---
title: "The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses"
author: "Apuleius"
translator: "William Adlington"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 6 of 21
url: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/6/
cite: "Apuleius, tr. William Adlington, The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses, section 6. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/6/"
---

# 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.

## 6. Book IV · chapter 4 · 4

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/6/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/6/#p-N

[¶0] 4. When noon was come, and now the broiling heat of, the sun had most power, we turned into a village to certain old men of the thieves' acquaintance and friends, for verily their meeting and embracing together did give me (poor ass) cause to deem the same: and they took the truss from my back, and gave them part of the treasure that was in it, and they seemed to whisper and tell them that it was stolen goods; and after that we were unladen of our burdens they let us loose into a meadow to pasture, but I would not feed there with my own horse and Milo's ass, for that I was not wont to eat hay, but I must seek my dinner in some other place. Wherefore I leaped into a garden which was behind the stable, and being well nigh perished with hunger, although I could find nothing there but raw and green salads, yet I filled my hungry guts therewithal.abundantly, and praying unto all the gods, I looked about in every place if I could espy any roses in the gardens by, and my solitary being alone did put me in good hope, that if I could find any remedy, being far from the public road and hidden by the bushes, I should presently out of the low gait of a beast be changed out of every one's sight into a man walking upright. Now while I tossed on the flood of these cogitations, I looked about, and behold I saw afar off a shadowed valley adjoining to a wood, where, amongst divers other herbs and pleasant verdures, I thought I saw many flourishing roses of bright damask colour.

> Latin: 4. diem ferme circa medium, cum iam flagrantia solis caleretur, in pago quodam apud notos ac familiares latronibus senes devertimus; sic enim primus aditus et sermo prolixus et oscula mutua, quamvis asino, sentire praestabant: nam et rebus eos quibusdam dorso meo depromptis munerabantur, et secretis gannitibus, quod essent latrocinio partae, videbantur indicare. Iamque nos omni sarcina levigatos in pratum proximum passim libero pastui tradidere, nec me cum asino vel equo meo compascuus coetus attinere potuit adhuc insolitum alioquin prandere faenum; sed plane pone stabulum prospectum hortulum iam fame perditus fidenter invado et, quamvis crudis holeribus, affatim tamen ventrem sagino, deosque comprecatus omnes cuncta prospectabam loca, sicubi forte conterminis in hortulis candens repperirem rosarium. Nam et ipsa solitudo iam mihi bonam fiduciam tribuebat, si devius et frutectis absconditus sumpto remedio de iumenti quadripedis incurvo gradu rursum erectus in hominem, inspectante nullo, resurgerem.

[¶1] So that I said within my mind, which was not wholly bestial: “Verily the place is the grove of Venus and the Graces, where secretly glittereth the royal hue of so lively and delectable a flower.” Then I, desiring the help of the god of good fortune, ran lustily towards the wood, in so much that I felt myself no more an ass but a swift-coursing horse, but my agility and quickness could not prevent the cruelty of my -fortune; for when I came to the place, I perceived that they were no roses neither tender nor pleasant, neither moistened with the heavenly drops of dew nor celestial liquor, which grow out of the rich thicket and thorns. Neither did I perceive that there was any valley at all, but only the bank of the river environed with great thick trees, which had long branches like unto laurel, and bear a flower without any manner of scent but somewhat red of hue, and the common people call them by the name of laurel-roses, which are very poisonous to all manner of beasts. Then was I so entangled with unhappy fortune, that I little esteemed mine own life, and went willingly to eat of those roses, though I knew them to be present poison. But as I drew near very slowly, I saw a young man that seemed to be the gardener come upon me, the same that I had devoured up all his herbs in the garden, and he, knowing now full well his great loss, came swearing with a great staff in his hand, and laid upon me in such sort that I was well nigh dead; but I speedily devised some remedy for myself, for I lifted up my legs and kicked him with my hinder heels, so that I left him lying at the hill foot-well nigh slain, and so I ran away: incontinently came out a certain woman, doubtless his wife, who, seeing from above her husband lying half dead, cried and howled in pitiful sort, hasting towards her husband, to the intent that by her loud cries she might purchase to me present destruction;

> Latin: Ergo igitur cum in isto cogitationis salo fluctuarem, aliquanto longius video frondosi nemoris convallem umbrosam, cuius inter varias herbulas et laetissima virecta fulgentium rosarum mineus color renidebat: iamque apud mea non usquequaque ferina praecordia Veneris et Gratiarum lucum illum arbitrabar, cuius inter opaca secreta floris genialis regius nitor relucebat. Tunc invocato hilaro atque prospero Eventu cursu me concito proripio, ut Hercule ipse sentirem non asinum me, verum etiam equum currulem nimio velocitatis refectum. Sed agilis atque praeclarus ille conatus fortunae meae scaevitatem anteire non potuit; iam enim loco proximus non illas rosas teneras et amoenas, madidas divini roris et nectaris, quas rubi felices beatae spinae generant, at ne convallem quidem usquam, nisi tantum ripae fluvialis marginem densis arboribus saeptam video: hae arbores in lauri faciem prolixe foliatae pariunt in modum floris inodori porrectos caliculos modice punicantes, quos equidem fragrantes minime rurestri vocabulo vulgus indoctum rosas laureas appellant, quarumque cuncto pecori cibus letalis est.

[¶2] for all the persons of the town, moved and raised by her noise, came forth and cried for dogs, and hied them on madly to tear me down. Out came a great company of bandogs and mastiffs, more fit to pull down bears and lions than me, whom when I beheld I thought verily that I should presently die, so that I took what counsel I might from the occasion, and thought no more of flight, but turned myself about and ran as fast as ever I might to the stable whither we had lodged. Then the men of the town called in their dogs, which they scarce could hold, land took me, and bound me to the staple of a post with a great thong, and scourged me till I was well nigh dead: and they would undoubtedly have slain me, had it not come to pass that my belly, narrowed with the pain of their beating and reeking with the green herbs that lay therein, caught such a looseness that I all besprinkled the faces of some with my liquid dung, and with the filthy stench thereof enforced the others to leave my sides now well nigh broken. Not long after, which was now towards eventide, the thieves loaded us again, and especially me, with the heaviest burden, and brought us forth out of the stable, and when we had gone a good part of our journey, what with the long way, my great burden, I the beating of staves, and my worn hooves, lame and tottering, I was so weary that I could scarcely go; I then as I walked by a little river running with fair water, I said to myself: “Behold, now I have found a good occasion. For I will fall down when, I come yonder, bending my legs beneath me, and surely I will not rise again for any scourging or beating, and mot only will I defy the cudgel, but even be pierced by the sword, if they shall use it upon me.” And the cause why I determined so to do was this: I thought that I was so utterly feeble and weak that I deserved my discharge for ill health, and certainly that the robbers (partly for that they would not stay in their journey, partly in haste to flee) would take off the burden from my back, and put it upon my two fellows, and so for my further punishment leave me as a prey to the wolves and ravenous beasts. But evil fortune prevented so good a consideration;

> Latin: Talibus fatis implicitus et iam ipsam salutem recusans sponte illud venenum rosarium sumere gestiebam; sed dum cunctanter accedo decerpere, iuvenis quidam, ut mihi videbatur, hortulanus, cuius omnia prorsus holera vastaveram, tanto damno cognito, cum grandi baculo furens decurrit, arreptumque me totum plagis obtundit adusque vitae ipsius periculum, nisi tandem sapienter alioquin ipse mihi tulissent auxilium: nam lumbis elevatis in altum, pedum posterioribus calcibus iactatis in eum crebriter, iam mulcato graviter atque iacente contra proclive montis attigui, fuga me liberavi. Sed illico mulier quaepiam, uxor eius scilicet, simul eum prostratum et semianimem ex edito despexit, eiulabili cum plangore ad eum statim prosilit, ut sui videlicet miseratione mihi praesens crearet exitium: cuncti enim pagani, fletibus eius exciti, statim conclamant canes atque ad me laniandum rabie perciti ferrent impetum passim cohortantur. Tunc igitur procul dubio iam morti proximus, cum viderem canes et modo magnos et numera multos et ursis ac leonibus ad compugnandum idoneos in me convocatos exasperari, e re nata capto consilio, fugam desino ac me retrorsus celeri gradu rursum iri stabulum quo deverteramus recipio. At illi, canibus iam aegre cohibitis, arreptum me loro quam valido ad ansulam quandam destinatum rursum caedendo confecissent profecto, nisi dolore plagarum alvus artata crudisque illis oleribus abundans et lubrico fluxu saucia, fimo fistulatim excusso, quosdam extremi liquoris aspergine, alios putore nidoris faetidi, a meis iam quassis scapulis abegisset.

[¶3] for the other ass, being of the same purpose that I was of, rand forestalling me, by feigned and coloured weariness fell down first with all his burden upon the ground as though he were dead, and he would, not rise neither with beating nor pricking, nor stand upon his feet, though they pulled him all about by the tail, by his legs, and by his ears; which when the thieves beheld, as without all hope, they said one to another: “What, should we stand here so long about a dead or rather a stony ass? Let us be gone”; and so they took his burden and divided some to me and some to my horse. And then they drew their swords and cut through all his hamstrings, and dragged him a little from the way, and threw his body while he yet breathed from the point of a hill down into a great valley. Then I, considering with myself of the evil fortune of my poor companion, purposed now to forget all subtlety and deceit and to play the good ass to get my masters' favour, for I perceived by their talk that we were well nigh come home to our journey's end where they lived and had; their dwelling. And after that we had passed over a little hill, we came to our appointed place, where when we were unladen of our burdens and all things carried in, I tumbled and wallowed in the dust to refresh myself instead of water.

> Latin: Nec mora, cum iam in meridiem prono iubare rursum nos ac praecipue me longe gravius onustum producunt illi latrones stabulo: iamque confecta bona parte itineris et viae spatio defectus et sarcinae pondere depressus ictibusque fustium fatigatus atque etiam ungulis extritis iam claudus et titubans, rivulum quendam serpentis leniter aquae propter insistent, subtilem occasionem feliciter nactus cogi tabam totum memet flexis scite cruribus pronum abicere, certus atque obstinatus nullis verberibus ad ingrediundum exsurgere, immo etiam paratus non fusti tantum sed machaera perfossus occumbere. Rebar enim iam me prorsus exanimatum ac debilem mereri causariam missionem, certe latrones partim impatientia morae, partim studio festinatae fugae, dorsi mei sarcinam duobus ceteris iumentis distributuros, meque in altioris vindictae vicem lupis et vulturiis praedam relicturos.

[¶4] The thing and the time compel me to make description of the places and especially of the den where the thieves did inhabit: I will prove my wit what I can do, and then consider you whether I was an ass in judgement and sense, or no. First there was an exceeding great hill compassed about with big trees, very high, with many turning bottoms, surrounded by sharp rocks, whereby it was inaccessible; there were many winding and hollow valleys environed with thickets and thorns, and naturally fortressed round about. From the top of the hill ran a spring both leaping and bubbling which poured flown the steep slope its silvery waves, and then scattering abroad into many little brooks watered all the valleys below, that it seemed like unto a sea enclosed, or a standing flood. Before the den, where was no more hill, stood a high tower, and at the foot thereof, and on either side, were sheep-cots fenced and wattled with clay; before the gate of the house were walls enclosing a narrow path, in such sort that I well warrant you would judge it to be a very den for thieves, and there was nothing else near save a little scot covered roughly with thatch, wherein the thieves did nightly accustom to watch by order, as after I perceived. And when they were all crept crouching into the house, and we fast tied with strong halters at the door, they began to chide with an old woman there, crooked with age, who had the government and rule of all those young men, and said: “How is it, old witch, old trot, that art the shame of life and rejected of very death, that thou sittest idly all day. at home, and (having no regard to our perilous labours) hast provided nothing for our suppers thus late, but sittest doing nought but swilling wine into that greedy belly of thine from morning to night?”

> Latin: Sed tam bellum consilium meum praevertit sors deterrima; namque ille alius asinus, divinato et antecapto meo cogitatu, statim se mentita lassitudine cum rebus totis offudit, iacensque in mortuum non fustibus, non stimulis, ac ne cauda et auribus cruribusque undique versum elevatis temptavit exsurgere, quoad tandem fustibus, postumae spei fatigati secumque collocuti, ne tam diu mortuo, immo vero lapideo asino servientes fugam morarentur, sarcinis eius mihi equoque distributis, destricto gladio poplites eius totos amputant, ac paululum a via retractum per altissimum praeceps in vallem proximam etiam nunc spirantem praecipitant. Tunc ego miseri commilitonis fortunam cogitans statui iam dolis abiectis et fraudibus asinum me bonae frugi dominis exhibere: nam et secum eos animadverteram colloquentes, quod in proximo nobis esset habenda mansio et totius viae finis quieta eorumque esset sedes illa et habitatio. Clementi denique transmisso clivulo, pervenimus ad locum destinatum, ubi rebus totis exsolutis atque intus conditis, iam pondere liberatus lassitudinem vice lavacri pulvereis volutatibus digerebam.

[¶5] Then the old woman trembled and began to say in a terrified and harsh voice: “Behold, my puissant Ind faithful masters, you shall have meat and pottage enough by and by, cooked with a sweet savour. Here is first store of bread, wine plenty, filled in clean rinsed pots, likewise hot water prepared to bathe you hastily after your wont.” Which when she had said, they put off all their garments and Refreshed themselves by a great fire, and after that they were washed with the hot water and anointed with oil, they sat down at the table garnished with all kinds of dainty meat. Now they were no sooner set down, but in came another company of young men, more in number than was before, whom you would judge at once likewise to be thieves; for they also brought in their prey of gold and silver money, and plate, and robes both silken and gold-embroidered, and when they Lad likewise washed, they sat amongst the rest, and casting lots they served one another by order. The thieves drank and ate exceedingly, laying out the meat in heaps, the bread in mounds, and the wine cups like a marching army, crying, laughing, and making such noise, that I thought I was amongst the tyrannous and wild drunken Lapiths and Centaurs.

> Latin: Res ac tempus ipsum locorum speluncaeque illius quam latrones inhabitabant, vitae dedecus primum et Orci fastidium solum, sic nobis otiosa domi residens lusitabis, nec nostris tam magnis tamque periculosis laboribus solacium de tam sera refectione tribues? Quae diebus ae noctibus nil quicquam rei quam merum saevienti ventri tuo soles aviditer ingurgitare.’ Tremens ad haec et stridens vocula pavida sic anus: ‘At vobis, fortissimi fidelissimique mei hospitatores iuvenes, affatim cuncta suavi sapore percocta pulmenta praesto sunt, panis numerosus, vinum probe calicibus exfricatis affluentel inmissum, et ex more calida tumultuario lavacro vestra praeparata.’ In fine sermonis huius statim sese dem vestiunt, nudatique et flammae largissimae vapore recreati calidaque perfusi et oleo peruncti mensas dapibus largiter instructas accumbunt.

[¶6] At length one of them, more stout than the rest, spoke in mus sort: “We verily have manfully conquered the house of Milo of Hypata, and besides all the riches and treasure which by force we have brought away, we are all come home safe, none being lost, and are increased the more, if it be worthy of mention, by the eight feet of this horse and this ass. But you, that have roved about among the towns of Boeotia, have lost your valiant captain Lamachus, whose loss I more regarded than all this treasure which you have brought. But it is his own bravery that hath destroyed him, and therefore the memory of him shall be renowed for ever amongst the most noble kings and valiant captains; but you accustom when you go abroad, like doughty robbers indeed, to creep through every corner and hole for every trifle, doing a paltry business in baths and the huts of aged women.” Then one of them that came last answered: “ Why, are you only ignorant, that the greater the house is, the sooner it may be robbed and spoiled? For though the family of servants be great and dispersed in divers lodgings, yet every man had rather defend his life than save at his own hazard the riches of his master; but when the people be few and poor and live alone, then will they hide and protect very fiercely, even at the danger of their lives, their substance, how little or great soever it be. And to the intent you will believe me, I will show you our story as an example. We were scarce come nigh unto seven-gated Thebes, and began at once to enquire of the fortunes of the greatest men thereof, which is ¦the fountain of our art and science, and we learned at length where a rich chuff called Chryseros did dwell, who, for fear of offices and burdens in the public weal, with great pains dissimulated his estate and lived sole and solitary in a small cot (howbeit well fortified) and huddled daily in ragged and torn apparel over his bags of gold Wherefore we devised kith ourselves to go first to his house and spoil him if all his riches, which we thought we should easily lo if we had but to fight against him alone.

> Latin: Commodum cubuerant, et ecce quidam longe plures numero iuvenes adveniunt alii, quos incunctanter adaeque latrones arbitrarere, nam et ipsi praedas aureorum argentariorumque nummorum ae vasculorum vestisque sericae et intextae filis aureis invehebant: hi simili lavacro refoti inter toros sociorum sese reponunt. Tunc sorte ducti ministerium faciunt: estur ae potatur incondite pulmentis acervatim, panibus aggeratim, poculis agminatim ingestis; clamor e ludunt, strepitu cantillant, conviciis iocantur, ae iam cetera semiferis Lapithis evantibus fortunae copiam, quam nostra virtute nacti sumus, et incolumi numero castra nostra petivimus et, si quid ad rem facit, octo pedibus auctiores remeavimus. At vos qui Boeotias urbes appetistis, ipso duce vestro fortissimo Lamacho deminuti debilem numerum reduxistis, cuius salutem merito sarcinis istis quas advexistis omnibus antetulerim. Sed illum quidem utcumque nimia virtus sua peremit; inter inclitos reges ac duces proeliorum tanti viri memoria celebrabitur: enim vos bonae frugi latrones inter furta parva atque servilia timidule per balneas et aniles cellulas reptantes scrutariam facitis.”

[¶7] And at once when night came we quickly drew towards his door, which we thought best neither to move it, nor lift it out of the hinges, and we would not break it open lest by the noise we should raise up (to our harm) the neighbours by. Then our strong and valiant captain Lamachus, trusting his own strength and force,' thrust in his hand through a hole of the poor, which was made for the key, and thought to pull back the bolt; but the covetous caitiff Chryseros, vilest of all that go on two feet, being awake and peeing all, but making no noise, came softly to the door fend caught his hand, and with a great nail nailed-it fast to a post of the gate, which when he had done, and had left him 'thus crucified., he ran up to a high chamber of his hovel, and in a very loud voice palled every one of his neighbours by name, desiring [them to look to their common safety with all possible speed, for his house was afire. Then every one, for ¦ear of the danger that was nigh him, came running lout to aid him; wherewith we (fearing our present peril) knew not what was best to be done, whether we should leave our companion there, or yield ourselves to die with him;

> Latin: Suscipit unus ex illo posteriore numero: “Tune solus ignoras longe faciliores ad expugnandum domui esse maiores? Quippe quod, licet numerosa familia latis deversetur aedibus, tamen quisque magis suae saluti quam domini consulat opibus: frugi autem et solitarii homines fortunam parvam, vel certe satis amplam, dissimulanter obtectam protegunt acrius et sanguinis sui periculo muniunt. Res ipsa denique fidem sermoni meo dabit: vix enim Thebas heptapylos accessimus, quod est huic disciplinae primarium studium, sedulo fortunas inquirebamus popularium. Nec nos denique latuit Chryseros quidam imminui larius, copiosae pecuniae dominus, qui metu officiorum ac munerum publicorum magnis artibus magnam dissimulabat opulentiam: denique solus ac solitarius parva sed satis munita domuncula contentus, pannosus alioquin ac sordidus aureos folles incubabat. Ergo placuit ad hunc primum ferremus aditum, ut contempta pugna manus unicae nullo negotio cunctis opibus otiose potiremur.

[¶8] but by his consent we devised It better way, for we cut through the joint of this our leader where the arm joins to the shoulder, and so let it hang there, and then bound up his wound with clouts lest we should be traced by the drops of blood, and so we took all that was left of Lamachus and led him away. Now when we hurried along, trembling for our affection to him, and were so nigh pursued that we were in present danger, and Lamachus could not keep our company by reason of faintness (and on the other side it was not for his profit to linger behind) he spoke unto us as a man of singular courage and virtue, desiring us by much entreaty and prayer, and by the puissance of the god Mars and the faith of our confederacy, to deliver our brave comrade from torment and miserable captivity: and further he asked how was it possible that so courageous a captain could live without his hand, wherewith alone he could rob and slay so many people, but he would rather think himself sufficiently happy if he might be slain by the hand of a friend, put when he saw that we all refused to commit any such wicked deed he drew out his sword with his other hand, and after that he had often kissed it, he thrust it with a strong blow clean through his body. Then we honoured the corpse of so puissant a man, and wrapped it in linen clothes and threw it into the sea to hide it: so lieth our master Lamachus buried and hid in the grave of water. Now he ended his life worthily of his courage, as I have declared; but Alcimus, though he were a man of great enterprise, yet could he not void himself from evil fortune: for on a day when he had entered into an old woman's hut that slept, to rob her, he went up into the higher chamber, where he should first have strangled her, but he had more regard to throw down everything out of the window to us that stood under: and when he had cleverly despoiled all, he would leave nothing behind, but went to the old woman's bed where she lay asleep and threw her from it, and would have taken off the coverlet to have thrown down likewise, but the old hag awaked and fell at his knees, and desired him in this manner: 'O sir, I pray you, cast not away such torn and ragged clouts into may neighbours' houses, whither this window looks;

> Latin: Nec mora, cum noctis initio foribus eius praestolamur, quas neque sublevare neque dimoveve ac ne perfringere quidem nobis videbatur, ne vulvarum sonus cunctam viciniam nostri suscitaret exitio. Tunc itaque sublimis ille vexillariis noster Lamachus spectatae virtutis suae fiducia, qua clavi immittendae foramen patebat sensim immissa manu, claustrum evellere gestiebat: sed dudum scilicet omnium bipedum nequissimus Chryseros vigilans et singula rerum sentiens, lenem gradum et obnixum silentium tolerans paulatim arrepit, grandique clavo manum ducis nostri repente nisu fortissimo ad ostii tabulam offigit et exitiabili nexu patibulatum dum trepidi religionis urguemur gravi tumultu et instantis periculi metu terremur ad fugam, nec vel sequi propere vel remanere tuto potest vir sublimis animi virtutisque praecipuus, multis nos affatibus multisque precibus querens adhortatur per dexteram Martis, per fidem sacramenti bonum commilitonem cruciatu simul et captivitate liberaremus: cur enim manui, quae rapere et iugulare sola posset, fortem latronem supervivere? Sat se beatum qui manu socia volens occumberet. Cumque nulli nostrum spontale parricidium suadens persuadere posset, manu reliqua sumptum gladium suum diuque deosculatum, per medium pectus ictu fortissimo transadigit. Tunc nos magnanimi ducis vigore venerato corpus reliquum veste lintea diligenter convolutum mari celandum commisimus, et nunc iacet noster Lamachus elemento toto sepultus.

[¶9] for they are rich enough and need no such things.' Then Alcimus (thinking her words to be true) was brought in belief that such things as he had thrown lout already, and such things as he should throw out after, were not fallen down to his fellows, but into pother men's houses; wherefore he went to the window to see, and especially to behold the places round about, as she had told him, thrusting his body out of 'the window; but while he strove to do this, strongly indeed but somewhat rashly, the old trot marked him well, and came behind him softly, and although she had but small strength, yet with a sudden force she took him by the heels and thrust him out headlong while his body was balancing and unsure; and beside that the height was very great, he fell upon a marvellous great stone that lay near and burst his ribs, whereby he vomited and spewed flakes of blood, and when he had told us all, he suffered not long torment, but presently died. Then we gave unto him the same burial and sent him a worthy comrade to Lamachus, as we had done before. When we had thus lost two of our companions, we liked not Thebes, but marched towards the next city called Plataea, where we found great fame concerning a man named Demochares that purposed to set forth a great game, where should be a trial of all kinds of weapons: he was come of a good house, marvellous rich, liberal, and well deserved that which he had, and had prepared many shews and pleasures for the common people: in so much that there is no man can either by wit or eloquence shew in fit words all the manifold shapes of his preparations, for first he had provided gladiators of a famous band, then all manner of hunters most fleet of foot, then guilty men without hope of reprieve who were judged for their punishment to be food for wild beasts.

> Latin: Et ille quidem dignum virtutibus suis vitae terminum posuit: enimvero Alcimus sollertibus coeptis minus divitibus, quorum haec fenestra domum prospicit?” Quo sermone callido deceptus astu, et vera quae dicta sunt credens Alcimus, verens scilicet ne et ea, quae prius miserat quaeque postea missurus foret, non sociis suis sed in alienos Lares iam certus erroris abiceret, suspendit se fenestra sagaciter perspecturus omnia, praesertim domus attiguae, ut dixerat illa, fortunas arbitraturus. Quod eum strenue quidem sed satis improvide conantem senile illud facinus quamquam invalido, repentino tamen et inopinato pulsu, nutantem ac pendulum et in prospectu alioquin attonitum praeceps inegit; qui praeter altitudinem nimiam super quendam etiam vastissimum lapidem propter iacentem reddens, perfracta diffissaque crate costarum rivos sanguinis vomens imitus, narratisque nobis quae gesta sunt, non diu cruciatus vitam evasit: quem prioris exemplo sepulturae traditum bonum secutorem Lamacho dedimus.

[¶10] He had ordained a machine made of beams fixed together, treat towers and platforms like a house to move hither and thither, very well painted, to be places to contain all the quarry: he had ready a great number of wild beasts and all sorts of them, especially he pad brought from abroad those noble creatures that were soon to be the death of so many condemned persons. But amongst so great preparations of noble price, he bestowed the most part of his patrimony in jurying of a vast multitude of great bears, which either by chasing he had caught himself, or which he dearly bought or which were given him by divers of pis friends, who strove one with another in making him such gifts: and all these he kept and nourished to his very great cost. Howbeit for all his care of the public pleasure, he could not be free from the malicious eyes of envy: for some of them were well nigh dead, with too long tying up; some meagre path the broiling heat of the sun; some languished pith long lying, but all (having sundry diseases) were so afflicted that they died one after another, and there were well nigh none left, in such sort that you ¦light see their wrecks piteously lying in the streets and all but dead: and then the common people, paving no other meat to feed on, and forced by their rude poverty to find any new meat and cheap feasts, would come forth and fill their bellies with the flesh of the bears. Then by and by Babulus and I devised a pretty sport to suit this case;

> Latin: Tunc orbitatis duplici plaga petiti, iamque Thebanis conatibus abnuentes, Plataeas proximam conscendimus civitatem. Ibi famam celebrem superi quodam Demochare munus edituro gladiatorium deprehendimus: nam vir et genere primarius et opibus plurimus et liberalitate praecipuus digno fortunae suae splendore publicas voluptates instruebat. Quis tantus ingenii, quis facundiae, qui singulas species apparatus multiiugi verbis idoneis posset explicare? Gladiatores isti famosae manus, venatores illi prolatae pernicitatis, alibi noxii perdita securitate suis epulis bestiarum saginas instruentes; confixilis machinae sublicae, turres tabularum nexibus ad instar circumforaneae domus, floridae picturae, decora futurae venationis receptacula. Qui praeterea numerus, quae facies ferarum! Nam praecipuo studio forinsecus etiam advexerat generosa illa damnatorum capitum funera. Sed praeter ceteram speciosi muneris supellectilem totis utcumque patrimonii viribus immanis ursae comparabat numerum copiosum: nam praeter domesticis venationibus captas, praeter largis emptionibus partas, amicorum etiam donationibus variis certatim oblatas tutela sumptuosa sollicite nutriebat.

[¶11] we drew to our lodging one of the bears that was greater of bulk than all the rest, as though we would prepare to eat thereof, where we flayed off his skin and kept his claws whole, but me meddled not with the head, but cut it off by the neck, and so let it hang to the skin. Then we razed off the flesh from the back, and cast dust thereon, and set it in the sun to dry: and while it was drying by the heat of the heavenly fire, we made merry with the flesh, and then we devised with ourselves with an oath that one of us, being more valiant than the rest, not so much in body as in courage (so that he would straightway consent thereto) should put on the skin, and feigning that he were a bear, should be led to Demochares' house in the night, by which means we thought to be received and easily let in.

> Latin: Nec ille tam clarus tamque splendidus publicae voluptatis apparatus invidiae noxios effugit oculos: nam diutina captivitate fatigatae simul et aestiva flagrantia maceratae, pigra etiam sessione languidae, repentina correptae pestilentia paene ad nullum redivere numerum. Passim per plateas plurimas cerneres iacere semivivorum corporum ferina naufragia: tunc vulgus ignobile, quos inculta pauperies sine delectu ciborum tenuato ventri cogit sordentia supplementa et dapes gratuitas conquirere, passim iacentes epulas accurrunt.

[¶12] Many of our brave brotherhood were desirous to play the bear in this subtle sleight, but especially one Thrasyleon of a courageous mind was chosen by all our band to take the risk of this enterprise. Then we put him, very calm in mind and face, into the bear's skin, which was soft and fitted him finely in every point; we buckled fast the edges thereof with fine stitching, and covered the same, though small, with the thick hair growing about it that it might not be seen: we thrust his head into the opening of the bear's throat where his neck had been cut out, and after this we made little holes through his nostrils and eyes for Thrasyleon to see out and take wind at, in such sort that he seemed a very lively and natural beast: when this was done, we brought him into a cage which we hired with a little money for the purpose, and he crept nimbly in after like a bear with a good courage. Thus we began our subtlety, and then we imagined thus: we feigned letters as though they came from one Nicanor which dwelt in the country of Thrace, which was of great acquaintance with this Demochares, wherein we wrote that he had sent him, being his friend, the first-fruits of his coursing and hunting.

> Latin: Tunc e re nata subtile consilium ego et iste Babulus tale comminiscimur: unam, quae ceteris sarcina corporis praevalebat, quasi cibo parandam portamus ad nostrum receptaculum eiusque probe nudatum carnibus corium, servatis sollerter totis unguibus, ipso etiam bestiae capite adusque confinium cervicis solido relicto, tergus omne rasura studiosa tenuamus et minuto cinere perspersum soli siccandum tradimus. Ac dum caelestis vaporis flammis examurgatur, nos interdum pulpis eius valenter saginantes, sic instanti militiae disponimus sacramentum, ut unus e numero nostro, non qui corporis adeo sed animi robore ceteris antistaret, atque is in primis voluntarius, pelle illa contectus ursae subiret effigiem, domumque Democharis illatus per opportuna noctis silentia nobis ianuae faciles praestaret aditus.

[¶13] When night was come, we took cover of the darkness, and brought Thrasyleon's cage and our forged letters, and presented them to Demochares. When Demochares wonderingly beheld this mighty bear, and saw the timely liberality of Nicanor his friend, he was glad, and commanded his Servant to deliver unto us that brought him this joy ten gold crowns, as he had great store in his coffers: then (as the novelty of a thing doth accustom to stir men's minds to behold the same) many persons came on every side to see this bear, but Thrasyleon (lest they should by curious viewing and prying perceive the truth) ran often upon them to put them in fear, so that they durst not come nigh. Then the people said with one voice: ' Verily Demochares is right happy, in that, after the death of so many beasts, he hath gotten, in spite of fortune, so goodly a bear to Supply him afresh.' He commanded that with great care his servants should put him into the park close my, but I immediately spoke unto him and said: ' Sir, I pray you, take heed how you put a beast tired with the heat of the sun and with long travel amongst others which (as I hear say) have divers maladies and diseases;

> Latin: Nec paucos fortissimi collegii sollers species ad munus obeundum arrexerat: quorum prae ceteris Thrasyleon factionis optione delectus ancipitis machinae subivit alearn, iamque habili corio et mollitie tractabili vultu sereno sese recondit. Tunc tenui sarcimine summas oras eius adaequamus, et iuncturae rimam, licet gracilem, saetae circumfluentis densitate saepimus; ad ipsum confinium gulae, qua cervix bestiae fuerat exsecta, Thrasyleonis caput subire cogimus, parvisque respiratui circa nares et oculos datis foraminibus, fortissimum socium nostrum, prorsus bestiam factum, inmittimus caveae modico praestinatae pretio, quam constanti vigore festinus irrepsit ipse.

[¶14] let him rather lie in some open place of your house, where the breeze blows through, yea nigh to some water, where he may take air and ease himself, for do not you know that such kind of beasts do greatly delight to couch under shadow of trees and dewy caves, nigh unto pleasant wells and waters?' Hereby Demochares, admonished and remembering how many he had before that perished, was contented that we should put the bear's cage where we would. Moreover we said unto him: ' We ourselves are determined to lie all night nigh unto the bear, to look unto him, which is tired with the heat and his long journey, and to give him meat and drink at his due hour.' Then he answered: ' Verily, masters, you need not to put yourselves to such pains: for I have men, yea, almost all my family of servants, that serve for nothing but for this purpose of tending bears.' ‘Then we took leave of him and departed, and when we were come without the gates of the town me perceived before us a great sepulchre standing put of the highway, in a privy and secret place. And thither we went and opened there certain coffins, half rotted with age, wherein we found the corruption of man, and the ashes and dust of his long-buried body, which should serve to hold the prey we were very soon to get: and then, according to the custom of lour band, having a respect to the dark and moonless time of the night when we thought that every man was sunk in his first and strongest sleep, we went with our weapons and besieged the doors of Demochares round about, in earnest that we were soon to plunder the same.

> Latin: Ad hunc modum prioribus inchoatis, sic ad reliqua fallaciae pergimus: sciscitati nomen cuiusdam Nicanoris qui genere Thracio proditus ius amicitiae summum cum illo Demochare colebat, litteras affingimus, ut venationis suae primitias bonus amicus videretur ornando muneri dedicasse. Iamque provecta vespera, abusi praesidio tenebrarum, Thrasyleonis caveam Demochari cum litteris illis adulterinis offerimus, qui miratus bestiae magnitudinem suique contubernalis opportuna liberalitate laetatus iubet nobis protinus gaudii sui gerulis decem aureos, ut ipse habebat, e suis loculis adnumerari. Tunc ut novitas consuevit ad repentinas visiones animos hominum pellere, multi numero mirabundi bestiam confluebant, quorum satis callenter curiosos aspectus Thrasyleon noster impetu minaci frequenter inhibebat; consonaque civium voce satis felix ac beatus Demochares ille saepe celebratus, quod post tantam cladem ferarum novo proventu quoquo modo fortunae resisteret, iubet novalibus suis confestim bestiam summa cum diligentia deportari;