To Stéphane Mallarmé This Metamorphosis of an Ancient Decadent...

The Golden Ass of Apuleius is, so to say, a beginning of modern literature. From this brilliant medley of reality and romance, of wit and pathos, of fantasy and observation, was born that new art, com...

After that I had taken upon me (right honourable) in manner of that unlearned and foolish poet, Choerilus, who rashly and unadvisedly wrought a big volume in verses, of the valiant prowess of Alexande...

When that I had (gentle reader) slightly here and there run over the pleasant and delectable jests of Lucius Apuleius (a man of ancient descent, and endued with singular learning) written in such a fr...

What and who he was attend a while, and you shall understand that it was even I, the writer of mine own Metamorphosie and strange alteration of figure. Hymettus, Athens, Isthmia, Ephire, Tenaros, and ...

As I fortuned to take my voyage into Thessaly, about certain affairs which I had to do (for there mine ancestry by my mother’s side inhabiteth, descended of the line of that most excellent person Plut...

As I fortuned to take my voyage into Thessaly, about certain affairs which I had to do (for there mine ancestry by my mother’s side inhabiteth, descended of the line of that most excellent person Plut...

The other night being at supper with a sort of hungry fellows, while I did greedily put a great morsel of meat in my mouth, that was fried with the flower of cheese and barley, it cleaved so fast in t...

Alas poor miser that I am, that for the only desire to see a game of trial of weapons, am fallen into these miseries and wretched snares of misfortune. For in my return from Macedonia, whereas I sold ...

In faith Aristomenus to tell you the truth, this woman had a certain lover, whom by the utterance of one only word she turned into a beaver, because he loved another woman beside her: and the reason w...

In speaking these words, and devising with myself of our departing the next morrow, lest Meroe the witch should play by us as she had done by diverse other persons, it fortuned that Socrates did fall ...

After that those two companions were departed I entered into the city: where I espied an old woman, of whom I inquired whether that city was called Hypata, or no: Who answered, Yes. Then I demanded, w...

When this was done, and all my things brought into the Chamber, I walked towards the baines; but first I went to the market to buy some victuals for my supper, whereas I saw great plenty of fish set o...

As soon as night was past, and the day began to spring, I fortuned to awake, and rose out of my bed as half amazed, and very desirous to know and see some marvelous and strange things, remembering wit...

As soon as night was past, and the day began to spring, I fortuned to awake, and rose out of my bed as half amazed, and very desirous to know and see some marvelous and strange things, remembering wit...

When I was within the house I found my dear and sweet love Fotis mincing of meat and making pottage for her master and mistress, the cupboard was all set with wines, and I thought I smelled the savor ...

When no one was come, Byrrhena sent to me a fat pig, five hens, and a flagon of old wine. Then I called Fotis and said, Behold how Bacchus the egger and stirrer of venery, doth offer himself of his ow...

It fortuned on a day, that Byrrhena desired me earnestly to sup with her; and she would in nowise take any excusation. Whereupon I went to Fotis, to ask counsel of her as of some divine, who although ...

When morning was come, and that I was awaked from sleep, my heart burned sore with remembrance of the murder I had committed the night before: and I rose and sat down on the side of the bed with my le...

When morning was come, and that I was awaked from sleep, my heart burned sore with remembrance of the murder I had committed the night before: and I rose and sat down on the side of the bed with my le...

Oh most reverend and just judges, the thing which I propose to declare to you is no small matter, but toucheth the estate and tranquillity of this whole city, and the punishment thereof may be a right...

When this was done, out came a woman in the middle of the theatre arrayed in mourning vesture, and bearing a child in her arms. And after her came an old woman in ragged robes, crying and howling like...

When I was abed I began to call to mind all the sorrows and griefs that I was in the day before, until such time as my love Fotis, having brought her mistress to sleep, came into the chamber, not as s...

On a day Fotis came running to me in great fear, and said that her mistress, to work her sorceries on such as she loved, intended the night following to transform herself into a bird, and to fly whith...

After that I had well rubbed every part and member of my body, I hovered with mine arms, and moved myself, looking still when I should be changed into a bird as Pamphiles was, and behold neither feath...

When no one was come, that the broiling heat of the sun had most power, we turned into a village to certain of the thieves’ acquaintance and friends, for verily their meeting and embracing together di...

When no one was come, that the broiling heat of the sun had most power, we turned into a village to certain of the thieves’ acquaintance and friends, for verily their meeting and embracing together di...

Not long after, the thieves laded us again, but especially me, and brought us forth of the stable, and when we had gone a good part of our journey what with the long way, my great burden, the beating ...

When the skin was a drying we made merry with the flesh, and then we devised with ourselves, that one of us being more valiant than the rest both in body and courage (so that he would consent thereto)...

When night was come the thieves awaked and rose up, and when they had buckled on their weapons, and disguised their faces with vizards, they departed. And yet for all the great sleep that came upon me...

There was sometimes a certain King, inhabiting in the west parts, who had to wife a noble dame, by whom he had three daughters exceeding fair: of whom the two elder were of such comely shape and beaut...

There was sometimes a certain King, inhabiting in the west parts, who had to wife a noble dame, by whom he had three daughters exceeding fair: of whom the two elder were of such comely shape and beaut...

By and by the thieves came home laden with treasure, and many of them which were of strongest courage (leaving behind such as were lame and wounded, to heal and air themselves) said they would return ...

By and by the thieves came home laden with treasure, and many of them which were of strongest courage (leaving behind such as were lame and wounded, to heal and air themselves) said they would return ...

A soon as night was past, and the clear chariot of the sun had spread his bright beams on every coast, came one of the company of the thieves, (for so his and their greeting together did declare) who ...

A soon as night was past, and the clear chariot of the sun had spread his bright beams on every coast, came one of the company of the thieves, (for so his and their greeting together did declare) who ...

After supper they began to talk, and declare unto him the going away of the gentlewoman, and how I bare her upon my back, and what death was ordained for us two. Then he desired to see her, whereupon ...

Then the young man spake again, saying, Masters, why go we not about to make our prayers unto Mars, touching this selling of the maiden, and to seek for other companions. But as far as I see, here is ...

When the thieves were all asleep by their great and immoderate drinking, the young man Lepolemus took the maiden and set her upon my back, and went homeward. When we were come home, all the people of ...

After that I was thus handled by horses, I was brought home again to the mill, but behold Fortune (insatiable of my torments) had devised a new pain for me. I was appointed to bring home wood every da...

A few days after, the boy invented another mischief: for when he had sold all the wood which I bare, to certain men dwelling in a village by, he led me homeward unladen: And then he cried that he was ...

While I devised with myself in what manner I might end my life, the roperipe boy on the next morrow led me to the same hill again, and tied me to a bough of a great oak, and in the mean season he took...

In the mean season, while the parents of the boy did lament and for the death of their son, the shepherd (according to his promise) came with his instruments and tools to geld me. Then one of them sai...

About midnight came a young man, which seemed to be one of the family of the good woman Charites, who sometimes endured so much misery and calamity with me amongst the thieves, who after that he had t...

About midnight came a young man, which seemed to be one of the family of the good woman Charites, who sometimes endured so much misery and calamity with me amongst the thieves, who after that he had t...

By and by the horsekeeper, to whom the charge of me was committed, brought forth all his substance, and laded me and other horses withal, and so departed thence: we bare women, children, pullets, spar...

When we had gone a good part of our way, we came to a certain wood environed with great trees and compassed about with pleasant meadows, whereas the shepherds appointed to continue a certain space to ...

After that we had passed a great part of our journey, we came to a village where we lay all night, but hearken, and I will tell you what mischief happened there: you shall understand there was a serva...

After this we came to a fair city very populous, where our shepherds determined to continue, by reason that it seemed a place where they might live unknown, far from such as should pursue them, and be...

In this manner the traitorous cook prepared himself to slay me: and when he was ready with his knives to do his feat, I devised with myself how I might escape the present peril, and I did not long del...

In this manner the traitorous cook prepared himself to slay me: and when he was ready with his knives to do his feat, I devised with myself how I might escape the present peril, and I did not long del...

There was a man dwelling in the town very poor, that had nothing but that which he got by the labour and travel of his hands: his wife was a fair young woman, but very lascivious, and given to the app...

After that we had tarried there a few days at the cost and charges of the whole village, and had gotten much money by our divination and prognostication of things to come: the priests of the goddess S...

The baker which bought me was an honest and sober man; but his wife was the most pestilent woman in all the world, insomuch that he endured many miseries and afflictions with her, so that I myself did...

You shall understand that on a day this Barbarus preparing himself to ride abroad, and willing to keep the chastity of his wife (whom he so well loved) alone to himself, called his man Myrmex (whose f...

There was a poor gardener amongst the rest, which bought me for the sum of fifty pence, which seemed to him a great price, but he thought to gain it again by the continual travel of my body. The matte...

As we passed by the way we met with a tall soldier (for so his habit and countenance declared) who with proud and arrogant words spake to my master in this sort: quorsum vacuum ducis asinum? My master...

The next day how my master the gardener sped, I knew not, but the gentle soldier, who was well beaten for his cowardice, led me to his lodging without the contradiction of any man: where he laded me w...

The next day how my master the gardener sped, I knew not, but the gentle soldier, who was well beaten for his cowardice, led me to his lodging without the contradiction of any man: where he laded me w...

The soldier that paid never a penny for me, by the commandment of his captain was sent unto Rome, to carry letters to the great prince, and General of the camp. Before he went, he sold me for eleven p...

When he had bought such things as was necessary, he would not return home into his country in chariots, or wagon, neither would he ride upon Thessalian horses, or jennets of France, or Spanish mules, ...

When midnight came that I had slept my first sleep, I awaked with sudden fear, and saw the moon shining bright, as when she is at the full, and seeming as though she leaped out of the sea. Then though...

When midnight came that I had slept my first sleep, I awaked with sudden fear, and saw the moon shining bright, as when she is at the full, and seeming as though she leaped out of the sea. Then though...

In the mean season news was carried into my country (as swift as the flight of birds, or as the blast of winds) of the grace and benefit which I received of the goddess, and of my fortune worthy to be...

That the hero transformed to an ass was the motive of two Greek romances can hardly be doubted after Photius’ statement. The one, he says, was the work of Lucius of Patrae (who wrote μεταμορφώσεων λόγ...