THE TWELFTH CHAPTER

The Golden Ass

by Lucius Apuleius

THE TWELFTH CHAPTER, THE GOLDEN ASS by Lucius Apuleius


How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for murther.

When morning was come, and that I was awaked from sleep, my
heart burned sore with remembrance of the murther I had
committed the night before : and I rose and sate downe on the side
of the bed with my legges acrosse, and wringing my hands, I
weeped in most miserable sort. For I imagined with my selfe, that I
was brought before the Judge in the Judgement place, and that he
awarded sentence against me, and that the hangman was ready to
lead me to the gallows. And further I imagined and sayd, Alasse
what Judge is he that is so gentle or benigne, that will thinke that I
am unguilty of the slaughter and murther of these three men.
Howbeit the Assyrian Diophanes did firmely assure unto me, that
my peregrination and voyage hither should be prosperous. But
while I did thus unfold my sorrowes, and greatly bewail my fortune,
behold I heard a great noyse and cry at the dore, and in came the
Magistrates and officers, who commanded two sergeants to binde
and leade me to prison. whereunto I was willingly obedient, and as
they led me through the street, all the City gathered together and
followed me, and although I looked always on the ground for very
shame, yet sometimes I cast my head aside and marvelled greatly
that among so many thousand people there was not one but
laughed exceedingly. Finally, when they had brought me through all
the streets of the city, in manner of those that go in procession, and
do sacrifice to mitigate the ire of the gods, they placed mee in the
Judgement hall, before the seat of the Judges : and after that the
Crier had commanded all men to keep silence, and people desired
the Judges to give sentence in the great Theatre, by reason of the
great multitude that was there, whereby they were in danger of
stifling. And behold the prease of people increased stil, some
climed to the top of the house, some got upon the beames, some
upon the Images, and some thrust their heads through the
windowes, little regarding the dangers they were in, so they might
see me.

Then the officers brought mee forth openly into the middle of the
hall, that every man might behold me. And after that the Cryer had
made a noise, and willed all such that would bring any evidence
against me, should come forth, there stept out an old man with a
glasse of water in his hand, dropping out softly, who desired that
hee might have liberty to speake during the time of the continuance
of the water. Which when it was granted, he began his oration in
this sort.