The Golden Ass of Apuleius/Chapter 12
THE
THIRD BOOKE
of LUCIUS APULEIUS of
THE GOLDEN ASSE
THE TWELFTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for murther.
HEN 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.