Maide be sowne into his belly, then let us
lay them upon a great stone against the broiling heate of the Sunne, so
they shall both sustaine all the punishments which you have ordained:
for first the Asse shall be slaine as you have determined, and she shall
have her members torne and gnawn with wild beasts, when as she is bitten
and rent with wormes, shee shall endure the paine of the fire, when as
the broyling heat of the Sunne shall scortch and parch the belly of the
Asse, shee shall abide the gallows when the Dogs and Vultures shall
have the guts of her body hanging in their ravenous mouthes. I pray you
number all the torments which she shall suffer: First shee shall dwell
within the paunch of an Asse: secondly her nosethrilles shall receive a
carraine stinke of the beast: thirdly shee shall dye for hunger: last of
all, shee shall finde no meane to ridde her selfe from her paines, for
her hand shalt be sowen up within the skinne of the Asse: This being
said, all the Theeves consented, and when I (poore Asse) heard and
understood all their device, I did nothing else but lament and bewayle
my dead carkasse, which should be handled in such sort on the next
morrow.

THE SEVENTH BOOKE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

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.

A soone as night was past, and the cleare Chariot of the Sunne had
spred his bright beames on every coast, came one of the company of the
theeves, (for so his and their greeting together did declare) who at the
first entry into the Cave (after hee had breathed himselfe, and was able
to speake) told these tydings unto his companions in this sort. Sirs,
as touching the house of Milo of Hippata, which we forcibly entred and
ransackt the last day, we may put away all feare and doubt nothing at
all. For after that ye by force of armes, had spoyled and taken away all
things in the house, and returned hither into our Cave; I (thrusting my
selfe amongst the presse of the people, and shewing my selfe as though
I were sad and sorrowful for the mischance) consulted with them for the
boulting out of the matter, and devising what meanes might be wrought
for the apprehension of the theeves, to the intent I might learne and
see all that was done to make relation thereof unto you as you willed
me, insomuch that the whole