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heart that you could find or devise somewhat of your selfe； that might be in honour of so great a god。 To whom I answered； verily cousin I will do as you command me； and right glad would I be； if I might invent any laughing or merry matter to please of satisfy Risus withall。 Then I rose from the table and took leave of Byrrhena and departed。 And when I came into the first street my torch went out； that with great pain I could scarce get home； by reason it was so dark； for ear of stumbling ： and when I was well nigh come unto the dore； behold I saw three men of great stature； heaving and lifting at Milos gates to get in ： and when they saw me they were nothing afeard； but assaied with more force to break down the dores whereby they gave mee occasion； and not without cause； to thinke that they were strong theeves。 Whereupon I by and by drew out my sword which I carried for that purpose under my cloak； and ran in amongst them； and wounded them in such sort that they fell downe dead before my face。 Thus when I had slaine them all； I knocked sweating and breathing at the doore til Fotis let me in。 And then full weary with the slaughter of those Theeves； like Hercules when he fought against the king Gerion； I went to my chamber and layd me down to sleep。
THE THIRD BOOKE
THE TWELFTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for murther。
When morning was come； and that I was awaked from sleep； my heart burned sore with remembrance of the murther I had committed the night before ： and I rose and sate downe on the side of the bed with my legges acrosse； and wringing my hands； I weeped in most miserable sort。 For I imagined with my selfe； that I was brought before the Judge in the Judgement place； and that he awarded sentence against me； and that the hangman was ready to lead me to the gallows。 And further I imagined and sayd； Alasse what Judge is he that is so gentle or benigne； that will thinke that I am unguilty of the slaughter and murther of these three men。 Howbeit the Assyrian Diophanes did firmely assure unto me； that my peregrination and voyage hither should be prosperous。 But while I did thus unfold my sorrowes； and greatly bewail my fortune； behold I heard a great noyse and cry at the dore； and in came the Magistrates and officers； who commanded two sergeants to binde and leade me to prison。 whereunto I was willingly obedient； and as they led me through the street； all the City gathered together and followed me； and although I looked always on the ground for very shame； yet sometimes I cast my head aside and marvelled greatly that among so many thousand people there was not one but laughed exceedingly。 Finally； when they had brought me through all the streets of the city； in manner of those that go in procession； and do sacrifice to mitigate the ire of the gods； they placed mee in the Judgement hall； before the seat of the Judges ： and after that the Crier had commanded all men to keep silence； and people desired the Judges to give sentence in the great Theatre； by reason of the great multitude that was there； whereby they were in danger of stifling。 And behold the prease of people increased stil； some climed to the top of the house； some got upon the beames； some upon the Images； and some thrust their heads through the windowes； little regarding the dangers they were in； so they might see me。
Then the officers brought mee forth openly into the middle of the hall； that every man might behold me。 And after that the Cryer had made a noise； and willed all such that would bring any evidence against me； should come forth； there stept out an old man with a glasse of water in his hand； dropping out softly； who desired that hee might have liberty to speake during the time of the continuance of the water。 Which when it was granted； he began his oration in this sort。
THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was accused by an old man； and how he answered for himselfe。
O most reverend and just Judges； the thing which I propose to declare to you is no small matter； but toucheth the estate and tranquillity of this whole City； and the punishment thereof may be a right good example to others。 Wherefore I pray you most venerable Fathers； to whom and every one of whom it doth appertain； to provide for the dignity and safety of the Commonweale； that you would in no wise suffer this wicked Homicide； embrued with the bloud of so many murthered citisens； to escape unpunished。 And thinke you not that I am moved thereunto by envy or hatred； but by reason of my office； in that I am captain of the night Watch； and because no man alive should accuse mee to bee remisse in the same I wil declare all the whole matter； orderly as it was done last night。
This night past； when as at our accustomed houre I diligently searched every part of the City； behold I fortuned to espy this cruell young man drawing out his sword against three Citisens； and after a long combat foughten between them； he murthered one after another miserably ： which when hee had done； moved in his conscience at so great a crime hee ran away； and aided by the reason of darknes； slipt into a house； and there lay hidden all night； but by the providence of the Gods； which suffereth no heynous offence to pass unpunished； hee was taken by us this morning before he escaped any further； and so brought hither to your honourable presence to receive his desert accordingly。
So have you here a guilty person； a culpable homicide； and an accused stranger； wherefore pronounce you judgement against this man beeing an alien； when as you would most severely and sharply revenge such an offence found in a known Citisen。 In this sort the cruell accuser finished and ended his terrible tale。 Then the Crier commanded me to speake； if I had any thing to say for my selfe； but I could in no wise utter any word at all for weeping。 And on the other side I esteemed not so much his rigorous accusation； as I did consider myne owne miserable conscience。 Howbeit； beeing inspired by divine Audacity； at length I gan say； Verily I know that it is an hard thing for him that is accused to have slaine three persons； to perswade you that he is innocent； although he should declare the whole truth； and confesse the matter how it was indeed ； but if your honours will vouchsafe to give me audience； I will shew you； that if I am condemned to die； I have not deserved it as myne owne desert； but that I was mooved by fortune and reasonable cause to doe that fact。 For returning somewhat late from supper yester night （beeing well tippled with wine； which I will not deny） and approaching nigh to my common lodging； which was in the house of one Milo a Citisen of this city； I fortuned to espy three great theeves attempting to break down his walls and gates； and to open the locks to enter in。 And when they had removed the dores out of the hookes； they consulted amongst themselves； how they would handle such as they found in the house。 And one of them being of more courage； and of greater stature than the rest； spake unto his fellows and sayd； Tush you are but boyes； take mens hearts unto you； and let us enter into every part of the house； and such as we find asleep let us