The Golden Asse

Table of Contents

• Notes on this Edition
• Epistle Dedicatory
• To the Reader
• The Life of Lucius Apuleius
• The Preface of the Author
• First Booke
  • 1. How Apuleius riding in Thessaly, fortuned to fall into company with two strangers, that reasoned together of the mighty power of Witches.
  • 2. How Apuleius told to the strangers, what he saw a Jugler do in Athens.
  • 3. How Socrates in his returne from Macedony to Larissa was spoyled and robbed, and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe a Witch.
  • 4. How Meroe the Witch turned divers persons into miserable beasts.
  • 5. How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one Chamber, and how they were handled by Witches.
  • 6. How Apuleius came to a city named Hipate and was lodged in one Milos house, and brought him letters from Demeas of Corinth.
  • 7. How Apuleius going to buy fish, met with his companion Pythias.
• Second Booke
  • 8. How Apuleius fortuned to meet with his Cousin Byrrhena.
  • 9. How Apuleius fell in love with Fotis.
  • 10. How Byrrhena sent victuals unto Apuleius, and how hee talked with Milo of Diophanes, and how he lay with Fotis.
  • 11. How Apuleius supped with Byrrhena, and what a strange tale Bellephoron told at the table.
• Third Booke
  • 12. How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for murther.
  • 13. How Apuleius was accused by an old man, and how hee answered for himselfe.
  • 14. How Apuleius was accused by two women, and how the slaine bodies were found blowne bladders.
  • 15. How Fotis told to Apuleius, what witchcraft her mistresse did use.
  • 16. How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistresse enchant.
  • 17. How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a bird, was turned into an Asse, and how hee was led away by Theves.
• Fourth Booke
  • 18. How Apuleius thinking to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener, and chased by dogs.
  • 19. How Apuleius was prevented of his purpose, and how the Theeves came to their den.
  • 20. How Trasileon was disguised in a Beares skin, and how he was handled.
  • 21. How the theeves stole away a Gentlewoman, and brought her to their den.
• Fifth Booke
  • 22. The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of Cupid and Psyches.
• Sixth Booke
  • 23. How Apuleius carried away the Gentlewoman, and how they were taken againe by the theeves, and what a kind of death was invented for them.
• Seventh Booke
  • 24. How hee that was left behinde at Hippata did bring newes concerning the robbery of Miloes house, came home and declared to his Company, that all the fault was laid to one Apuleius his charge.
  • 25. How the death of the Asse, and the Gentlewoman was stayed.
  • 26. How all the Theeves were brought asleepe by their new companion.
  • 27. How the Gentlewoman was carried home by her husband while the theeves were asleepe, and how much Apuleius was made of.
  • 28. How Apuleius was made a common Asse to fetch home wood, and how he was handled by a boy.
  • 29. How Apuleius was accused of Lechery by the boy.
  • 30. How the boy that lead Apuleius to the field, was slaine in the wood.
  • 31. How Apuleius was cruelly beaten by the Mother of the boy that was slaine.
• Eighth Booke
  • 32. How a young man came and declared the miserable death of Lepolemus and his wife Charites.
  • 33. How Apuleius was lead away by the Horsekeeper: and what danger he was in.
  • 34. How the shepheards determined to abide in a certaine wood to cure their wounds.
  • 35. How a woman killed her selfe and her child, because her husband haunted harlots.
  • 36. How Apuleius was cheapned by divers persons, and how they looked in his mouth to know his age.
• Ninth Booke
  • 37. How Apuleius saved himselfe from the Cooke, breaking his halter, and of other things that happened.
  • 38. Of the deceipt of a Woman which made her husband Cuckold.
  • 39. How the Priests of the goddesse Siria were taken and put in prison, and how Apuleius was sold to a Baker.
  • 40. How Apuleius was handled by the Bakers wife, which was a harlot.
  • 41. How Barbarus being jealous over his wife, commanded that shee should be kept close in his house, and what happened.
  • 42. How Apuleius after the Baker was hanged, was sold to a Gardener, and what dreadfull things happened.
  • 43. How Apuleius was found by his shadow.
• Tenth Booke
  • 44. How the souldier drave Apuleius away, and how he came to a Captaines house, and what happened there.
  • 45. How Apuleius was sold to two brethren, whereof one was a Baker, and the other a Cooke, and how finely and daintily he fared.
  • 46. How a certaine Matron fell in love with Apuleius, how hee had his pleasure with her, and what other things happened.
• Eleventh Booke
  • 47. How Apuleius by Roses and prayer returned to his humane shape.
  • 48. How the parents and friends of Apuleius heard news that he was alive and in good health.
• Glossary