The Golden Ass

always conversant, especially with much as if she could see, she should most shun, and forsake, yea and that which is more worse, she showeth such evil or contrary opinions in men, that the wicked do glory with the name of good, and contrary the good and innocent be detracted and slandered as evil. Furthermore I, who by her great cruelty, was turned into a four footed ass, in most vile and abject manner: yea, and whose estate seemed worthily to be lamented and pitied of the most hard and stony hearts, was accused of theft and robbing of my dear host Milo, which villainy might rather be called parricide than theft, yet might not I defend mine own cause or deny the fact anyway, by reason I could not speak; howbeit least my conscience should seem to accuse me by reason of silence, and again being enforced by impatience I endeavored to speak, and fain would have said, Never did I that fact, and verily the first word, never, I cried out once or twice, somewhat handsome, but the residue I could in nowise pronounce, but still remaining in one voice, cried, Never, never, never, howbeit I settled my hanging lips as round as I could to speak the residue: but why should I further complain of the cruelty of my fortune, since as I was not much ashamed, by reason that my servant and my horse, was likewise accused with me of the robbery.

While I pondered with myself all these things, a great care [came] to my remembrance, touching the death, which the thieves prevised for me and the maiden, and still as I looked down to my belly, I thought of my poor gentlewoman that should be closed within me. And the thief which a little before had brought the false news against me, drew out of the skirt of his coat, a thousand crowns, which he had rifled from such as he met, and brought it into the common treasury. Then he carefully inquired how the residue of his companions did. To whom it was declared that the most valiant was murdered and slain in diverse manners, whereupon he persuaded them to remit all their affairs a certain season, and to seek for other fellows to be in their places, that by the exercise of new lads, the terror of their martial band might be reduced to the old number, assuring them that such as were unwilling, might be compelled by menaces and threatenings, and such as were willing might be encouraged forward with reward. Further he said, that there were some, which (seeing the profit which they had) would forsake their base and servile estate, and rather be contented to live like tyrants amongst them. Moreover he declared, that for his part he had spoken with a certain tall man, a valiant companion, but of young age, stout in body, and courageous in fight, whom he had fully persuaded to exercise his idle hands, dull with slothfulness, to his greater profit, and (while he might) to receive the bliss of better fortune, and not to hold out his sturdy arm to beg for a penny, but rather to take as much gold and silver as he would. Then everyone consented, that he that seemed so worthy to be their companion, should be one of their company, and that they would search for others to make up the residue of the number, whereupon he went out, and by and by (returning again) brought in a tall young man (as he promised) to whom none of the residue might be compared, for he was higher then they by the head, and of more bigness in body, his beard began to burgeon, but he was poorly apparelled, insomuch that you might see all his belly naked. As soon as he was entered in he said, God speed ye soldiers of Mars and my faithful companions, I pray you make me one of your band, and I will ensure you, that you shall have a man of singular courage and lively audacity: for I had rather receive stripes upon my back, then money or gold in my hands. And as for death (which every man doth fear) I pass nothing at all, yet think you not that I am an abject or a beggar, neither judge you my virtue and prowess by ragged clothes, for I have been a captain of a great company, and subdued all the country of Macedonia. I am the renowned thief Hemus the Thracian, whose name all countries and nations do so greatly fear: I am the son of Theron the noble thief, nourished with human blood, entertained amongst the stoutest; finally I am inheritor and follower of all my father’s virtues, yet I lost in a short time all my company and all my riches, by one assault, which I made upon a factor of the prince, which sometime had been captain of two hundred men, for fortune was clean against me; hearken and I will tell you the whole matter. There was a certain man in the court of the emperor, which had many offices, and in great favour, who at last by the envy of diverse persons, was banished away and compelled to forsake the court: his wife Platina, a woman of rare faith and singular shamefastness having borne ten children to her husband, despised all worldly pomp and delicacy, and determined to follow her husband, and to be partaker of his perils and danger, wherefore she cut off her hair, disguised herself like a man, and took with her all her treasure, passing through the hands of the soldiers, and the naked swords without any fear, whereby she endured many miseries, and was partaker of much affliction, to save the life of her husband, such was her love which she bare unto him. And when they had escaped many perilous dangers, as well by land as by sea, they went