THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER

The Golden Ass

by Lucius Apuleius

THE TWENTY-SIXTH CHAPTER, THE GOLDEN ASS by Lucius Apuleius

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.