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hen by and by every one consented to make him their Captaine； and so they gave him better garments； and threw away his old。 When they had changed his attire； hee imbraced them one after another； then placed they him in the highest roome of the table； and drunk unto him in token of good lucke。
THE TWENTY…FIFTH CHAPTER
How the death of the Asse； and the Gentlewoman was stayed。
After supper they began to talke； and declare unto him the going away of the Gentlewoman； and how I hare her upon my backe； and what death was ordained for us two。 Then he desired to see her； whereupon the Gentlewoman was brought forth fast bound； whom as soone as he beheld； he turned himselfe wringing his nose； and blamed them saying ： I am not so much a beast； or so rash a fellow to drive you quite from your purpose； but my conscience will not suffer me to conceale any thing that toucheth your profit； since I am as carefull for you； howbeit if my counsell doe displease you； you may at your liberty proceed in your enterprise。 I doubt not but all theeves； and such as have a good judgement； will preferre their owne lucre and gain above all things in the world； and above their vengeance； which purchaseth damage to divers persons。 Therefore if you put this virgin in the Asses belly； you shall but execute your indignation against her； without all manner of profit； But I would advise you to carry the virgin to some towne and to sell her ： and such a brave girle as she is； may be sold for a great quantity of money。 And I my selfe know certaine bawdy Marchants； amongst whom peradventure one will give us summes of gold for her。 This is my opinion touching this affaire ： but advise you what you intend to do； for you may rule me in this case。 In this manner the good theefe pleaded and defended our cause； being a good Patron to the silly virgin； and to me poore Asse。 But they staied hereupon a good space； with long deliberation； which made my heart （God wot） and spirit greatly to quaile。 Howbeit in the end they consented to his opinion； and by and by the Maiden was unloosed of her bonds； who seeing the young man； and hearing the name of brothels and bawdy Merchants； began to wax joyfull； and smiled with herself。 Then began I to deeme evill of the generation of women； when as I saw the Maiden （who was appointed to be married to a young Gentleman； and who so greatly desired the same） was now delighted with the talke of a wicked brothel house； and other things dishonest。 In this sort the consent and manners of women depended in the judgement of an Asse。
THE TWENTY…SIXTH CHAPTER
How all the Theeves were brought asleepe by their new companion。
Then the young man spake againe； saying； Masters； why goe wee not about to make our prayers unto Mars； touching this selling of the Maiden； and to seeke for other companions。 But as farre as I see； here is no other manner of beast to make sacrifice withall； nor wine sufficient for us to drinke。 Let me have （quoth hee） tenne more with me； and wee will goe to the next Castle； to provide for meat and other things necessary。 So he and tenne more with him； went their way ： In the meane season； the residue made a great fire and an Alter with greene turfes in the honour of Mars。 By and by after they came againe； bringing with them bottles of wine； and a great number of beasts； amongst which there was a big Ram Goat； fat； old； and hairy； which they killed and offered unto Mars。 Then supper was prepared sumptuously； and the new companion said unto the other； You ought to accompt me not onely your Captaine in robbery and fight； but also in pleasures and jolity； whereupon by and by with pleasant cheere he prepared meat； and trimming up the house he set all things in order； and brought the pottage and dainty dishes to the Table： but above all he plyed them wel with great pots and jugs of wine。 Sometimes （seeming to fetch somewhat） hee would goe to the Maiden and give her pieces of meate； which he privily tooke away； and would drinke unto her； which she willingly tooke in good part。 Moreover； hee kissed her twice or thrice whereof she was well pleased but I （not well contented thereat） thought in my selfe ： O wretched Maid； thou hast forgotten thy marriage； and doest esteeme this stranger and bloudy theefe above thy husband which thy Parents ordained for thee； now perceive I well thou hast no remorse of conscience； but more delight to tarry and play the harlot heere amongst so many swords。 What？ knowest thou not how the other theeves if they knew thy demeanour would put thee to death as they had once appointed； and so worke my destruction likewise？ Well now I perceive thou hast a pleasure in the dammage and hurt of other。 While I did angerly devise with my selfe all these things； I perceived by certaine signes and tokens （not ignorant to so wise an Asse） that he was not the notable theefe Hemus； but rather Lepolemus her husband； for after much communication he beganne to speake more franckly； not fearing at all my presence； and said； Be of good cheere my sweete friend Charites； for thou shalt have by and by all these thy enemies captive unto thee。 Then hee filled wine to the theeves more and more； and never ceased； till as they were all overcome with abundance of meat and drinke； when as hee himselfe abstained and bridled his owne appetite。 And truely I did greatly suspect； least hee had mingled in their cups some deadly poyson； for incontinently they all fell downe asleepe on the ground one after an other； and lay as though they had beene dead。
THE TWENTY…SEVENTH CHAPTER
How the Gentlewoman was carried home by her husband while the theeves were asleepe； and how much Apuleius was made of。
When the theeves were all asleepe by their great and immoderate drinking； the young man Lepolemus took the Maiden and set her upon my backe； and went homeward。 When we were come home； all the people of the Citie； especially her Parents； friends； and family； came running forth joyfully； and the children and Maidens of the towne gathered together to see this virgin in great triumph sitting upon an Asse。 Then I （willing to shew as much joy as I might； as present occasion served） I set and pricked up my long eares； ratled my nosethrils； and cryed stoutly； nay rather I made the towne to ring againe with my shrilling sound ： when wee were come to her fathers house； shee was received in a chamber honourably ： as for me； Lepolemus （accompanied with a great number of Citizens） did presently after drive me backe againe with other horses to the cave of the theeves； where wee found them all asleepe lying on the ground as wee left them； then they first brought out all the gold； and silver； and other treasure of the house； and laded us withall； which when they had done； they threw many of the theeves downe into the bottome of deepe ditches； and the residue they slew with their swords ： after this wee returned home glad and merry of so great vengeance upon them； and the riches which wee carried was commited to the publike treasurie。 This done； the Maid was married to Lepolemus； according to the law； whom by so much travell he had valiantly recovered ： then my good Mistresse looked about for me； and asking for me c