The Golden Ass

the bed, behold my Fotis (who had brought her mistress to bed) came in and gave me roses and flowers which she had in her apron, and some she threw about the bed, and kissed me sweetly, and tied a garland about my head, and bespread the chamber with the residue. Which when she had done, she took a cup of wine and delayed it with hot water, and proffered it me to drink; and before I had drunk it all off she pulled it from my mouth, and then gave it me again, and in this manner we emptied the pot twice or thrice together. Thus when I had well replenished myself with wine, and was now ready unto venery not only in mind but also in body, I removed my clothes, and showing to Fotis my great impatience I said, Oh my sweetheart take pity upon me and help me, for as you see I am now prepared unto the battle, which you yourself did appoint: for after that I felt the first arrow of cruel Cupid within my breast, I bent my bow very strong, and now fear, (because it is bended so hard) lest my string should break: but that thou mayst the better please me, undress thy hair and come and embrace me lovingly: whereupon she made no long delay, but set aside all the meat and wine, and then she unapparelled herself, and unattired her hair, presenting her amiable body unto me in manner of fair Venus, when she goeth under the waves of the sea. Now (quoth she) is come the hour of jousting, now is come the time of war, wherefore show thyself like unto a man, for I will not retire, I will not fly the field, see then thou be valiant, see thou be courageous, since there is no time appointed when our skirmish shall cease. In saying these words she came to me to bed, and embraced me sweetly, and so we passed all the night in pastime and pleasure, and never slept until it was day: but we would eftsoons refresh our weariness, and provoke our pleasure, and renew our venery by drinking of wine. In which sort we pleasantly passed away many other nights following.

XI

How Apuleius supped with Byrrhena, and what a strange tale Bellephoron told at the table.

It fortuned on a day, that Byrrhena desired me earnestly to sup with her; and she would in nowise take any excusation. Whereupon I went to Fotis, to ask counsel of her as of some divine, who although she was unwilling that I should depart one foot from her company, yet at length she gave me license to be absent for a while, saying, Beware that you tarry not long at supper there, for there is a rabblement of common barretors and disturbers of the public peace, that rove about in the streets and murder all such as they may take, neither can law nor justice redress them in any case. And they will the sooner set upon you, by reason of your comeliness and audacity, in that you are not afeared at any time to walk in the streets.

Then I answered and said, Have no care of me Fotis, for I esteem the pleasure which I have with thee, above the dainty meats that I eat abroad, and therefore I will return again quickly. Nevertheless I mind not to come without company, for I have here my sword, whereby I hope to defend myself.

And so in this sort I went to supper, and behold I found in Byrrhena’s house a great company of strangers, and the chief and principal of the city: the beds made of citron and ivory, were richly adorned and spread with cloth of gold, the cups were garnished preciously, and there were diverse other things of sundry fashion, but of like estimation and price: here stood a glass gorgeously wrought, there stood another of crystal finely painted. There stood a cup of glittering silver, and there stood another of shining gold, and here was another of amber artificially carved and made with precious stones. Finally, there was all things that might be desired: the servitors waited orderly at the table in rich apparel, the pages arrayed in silk robes, did fill great gems and pearls made in the form of cups, with excellent wine. Then one brought in candles and torches, and when we were set down and placed in order, we began to talk, to laugh, and to be merry. And Byrrhena spake unto me and said, I pray you cousin how like you our country? Verily I think there is no other city which hath the like temples, baines, and other commodities which we have here. Further we have abundance of household stuff, we have pleasure, we have ease, and when the Roman merchants arrive in this city they are gently and quietly entertained, and all that dwell within this province (when they purpose to solace and repose themselves) do come to this city. Whereunto I answered, Verily (quoth I) you tell truth, for I can find no place in all the world which I like better than this, but I greatly fear the blind inevitable trenches of witches, for they say that the dead bodies are digged out of their graves, and the bones of them that are burnt be stolen away, and the toes and fingers of such as are slain are cut off, and afflict and torment such as live. And the old witches as soon as they hear of the death of any person, do forthwith go and uncover the hearse and spoil the corpse, to work their enchantments. Then another sitting at the table spake and said, In faith you say true, neither yet do they spare or favor the living. For I know one not far hence that was cruelly handled by them, who being not contented with cutting