d scarce see, their eyes and
face were so blacke and dimme with smoake, like those that fight in the
sands, and know not where they strike by reason of dust: And some
had their faces all mealy. But how should I speake of the horses my
companions, how they being old and weake, thrust their heads into the
manger: they had their neckes all wounded and worne away: they rated
their nosethrilles with a continuall cough, their sides were bare with
their harnesse and great travell, their ribs were broken with beating,
their hooves were battered broad with incessant labour, and their skinne
rugged by reason of their lancknesse. When I saw this dreadfull sight,
I began to feare, least I should come to the like state: and considering
with my selfe the good fortune which I was sometime in when I was a man,
I greatly lamented, holding downe my head, and would eate no meate, but
I saw no comfort or consolation of my evill fortune, saving that my mind
was somewhat recreated to heare and understand what every man said, for
they neither feared nor doubted my presence. At that time I remembred
how Homer the divine author of ancient Poetry, described him to be a
wise man, which had travelled divers countries and nations, wherefore I
gave great thanks to my Asse for me, in that by this meanes I had seene
the experience of many things, and was become more wise (notwithstanding
the great misery and labour which I daily sustained): but I will tell
you a pretty jest, which commeth now to my remembrance, to the intent
your eares may be delighted in hearing the same.

THE FORTIETH CHAPTER

How Apuleius was handled by the Bakers wife, which was a harlot.

The Baker which bought me was an honest and sober man; but his wife was
the most pestilent woman in all the world, insomuch that he endured many
miseries and afflictions with her, so that I my selfe did secretly pitty
his estate, and bewaile his evill fortune: for she had not one fault
alone, but all the mischiefes that could be devised: shee was crabbed,
cruell, lascivious, drunken, obstinate, niggish, covetous, riotous in
filthy expenses, and an enemy to faith and chastity, a despise of all
the Gods, whom other did honour, one that affirmed that she had a God
by her selfe, wherby she deceived all men, but especially her poore
husband, one that abandoned her body with continuall whoredome. This
mischievous queane hated me in such sort, that shee commanded every day
before she was up,