The Golden Asse

Lucius, a young man too curious about witchcraft, is turned into a donkey and sees the secrets of every house he is sold to. The oldest surviving Roman novel, full of lovers, thieves and magic, with the tale of Cupid and Psyche inside it. In William Adlington's 1566 English. By Apuleius (2nd century), translated by William Adlington (1566). A public-domain classic.

Content warnings: Sexual content · Violence

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How it begins whereas by great industry, and without instruction of any schoolmaster, I attained to the full perfection of the Latine tongue. Behold, I first crave and beg your pardon, lest I should happen to displease or offend any of you by the rude and rusticke utterance of this strange and forrein language. And verily this new alteration of speech doth correspond to the enterprised matter whereof I purpose to entreat, I will set forth unto you a pleasant Grecian feast. Whereunto gentle Reader if thou wilt give attendant eare, it will minister unto thee such delectable matter as thou shalt be contented withall.THE FIRST CHAPTER Keep reading →

Chapters

1. 1The First Book30 min · 9 Nov
2. 2The Second Book33 min · 9 Nov
3. 3The Third Book28 min · 9 Nov
4. 4The Fourth Book81 min · 9 Nov
5. 5The Sixth Book9 min · 9 Nov
6. 6The Seventh Book29 min · 9 Nov
7. 7The Eighth Book29 min · 9 Nov
8. 8The Ninth Book39 min · 9 Nov
9. 9The Tenth Book38 min · 9 Nov
10. 10The Eleventh Book31 min · 9 Nov

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