wned name of the
Emperor and say, O Cesar, and cried out aloud O, but Cesar I could in
no wise pronounce. The Theeves little regarding my crying, did lay me on
and beat my wretched skinne in such sort, that after it was neither apt
nor meet to make Sives or Sarces. Howbeit at last Jupiter administred
to me an unhoped remedy. For when we had passed through many townes
and villages, I fortuned to espy a pleasant garden, wherein beside many
other flowers of delectable hiew, were new and fresh roses: and being
very joyful, and desirous to catch some as I passed by, I drew neerer
and neerer: and while my lips watered upon them, I thought of a better
advice more profitable for me, lest if from an asse I should become a
man, I might fall into the hands of the theeves, and either by suspition
that I were some witch, or for feare that I should utter their theft,
I should be slaine, wherefore I abstained for that time from eating of
Roses, and enduring my present adversity, I did eat hay as other Asses
did.

THE FOURTH BOOKE

THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER

How Apuleius thinking to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener,
and chased by dogs.

When noone was come, that the broyling heate of the sunne had most
power, we turned into a village to certaine of the theeves acquaintance
and friends, for verily their meeting and embracing together did give
me, poore asse, cause to deeme the same, and they tooke the trusse from
my backe, and gave them part of the Treasure which was in it, and they
seemed to whisper and tell them that it was stollen goods, and after
that we were unladen of our burthens, they let us loose in a medow to
pasture, but myne own horse and Miloes Asse would not suffer me to feed
there with them, but I must seeke my dinner in some other place.

Wherefore I leaped into a garden which was behinde the stable, and being
well nigh perished with hunger, although I could find nothing there
but raw and green fallets, yet I filled my hungry guts therwithall
abundantly, and praying unto all the gods, I looked about in every place
if I could espy any red roses in the gardens by, and my solitary being
alone did put me in good hope, that if I could find any remedy, I should
presently of an Asse be changed into Lucius out of every mans sight. And
while I considered these things, I loked about, and behold I saw a farre
off a shadowed valley adjoyning nigh unto a wood, where amongst divers
other hearbes and pleasan