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the golden asse-第14章

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ns hearts unto you; and let us enter into every part of the house; and such as we find asleep let us kill; and so by that meanes we shall escape without danger。  Verily ye three Judges; I confess that I drew out my sword against those three Citizens; but I thought it was the office and duty of one that beareth good will to this weale publique; so to doe; especially since they put me in great fear; and assayed to rob and spoyl my friend Milo。  But when those cruell and terrible men would in no case run away; nor feare my naked sword; but boldly resist against me; I ran upon them and fought valiantly。  One of them which was the captain invaded me strongly; and drew me by the haire with both his hands; and began to beat me with a great stone : but in the end I proved the hardier man; and threw him downe at my feet and killed him。  I tooke likewise the second that clasped me about the legs and bit me; and slew him also。  And the third that came running violently against me; after that I had strucken him under the stomacke fell downe dead。  Thus when I had delivered my selfe; the house; Myne host; and all his family from this present danger; I thought that I should not onely escape unpunished; but also have some great reward of the city for my paines。

Moreover; I that have always been clear and unspotted of crime; and that have esteemed myne innocency above all the treasure of the world; can finde no reasonable cause why upon myne accusation I should be condemned to die; since first I was mooved to set upon the theeves by just occasion。  Secondly; because there is none that can affirm; that there hath been at any time either grudge or hatred between us。  Thirdly; we were men meere strangers and of no acquaintance。  Last of all; no man can prove that I committed that fact for lucre or gaine。

When I had ended my words in this sort; behold; I weeped againe pitteously; and holding up my hands I prayed all the people by the mercy of the Commonweale and for the love of my poore infants and children; to shew me some pitty and favour。  And when my hearts were somewhat relented and mooved by my lamentable teares; I called all the gods to witnesse that I was unguilty of the crime; and so to their divine providence; I committed my present estate; but turning my selfe againe; I perceived that all the people laughed exceedingly; and especially my good friend and host Milo。 Then thought I with my selfe; Alasse where is faith?  Where is remorse of conscience?  Behold I am condemned to die as a murtherer; for the safeguard of myne Host Milo and his family。 Yet is he not contented with that; but likewise laugheth me to scorne; when otherwise he should comfort and help mee。



THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER


How Apuleius was accused by two women; and how the slaine bodies were found blowne bladders。

When this was done; out came a woman in the middle of the Theatre arrayed in mourning vesture; and bearing a childe in her armes。  And after her came an old woman in ragged robes; crying and howling likewise : and they brought with them the Olive boughs wherewith the three slaine bodies were covered on the Beere; and cried out in this manner : O right Judges; we pray by the justice and humanity which is in you; to have mercy upon these slaine persons; and succour our Widowhood and losse of our deare husbands; and especially this poore infant; who is now an Orphan; and deprived of all good fortune : and execute your justice by order and law; upon the bloud of this Theefe; who is the occasion of all our sorrowes。 When they had spoken these words; one of the most antient Judges did rise and say; Touching this murther; which deserveth great punishment; this malefactor himselfe cannot deny; but our duty is to enquire and try out; whether he had Coadjutors to help him。  For it is not likely that one man alone could kill three such great and valiant persons; wherefore the truth must be tried out by the racke; and so wee shall learne what other companions he hath; and root out the nest of these mischievous murtherers。  And there was no long delay; but according to the custome of Grecia; the fire; the wheele; and many other torments were brought in。  Then my sorrow encreased or rather doubled; in that I could not end my life with whole and unperished members。  And by and by the old woman; who troubled all the Court with her howling; desired the Judges; that before I should be tormented on the racke; I might uncover the bodies which I had slaine; that every man might see their comely shape and youthfull beauty; and that I might receive condign and worthy punishment; according to the quality of my offence : and therewithall shee made a sign of joy。  Then the Judge commanded me forthwith to discover the bodies of the slain; lying upon the beere; with myne own handes; but when I refused a good space; by reason I would not make my fact apparent to the eies of all men; the Sergeant charged me by commandement of the Judges; and thrust me forward to do the same。  I being then forced by necessity; though it were against my wil; uncovered the bodies : but O good Lord  what a strange sight did I see; what a monster? What sudden change of all my sorrows?  I seemed as though I were one of the house of Proserpina and of the family of death; insomuch that I could not sufficiently expresse the forme of this new sight; so far was I amased and astonied thereat : for why; the bodies of the three slaine men were no bodies; but three blown bladders mangled in divers places; and they seemed to be wounded in those parts where I remembred I wounded the theeves the night before。 Whereat the people laughed exceedingly : some rejoyced marvellously at the remembrance thereof; some held their stomackes that aked with joy; but every man delighted at this passing sport; so passed out of the theatre。  But I from the time that I uncovered the bodies stood stil as cold as ice; no otherwise than as the other statues and images there; neither came I into my right senses; until such time as Milo my Host came and tooke mee by the hand; and with civil violence lead me away weeping and sobbing; whether I would or no。  And because that I might be seene; he brought me through many blind wayes and lanes to his house; where he went about to comfort me; beeing sad and yet fearfull; with gentle entreaty of talke。  But he could in no wise mitigate my impatiency of the injury which I conceived within my minde。  And behold; by and by the Magistrates and Judges with their ensignes entred into the house; and endeavoured to pacify mee in this sort; saying; O Lucius; we are advertised of your dignity; and know the genealogie of your antient lineage; for the nobility of your Kinne doe possesse the greatest part of all this Province : and thinke not that you have suffered the thing wherfore you weepe; to any reproach and ignominy; but put away all care and sorrow out of your minde。  For this day; which we celebrate once a yeare in honour of the god Risus; is alwaies renowned with some solemne novel; and the god doth continually accompany with the inventor therof; and wil not suffer that he should be sorrowfull; but pleasantly beare a joyfull face。  And verily all the City for the grace that is in you; intend to 
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