and more, bearing in his left hand the timbrill, and in the other a
garland of Roses to give me, to the end I might be delivered from cruel
fortune, which was alwaies mine enemie, after the sufferance of so much
calamitie and paine, and after the endurance of so manie perilles:
Then I not returning hastilie, by reason of sodaine joye, lest I should
disturbe the quiet procession with mine importunitie, but going softly
through the prease of the people, which gave me place on every side,
went after the Priest. The priest being admonished the night before, as
I might well perceive stood still and holding out his hand, thrust out
the garland of roses into my mouth, I (trembling) devoured with a great
affection: And as soone as I had eaten them, I was not deceived of the
promise made unto me. For my deforme and Assie face abated, and first
the rugged haire of my body fell off, my thick skin waxed soft and
tender, the hooves of my feet changed into toes, my hands returned
againe, my neck grew short, my head and mouth began round, my long eares
were made little, my great and stonie teeth waxed lesse like the teeth
of men, and my tayle which combred me most, appeared no where: then the
people began to marvaile, and the religious honoured the goddesse, for
so evident a miracle, they wondered at the visions which they saw in
the night, and the facilitie of my reformation, whereby they rendered
testimonie of so great a benefit which I received of the goddesse.
When I saw my selfe in such estate, I stood still a good space and said
nothing, for I could not tell what to say, nor what word I shoulde first
speake, nor what thanks I should render to the goddesse, but the
great Priest understanding all my fortune and miserie, by divine
advertisement, commanded that one should give me garments to cover me:
Howbeit as soone as I was transformed from an asse to my humane shape,
I hid the privitie of my body with my hands as shame and necessity
compelled mee. Then one of the company put off his upper robe and put
it on my backe: which done, the Priest looked upon me, with a sweete