the golden asse-第27节
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ead； and of more bignesse in body； his beard began to burgen； but hee was poorely apparelled； insomuch that you might see all his belly naked。 As soone as he was entred in he said； God speed yee souldiers of Mars and my faithfull companions； I pray you make me one of your band； and I will ensure you； that you shall have a man of singular courage and lively audacity ： for I had rather receive stripes upon my backe； then money or gold in my hands。 And as for death （which every man doth feare） I passe nothing at all； yet thinke you not that I am an abject or a begger； neither judge you my vertue and prowesse by ragged clothes； for I have beene a Captaine of a great company； and subdued all the countrey of Macedonia。 I am the renowned theefe Hemes the Thracian； whose name all countreys and nations do so greatly feare ： I am the sonne of Theron the noble theefe； nourished with humane bloud； entertained amongst the stoutest； finally I am inheritour and follower of all my fathers vertues； yet I lost in a short time all my company and all my riches； by one assault； which I made upon a Factor of the Prince； which sometime had beene Captaine of two hundred men； for fortune was cleane against me； harken and I will tell you the whole matter。 There was a certaine man in the court of the Emperour； which had many offices； and in great favour； who at last by the envy of divers persons； was banished away and compelled to forsake the court ： his wife Platina； a woman of rare faith and singular shamefastnes having borne ten children to her husband； despised all worldly Pompe and delicacy； and determined to follow her husband； and to be partaker of his perils and danger； wherefore shee cut off her haire； disguised her selfe like a man； and tooke with her all her treasure； passing through the hands of the souldiers； and the naked swords without any feare； whereby she endured many miseries； and was partaker of much affliction； to save the life of her husband； such was her love which she bare unto him。 And when they had escaped many perillous dangers； as well by land as by sea； they went together towards Zacynthe； to continue there according as fortune had appointed。 But when they were arived on the sea coast of Actium （where we in our returne from Macedony were roving about） when night came； they returned into a house not far distant from their ship； where they lay all night。 Then we entred in and tooke away all their substance； but verely we were in great danger ： for the good matron perceiving us incontinently by the noise of the gate； went into the chamber； and called up every man by his name； and likewise the neighbors that dwelled round about； insomuch that by reason of the feare that every one was in； we hardly escaped away； but this most holy woman； faithfull and true to her husband （as the truth must be declared） returned to Caesar； desiring his aid and puissance； and demanding vengeance of the injury done to her husband； who granted all her desire ： then went my company to wracke； insomuch that every man was slaine； so great was the authority and word of the Prince。 Howbeit； when all my band was lost； and taken by search of the Emperours army； I onely stole away and delivered my selfe from the violence of the souldiers； for I clothed my selfe in a womans attire； and mounted upon an Asse； that carryed barly sheafes； and （passing through the middle of them all） I escaped away； because every one deemed that I was a woman by reason I lacked a beard。 Howbeit I left not off for all this； nor did degenerate from the glory of my father； or mine own vertue； but freshly comming from the bloody skirmish； and disguised like a woman； I invaded townes and castles alone to get some pray。 And therewithall he pulled out two thousand crownes； which he had under his coate； saying ： Hold here the dowry which I present unto you； hold eke my person； which you shall alwayes find trusty and faithfull； if you willingly receive me： and I will ensure you that in so doing； within short space I wilt make and turne this stony house of yours into gold。 Then by and by every one consented to make him their Captaine； and so they gave him better garments； and threw away his old。 When they had changed his attire； hee imbraced them one after another； then placed they him in the highest roome of the table； and drunk unto him in token of good lucke。
THE TWENTY…FIFTH CHAPTER
How the death of the Asse； and the Gentlewoman was stayed。
After supper they began to talke； and declare unto him the going away of the Gentlewoman； and how I hare her upon my backe； and what death was ordained for us two。 Then he desired to see her； whereupon the Gentlewoman was brought forth fast bound； whom as soone as he beheld； he turned himselfe wringing his nose； and blamed them saying ： I am not so much a beast； or so rash a fellow to drive you quite from your purpose； but my conscience will not suffer me to conceale any thing that toucheth your profit； since I am as carefull for you； howbeit if my counsell doe displease you； you may at your liberty proceed in your enterprise。 I doubt not but all theeves； and such as have a good judgement； will preferre their owne lucre and gain above all things in the world； and above their vengeance； which purchaseth damage to divers persons。 Therefore if you put this virgin in the Asses belly； you shall but execute your indignation against her； without all manner of profit； But I would advise you to carry the virgin to some towne and to sell her ： and such a brave girle as she is； may be sold for a great quantity of money。 And I my selfe know certaine bawdy Marchants； amongst whom peradventure one will give us summes of gold for her。 This is my opinion touching this affaire ： but advise you what you intend to do； for you may rule me in this case。 In this manner the good theefe pleaded and defended our cause； being a good Patron to the silly virgin； and to me poore Asse。 But they staied hereupon a good space； with long deliberation； which made my heart （God wot） and spirit greatly to quaile。 Howbeit in the end they consented to his opinion； and by and by the Maiden was unloosed of her bonds； who seeing the young man； and hearing the name of brothels and bawdy Merchants； began to wax joyfull； and smiled with herself。 Then began I to deeme evill of the generation of women； when as I saw the Maiden （who was appointed to be married to a young Gentleman； and who so greatly desired the same） was now delighted with the talke of a wicked brothel house； and other things dishonest。 In this sort the consent and manners of women depended in the judgement of an Asse。
THE TWENTY…SIXTH CHAPTER
How all the Theeves were brought asleepe by their new companion。
Then the young man spake againe； saying； Masters； why goe wee not about to make our prayers unto Mars； touching this selling of the Maiden； and to seeke for other companions。 But as farre as I see； here is no other manner of beast to make sacrifice withall； nor wine sufficient for us to drinke。 Let me have （quoth hee） tenne more with me； and wee will goe to the next Castle； to provide for meat and other things necessary。 So he and tenne more with him； went their way ： In the meane season； the residue made a great fire and an Alter with greene turfes in the honour of Mars。 By and by after they came againe； bringing with them bottles of wine； and a great number of beasts； amongst which there was a big Ram Goat； fat； old； and hairy； which they killed and offered unto Mars。 Then supper was prepared sumptuously； and the new companion said unto the other； You ought to accompt me not onely your Captaine in robbery and fight； but also in pleasures and jolity； whereupon by and by with pleasant cheere he prepared meat； and trimming up the house he set all things in order； and brought the pottage and dainty dishes to the Table： but above all he plyed them wel with great pots and jugs of wine。 Sometimes （seeming to fetch somewhat） hee would goe to the Maiden and give her pieces of meate； which he privily tooke away； and would drinke unto her； which she willingly tooke in good part。 Moreover； hee kissed her twice or thrice whereof she was well pleased but I （not well contented thereat） thought in my selfe ： O wretched Maid； thou hast forgotten thy marriage； and doest esteeme this stranger and bloudy theefe above thy husband which thy Parents ordained for thee； now perceive I well thou hast no remorse of conscience； but more delight to tarry and play the harlot heere amongst so many swords。 What？ knowest thou not how the other theeves if they knew thy demeanour would put thee to death as they had once appointed； and so worke my destruction likewise？ Well now I perceive thou hast a pleasure in the dammage and hurt of other。 While I did angerly devise with my selfe all these things； I perceived by certaine signes and tokens （not ignorant to so wise an Asse） that he was not the notable theefe Hemus； but rather Lepolemus her husband； for after much communication he beganne to speake more franckly； not fearing at all my presence； and said； Be of good cheere my sweete friend Charites； for thou shalt have by and by all these thy enemies captive unto thee。 Then hee filled wine to the theeves more and mo
