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the Treasure which was in it； and they seemed to whisper and tell them that it was stollen goods； and after that we were unladen of our burthens； they let us loose in a medow to pasture； but myne own horse and Miloes Asse would not suffer me to feed there with them； but I must seeke my dinner in some other place。
Wherefore I leaped into a garden which was behinde the stable； and being well nigh perished with hunger； although I could find nothing there but raw and green fallets； yet I filled my hungry guts therwithall abundantly； and praying unto all the gods； I looked about in every place if I could espy any red roses in the gardens by； and my solitary being alone did put me in good hope； that if I could find any remedy； I should presently of an Asse be changed into Lucius out of every mans sight。 And while I considered these things； I loked about； and behold I saw a farre off a shadowed valley adjoyning nigh unto a wood； where amongst divers other hearbes and pleasant verdures； me thought I saw bright flourishing Roses of bright damaske colour； and said within my bestaill minde； Verily that place is the place of Venus and the Graces； where secretly glistereth the royall hew； of so lively and delectable a floure。 Then I desiring the help of the guide of my good fortune； ranne lustily towards the wood； insomuch that I felt myself that I was no more an Asse； but a swift coursing horse ： but my agility and quicknes 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 moystened with the heavenly drops of dew； nor celestial liquor； which grew out of the thicket and thornes there。 Neither did I perceive that there was any valley at all； but onely the bank of the river； environed with great thick trees； which had long branches like unto lawrell； and bearing a flour without any manner of sent； and the common people call them by the name of Lawrel roses； which be very poyson to all manner of beasts。 Then was I so intangled with unhappy fortune that I little esteemed mine own danger； and went willingly to eat of these roses； though I knew them to be present poyson ： and as I drew neere I saw a yong man that seemed to be the gardener； come upon mee； and when he perceived that I had devoured all his hearbes in the garden； he came swearing with a great staffe n his hand； and laid upon me in such sort； that I was well nigh dead； but I speedily devised some remedy my self； for I lift up my legs and kicked him with my hinder heels； that I left him lying at the hill foot wel nigh slain； and so I ran away。 Incontinently came out his wife； who seeing her husband halfe dead； cried and howled in pittifull sort； and went toward her husband； to the intent that by her lowd cries shee might purchase to me present destruction。 Then all the persons of the town； moved by her noise came forth； and cried fro dogs to teare me down。 Out came a great company of Bandogs and mastifes； more fit to pul down bears and lions than me； whom when I beheld I thought verily I should presently die ： but I turned myself about； and ranne as fast as ever I might to the stable from whence I came。 Then the men of the towne called in their dogs； and took me and bound mee to the staple of a post； and scourged me with a great knotted whip till I was well nigh dead； and they would undoubtedly have slaine me； had it not come to passe； that what with the paine of their beating； and the greene hearbes that lay in my guts； I caught such a laske that I all besprinkled their faces with my liquid dung； and enforced them to leave off。
THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was prevented of his purpose； and how the Theeves came to their den。
Not long after； the theeves laded us againe； but especially me； and brought us forth of the stable； and when wee had gone a good part of our journey what with the long way； my great burthen； the beating of staves； and my worne hooves； I was so weary that I could scantly go。 Then I saw a little before mee a river running with fair water； and I said to myself； Behold； now I have found a good occasion ： for I will fall down when I come yonder； and surely I will not rise againe； neither with scourging nor with beating； for I had rather be slaine there presently； than goe any further。
And the cause why I had determined so to doe was this； I thought that the theeves when they did see me so feeble and weake that I could not travell； to the intent they would not stay in their journey； they would take the burthen from my backe and put it on my fellowes； and so for my further punishment to leave me as a prey to the wolves and ravening beasts。 But evill fortune prevented so good a consideration； for the other Asse being of the same purpose that I was of； by feigned and coloured wearinesse fell downe first； with all his burthen on the ground as though hee were dead； and he would not rise neither with beating nor with pricking； nor stand upon his legs； though they pulled him by the tail； by his legs； and by his eares ： which when the theeves beheld； as without all hope they said one unto another； What should we stand here so long about a dead or rather a stony asse？ let us bee gone ： and so they tooke his burthen； and divided some to mee； and some to my horse。 And then they drew out their swords and cut off his legs； and threw his body from the point of a hill down into a great valley。 Then I considering with my selfe of the evill fortune of my poore companion； and purposed now to forget all subtility and deceit； and to play the good Asse to get my masters favour； for I perceived by their talke that we were come home well nigh at our journeys end。 And after that wee had passed over a little hill； we came to our appointed place； and when we were unladen of our burthens； and all things carried in； I tumbled and wallowed in the dust； to refresh my selfe in stead of water。 The thing and the time compelleth me to make description of the places； and especially of the den where the theeves did inhabit； I will prove my wit in what I can doe； and the consider you whether I was an Asse in judgement and sence； or no。 For first there was an exceeding great hill compassed about with big trees very high； with many turning bottoms full of sharp stones； whereby it was inaccessible。 There was many winding and hollow vallies； environed with thickets and thornes； and naturally fortressed round about。 From the top of the hill ranne a running water as cleare as silver； that watered all the valleyes below； that it seemed like unto a sea inclosed； or a standing floud。 Before the denne where was no hill stood an high tower； and at the foot thereof were sheep…coats fenced and walled with clay。 Before the gate of the house were pathes made in stead of wals； in such sort that you could easily judge it to be a very den for theeves； and there was nothing else except a little coat covered with thatch； wherein the theeves did nightly accustome to watch by order； as I after perceived。 And when they were all crept into the house； and we were all tied fast with halters at the dore； they began to chide with an old woman there； crooked with age； who had the government an