ground, and the foundation, into another towne, distant from thence an
hundred miles, scituate and beeing on the top of an high hill, and by
reason thereof destitute of water, and because the edifices and houses
were so nigh built together, that it was not possible for the house to
stand there, she threw it downe before the gate of the towne. Then I
spake and said O my friend Socrates you have declared unto me many
marvellous things and strange chances, and moreover stricken me with no
small trouble of minde, yea rather with great feare, lest the same old
woman using the like practice, should fortune to heare all our
communication. Wherefore let us now sleepe, and after that we have
taken our rest, let us rise betimes in the morning, and ride away hence
before day, as far as we can possible.
THE FIFTH CHAPTER
How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one Chamber, and how
they were handled by Witches.
In speaking these words, and devising with my selfe of our departing
the next morrow, lest Meroe the witch should play by us as she had done
by divers other persons, it fortuned that Socrates did fall asleepe,
and slept very soundly, by reason of his travell and plenty of meat and
wine wherewithall hee had filled him selfe. Wherefore I closed and
barred fast the doores of the chamber, and put my bed behinde the
doore, and so layed mee downe to rest. But I could in no wise sleepe,
for the great feare which was in my heart, untill it was about
midnight, and then I began to slumber. But alas, behold suddenly the
chamber doores brake open, and locks, bolts, and posts fell downe, that
you would verily have thought that some Theeves had been presently come
to have spoyled and robbed us. And my bed whereon I lay being a truckle
bed, fashioned in forme of a Cradle, and one of the feet broken and
rotten, by violence was turned upside downe, and I likewise was
overwhelmed and covered lying in the same. Then perceived I in my
selfe, that certaine affects of the minde by nature doth chance
contrary. For as teares oftentimes trickle downe the cheekes of him
that seeth or heareth some joyfull newes, so I being in this fearfull
perplexity, could not forbeare laughing, to see how of Aristomenus I
was made like unto a snail [in] his shell. And while I lay on the
ground covered in this sort, I peeped under the bed to see what would
happen. And behold there entred in two old women, the one bearing a
burning torch, and the other a sponge and a naked sword; and so in this
habit they stood about Socrates being fast asleep. Then shee which bare
the sword sayd unto the other, Behold sister Panthia, this is my deare
and sweet heart, which both day and night hath abused my wanton
youthfulnesse. This is he, who little regarding my love, doth not only
defame me with reproachfull words, but also intendeth to run away. And
I shall be forsaken by like craft as Vlysses did use, and shall
continually bewaile my solitarinesse as Calipso. Which said, shee
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