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Thus as we reasoned together the courage of Venus assailed； as well our desires as our members； and so she unrayed herself and came to bed； and we passed the night in pastime and dalliance； till as by drowsie and unlusty sleep I was constrained to lie still。
THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER
How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistresse enchant。
On a day Fotis came running to me in great feare； and said that her mistresse； to work her sorceries on such as shee loved； intended the night following to transforme her selfe into a bird； and to fly whither she pleased。 Wherefore she willed me privily to prepare my selfe to see the same。 And when midnight came she led me softly into a high chamber； and bid me look thorow the chink of a doore ： where first I saw how shee put off all her garments； and took out of a certain coffer sundry kindes of Boxes； of the which she opened one； and tempered the ointment therein with her fingers； and then rubbed her body therewith from the sole of the foot to the crowne of the head； and when she had spoken privily with her selfe； having the candle in her hand； she shaked the parts of her body； and behold； I perceived a plume of feathers did burgen out； her nose waxed crooked and hard； her nailes turned into clawes； and so she became an Owle。 Then she cried and screeched like a bird of that kinde； and willing to proove her force； mooved her selfe from the ground by little and little； til at last she flew quite away。
Thus by her sorcery shee transformed her body into what shape she would。 Which when I saw I was greatly astonied ： and although I was inchanted by no kind of charme； yet I thought that I seemed not to have the likenesse of Lucius； for so was I banished from my sences； amazed in madnesse； and so I dreamed waking； that I felt myne eyes； whether I were asleepe or no。 But when I was come againe to my selfe； I tooke Fotis by the hand； and moved it to my face and said； I pray thee while occasion doth serve； that I may have the fruition of the fruits of my desire； and grant me some of this oyntment。 O Fotis I pray thee by thy sweet paps； to make that in the great flames of my love I may be turned into a bird； so I will ever hereafter be bound unto you； and obedient to your commandement。 Then said Fotis； Wil you go about to deceive me now； and inforce me to work my own sorrow？ Are you in the mind that you will not tarry in Thessaly？ If you be a bird； where shall I seek you； and when shall I see you？ Then answered I； God forbid that I should commit such a crime； for though I could fly in the aire as an Eagle or though I were the messenger of Jupiter； yet would I have recourse to nest with thee ： and I swear by the knot of thy amiable hair； that since the time I first loved thee； I never fancied any other person ： moreover； this commeth to my minde； that if by the vertue of the oyntment I shall become an Owle； I will take heed I will come nigh no mans house ： for I am not to learn； how these matrons would handle their lovers； if they knew that they were transformed into Owles ： Moreover； when they are taken in any place they are nayled upon posts； and so they are worthily rewarded； because it is thought that they bring evill fortune to the house。 But I pray you （which I had almost forgotten） to tell me by what meanes when I am an Owle； I shall return to my pristine shape； and become Lucius againe。 Feare not （quoth she） for my mistres hath taught me the way to bring that to passe； neither thinke you that she did it for any good will and favour； but to the end that I might help her； and minister some remedy when she returneth home。
Consider I pray you with your selfe； with what frivolous trifles so marvellous a thing is wrought ： for by Hercules I swear I give her nothing else save a little Dill and Lawrell leaves； in Well water； the which she drinketh and washeth her selfe withall。 Which when she had spoken she went into the chamber and took a box out of the coffer； which I first kissed and embraced； and prayed that I might ＇have＇ good successe in my purpose。 And then I put off all my garments； and greedily thrust my hand into the box； and took out a good deale of oyntment and rubbed my selfe withall。
THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER
How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a Bird； was turned into an Asse； and how he was led away by Theves。
After that I had well rubbed every part and member of my body； I hovered with myne armes； and moved my selfe； looking still when I should bee changed into a Bird as Pamphiles was； and behold neither feathers nor appearance of feathers did burgen out； but verily my haire did turne in ruggednesse； and my tender skin waxed tough and hard； my fingers and toes losing the number of five； changed into hoofes； and out of myne arse grew a great taile； now my face became monstrous； my nosthrils wide； my lips hanging downe； and myne eares rugged with haire ： neither could I see any comfort of my transformation； for my members encreased likewise； and so without all helpe （viewing every part of my poore body） I perceived that I was no bird； but a plaine Asse。
The I though to blame Fotis； but being deprived as wel of language as of humane shape； I looked upon her with my hanging lips and watery eyes。 Who as soon as shee espied me in such sort； cried out； Alas poore wretch that I am； I am utterly cast away。 The feare I was in； and my haste hath beguiled me； but especially the mistaking of the box； hath deceived me。 But it forceth not much； in regard a sooner medicine may be gotten for this than for any other thing。 For if thou couldst get a rose and eat it； thou shouldst be delivered from the shape of an Asse； and become my Lucius againe。 And would to God I had gathered some garlands this evening past； according to my custome； then thou shouldst not continue an Asse one nights space； but in the morning I shall seek some remedy。 Thus Fotis lamented in pittifull sort； but I that was now a perfect asse； and for Lucius a brute beast； did yet retaine the sence and understanding of a man。 And did devise a good space with my selfe； whether it were best for me to teare this mischievous and wicked harlot with my mouth； or to kicke and kill her with my heels。 But a better thought reduced me from so rash a purpose ： for I feared lest by the death of Fotis I should be deprived of all remedy and help。 Then shaking myne head； and dissembling myne ire； and taking my adversity in good part； I went into the stable to my owne horse； where I found another asse of Milos； somtime my host； and I did verily think that mine owne horse （if there were any natural conscience or knowledge in brute beasts） would take pitty on me； and profer me lodging for that night ： but it chanced far otherwise。 For see； my horse and the asse as it were consented together to work my harm； and fearing lest I should eat up their provender； would in no wise suffer me to come nigh the manger； but kicked me with their heels from their meat； which I my self gave them the night before。 Then I being thus handled by them； and driven away； got me into a corner of the stable； where while I remembred their uncurtesie； and how on the morrow I should return to Lucius by the help of a Rose； when as I thought to revenge my selfe of myne owne horse； I fortuned to espy in the middle of a pillar sustaining the rafters of the stable the image of the goddesse Hippone； which was garnished and decked round about with faire and fresh roses ： then in hope of present remedy； I leaped up with my fore feet as high as I could； stretching out my neck； and with my lips coveting to snatch some roses。 But in an evill houre I did go about that enterprise； for behold the boy to whom I gave charge of my horse； came presently in； and finding me climbing upon the pillar； ranne fretting towards me and said； How long shall wee suffer this wild Asse； that doth not onely eat up his fellowes meat； but also would spoyl the images of the gods？ Why doe I not kill this lame theefe and weake wretch。 And therewithall looking about for some cudgel； hee espied where lay a fagot of wood； and chusing out a crabbed truncheon of the biggest hee could finde； did never cease beating of mee poore wretch； until such time as by great noyse and rumbling； hee heard the doores of the house burst open； and the neighbours crying in most lamentable sort； which enforced him being stricken in feare； to fly his way。 And by and by a troupe of theeves entred in； and kept every part and corner of the house with weapons。 And as men resorted to aid and help them which were within the doores； the theeves resisted and kept them back； for every man was armed with a sword and target in his hand； the glimpses whereof did yeeld out such light as if it had bin day。 Then they brake open a great chest with double locks and bolts； wherein was layd all the treasure of Milo； and ransackt the same ： which when they had done they packed it up and gave every man a portion to carry ： but when they had more than they could beare away； yet were they loth to leave any behind； but came into the stable； and took us two poore asses and my horse； and laded us with greater trusses than wee were able to beare。 And when we were out of the house； they followed us with great s