Pamphile become an owl. Then, uttering a querulous scream, she made trial of her powers, leaping little by little from the ground; and presently, raising herself aloft, on full wing, she flies out of doors. And thus was she, of her own will, changed, by her own magic arts.

But I, though not enchanted by any magic spell, still, rivetted to the spot by astonishment at this performance, seemed to myself to be any thing else rather than Lucius. Thus deprived of my senses, and astounded, even to insanity, I was in a waking dream, and rubbed my eyes for some time, to ascertain whether or not I was awake at all. At last, however, returning to consciousness of the reality of things, I took hold of the right hand of Fotis, and putting it to my eyes, "Suffer me," said I, "I beg of you, to enjoy a great and singular proof of your affection, while the opportunity offers, and give me a little ointment from the same box. Grant this, my sweetest, I entreat you by these breasts of yours, and thus, by conferring on me an obligation that can never be repaid, bind me to you for ever as your slave. Be you my Venus, and let me stand by you a winged Cupid."

"And are you then, sweetheart, for playing me a fox's trick, and for causing me, of my own accord, to let fall the axe upon my legs? Must I run such risk of having my Lucius torn from me by the wolves of Thessaly? Where am I to look for him when he is changed into a bird? When shall I see him again?" "May the celestial powers," said I, "avert from me such a crime! Though borne aloft on the wings of the eagle itself, soaring through the midst of the heavens, as the trusty messenger, or joyous arm-bearer, of supreme Jove, would I not, after I had obtained this dignity of wing, still fly back every now and then to my nest? I swear to you, by that lovely little knot of hair, with which you have enchanted my spirit, that I would prefer no other to my Fotis. And then besides, I bethink me, that as soon as I am rubbed with that ointment, and shall have been changed into a bird of this kind, I shall be bound to keep at a distance from all human habitations; for what a beautiful and agreeable lover will the ladies gain in an owl! Why! do we not see that these birds of night, when

* Wolves of Thessaly ?]-There is some doubt among the Commentators which is meant here by the wolves of Thessaly; but it seems most probable that in her jealousy, Fotis intends to call the damsels of Thessaly by that name.

they have got into any house, are eagerly seized and nailed to the doors,* in order that they may atone, by their torments, for the evil destiny which they portend to the family by their inauspicious flight? But one thing I had almost forgot to inquire what must I say or do, in order to get rid of my wings, and return to my own form as Lucius ?"

:

"Be in no anxiety," she said, "about all that matter; for my mistress has made me acquainted with every thing that can again change such forms into the human shape. But do not suppose that this was done through any kind feeling towards me, but in order that I might assist her with the requisite remedies when she returns home. Only think with what simple and trifling herbs such a mighty result is brought about for instance, a little anise, with some leaves of laurel infused in spring water, and used as a lotion and a draught.”

Having assured me of this over and over again, she stole into her mistress's chamber with the greatest trepidation, and took a little box out of the casket. Having first hugged and kissed it, and offered up a prayer that it would favour me with a prosperous flight, I hastily divested myself of all my garments, then greedily dipping my fingers into the box, and taking thence a considerable quantity of the ointment, I rubbed it all over my body and limbs. And now, flapping my arms up and down, I anxiously awaited my change into a bird. But no down, no shooting wings appeared, but my hairs evidently became thickened into bristles, and my tender skin was hardened into a hide; my hands and feet, too, no longer furnished with distinct fingers and toes, formed as many massive hoofs, and a long tail projected from the extremity of my spine. My face was now enormous, my mouth wide, my nostrils gaping, and my lips hanging down. In like manner my ears grew hairy, and of immoderate length, and I found in every respect I had become enlarged.† Thus, hopelessly surveying all parts of my body, I beheld myself changed not into a bird, but an ass.

I wished to upbraid Fotis for the deed she had done; but, now deprived both of the gesture and voice of man, I could only expostulate with her silently with my under-lip hanging down,

*Nailed to the doors.]-We see the same sort of thing done at the present day in some parts of England, where owls, hawks, bats, &c., are nailed in great numbers to the stable doors.

+ Enlarged.]-The original is: Nec ullum miser reformationis video solatium nisi quod mihi jam nequeunti tenere Fotidem natura crescebat.

and looking sideways at her with tearful eyes. As for her, as soon as she beheld me thus changed, she beat her face with her hands, and cried aloud, "Wretch that I am, I am undone! In my haste and flurry I mistook one box for the other, deceived by their similarity. It is fortunate, however, that a remedy for this transformation is easily to be obtained; for, by only chewing roses, you will put off the form of an ass, and in an instant will become my Lucius once again. I only wish that I had prepared as usual some garlands of roses for us last evening; for then you would not have had to suffer the delay even of a single night. But, at the break of dawn, the remedy shall be provided for you."

Thus did she lament; and as for me, though I was a perfect ass, and instead of Lucius, a beast of burden, I still retained human sense: long and deeply, in fact, did I consider with myself, whether I ought not to bite and kick that most wicked woman to death. However, better thoughts recalled me from such rash designs, lest, by inflicting on Fotis the punishment of death, I should at once put an end to all chances of efficient assistance. So, bending my head low, shaking my ears, I silently swallowed my wrongs for a time, and submitting to my most dreadful misfortune, I betook myself to the stable to the good horse which had carried me so well, and there I found another ass also, which belonged to my former host Milo. Now it occurred to me that, if there are in dumb animals any silent and natural ties of sympathy, this horse of mine, being influenced by a certain feeling of recognition and compassion, would afford me room for a lodging, and the rights of hospitality. But, O Jupiter Hospitalis, and all you the guardian divinities of Faith! this very excellent nag of mine, and the ass, put their heads together, and immediately plotted schemes for my destruction; and as soon as they beheld me approaching the manger, laying back their ears and quite frantic with rage, they furiously attacked me with their heels, fearing I had design upon their food; consequently I was driven away into the farthest corner from that very barley, which the evening before I had placed, with my own hands, before that most grateful servant of mine.

*

Thus harshly treated and sent into banishment, I betook my

Rights of hospitality.]—' Lautiæ.' This was properly the name given to the entertainment provided by the Quæstors at Rome, for foreign ambassadors, when maintained at the public expense.

self to a corner of the stable. And while I reflected on the insolence of my companions, and formed plans of vengeance against the perfidious steed, for the next day, when I should have become Lucius once more by the aid of the roses, I beheld against the central square pillar which supported the beams of the stable, a statue of the goddess Hippona,* standing within a shrine, and nicely adorned with garlands of roses, and those, too, recently gathered. Inspired with hope, the moment I espied the salutary remedy, I boldly mounted as far as ever my fore legs could stretch; and then with neck at full length, and extending my lips as much as I possibly could, I endeavoured to catch hold of the garlands. But by a most unlucky chance, just as I was endeavouring to accomplish this, my servant lad, who had the constant charge of my horse, suddenly espied me, sprang to his feet in a great rage, and exclaimed, "How long are we to put up with this vile hack, which, but a few moments ago, was for making an attack upon the food of the cattle, and is now doing the same even to the statues of the Gods? But if I don't this very instant cause this sacrilegious beast to be both sore and crippled"-and searching for something with which to strike me, he stumbled upon a bundle of sticks that lay there, and, picking out a knotted cudgel, the largest he could find among them all, he did not cease to belabour my poor sides, until a loud thumping and banging at the outer gates, and an uproar of the neighbours shouting thieves! struck him with terror, and he took to his heels.

The next moment the doors were burst open, an armed band of robbers rushed in, and surrounded the house on all sides; people ran from all quarters to help the defence, but the robbers beat them off. Being all furnished with swords and torches, they illuminated the darkness of the night; and their swords gleamed like the rays of the rising sun. Then with their strong axes they broke open the stout bars and fastenings of a strong room in the middle of the house, which was filled with Milo's treasures, and having completely ransacked it, they hastily divided the booty, and tied it up in separate packages. Now the number of packages exceeded that of the men who were to carry them. Hence, being brought to extraordinary shifts, through a superabundance of wealth, they led forth us, the two asses, and my horse, from the stable, loaded

* The goddess Hippona.]—This was the guardian goddess of horses and stables. 'Hippona' seems a preferable reading to 'Epona.'

us with the heaviest burdens they possibly could, and drove us before them from the empty house, flourishing their sticks over us. Leaving one of their companions behind as a spy, to bring them word as to any proceedings taken in consequence of the robbery, they hurried us along through the bye-paths of the mountains, beating us every now and then, so that through the weight of my load, the steepness of the mountain, and the interminable length of the way, I was no better than a dead donkey. At last I very seriously thought of resorting to the aid of the civil power, and liberating myself from so many miseries, by invoking the august name of the Emporor.

For

Accordingly, when, in broad daylight, we were passing through a certain populous village, which was thronged with people celebrating a fair, I strove, in the midst of that crowd of Greeks, to utter the august name of Cæsar, in the native language, and I cried out O! distinctly and sonorously; but that was all, for the name of Cæsar I was not able to pronounce. The robbers abominating my discordant clamour, thumped and gored my miserable hide, and left it hardly fit for a corn sieve. But at last, that good Jupiter‡ bestowed on me an unexpected chance of deliverance. after we had passed by many small farms and fine country houses, I espied a delightful little garden, in which, besides other sweet flowers, there were virgin roses, § dripping with the morning dew. With longing desire, and overjoyed by the hope of safety, I moved towards them. But while, with quivering lips, I was preparing to seize them, this very important reflection came across me: if I divested myself of the asinine form, and again became Lucius, while in the hands of the robbers, they would surely kill me, either as a supposed magician, or for fear that I should inform against them. For the present, therefore, as a matter of necessity, I abstained from roses, and putting up with my present misfortune, was fain to champ my bridle under the guise of an ass.

* Cried out O!]-He wished to invoke the emperor, in the words 'Oh, Cæsar!' but could not get beyond the interjection. One of the commentators justly remarks, that'au' would be the sound uttered by him.

+ A corn sieve.]-Such as, made of sheepskin pierced with holes, are in use in Italy and elsewhere at the present day.-Head.

Good Jupiter.]-It is well observed by the Delphin editors, that Jupiter ille is an emphatic expression, signifying that Jupiter who providentially attends to all things, and regards the miserable.-Taylor.

§ Virgin roses.]-Roses not fully blown.

F