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rned into a Bever； because he loved another woman beside her ： and the reason why she transformed him into such a beast is； for that it is his nature； when hee perceiveth the hunters and hounds to draw after him； to bite off his members； and lay them in the way； that the hounds may be at a stop when they find them； and to the intent it might so happen unto him （for that he fancied another woman） she turned him into that kind of shape。
Semblably she changed one of her neighbours； being an old man and one that sold wine； into a Frog； in that he was one of her occupation； and therefore she bare him a grudge； and now the poore miser swimming in one of his pipes of wine； and well nigh drowned in the dregs； doth cry and call with an hoarse voice； for his old guests and acquaintance that pass by。 Like wise she turned one of the Advocates of the Court （because he pleaded and spake against her in a rightful cause） into a horned Ram； and now the poore Ram is become an Advocate。 Moreover she caused； that the wife of a certain lover that she had should never be delivered of her childe； but according to the computation of all men； it is eight yeares past since the poore woman first began to swell； and now shee is encreased so big； that shee seemeth as though she would bring forth some great Elephant ： which when it was knowne abroad； and published throughout all the towne； they tooke indignation against her； and ordayned that the next day shee should most cruelly be stoned to death。 Which purpose of theirs she prevented by the vertue of her inchantments； and as Medea （who obtained of King Creon but one days respit before her departure） did burn all his house； him； and his daughter ： so she； by her conjurations and invocations of spirits； （which she useth in a certaine hole in her house； as shee her selfe declared unto me the next day following） closed all the persons in the towne so sure in their houses； and with such violence of power； that for the space of two dayes they could not get forth； nor open their gates nor doore； nor break downe their walls； whereby they were inforced by mutuall consent to cry unto her； and to bind themselves strictly by oaths； that they would never afterwards molest or hurt her ： and moreover； if any did offer her any injury they would be ready to defend her。 Whereupon shee； mooved by their promises； and stirred by pitty； released all the towne。 But shee conveyed the principal Author of this ordinance about midnight； with all his house； the walls； the ground； and the foundation； into another towne； distant from thence an hundred miles； scituate and beeing on the top of an high hill； and by reason thereof destitute of water； and because the edifices and houses were so nigh built together； that it was not possible for the house to stand there； she threw it downe before the gate of the towne。 Then I spake and said O my friend Socrates you have declared unto me many marvellous things and strange chances； and moreover stricken me with no small trouble of minde； yea rather with great feare； lest the same old woman using the like practice； should fortune to heare all our communication。 Wherefore let us now sleepe； and after that we have taken our rest； let us rise betimes in the morning； and ride away hence before day； as far as we can possible。
THE FIFTH CHAPTER
How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one Chamber； and how they were handled by Witches。
In speaking these words； and devising with my selfe of our departing the next morrow； lest Meroe the witch should play by us as she had done by divers other persons； it fortuned that Socrates did fall asleepe； and slept very soundly； by reason of his travell and plenty of meat and wine wherewithall hee had filled him selfe。 Wherefore I closed and barred fast the doores of the chamber； and put my bed behinde the doore； and so layed mee downe to rest。 But I could in no wise sleepe； for the great feare which was in my heart； untill it was about midnight； and then I began to slumber。 But alas； behold suddenly the chamber doores brake open； and locks； bolts； and posts fell downe； that you would verily have thought that some Theeves had been presently come to have spoyled and robbed us。 And my bed whereon I lay being a truckle bed； fashioned in forme of a Cradle； and one of the feet broken and rotten； by violence was turned upside downe； and I likewise was overwhelmed and covered lying in the same。 Then perceived I in my selfe； that certaine affects of the minde by nature doth chance contrary。 For as teares oftentimes trickle downe the cheekes of him that seeth or heareth some joyfull newes； so I being in this fearfull perplexity； could not forbeare laughing； to see how of Aristomenus I was made like unto a snail ＇in＇ his shell。 And while I lay on the ground covered in this sort； I peeped under the bed to see what would happen。 And behold there entred in two old women； the one bearing a burning torch； and the other a sponge and a naked sword； and so in this habit they stood about Socrates being fast asleep。 Then shee which bare the sword sayd unto the other； Behold sister Panthia； this is my deare and sweet heart； which both day and night hath abused my wanton youthfulnesse。 This is he； who little regarding my love； doth not only defame me with reproachfull words； but also intendeth to run away。 And I shall be forsaken by like craft as Vlysses did use； and shall continually bewaile my solitarinesse as Calipso。 Which said； shee pointed towards mee that lay under the bed； and shewed me to Panthia。 This is hee； quoth she； which is his Counsellor； and perswadeth him to forsake me； and now being at the point of death he lieth prostrate on the ground covered with his bed； and hath seene all our doings； and hopeth to escape scot…free from my hands； but I will cause that hee will repente himselfe too late； nay rather forthwith； of his former intemperate language； and his present curiosity。 Which words when I heard I fell into a cold sweat； and my heart trembled with feare； insomuch that the bed over me did likewise rattle and shake。 Then spake Panthia unto Meroe and said； Sister let us by and by teare him in pieces or tye him by the members； and so cut them off。 Then Meroe （being so named because she was a Taverner； and loved wel good wines） answered； Nay rather let him live； and bury the corpse of this poore wretch in some hole of the earth； and therewithall shee turned the head of Socrates on the other side and thrust her sword up to the hilts into the left part of his necke； and received the bloud that gushed out； into a pot； that no drop thereof fell beside ： which things I saw with mine own eyes； and as I thinke to the intent that she might alter nothing that pertained to sacrifice； which she accustomed to make； she thrust her hand down into the intrals of his body； and searching about； at length brought forth the heart of my miserable companion Socrates； who having his throat cut in such sort； yeelded out a dolefull cry； and gave up the ghost。 Then Panthia stopped up the wide wound of his throat with the Sponge and said； O sponge sprung and made of the sea； beware that thou not passe by running river。 This being said； one of th