audirem indidem plumatas, et arbores quae pomerium ambirent similiter foliatas, et fontanos latices de corporibus humanis fluxos crederem. Iam statuas et imagines incessuras, parietes locuturos, boves et id genus pecua dicturus praesagium, de ipso vero caelo et iubaris orbe subito venturum oraculum.
Thus being astonished and dismayed, nay dumbfounded with the longing that did torment me, though I found no beginning nor indeed any trace to satisfy my curious desire, I went nevertheless from door to door, and at length, like some luxurious person strolling at my ease, I fortuned unawares to come into the market-place, where I espied a certain woman accompanied with a great many servants, walking apace, towards whom I drew nigh and viewed her precious stones set with gold and her garments woven with the same in such sort that she seemed to be some noble matron: and there was an old man which followed her: who (as soon as he had espied me) said: “Verily this is Lucius,” and then he came and embraced me, and by and by he went unto his mistress, and whispered in her ear, and came to me again, saying: “How is it, Lucius, that you will not salute your dear cousin and friend?” To whom I answered: “Sir, I dare not be so bold as to take acquaintance of an unknown woman.” Howbeit as half ashamed with blushes and hanging head I drew back, she turned her gaze upon me and said: “Behold how he resembleth the same noble dignity as his modest mother Salvia doth; behold his countenance and body agreeing thereto in each point, behold his comely stature, his graceful slenderness, his delicate colour, his hair yellow and not too foppishly dressed, his grey and quick eyes shining like unto the eagle's, bis blooming countenance in all points, and his grave and comely gait.” And moreover she said: “O Lucius, I have nourished thee with mine own proper hands, and why not? For I am not only of kindred unto thy mother by blood, but also her foster-sister; for we are both descended of the line of Plutarch, sucked the same paps, and were brought up together as sisters in one house; and further there is no other difference between us two, but that she is married more honourably than I: I am the same Byrrhaena whom yon have perhaps often heard named as one of those that reared you. Wherefore I pray you to come with all confidence to my house—nay, use it as your own.” By whose words my blushes had time to disperse, and I said: “God forbid, cousin, that I should forsake mine host Milo without any just and reasonable cause, but verily I will do as much as I may without hurt to the duties of a guest, and as often as I have occasion to pass by your house I will come and see how you do.”
Sic attonitus, immo vero cruciabili desiderio stupidus, nullo quidem initio vel omnino vestigio cupidinis meae reperto cuncta circumibam tamen, dum luxum nepotalem simulantia nutricem simul bibimus, et in nexu germanitatis una coaluimus: nec aliud nos quam dignitas discernit, quod illa clarissimas, ego privatas nuptias fecerimus. Ego sum Byrrhaena illa, cuius forte saepicule nomen inter tuos frequentatum educatores retines. Accede itaque hospitium fiducia, immo vero iam tuum proprium Larem.” Ad haec ego, iam sermonis ipsius mora rubore digesto, “Absit” inquam “Parens, ut Milonem hospitem sine ulla querela deseram; sed plane quod officiis integris potest effici, curabo sedulo: quoties itineris huius ratio nascetur, numquam erit ut non apud te devertar.” Dum hunc et huiusmodi sermonem altercamur, paucis admodum confectis passibus ad domum Byrrhaenae pervenimus. Atria longe pulcherrima columnis quadrifariam per singulos angulos stantibus attolerabant statuas, palmaris deae facies, quae pinnis explicitis sine gressu, pilae volubilis instabile vestigium plantis roscidis delibantes, eum putabis de faucibus lapidis exire, et, in quo summum specimen operae fabrilis egregius ille signifex prodidit, sublatis canibus in pectus arduis pedes imi resistunt, currunt priores. Pone tergum deae saxum insurgit in speluncae modum, muscis et herbis et foliis et virgulis et sicubi pampinis et arbusculis alibi de lapide florentibus: splendet intus umbra signi de nitore lapidis. Sub extrema saxi margine poma et uvae faberrime politae dependent, quas ars aemula naturae veritati similes explicuit;
While we went talking thus together, in a very few steps we came to her house; and behold the court of the same was very beautiful set with pillars quadrangularwise, on the top whereof were placed carven statues and images of the goddess of Victory, so lively and with such excellency portrayed and with wings spread forth, their dewy feet just poised upon motionless globes, that you would verily have thought that they had flown, and were hovering with their wings hither and thither. There also the image of Diana, wrought in white marble, stood in the midst of all, holding all in balance, which was a marvellous sight to see, for she seemed as though the wind did blow up her garments, striding briskly forward, so that she was now to encounter with them that came into the house, a goddess very venerable and majestic to see: on each side of her were dogs made also of stone, that seemed to menace with their fiery eyes, their pricked ears, their wide nostrils and their grinning teeth, in such sort that if any dogs in the neighbourhood had bayed and barked, you would have thought the sound came from their stony throats. And moreover (which was a greater marvel to behold) the excellent carver and deviser of this work had fashioned the dogs to stand up fiercely with their former feet ready to run, and their hinder feet set firmly on the ground. Behind the hack of the goddess was carved a stone rising in manner of a cavern, environed with moss, herbs, leaves, sprigs, green branches, and boughs of vines growing in and about the same, and within the image of the statue glistened and shone marvellously upon the stone; under the brim of the rock hung apples and grapes polished finely, wherein art (envying nature) shewed its great, cunning: for they were so lively set out that you would have thought that now autumn, the season of wine, had breathed upon them the colour of ripeness, and that they might have been pulled and eaten; and if, bending down, thou didst behold the running water, which seemed to spring and leap under the feet of the goddess, thou mightest mark the grapes which hung down and seemed even to move and stir like the very grapes of the vine. Moreover amongst the branches of the stone appeared the image of Acteon looking eagerly upon the goddess: and both in the stream and in the stone he might be seen already beginning to be turned into a hart as he waited to spy Diana bathe.
putes ad cibum inde quaedam, eum mustulentus autumnus maturum colorem afflaverit, posse decerni, et si fontem, qui deae vestigio discurrens in lenem vibratur undam, pronus aspexeris, credes illos ut rure pendentes racemos inter cetera veritatis nec agitationis officio carere. Inter medias frondes lapidis Actaeon curioso obtutu in deam sursum proiectus, iam in cervum ferinus et in saxo simul et in fonte loturam Dianam opperiens visitur. Dum haec identidem rimabundus exinde delector, “Tua sunt” ait Byrrhaena “Cuncta quae vides ”; et cum dicto ceteros omnes sermone secreto decedere praecipit. Quibus dispulsis omnibus, “Per hanc” inquit “Deam, O Luci carissime, ut anxie tibi metuo et ut pote pignori meo longe provisum cupio; eave tibi, sed eave fortiter, a malis artibus et facinorosis illecebris Pamphiles illius, quae eum Milone isto, quem dicis hospitem, nupta est: maga primi nominis et omnis carminis sepulchralis magistra creditur, quae surculis et lapillis et id genus frivolis inhalatis omnem istam lucem mundi sideralis imis Tartari et in vetustum chaos submergere novit. Nam simul quemque conspexerit speciosae formae iuvenem, venustate eius sumitur et illico in eum et oculum et animum detorquet: serit blanditias, invadit spiritum, amoris profundi pedicis aeternis alligat. Tune minus morigeros et viles fastidio in saxa et in pecua et quodvis animal puncto reformat, alios vero prorsus extinguit. Haec tibi trepido et cavenda censeo: nam et illa urit perpetuum et tu per aetatem et pulchritudinem capax eius es.” Haec mecum Byrrhaena satis anxia.
And while I was greatly delighted with exploring the view of these things, Byrrhaena spake to me and said: “Cousin, all things here be at your commandment.” And therewithal she willed all the residue to depart from our secret conference, who being gone she said: “My most dear cousin Lucius, I swear by this goddess Diana that I do greatly fear for your safety, and am as careful for you long before, as if you were mine own natural child; beware I say, beware of the evil arts and wicked allurements of that Pamphile that is the wife of 'Milo, whom you call your host, for she is accounted the most chief and principal magician and enchantress of every necromantic spell: who, by breathing out certain words and charms over boughs and stones and other frivolous things, can throw down all the light of the starry heavens into the deep bottom of hell, and reduce them again to the old chaos. For as soon as she espieth any comely young man, she is forthwith stricken with his love, and presently setteth her eye and whole affection on him: she soweth her seed of flattery, she invadeth his spirit, and entangleth him with continual snares of immeasurable love. And •then if any accord not to her filthy desire, so that they seem loathsome in her eye, by and by in a I moment she either turneth them into stones, sheep, or some other beast as herself pleaseth, and some i she presently slays and murders; of whom I would you should earnestly beware. For she burneth continually, and you, by reason of your tender age and comely beauty, are capable of her fire and love.”
At ego curiosus alioquin, ut primum artis magicae semper optatum nomen audivi, tantum a cautela Pamphiles afui ut etiam ultro gestirem tali magisterio me vel ampla eum mercede tradere et prorsus in ipsum barathrum saltu concito praecipitare. Festinus denique et vecors animi, manu eius velut catena quadam memet expedio et, “Salve” propere addito, ad Milonis hospitium perniciter evolo; ae dum amenti similis celero vestigium, “Age ” inquam “Luci, evigila et tecum esto: habes exoptatam occasionem et voto diutino potiris. Fabulis miris mirabundus steti, steterunt et membra quae iacebant ante. Et tandem ad illam ‘Quam pulchre quamque festive ’ inquam ‘Fotis mea, ollulam istam cum natibus intorques! Quam mellitum pulmentum apparas! Felix et certius beatus cui permiseris illuc digitum intingere!’ Tunc illa lepida alioquin et dicacula puella ‘Discede ’ inquit ‘Miselle, quam procul a meo foculo discede. Nam si te vel modice meus igniculus afflaverit, ureris intime nec ullus extinguet ardorem tuum nisi ego, quae dulce condiens et ollam et lectulum suave quatere novi,’ Haec dicens in me respexit et risit.
Thus with great care Byrrhaena charged me, but I nevertheless, that was curious and coveted after such sorcery and witchcraft, as soon as I heard its name, little esteemed to beware of Pamphile, but willingly determined to bestow abundance of money in learning of that teacher, and even to leap of my Own accord into that very pit whereof Byrrhaena had warned me, and so I waxed mad and hasty, and wresting myself out of her company, as out of links or chains, I bade her farewell, and departed with all speed towards the house of mine host Milo. Then as I hastened by the way like one bereft of wit, I reasoned thus with myself: “O Lucius, now take heed, be vigilant, have i a good care, for now thou hast time and place to satisfy thy longing, and mayest gain the desire thou hast so long nourished and fill thy heart with marvels. Now shake off thy childishness and come close to this matter like a man, but specially temper thyself from the love of thine hostess, and abstain from violation of the bed of worthy Milo; but strongly attempt to win the maiden Fotis, for she is beautiful, wanton and pleasant in talk. Nay yestereve when thou wentest to sleep, she brought thee gently into thy chamber, and tenderly laid thee down in thy bed, and lovingly covered thee, and kissed thy head sweetly, and shewed in her countenance how unwillingly she departed, and cast her eyes oftentimes back and stood still; then good speed to thee; then hast thou a good occasion ministered unto thee, even if it betide thee ill, to prove and try the mind of Fotis.”
Nec tamen ego prius inde discessi, quam diligenter omnem eius explorassem habitudinem. Vel quid ego de ceteris aio? Cum semper mihi unica cura fuerit caput capillumque sedulo et publice prius intueri et domi postea perfrui, sitque iudicii huius apud me certa et statuta ratio, vel quod praecipua pars ista corporis in aperto et perspicuo posita prima nostris luminibus occurrit, et quod in ceteris membris floridae vestis hilaris color, hoc in capite nitor nativus operatur: denique pleraeque indolem gratiamque suam probaturae lacinias omnes exuunt, amicula dimovent, nudam pulchritudinem suam praebere se gestiunt, magis de cutis roseo rubore quam de vestis aureo colore placiturae. At vero (quod nefas dicere, ne quid sit ullum huius rei tam dirum exemplum) si cuiuslibet eximiae pulcherrimaeque feminae caput capillo spoliaveris et faciem nativa specie nudaveris, licet illa caelo deiecta, mari edita, fluctibus educata—licet, inquam, Venus!
Thus while I reasoned with myself, I came to Milo's door persevering still in my purpose, but I found neither Milo nor his wife at home, but only my dear and sweet love Fotis mincing pigs' meat as if for stuffing, and slicing flesh, and making pottage for her master and mistress, and I thought I smelled even from thence the savour of some haggis very sweet and dainty. She had about her middle a 'white and clean apron, and she was girded high about her body beneath her breasts with a girdle of red shining silk, and she stirred the pot and turned the meat with her fair and white hands, in such sort and with such stirrings and turning the same that her loins and hips did likewise gently move and shake, which was in my mind a comely sight to see. These •things when I saw I was half amazed, and stood musing with myself, and my courage came then upon me which before was scant. And I spoke unto Fotis at.last, and said: “O Fotis, how trimly, how merrily, with shaking your hips you can stir the pot, and how sweet do you make the pottage. O happy and thrice happy is he to whom you give leave and license to dip his finger therein.” Then she, being likewise, witty and merrily disposed, gave answer: “Depart, I say, wretch, from me; depart from my fire, for if the name thereof do never so little blaze forth it will burn thee inwardly, and none can extinguish the heat thereof but I alone, who know well how with daintiest seasoning to stir both board and bed.”
ipsa fuerit, licet omni Gratiarum choro stipata et toto Cupidinum populo comitata et balteo suo cincta, cinnama fragrans et balsama rorans, calva processerit, I placere non poterit nec Vulcano suo. Quid cum capillis color gratus et nitor splendidus illucet et contra solis aciem vegetus fulgurat vel placidus renitet, aut in contrariam gratiam variat aspectum, et nunc aurum coruscans in lenem mellis deprimitur umbram, nunc corvina nigredine caeruleos columbarum collis flosculos aemulatur, vel cum guttis Arabicis obunctus et pectinis arguti dente tenui discriminatus et pone versum coactus amatoris oculis occurrens ad instar speculi reddit imaginem gratiorem? Quid cum frequenti subole spissus cumulat verticem vel prolixa serie porrectus dorsa permanat? Tanta denique est capillamenti dignitas, ut quamvis auro, veste, gemmis, omnique cetero mundo exornata mulier incedat, tamen, nisi capillum distinxerit, ornata non possit audire. Sed in mea Fotide non operosus sed inordinatus ornatus addebat gratiam.
When she had said these words she cast her eyes upon me and laughed, but I did not depart from thence until such time as I had viewed her in every •point: but why should I speak of other things? When as it hath always been my chief care both abroad to mark and view the head and hair of every dame and afterwards delight myself therewith privately at home, and this is my firm and fixed judgement, for that is the principal part of all the body, and is first open to our eyes; and whatsoever flourishing and gorgeous apparel doth for the other parts of the body, this doth the natural and comely beauty set forth on the head. Moreover there be divers, that (to the intent to shew their grace and loveliness) will least off their partlets and habiliments, and do more delight to shew the fairness and ruddiness of their skin in beauty unadorned than to deck themselves i up in raiment of gold. But, though it be a crime unto me to say it, and I pray there may be no example of so foul a thing, know ye that if you spoil and cut off the hair of any woman and deprive her of this natural adornment of her face, though she were never so excellent in beauty, though she were thrown down from heaven, sprung of the seas, nourished of the floods, though she were Venus herself, accompanied with the Graces, waited upon by all the court of Cupids, girded with her beautiful scarf of love, sweet like cinnamon and bedewed with balsam; yet if she appeared bald she could in no wise please, no, not mer own Vulcan. O how well doth a fair colour and a brilliant sheen agree with glittering hair! Behold it encountereth with the beams of the sun like swift lightning, or doth softly reflect them back again, or changeth clean contrary into another grace. ¦Sometimes the beauty of the hair, shining like gold, resembles the colour of honey; sometimes, when it is raven black, the blue plume and azure feathers about the necks of doves, especially when it is anointed with the nard of Arabia, or trimly tuffed out with the teeth of a fine comb; and if it be tied up in the nape of the neck, it seemeth to the lover that beholdeth the same as a glass that yieldeth forth a more pleasant and gracious comeliness. The same is it if it should be gathered thick on the crown of the head, or if it should hang down scattering behind on the shoulders of the woman. Finally, there is such a dignity in the hair, that whatsoever she be, though she never be so bravely attired with gold, silks, precious stones, and other rich and gorgeous ornaments, yet if her hair be not curiously set forth, she cannot seem fair. But in my Fotis not her studied care thereof but Lather its disorderliness did increase her beauty: her rich tresses hung gently about her shoulders, and were dispersed abroad upon every part of her neck hanging from the nape, and fell fairly down enwound in a kerchief, until at last they were trussed up upon her crown with a knot: then I, unable to sustain the torture of the great desire that I was in, ran upon her and kissed very sweetly the place where she had thus laid her hair upon her crown, whereat she turned her face and cast her sidelong and rolling eyes upon me, saying: “O scholar, thou hast tasted now both honey and gall; take heed that the sweetness of thy pleasure do not turn into the bitterness of repentance.” “Tush!” quoth I: “My sweetheart, I am contented for such another kiss to be broiled here upon this fire”; wherewithal I embraced her more closely and began to kiss her. Then she embraced and kissed me with like passion of love, and moreover her breath smelled like cinnamon, and the liquor of her tongue was like sweet nectar. Wherewith when my mind was greatly delighted, I said: “Behold, Fotis, I am yours and shall presently die, nay, I am already dead, unless you take pity upon me,” which when I had said, she eftsoons kissed me and bade me be of good courage. “And I will,” quoth she, “Satisfy your whole desire, and it shall be no longer delayed than until night, when as (assure yourself) I will come to your chamber; wherefore go your ways and prepare yourself, for I intend valiantly and courageously to encounter with you this night.” Thus when Ave had lovingly talked and reasoned together, Ave departed for that time.
Uberes enim crines leniter remissos et cervice dependulos ac dein per colla dispositos sensimque sinuato patagio residentes paulisper ad finem conglobatos in summum verticem nodus astrinxerat. Nec diutius quivi tantum cruciatum voluptatis eximiae sustinere, sed pronus in eam, qua fine summum cacumen capillus ascendit, mellitissimum illud savium impressi. Tum illa cervicem intorsit, et ad me conversa limis et morsicantibus oculis ‘heus tu, scholastice,’ ait ‘Dulce et amarum gustulum carpis. Cave ne nimia mellis dulcedine diutinam bilis amaritudinem contrahas.’ ‘Quid istic ’ inquam ‘Est, mea festivitas, cum sim paratus vel uno saviolo interim recreatus super istum ignem porrectus assari?’ et cum dicto artius eam complexus coepi saviari. Iamque aemula libidine in amoris parilitatem congermanescenti mecum, iam patentis oris inhalatu cinnameo et occursantis linguae illisu nectarco prona cupidine adlibescenti, ‘Pereo,’ inquam ‘Immo iam dudum perii, nisi tu propitiaris.’ Ad haec illa rursum me deosculato ‘Bono animo esto,’ inquit ‘Nam ego tibi mutua voluntate mancipata sum, nec voluptas nostra differetur ulterius, sed prima face cubiculum tuum adero. Abi ergo ac te compara, tota enim nocte tecum fortiter et ex animo proeliabor.’ His et talibus obgannitis sermonibus inter nos discessum est. Commodum meridies accesserat, et mittit mihi Byrrhaena xeniola, porcum opimum et quinque gallinulas et vini cadum in aetate pretiosi. Tunc ego vocata Fotide, ‘Ecce’ inquam ‘Veneris hortator et armiger Liber advenit ultro. Vinum istud hodie sorbamus omne, quod nobis restinguat pudoris ignaviam et alacrem vigorem libidinis incutiat. Hac enim sitarchia navigium Veneris indiget sola, ut in nocte pervigili et oleo lucerna et vino calix abundet.’ Diem ceterum lavacro ac dein cenae dedimus: nam Milonis boni concinnaticiam mensulam rogatus accubueram quam pote tutus ab uxoris eius aspectu,; Byrrhaenae monitorum memor, et perinde in eius faciem oculos meos ac si in Avernum lacum formidans deieceram, sed assidue respiciens praeministrantem Fotidem inibi recreabar animi; cum ecce iam vespera lucernam intuens Pamphile, ‘Quam largus’ inquit ‘Imber aderit crastino,’ et percontanti marito qui comperisset istud, respondit sibi lucernam praedicere. Quod dictum ipsius Milo I risu secutus, ‘Grandem’ inquit ‘Istam lucernam Sibyllam pascimus, quae cuncta caeli negotia et solem ipsum de specula candelabri contuetur.’ Ad haec ego subiciens, ‘Sunt’ aio ‘Prima huiusce divinationis experimenta, nec mirum licet modicum istum igniculum et manibus humanis laboratum, memorem tamen illius maioris et caelestis ignis velut sui parentis, quid is esset editurus in aetheris vertice divino praesagio et ipsum scire et nobis enuntiare.
When noon was just now come Byrrhaena sent unto me a present of a fat pig, five hens, and a flagon of old wine and rare. Then I called Fotis and said: “Behold how Bacchus, the aider and abettor of Venus, doth offer himself of his own accord; let us therefore drink up this wine, that Ave may do utterly away with the cowardice of shame and get us the courage of e pleasure, for the voyage of Venus wanteth no other provision than this, that the lamp may be all the night replenished with oil, and the cups filled with wine.”
Nam et Corinthi nunc apud nos passim Chaldaeus quidam hospes miris totam civitatem responsis turbulentat, et arcana fatorum stipibus emcrendis edicit in vulgus: qui dies copulas nuptiarum affirmet, qui fundamenta moenium perpetuet, qui negotiatori commodus, qui viatori celebris, qui I navigiis opportunus; mihi denique proventum huius peregrinationis inquirenti multa respondit et oppido I mira et satis varia: nunc enim gloriam satis floridam, nunc historiam magnam et incredundam fabulam et libros me futurum.’
The residue of the day I passed away at the baths, and then to supper, for I was bid by the worthy Milo, and so I sat down at his little table, so neatly furnished, out of Pamphile's sight as much as I could, being mindful of the commandment of Byrrhaena, and only sometimes I would cast mine eyes upon her, as if I should look upon the lakes of hell; but then I (eftsoons turning my face behind me, and beholding my Fotis ministering at the table) was again refreshed and made merry. And behold, when it was now evening and Pamphile did see the lamp standing on the table, she said: “Verily Ave shall have much rain tomorrow,” which when her husband did hear, he demanded of her, by what reason she knew it. “Marry,” quoth she, “The light on the table doth shew the same”: then Milo laughed and said: “Verily Ave nourish and bring up la Sibyl prophesier in this lamp, which doth divine from its socket of celestial things, and of the sun itself, as from a watch-tower.”
Ad haec renidens Milo ‘Qua ’ inquit ‘Corporis habitudine praeditus quove nomine nuncupatus hic iste Chaldaeus est?’ ‘Procerus ’ inquam ‘Et suffusculus, Diophanes nomine.’‘Ipse est,’ ait ‘Nec ullus alius: nam et hic apud nos multa multis similiter effatus non parvas stipes, immo vero mercedes opimas iam consecutus fortunam scaevam, an saevam verius dixerim, miser incidit.
Then I mused in my mind and said unto Milo: “Of truth now it is my first experience and proof of divination, neither is it any marvel, for although this light is but a small light and made by the hands of man, yet hath it a remembrance of that great and heavenly light as of its parent, and by its divine spirit of prophecy doth both know and shew unto us, what he will do in the skies above: for I knew among us at Corinth a certain man of Assyria, who by his answers set the whole city in a turmoil, and for the gain of money would tell every man his fortune: to some he would tell the days they should marry; to others he would tell when they should build, so that their edifices should continue; to others when they should best go about their affairs; Ibo others when they should travel by land; to others when they should go by sea; and to me (enquiring of my journey hither) he declared many things strange and variable. For sometimes he said that I should win glory enough, sometimes that mine should be a great history, sometimes an incredible tale and the subject of books.”
Nam die quadam cum frequentis populi circulo consaeptus coronae circumstantium fata donaret, Cerdo quidam nomine negotiator accessit eum diem commodum peregrinationi cupiens: quem cum electum destinasset ille, iam deposita crumena, iam profusis nummulis, iam dinumeratis centum denarium, quos) mercedem divinationis auferret, ecce quidam dei nobilibus adulescentulus a tergo arrepens eum lacinia prehendit et conversum amplexus exosculatur artissime. At ille ubi primum consaviatus eum iuxtim se ut assidat effecit, et attonitus repentinae visionis stupore et praesentis negotii quod gerebat oblitus, infit ad eum “Quam olim equidem exoptatus nobis advenis? ‘Respondit ad haec ille alius,’ Commodum vespera oriente: sed vicissim tu quoque, frater, mihi memora quemadmodum exinde ut de Euboea insula! festinus enavigasti, et maris et viae confeceris iter.”’ ‘Ad haec Diophanes ille Chaldaeus egregius, mente viduus necdum suus, “Hostes” inquit “Et omnes inimici nostri tam diram immo vero Ulixeam peregrinationem incidant.
Whereat Milo laughed again, and enquired of me of what stature this man of Assyria was, and what he was named. “In faith,” quoth I, “He is a tall man and somewhat black, and he is called Diophanes.”.Then said Milo: “The same is he and no other, who likewise hath declared many things unto many of us, whereby he got and obtained no small profit, indeed much substance and treasure, but fell at length, poor wretch, into the hands of unpropitious fate, or I might say fate unfaithful. For being on a day amongst a great assembly of people, to tell the bystanders their fortune, a certain merchant called Cerdo came unto him, and desired him to tell when it should be best for him to take his voyage, the which when he had done, Cerdo had already opened 'his purse and already poured forth his money and counted out a hundred pence to pay him for the pains of his soothsaying; whereupon came a certain young nobleman from behind and took Diophanes by the garment, and turned him about and embraced and kissed him close, and Diophanes kissed him again and desired him to sit down by him. And being astonished with this sudden chance, he forgot the present business that he was doing, and said: 'O dear friend, you are heartily welcome; I pray you when arrived you, whom we have looked for so long, into these parts? ' Then answered he: 'Just this last evening; but, brother, I pray you tell me of your sudden coming from the Isle of Euboea, and 'how you sped by the way, both of sea and land?' Whereunto Diophanes, this notable Assyrian, not yet come unto his mind but half amazed, gave answer and said: ' I would to God that all our enemies and, evil-willers might fall into the like dangerous 'peregrination, as troublesome as Ulysses' was, for the ship which we were in (after that it was by the waves of the sea and by the great tempest tossed hither and thither, in great peril, and after that both the rudders brake alike in pieces) was but just brought to the further shore, but sunk utterly into the water, and so we did swim arid hardly escaped to land with loss of all that we had: and after that, whatsoever was given unto us in recompense of our losses, either by the pity of strangers or by the benevolence of our friends, was taken away from us by a band of thieves, whose violence when mine only brother Arignotus did essay to resist, he was cruelly murdered by them before my face.' While he was still sadly declaring these things, the merchant Cerdo took up his money again, which he had told out to pay for the telling of his fortune, and ran away: and then Diophanes coming to himself perceived what he had done, how his imprudence had ruined him, and I we all that stood by laughed greatly. But surely, I pray that unto you, O Lucius, did Diophanes tell the truth, if to you alone, and may you be happy, and have a prosperous journey.”
Nam et navis ipsa qua vehebamur, variis turbinibus procellarum quassata, utroque regimine amisso, aegre ad ulterioris ripae marginem detrusa praeceps demersa est, et nos omnibus amissis vix enatavimus. Quodcunque vel ignotorum miseratione vel amicorum benivolentia contraximus, id omne latrocinalis invasit manus, quorum audaciae repugnans etiam Arignotus unicus I frater meus sub istis oculis miser iugulatus est.” I Haec eo adhuc narrante maesto Cerdo ille negotiator I correptis nummulis suis, quos divinationis mercedi I destinaverat, protinus aufugit. Ac dehinc tunc I demum Diophanes expergitus sensit imprudentiae suae labem, cum etiam nos omnes circumsecus I astantes in clarum cachinnum videret effusos. Sed tibi plane, Luci domine, soli omnium Chaldaeus ille vera dixerit, sisque felix et iter dexterum porrigas.’ Haec Milone diutine sermocinante tacitus ingemescebam, mihique non mediocriter suscensebam quod ultro inducta serie inopportunarum fabularum partem bonam vesperae eiusque gratissimum fructum amitterem; et tandem denique devorato pudore ad Milonem aio ‘Ferat suam Diophanes ille fortunam et spolia populorum rursum conferat mari pariter ac terrae, mihi vero fatigationis hesternae etiamnunc saucio da veniam maturius concedam cubitum,’ et cum dicto facesso, et cubiculum meum contendo, atque illic deprehendo epularum dispositiones satis concinnas. Nam et pueris extra limen, credo ut arbitrio nocturni gannitus ablegarentur, humi quam procul distratum fuerat, et grabatulum meum astitit mensula cenae totius honestas reliquias tolerans, et calices boni, iam infuso latice semipleni, solam temperiem sustinentes, et lagoena iuxta orificio caesim dehiscente patescens facilis hauritu, prorsus gladiatoriae Veneris antecenia.
Thus Milo reasoned with me, but I groaned within myself and was not a little sorry that I had by my own doing turned him into such a vein of talk so unseasonably, that I was like to lose a good part of the knight, and the sweet pleasure thereof, but at length ll boldly swallowed my shame and said unto Milo: “Let Diophanes farewell with his evil fortune, and disgorge again to sea and land that spoil that he wins from all nations, for I verily do yet feel the weariness of my travel of yesterday; wherefore I pray you pardon me, and give me license, being very tired, to depart early to bed,” wherewithal I rose up and went to my chamber, where I found all manner of meats finely prepared, and the servants' bed (so that they should not hear, methinks, our tattling of the night) was removed far off without the chamber door. By my bed a table was set, all covered with no small store of such meats as were Weft at supper, generous cups were filled half full with liquor, leaving room only for enough water to temper and delay the wine, the flagon stood ready prepared, its neck opened with a wide and smooth ' cut, that one might the easier draw from it, and there did nothing lack which was necessary for the preparation of Venus.
Commodum cubueram, et ecce Fotis mea, iam domina cubitum reddita, laeta proximat rosa serta et rosa soluta in sinu tuberante: ac me pressim deosculato et corollis revincto ac flore persperso arripit poculum ac desuper aqua calida iniecta porrigit bibam, idque modico prius quam totum exsorberem clementer invadit ac relictum pullulatim labellis minuens meque respiciens sorbillat dulciter. Sequens et tertium inter nos vicissim et frequens alternat poculum, cum ego iam vino madens nec animo tantum verum etiam corpore ipso ad libidinem inquies, alioquin et petulans et iam saucius paulisper inguinum fine lacinia remota impatientiam Veneris I Fotidi meae monstrans, ‘Miserere,’ inquam ‘Et subveni maturius: nam, ut vides, proelio, quod nobis sine fetiali officio indixeras, iam proximante vehementer intentus, ubi primam sagittam saevi Cupidinis in ima praecordia mea delapsam excepi, arcum meum et ipse vigorate tetendi impendio excusarem, negavit veniam.
Now when I was just entered into the bed, behold my Fotis (who had brought her mistress to sleep) drew nigh, with bunches of rose garlands and rose I blooms in her apron, and she kissed me closely and tied a garland about my head, and cast the residue about me. Which when she had done, she took up a cup of wine, and tempered it with hot water, and proffered it me to drink, and before I had drunk up all, she gently pulled it from my mouth, and sipping it slowly and looking upon me the while, she drank that which was left, and in this manner we emptied the pot twice or thrice together. Thus when I had well replenished myself with wine, and was now ready not only in mind but also in body, I shewed to Fotis my great impatience and said: “O my sweetheart, take pity upon me and help me: for as you see, I am prepared unto the battle now approaching which yourself did appoint without the herald's aid, for after that I felt the first arrow of cruel Cupid within my breast I bent my bow very strong, and now fear (because it is bended so hard) lest the string should break: but that thou mayest the better please me, unbrace thy hair and come and embrace me lovingly”; wherewithal she made no long delay, but set aside all the meat and wine, and then unapparelled herself and unattired her hair, presenting her amiable body unto me in manner of fair Venus, when she goeth under the waves of the sea. “Now,” quoth she, “Is come the hour of jousting, now is come the time of war, wherefore shew thyself like unto a man, for I will not retire, I will not fly the field; see then thou be valiant, see thou be courageous, since there is no time appointed when our skirmish shall cease.” In saying these words she came to me, and embraced me sweetly, and so we passed all the night in pastime and pleasure, and never slept till it was day; but we would ever refresh our weariness and provoke our pleasure by drinking of wine. In which sort we pleasantly passed many nights following.
Ergo igitur Fotis erat adeunda deque nutu eius consilium velut auspicium petendum: quae quanquam invita quod a se ungue latius digrederer, tamen comiter amatoriae militiae brevem commeatum indulsit. Sed “heus tu” inquit “Cave regrediare cena maturius: nam vesana factio nobilissimorum iuvenum pacem publicam infestat: passim trucidatos per medias plateas videbis iacere, nec praesidis auxilia longinqua levare civitatem tanta clade possunt. Tibi vero fortunae splendor insidias, contemptus etiam peregrinationis poterit afferre.” “Fac sine cura” inquam “Sis, Fotis mea: nam praeter quod epulis alienis voluptates meas anteferrem, metum etiam istum tibi demam maturata regressione. Nec tamen incomitatus ibo: nam gladiolo solito cinctus altrinsecus ipse salutis meae praesidia gestabo.” Sic paratus cenae me committo. Frequens ibi numerus epulonum et utpote apud primatem feminam flos ipse civitatis. Mensae opipare citro et ebore nitentes, lecti aureis vestibus intecti, ampli calices variae quidem gratiae sed pretiositatis unius. Hic vitrum fabre sigillatum, ibi crystallum impunctum, argentum alibi clarum et aurum fulgurans et succinum mire cavatum et lapides ut bibas, et quicquid fieri non potest, ibi est.