How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for murther.
When morning was come, and that I was awaked from sleep, my heart
burned sore with remembrance of the murther I had committed the night
before: and I rose and sate downe on the side of the bed with my legges
acrosse, and wringing my hands, I weeped in most miserable sort. For I
imagined with my selfe, that I was brought before the Judge in the
Judgement place, and that he awarded sentence against me, and that the
hangman was ready to lead me to the gallows. And further I imagined and
sayd, Alasse what Judge is he that is so gentle or benigne, that will
thinke that I am unguilty of the slaughter and murther of these three
men. Howbeit the Assyrian Diophanes did firmely assure unto me, that my
peregrination and voyage hither should be prosperous. But while I did
thus unfold my sorrowes, and greatly bewail my fortune, behold I heard
a great noyse and cry at the dore, and in came the Magistrates and
officers, who commanded two sergeants to binde and leade me to prison,
whereunto I was willingly obedient, and as they led me through the
street, all the City gathered together and followed me, and although I
looked always on the ground for very shame, yet sometimes I cast my
head aside and marvelled greatly that among so many thousand people
there was not one but laughed exceedingly. Finally, when they had
brought me through all the streets of the city, in manner of those that
go in procession, and do sacrifice to mitigate the ire of the gods,
they placed mee in the Judgement hall, before the seat of the Judges:
and after that the Crier had commanded all men to keep silence, and
people desired the Judges to give sentence in the great Theatre, by
reason of the great multitude that was there, whereby they were in
danger of stifling. And behold the prease of people increased stil,
some climed to the top of the house, some got upon the beames, some
upon the Images, and some thrust their heads through the windowes,
little regarding the dangers they were in, so they might see me.
Then the officers brought mee forth openly into the middle of the hall,
that every man might behold me. And after that the Cryer had made a
noise, and willed all such that would bring any evidence against me,
should come forth, there stept out an old man with a glasse of water in
his hand, dropping out softly, who desired that hee might have liberty
to speake during the time of the continuance of the water. Which when
it was granted, he began his oration in this sort.