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ch that my master was renowned throughout all the Country by reason of mee。 For every man would say： Behold the Gentleman that hath an Asse； that will eate and drinke with him； that will dance； and understand what is said to him； will shew his fantasie by signes。 But first I will tell you （which I should have done before） who my master was； and of what country。 His name was Thiasus； hee was borne at Corinth； which is a principall towne of Achaia； and he had passed many offices of honor； till hee had taken upon him the degree Quinquenuall； according as his birth and dignity required； who to shew his worthinesse； and to purchase the benevolence of every person； appointed publike joyes and triumphs； to endure the space of three dayes； and to bring his endeavour to passe； he came into Thessaly to buy excellent Beasts； and valiant fighters for the purpose。
THE FORTY…SIXTH CHAPTER
How a certaine Matron fell in love with Apuleius； how hee had his pleasure with her； and what other things happened。
When he had bought such things as was necessary； he would not returne home into his Countrey in Chariots； or waggon； neither would he ride upon Thessalian Horses； or Jenets of France； or Spanish Mules； which be most excellent as can be found； but caused me to be garnished and trimmed with trappers and barbs of Gold； with brave harnesse； with purple coverings； with a bridle of silver； with pictured cloths； and with shrilling bells； and in this manner he rode upon me lovingly； speaking and intreating me with gentle words； but above all things he did greatly rejoyce in that I was his Servant to beare him upon my backe； and his Companion to feed with him at the Table ： After long time when we had travelled as well by Sea as Land； and fortuned to arrive at Corinth； the people of the Towne came about us on every side； not so much to doe honour to Thiasus； as to see me ： For my fame was so greatly spread there； that I gained my master much money； and when the people was desirous to see me play prankes； they caused the Gates to be shut； and such as entered in should pay money； by meanes whereof I was a profitable companion to them every day ： There fortuned to be amongst the Assembly a noble and rich Matron that conceived much delight to behold me； and could find no remedy to her passions and disordinate appetite； but continually desired to have her pleasure with me； as Pasiphae had with a Bull。 In the end she promised a great reward to my keeper for the custody of me one night； who for gaine of a little money accorded to her desire； and when I had supped in a Parler with my Master； we departed away and went into our Chamber； where we found the faire Matron； who had tarried a great space for our comming ： I am not able to recite unto you how all things were prepared ： there were foure Eunuches that lay on a bed of downe on the ground with Boulsters accordingly for us to lye on； the Coverlet was of cloth of Gold； and the pillowes soft and tender； whereon the delicate Matron had accustomed to lay her head。 Then the Eunuches not minding to delay any longer the pleasure of their Mistresse closed the doores of the Chamber and departed away： within the Chamber were Lamps that gave a cleare light all the place over ： Then she put off all her Garments to her naked skinne； and taking the Lampe that stood next to her； began to annoint all her body with balme； and mine likewise； but especially my nose； which done； she kissed me； not as they accustome to doe at the stews； or in brothel houses； or in the Curtain Schools for gaine of money； but purely； sincerely； and with great affection； casting out these and like loving words ： Thou art he whom I love； thou art he whom I onely desire； without thee I cannot live； and other like preamble of talke as women can use well enough； when as they mind to shew or declare their burning passions and great affection of love： Then she tooke me by the halter and cast me downe upon the bed； which was nothing strange unto me； considering that she was so beautifull a Matron and I so wel bolded out with wine； and perfumed with balme； whereby I was readily prepared for the purpose： But nothing grieved me so much as to think； how I should with my huge and great legs imbrace so faire a Matron； or how I should touch her fine； dainty； and silken skinne； with my hard hoofes； or how it was possible to kisse her soft； pretty and ruddy lips； with my monstrous mouth and stony teeth； or how she； who was young and tender； could be able to receive me。
And I verily thought； if I should hurt the woman by any kind of meane； I should be throwne to the wild Beasts ： But in the meane season she kissed me； and looked in my mouth with burning eyes； saying ： I hold thee my canny； I hold thee my noose； my sparrow； and therewithall she eftsoones imbraced my body round about； and had her pleasure with me； whereby I thought the mother of Miniatures did not ceaseless quench her inordinate desire with a Bull。 When night was passed； with much joy and small sleepe； the Matron went before day to my keeper to bargain with him another night； which he willingly granted； partly for gaine of money； and partly to finde new pastime for my master。 Who after he was informed of all the history of my luxury； was right glad； and rewarded my keeper well for his paine； minding to shew before the face of all the people； what I could doe ： but because they would not suffer the Matron to abide such shame； by reason of her dignity； and because they could finde no other that would endeavour so great a reproach； at length they obtained for money a poore woman； which was condemned to be eaten of wilde beasts； with whom I should openly have to doe ： But first I will tell you what tale I heard concerning this woman。 This woman had a husband； whose father minding to ride forth； commanded his wife which he left at home great with child； that if she were delivered of a daughter； it should incontinently be killed。 When the time of her delivery came； it fortuned that she had a daughter； whom she would not suffer to be slaine； by reason of the naturall affection which she hare unto her child； but secretly committed her to one of her neighbours to nurse。 And when her husband returned home； shee declared unto him that shee was delivered of a daughter； whom （as hee commanded）； shee had caused to be put to death。 But when this child came to age； and ready to be married； the mother knew not by what meanes shee should endow her daughter； but that her husband should understand and perceive it。 Wherefore shee discovered the matter to her sonne； who was the husband of this woman； condemned to be eaten of wild beasts ： For shee greatly feared least hee should unawares fancie or fall in love with his owne sister。 The young man understanding the whole matter （to please and gratify his mother） went immediately to the young maiden； keeping the matter secret in his heart； for feare of inconvenience； and （lamenting to see his sister forsaken both of mother and father） incontinently after endowed her with part of his owne goods； and would have married her to one of his especial and trusty friends ： But although hee brought this to passe very secretly and sagely； yet in the end cruell fortune sowed great sedition in his house。 For his wife who was now condemned to beasts； waxed jealous of her husband and began to suspect the young woman as a harlot and common queane； insomuch that shee invented all manner of meanes to dispatch her out of the way。 And in the end shee invented this kind of mischiefe ： She privily stale away her husbands ring； and went into the country； whereas she commanded one of her trusty servants to take the ring and carry it to the mayden。 To whom he should declare that her brother did pray her to come into the country to him； and that she should come alone without any person。 And to the end shee should not delay but come with all speed he should deliver her the ring； which should be a sufficient testimony of the message。 This mayden as soone as she had received the ring of her brother； being very willing and desirous to obey his commandement ： （For she knew no otherwise but that he had sent for her） went in all hast as the messenger willed her to doe。 But when she was come to the snare and engine which was prepared for her； the mischievous woman； like one that were mad； and possessed with some ill spirit； when the poore maiden called for helpe with a loud voyce to her brother； the wicked harlot （weening that she had invented and feined the matter） tooke a burning firebrand and thrust it into her secret place； whereby she died miserably。 The husband of this maiden but especially her brother； advertised of her death； came to the place where she was slain； and after great lamentation and weeping； they caused her to be buried honourably。 This yong man her brother taking in ill part the miserable death of his sister； as it was convenient he should； conceived so great dolour within his mind and was strucken with so pestilent fury of bitter anguish； that he fell into the burning passions of a dangerous ague； whereby he seemed in such necessity； that he needed to have some speedy remedy to save his life。 The woman that slew the Maiden having lost the name of wife toge