be thereby more fat and better in flesh. For I know my selfe as
well many Asses, as also most fierce horses, that by reason of their
wantonnesse have beene most mad and terrible, but (when they were gelded
and cut) they have become gentle and tame, and tractable to all use.
Wherefore I would counsell you to geld him. And if you consent thereto,
I will by and by, when I go to the next market fetch mine irons and
tooles for the purpose: And I ensure you after that I have gelded and
cut off his stones, I will deliver him unto you as tame as a lambe.
When I did perceive that I was delivered from death, and reserved to
be gelded, I was greatly sorrie, insomuch that I thought all the hinder
part of my body and my stones did ake for woe, but I sought about to
kill my selfe by some manner of meanes, to the end if I should die, I
would die with unperished members.




THE THIRTIETH CHAPTER


How the boy that lead Apuleius to the field, was slaine in the wood.

While I devised with my selfe in what manner I might end my life, the
roperipe boy on the next morrow lead me to the same hill againe, and
tied me to a bow of a great Oke, and in the meane season he tooke his
hatchet and cut wood to load me withall, but behold there crept out of
a cave by, a marvailous great Beare, holding out his mighty head, whom
when I saw, I was sodainly stroken in feare, and (throwing all the
strength of my body into my hinder heeles) lifted up my strained head
and brake the halter, wherewith I was tied. Then there was no need to