Figure 21: Lucius Apuleius Platonicus

 

English translation by William Adlington, 1566

http://books.eserver.org/fiction/apuleius

 

 

Metamorphoses (also: Asinus aureus; The Golden Ass), ca. 170 AD

 

Liber V

(also: Psyche et Cupido)

(The Twenty-Second Chapter)

 

3.

Sensit Psyche divinae providentiae beatitudinem, monitusque vocis informis audiens et prius somno et mox lavacro fatigationem sui diluit, visoque statim proximo semirotundo suggestu, propter instrumentum cenatorium rata refectui suo commodum libens accumbit. Et ilico vini nectarei eduliumque variorum fercula copiosa nullo serviente sed tantum spiritu quodam impulsa subministrantur. Nec quemquam tamen illa videre poterat, sed verba tantum audiebat excidentia et solas voces famulas habebat. Post opimas dapes quidam introcessit et cantavit invisus et alius citharam pulsavit, quae videbatur nec ipsa. Tunc modulatae multitudinis conserta vox aures eius affertur, ut, quamvis hominum nemo pareret, chorus tamen esse pateret.

 

Then Psyches perceived the felicity of divine providence, and according to the advertisement of the incorporeall voyces she first reposed her selfe upon the bed, and then refreshed her body in the baines. This done, shee saw the table garnished with meats, and a chaire to sit downe.

When Psyches was set downe, all sorts of divine meats and wines were brought in, not by any body, but as it were with a winde, for she saw no person before her, but only heard voyces on every side. After that all the services were brought to the table, one came in and sung invisibly, another played on the harpe, but she saw no man. The harmony of the Instruments did so greatly shrill in her eares, that though there were no manner of person, yet seemed she in the midst of a multitude of people.

 

15.

Sic adfectione simulata paulatim sororis invadunt animum. Statimque eas lassitudinem viae sedilibus refotas et balnearum vaporosis fontibus curatas pulcherrime triclinio mirisque illis et beatis edulibus atque tuccetis oblectat. Iubet citharam loqui: psallitur; tibias agere: sonatur; choros canere: cantatur. Quae cuncta nullo praesente dulcissimis modulis animos audientium remulcebant. Nec tamen scelestarum feminarum nequitia vel illa mellita cantus dulcedine mollita conquievit, sed ad destinatam fraudium pedicam sermonem conferentes dissimulanter occipiunt sciscitari qualis ei maritus et unde natalium secta cuia proveniret. Tunc illa simplicitate nimia pristini sermonis oblita novum commentum instruit atque maritum suum de provincia proxima magnis pecuniis negotiantem iam medium cursum aetatis agere interspersum rara canitie. Nec in sermone isto tantillum morata rursum opiparis muneribus eas onustas ventoso vehiculo reddidit.

 

By this kinde of measures they went about to winne Psyches by little and little, but because they were wearie with travell, they sate them downe in chaires, and after that they had washed their bodies in baines they went into a parlour, where all kinde of meats were ready prepared. Psyches commanded one to play with his harpe, it was done. Then immediately others sung, others tuned their instruments, but no person was seene, by whose sweet harmony and modulation the sisters of Psyches were greatly delighted.

Howbeit the wickednesse of these cursed women was nothing suppressed by the sweet noyse of these instruments, but they settled themselves to work their treasons against Psyches, demanding who was her husband, and of what Parentage. Then shee having forgotten by too much simplicity, what shee had spoken before of her husband, invented a new answer, and said that her husband was of a great province, a merchant, and a man of middle age, having his beard intersparsed with grey haires.

 

 

Liber VI

(The Twenty-Third Chapter)

 

6.

At Venus terrenis remediis inquisitionis abnuens caelum petit. Iubet instrui currum quem ei Vulcanus aurifex subtili fabrica studiose poliverat et ante thalami rudimentum nuptiale munus obtulerat limae tenuantis detrimento conspicuum et ipsius auri damno pretiosum. De multis quae circa cubiculum dominae stabulant procedunt quattuor candidae columbae et hilaris incessibus picta colla torquentes iugum gemmeum subeunt susceptaque domina laetae subvolant. Currum deae prosequentes gannitu constrepenti lasciviunt passeres et ceterae quae dulce cantitant aves melleis modulis suave resonantes adventum deae pronuntiant. Cedunt nubes et Caelum filiae panditur et summus aether cum gaudio suscipit deam, nec obvias aquilas vel accipitres rapaces pertimescit magnae Veneris canora familia.

 

After that Venus was weary with searching by Sea and Land for Psyches, shee returned toward heaven, and commanded that one should prepare her Chariot, which her husband Vulcanus gave unto her by reason of marriage, so finely wrought that neither gold nor silver could be compared to the brightnesse therof. Four white pigeons guided the chariot with great diligence, and when Venus was entred in, a number of sparrowes flew chirping about, making signe of joy, and all other kind of birds sang sweetly, foreshewing the comming of the great goddesse: the clouds gave place, the heavens opened, and received her joyfully, the birds that followed nothing feared the Eagle, Hawkes, or other ravenous foules of the aire.

 

 

Liber VIII

 

30.

Hac infamia consternati, quae per ora populi facile dilapsa merito invisos ac detestabiles eos cunctis effecerat, noctem ferme circa mediam collectis omnibus furtim castello facessunt bonaque itineris parte ante iubaris exortum transacta iam die claro solitudines avias nancti, nulla secum prius conlocuti, accingunt se meo funeri deaque vehiculo meo sublata et humi reposita cunctis stramentis me renudatum ac de quadam quercu destinatum flagro illo pecuinis ossibus catenato verberantes paene ad extremam confecerant mortem; fuit unus, qui poplites meos enervare secure sua comminaretur, quod de pudore illo candido scilicet suo tam deformiter triumphassem: sed ceteri non meae salutis, sed simulacri iacentis contemplatione in vita me retinendum censuere. Rursum itaque me refertum sarcinis planis gladiis minantes perveniunt ad quandam nobilem civitatem, Inibi vir principalis, et alias religiosus et eximie deum reverens, tinnitu cymbalorum et sonu tympanorum cantusque Phrygii mulcentibus modulis excitus procurrit obviam deamque votivo suscipiens hospitio nos omnis intra conseptum domus amplissimae constituit numenque summa veneratione atque hostiis opimis placare contendit.

 

In the meane season, Phelibus and his company, (by reason of the bruit which was dispersed throughout all the region there of their beastly wickednesse) put all their trumpery upon my backe, and departed away about midnight. When we had passed a great part of our journey, before the rising of the Sun, we came into a wild desart, where they conspired together to slay me. For after they had taken the goddesse from my backe and set her gingerly upon the ground, they likewise tooke off my harnesse, and bound me surely to an Oake, beating me with their whip, in such sort that all my body was mortified. Amongst whom there was one that threatened to cut off my legs with his hatchet, because by my noyse I diffamed his chastity, but the other regarding more their owne profit than my utility, thought best to spare my life, because I might carry home the goddesse. So they laded me againe, driving me before them with their naked swords, till they came to a noble City: where the principall Patrone bearing high reverence unto the goddesse, came in great devotion before us with Tympany, Cymbals, and other instruments, and received her, and all our company with much sacrifice and veneration.

 

 

Liber X

 

31.

Super has introcessit alia, visendo decore praepollens, gratia coloris ambrosei designans Venerem, qualis fuit Venus, cum fuit virgo, nudo et intecto corpore perfectam formositatem professa, nisi quod tenui pallio bombycino inumbrabat spectabilem pubem. Quam quidem laciniam curiosulus ventus satis amanter nunc lasciviens reflabat, ut dimota pateret flos aetatulae, nunc luxurians aspirabat, ut adhaerens pressule membrorum voluptatem graphice liniaret. Ipse autem color deae diversus in speciem, corpus candidum, quod caleo demeat, amictus caerulus, quod mari remeat. Iam singulas virgines, quae deae putabantur, (sui tutabantur) comites, Iunonem quidem Castor et Pollux, quorum capita cassides ovatae stellarum apicibus insignes contegebant, sed et isti Castores erant scaenici pueri. Haec puella varios modulos Iastia concinente tibia procedens quieta et inadfectata gesticulatione nutibus honesti pastori pollicetur, si sibi praemium decoris addixisset, sese regnum totius Asiae tributuram. At illam quam cultus armorum Minervam fecerat duo pueri muniebant, proeliaris deae comites armigeri, Terror et Metus, nudis insultantes gladiis. At pone tergum tibice Dorium canebat bellicosum et permiscens bombis gravibus tinnitus acutos in modum tubae saltationis agilis vigorem suscitabat. Haec inquieto capite et oculis in aspectum minacibus citato et intorto genere gesticulationis alacer demonstrabat Paridi, si sibi formae victoriam tradidisset, fortem tropaeisque bellorum inclitum suis adminiculis futurum.

 

then came another which passed the other in beauty, and presented the Goddesse Venus, with the color of Ambrosia, when she was a maiden, and to the end she would shew her perfect beauty shee appeared all naked, saving that her fine and dainty skin was covered with a thin smocke, which the wind blew hither and thither to testifie the youth and flowre of the age of the dame. Her colour was of two sorts, for her body was white as descended from heaven, and her smocke was blewish, as arrived from the sea: After every one of the Virgins which seemed goddesses, followed certaine waiting servants, Castor and Pollus went behind Juno, having on their heads helmets covered with starres. This Virgin Juno sounded a Flute, which shee bare in her hand, and mooved her selfe towards the shepheard Paris, shewing by honest signes and tokens, and promising that hee should be Lord of all Asia, if hee would judge her the fairest of the three, and to give her the apple of gold: the other maiden which seemed by her armour to be Pallas, was accompanied with two young men armed, and brandishing their naked swords in their hands, whereof one named Terror, and the other Feare; behind them approached one sounding his trumpet to provoke and stirre men to battell; this maiden began to dance and shake her head, throwing her fierce and terrible eyes upon Paris and promising that if it pleased him to give her the victory of beauty, shee would make him the most strong and victorious man alive.

 

Liber XI

 

9.

Inter has oblectationes ludicras popularium, quae passim vagabantur, iam sospitatricis deae peculiaris pompa moliebatur. Mulieres candido splendentes amicimine, vario laetantes gestamine, verno florentes coronamine, quae de gremio per viam, qua sacer incedebat comitatus, solum sternebant flosculis, aliae, quae nitentibus speculis pone tergum reversis venienti deae obvium commonstrarent obsequium et quae pectines eburnos ferentes gestu brachiorum flexuque digitorum ornatum atque obpexum crinium regalium fingerent, illae etiam, quae ceteris unguentis et geniali balsamo guttatim excusso conspargebant plateas; magnus praeterea sexus utriusque numerus lucernis, taedis, cereis et alio genere facticii luminis siderum caelestium stirpem propitiantes.

 

Symphoniae dehinc suaves, fistulae tibiaeque modulis dulcissimis personabant. Eas amoenus lectissimae iuventutis veste nivea et cataclista praenitens sequebatur chorus, carmen venustum iterantes, quod Camenarum favore sollers poeta modulatus edixerat, quod argumentum referebat interim maiorum antecantamenta votorum. Ibant et dicati magno Sarapi tibicines, qui per oblicum calamum, ad aurem porrectum dexteram, familiarem templi deique modulum frequentabant, et plerique, qui facilem sacris viam dari praedicarent.

 

Amongst the pleasures and popular delectations, which wandered hither and thither, you might see the pompe of the goddesse triumphantly march forward: The woman [sic] attired in white vestiments, and rejoysing, in that they bare garlands and flowres upon their heads, bespread the waies with hearbes, which they bare in their aprons, where this regall and devout procession should passe: Other caried glasses on their backes, to testifie obeysance to the goddes which came after. Other bare combes of Ivory, and declared by their gesture and motions of their armes, that they were ordained and readie to dresse the goddesse: Others dropped in the wayes as they went Balme and other pretious ointments: Then came a great number, as well of men as women, with candels, torches, and other lights, doing honour to the celestiall goddesse:

After that sounded the musicall harmony of instruments: then came a faire companie of youth, apparelled in white vestiments, singing both meeter and verse, with a comely grace which some studious Poet had made in honour of the Muses: In the meane season, arrived the blowers of trumpets, which were dedicated unto Serapis, and to the temple before them were officers and bedles, preparing roome for the goddes to passe. Then came the great company of men and women, which had taken divine orders, whose garments glistered all the streets over.

 

24.

Mane factum est, et perfectis sollemnibus processi duodecim sacratus stolis, sed effari deo eo nullo vinculo prohibeor, quippe quod tunc temporis videre praesentes plurimi. Namque in ipso aedis sacrae meditullio ante deae simulacrum constitutum tribunal ligneum iussus superstiti byssina quidem sed floride depicta veste conspicuus. Et umeris dependebat pone tergum talorum tenus pretiosa chlamida. Quaqua tamen viseres, colore vario circumnotatis insignibar animalibus; hinc dracones Indici, inde grypes Hyperborei, quos in speciem pinnatae alitis generat mundus alter. Hanc Olympiacam stolam sacrati nuncupant. At manu dextera gerebam flammis adultam facem et caput decore corona cinxerat palmae candidae foliis in modum radiorum prosistentibus. Sic ad instar Solis exornato me et in vicem simulacri constituto, repente velis reductis, in aspectum populus errabat. Exhinc festissimum celebravi natalem sacrorum, et suaves epulae et faceta convivia. Dies etiam tertius pari caerimoniarum ritu celebratus et ientaculum religiosum et teletae legitima consummatio. Paucis dehinc ibidem commoratus diebus inexplicabili voluptate simulacri divini perfruebar, inremunerabili quippe beneficio pigneratus. Sed tandem deae monitu, licet non plene, tamen pro meo modulo supplicue gratis persolutis, tardam satis domuitionem comparo, vix equidem abruptis ardentissimi desiderii retinaculis. Provolutus denique ante conspectum deae et facie mea diu detersis vestigiis eius, lacrimis obortis, singultu crebro sermonem interficiens et verba devorans aio:

 

 

When morning came, and that the solemnities were finished, I came forth sanctified with xii. Stoles and in a religious habit, whereof I am not forbidden to speake, considering that many persons saw me at that time: there I was commanded to stand upon a seat of wood, which stood in the middle of the temple, before the figure and remembrance of the goddesse; my vestiment was of fine linnen, covered and embroidered with flowers. I had a pretious Cope upon my shoulders hanging downe to the ground, whereon were beasts of divers colours, as Indian dragons, and Hiperborian Griphons, whom in forme of birds, the other world doth ingender; the Priests commonly call such a habit, a celestiall Stole: in my right hand I carried a light torch, and a garland of flowers upon my head, with Palme leaves sprouting out on every side: I was adorned like unto the Sun, and made in fashion of an Image, in such sort that all the people compassed about to behold me: then they began to solemnize the feast of the nativitie, and the new procession with sumptuous bankets and delicate meates: the third day was likewise celebrated with like ceremonies with a religious dinner, and with all the consummation of the order: when I had continued there a good space, I conceived a marvailous great pleasure and consolation in beholding ordinarily the Image of the goddesse, who at length admonished me to depart homeward, not without rendring of thanks, which although it were not sufficient, yet they were according to my power. Howbeit I could unneth [*] be perswaded to depart, before I had fallen prostrate before the face of the goddesse, and wiped her steps with my face, whereby I began so greatly to weepe and sigh that my words were interrupted, and as devouring my prayer, I began to say in this sort:

 

 

De dogmate Platonis

 

Liber I

 

XIV

Sensus vero ipsi ad ea quae sunt sensibilia apte conposita naturaintellegentiam cognatam tenent. Ac primo oculorum acies gemellas perlucidas et quadam luce visionis inlustres noscendi luminis officium tenere. Auditionem vero, aeriae naturae participem, aeris nuntiis percipere sonores. Iam gustatus solutiores esse sensus ideoque umidioribus et aquosispotius commodatos. Tactum etiam terrarum atque corporeum solidiora quaeque contingi offendique possunt sentire. Eorum etiam quae corrupta mutantur separata intellegentia est; in media namque regione oris nares natura constituit, quarum bifori via odor cum spiritu commeat. Conversiones autem multationesque odoratus causas dare easque de corruptis vel adustis vel mitescentibus aut madefactis sentiri, cum quidem ea, quae feruntur vapore velfumo exhalantur, odorum viis iudicium sensusque succedunt; nam res[istent]integrae et aer purus numquam eiusmodi auris inficiunt eos.Sensus quidem ipsi communes nobis sunt cum ceteris animantibus; at enim hominis sollertia eiusmodi divino beneficio instructior auctiorque, quod auditus illi est visusque praestantior. Oculis namque metitus est caelum siderumque circuitus et astrorum obitus atque ortus eorumque cum significatibus spatia comprehendit, ex quo pulcherrimus et uberrimus fons ille philosophiae profluxit. Auditu vero quid homini magnificentius potuit evenire, per quem prudentiam sapientiamque condisceret numerosque orationis metiretur ac modos faceret fieretque ipse totus modulatus ac musicus? Lingua et dentium vallum et ipsius osculi venustas accessit. Quod quidem aliis animantibus ad explendam victus necessitatem inferendasque ventri copias conparatum est, sed homini promptuarium potius rectae rationis et suavissimae orationis hoc datum est, ut, quae prudentia corde conceperit, ea sensa promat oratio.

 

 

Florida, ca. 170 AD

 

IV

Tibicen quidam fuit Antigenidas, omnis voculae melleus modulator et idem omnimodis peritus modificator, seu tu velles Aeolion simplex sive Iastium varium seu Ludium querulum seu Phrygium religiosum seu Dorium bellicosum. Is igitur cum esset in tibicinio adprime nobilis, nihil aeque se laborare et animo angi et mente dicebat, quam quod monumentarii ceraulae tibicines dicerentur. Sed ferret aequo animo hanc nominum communionem, si mimos spectavisset: animadverteret illic paene simili purpura alios praesidere, alios vapulare; itidem si munera nostra spectaret: nam illic quoque videret hominem praesidere, hominem depugnare; togam quoque parari et voto et funeri, item pallio cadavera operiri et philosophos amiciri.