THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius supped with Byrrhena, and what a strange tale Bellephoron
told at the table.
T fortuned on a day, that Byrrhena desired me earnestly to suppe with
her; and shee would in no wise take any excusation. Whereupon I went to
Fotis, to aske counsell of her as of some Divine, who although she was
unwilling that I should depart one foot from her company, yet at length
shee gave me license to bee absent for a while, saying, Beware that
you tarry not long at supper there, for there is a rabblement of common
Barrettors and disturbers of the publique peace, that rove about in
the streets and murther all such as they may take, neither can law nor
justice redress them in any case. And they will the sooner set upon you,
by reason of your comelinesse and audacity, in that you are not afeared
at any time to walke in the streets.
Then I answered and sayd, Have no care of me Fotis, for I esteeme the pleasure which I have with thee, above the dainty meats that I eat abroad, and therefore I will returne againe quickly. Neverthelesse I minde not to come without company, for I have here my sword, wherby I hope to defend my selfe.
And so in this sort I went to supper, and behold I found in Byrrhena's house a great company of strangers, and the chiefe and principall of the city: the beds made of Citron and Ivory, were richly adorned and spread with cloath of gold, the Cups were garnished pretiously, and there were divers other things of sundry fashion, but of like estimation and price: here stood a glasse gorgeously wrought, there stood another of Christall finely painted. There stood a cup of glittering silver, and there stood another of shining gold, and here was another of amber artificially carved and
