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did drinke without feare as I accustomed to do； it was a signe that I was whole； and in mine Assie wits； where contrary if I did flie and abhorre the tast of the water； it was evident proofe of my madness； which thing he said that he had read in ancient and credible books； whereupon they tooke a bason of cleere water； and presented it before me： but I as soone as I perceived the wholesome water of my life； ran incontinently； thrusting my head into the bason； drank as though I had beene greatly athirst； then they stroked me with their hands； and bowed mine eares； and tooke me by the halter； to prove my patience； but I taking each thing in good part； disproved their mad presumption； by my meeke and gentle behaviour： when I was thus delivered from this double danger； the next day I was laded againe with the goddesse Siria； and other trumpery； and was brought into the way with Trumpets and Cymbals to beg in the villages which we passed by according to our custome。 And after that we had gone through a few towns and Castles； we fortuned to come to a certaine village； which was builded （as the inhabitants there affirme） upon the foundation of a famous ancient Citie。 And after that we had turned into the next Inne； we heard of a prettie jest committed in the towne there； which I would that you should know likewise。
THE THIRTY…EIGHTH CHAPTER
Of the deceipt of a Woman which made her husband Cuckold。
There was a man dwelling in the towne very poore； that had nothing but that which he got by the labour and travell of his hands： his wife was a faire young woman； but very lascivious； and given to the appetite and desire of the flesh。 It fortuned on a day； that while this poore man was gone betimes in the morning to the field about his businesse； according as he accustomed to doe； his wives lover secretly came into his house to have his pleasure with her。 And so it chanced that during the time that shee and he were basking together； her husband suspecting no such matter； returned home praising the chast continency of his wife； in that hee found his doores fast closed； wherefore as his custome was； he whistled to declare his comming。 Then his crafty wife ready with shifts； caught her lover and covered him under a great tub standing in a corner； and therewithall she opened the doore； blaming her husband in this sort ： Commest thou home every day with empty hands； and bringest nothing to maintaine our house？ thou hast no regard for our profit； neither providest for any meate or drinke； whereas I poore wretch doe nothing day and night but occupie my selfe with spinning； and yet my travell will scarce find the Candels which we spend。 O how much more happy is my neighbour Daphne； that eateth and drinketh at her pleasure and passeth the time with her amorous lovers according to her desire。 What is the matter （quoth her husband） though Our Master hath made holiday at the fields； yet thinke not but I have made provision for our supper； doest thou not see this tub that keepeth a place here in our house in vaine； and doth us no service？ Behold I have sold it to a good fellow （that is here present） for five pence； wherefore I pray thee lend me thy hand； that I may deliver him the tub。 His wife （having invented a present shift） laughed on her husband； saying ： What marchant I pray you have you brought home hither； to fetch away my tub for five pence； for which I poore woman that sit all day alone in my house have beene proffered so often seaven ： her husband being well apayed of her words demanded what he was that had bought the tub ： Looke （quoth she） he is gone under； to see where it be sound or no ： then her lover which was under the tub； began to stirre and rustle himselfe； and because his words might agree to the words of the woman； he sayd ： Dame will you have me tell the truth； this tub is rotten and crackt as me seemeth on every side。 And then turning to her husband sayd ： I pray you honest man light a Candle； that I may make cleane the tub within； to see if it be for my purpose or no。 for I doe not mind to cast away my money wilfully ： he by and by （being made a very Oxe） lighted a candle； saying； I pray you good brother put not your selfe to so much paine； let me make the tub cleane and ready for you。 Whereupon he put off his coate； and crept under the tub to rub away the filth from the sides。 In the meane season this minion lover cast his wife on the bottome of the tub and had his pleasure with her over his head； and as he was in the middest of his pastime； hee turned his head on this side and that side； finding fault with this and with that； till as they had both ended their businesse； when as he delivered seaven pence for the tub； and caused the good man himselfe to carry it on his backe againe to his Inne。
THE THIRTY…NINTH CHAPTER
How the Priests of the goddesse Siria were taken and put in prison； and how Apuleius was sold to a Baker。
After that we had tarried there a few dayes at the cost and charges of the whole Village； and had gotten much mony by our divination and prognostication of things to come： The priests of the goddesse Siria invented a new meanes to picke mens purses； for they had certaine lotts； whereon were written ：
Coniuncti terram proscindunt boves ut in futurum loeta germinent sata
That is to say ： The Oxen tied and yoked together； doe till the ground to the intent it may bring forth his increase ： and by these kind of lottes they deceive many of the simple sort； for if one had demanded whether he should have a good wife or no； they would say that his lot did testifie the same； that he should。 be tyed and yoked to a good woman and have increase of children。 If one demanded whether he should buy lands and possession； they said that he should have much ground that should yeeld his increase。 If one demanded whether he should have a good and prosperous voyage； they said he should have good successe； and it should be for the increase of his profit。 If one demanded whether hee should vanquish his enemies； and prevaile in pursuite of theeves； they said that this enemy should be tyed and yoked to him： and his pursuits after theeves should be prosperous。 Thus by the telling of fortunes； they gathered a great quantity of money； but when they were weary with giving of answers； they drave me away before them next night； through a lane which was more dangerous and stony then the way which we went the night before； for on the one side were quagmires and foggy marshes； on the other side were falling trenches and ditches； whereby my legges failed me； in such sort that I could scarce come to the plaine field pathes。 And behold by and by a great company of inhabitants of the towne armed with weapons and on horsebacke overtooke us； and incontinently arresting Philebus and his Priests； tied them by the necks and beate them cruelly； calling them theeves and robbers； and after they had manacled their hands： Shew us （quoth they） the cup of gold； which （under the colour of your solemne religion） ye have taken away； and now ye thinke to escape in the night without punishment for your fact。 By and by one came towards me； and thrusting his hand into the bosome of the goddesse Siria； brought out the cup wh