A soone as night was past, and the cleare Chariot of the Sunne had
spred his bright beames on every coast, came one of the company of the
theeves, (for so his and their greeting together did declare) who at
the first entry into the Cave (after hee had breathed himselfe, and was
able to speake) told these tydings unto his companions in this sort.
Sirs, as touching the house of Milo of Hippata, which we forcibly
entred and ransackt the last day, we may put away all feare and doubt
nothing at all. For after that ye by force of armes, had spoyled and
taken away all things in the house, and returned hither into our Cave;
I (thrusting my selfe amongst the presse of the people, and shewing my
selfe as though I were sad and sorrowful for the mischance) consulted
with them for the boulting out of the matter, and devising what meanes
might be wrought for the apprehension of the theeves, to the intent I
might learne and see all that was done to make relation thereof unto
you as you willed me, insomuch that the whole fact at length by
manifest and evident proofes as also by the common opinion and
judgement of the people, was laid to one Lucius Apuleius charge as
manifest author of this common robbery, who a few dayse before by false
and forged letters and colored honesty, fell so farre in favour with
this Milo, that he entertained him into his house, and received him as
a chiefe of his familiar friends, which Lucius after that he had
sojourned there a good space, and won the heart of Miloes Maid, by
fained love, did thoroughly learne the waies and doores of all the
house, and curiously viewed the cofers and chests, wherein was laid the
whole substance of Milo: neither was there small cause given to judge
him culpable, since as the very same night that this robbery was done
he fled away, and could not be found in no place: and to the intent hee
might cleane escape, and better prevent such as made hew and crie after
him, he tooke his white horse and galloped away, and after this, his
servant was found in the house, who (accused as accessary to the
fellony and escape of his Master) was committed to the common gaole,
and the next day following was cruelly scourged and tormented till hee
was welnigh dead, to the intent hee should confesse the matter, but
when they could wreast or learne no such thing of him, yet sent they
many persons after, towardes Lucius Countrey to enquire him out, and so
to take him prisoner. As he declared these things, I did greatly lament
with my selfe, to thinke of mine old and pristine estate, and what
felicity I was sometimes in, in comparison to the misery that I
presently susteined, being changed into a miserable Asse, then had I no
small occasion to remember, how the old and ancient Writers did
affirme, that fortune was starke blind without eies, because she
alwaies bestoweth her riches upon evil persons, and fooles, and
chooseth or favoureth no mortall person by judgement, but is alwaies
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