After the judgement of Paris was ended, Juno and Pallas departed away
angerly, shewing by their gesture, that they would revenge themselves
on Paris, but Venus that was right pleased and glad in her heart,
danced about the Theater with much joy. This done from the top of the
hill through a privy spout, ran a floud of the colour of Saffron, which
fell upon the Goates, and changed their white haire into yellow, with a
sweet odour to all them of the Theater. By and by after by certaine
engines, the ground opened, and swallowed up the hill of wood: and then
behold there came a man of armes through the multitude, demanding by
the consent of the people, the woman who was condemned to the beasts,
and appointed for me to have to doe withall: our bed was finely and
bravely prepared, and covered with silke and other things necessary.
But I, beside the shame to commit this horrible fact, and to pollute my
body with this wicked harlot did greatly feare the danger of death: for
I thought in my selfe, that when she and I were together, the savage
beast appointed to devoure the woman, was not so instructed and taught,
or would so temper his greedinesse, as that hee would teare her in
peeces lying under mee, and spare mee with a regard of mine innocency.
Wherefore I was more carefull for the safeguard of my life, then for
the shame that I should abide, but in the meane season while my master
made ready the bed, all the residue did greatly delight to see the
hunting and pleasantnesse of the triumph, I began to thinke and devise
for my selfe. When I perceived that no man had regard to mee, that was
so tame and gentle an Asse, I stole out of the gate that was next me,
and then I ran away with all force, and came to Cenchris, which is the
most famous towne of all the Carthaginians, bordering upon the Seas
called Ageum, and Saronicum, where is a great and mighty Haven,
frequented with many a sundry Nation. There because I would avoyd the
multitude of the people, I went to a secret place of the Sea coast,
where I laid me down upon the sand, to ease and refresh my selfe, for
the day was past and the Sunne gone downe, and lying in this sort on
the ground, did fall in a sound sleepe.
THE ELEVENTH BOOKE
THE FORTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius by Roses and prayer returned to his humane shape.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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