them tydings what was done concerning the robbery: and so they beat us
forward over great hils out of the way. But I, what with my heavy
burden and long journy, did nothing differ from a dead asse: wherfore I
determined with my self to seek some civil remedy, and by invocation
of the name of the prince of the country to be delivered from so many
miseries: and on a time I passed through a great faire, I came among a
multitude of Greeks, and I thought to call upon the renowned name of the
Emperor and say, O Cesar, and cried out aloud O, but Cesar I could in
no wise pronounce. The Theeves little regarding my crying, did lay me on
and beat my wretched skinne in such sort, that after it was neither apt
nor meet to make Sives or Sarces. Howbeit at last Jupiter administred
to me an unhoped remedy. For when we had passed through many townes
and villages, I fortuned to espy a pleasant garden, wherein beside many
other flowers of delectable hiew, were new and fresh roses: and being
very joyful, and desirous to catch some as I passed by, I drew neerer
and neerer: and while my lips watered upon them, I thought of a better
advice more profitable for me, lest if from an asse I should become a
man, I might fall into the hands of the theeves, and either by suspition
that I were some witch, or for feare that I should utter their theft,
I should be slaine, wherefore I abstained for that time from eating of
Roses, and enduring my present adversity, I did eat hay as other Asses
did.





THE FOURTH BOOKE