THE TENTH CHAPTER
How Byrrhena sent victuals unto Apuleius, and how hee talked with Milo
of Diophanes, and how he lay with Fotis.
HEN noone was come, Byrrhena sent to me a fat Pigge, five hennes, and a
flagon of old wine. Then I called Fotis and sayd, Behold how Bacchus the
egger and stirrer of Venery, doth offer him self of his owne accord, let
us therefore drink up this wine, that we may prepare our selves and
get us courage against soone, for Venus wanteth no other provision than
this, that the Lamp may be all the night replenished with oyle, and the
cups with wine. The residue of the day I passed away at the Bains and
in banquetting, and towards evening I went to supper, for I was bid by
Milo, and so I sate downe at the table, out of Pamphiles sight as
much as I could, being mindfull of the commandement of Byrrhena, and
sometimes I would cast myne eyes upon her as upon the furies of hell,
but I eftsoones turning my face behinde me, and beholding my Fotis
ministring at the table, was again refreshed and made merry. And behold
when Pamphiles did see the candle standing on the table, she said,
Verily wee shall have much raine to morrow. Which when her husband did
heare, he demanded of her by what reason she knew it? Mary (quoth shee)
the light on the table sheweth the same. Then Milo laughed and said,
Verily we nourish a Sybel prophesier, which by the view of a candle doth
divine of Celestiall things, and of the Sunne it selfe. Then I mused in
my minde and said unto Milo, Of truth it is a good experience and proof
of divination. Neither is it any marvell, for although this light is but
a small light, and made by the hands of men, yet hath it a remembrance
of that great and heavenly light, as of his parent, and doth shew unto
us what
