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The rage I was in to be so abus'd, put me upon hanging my self; and having ty'd an apron, I found in the room, to the bed-stead, committed my neck to the noose I had made with its strings: When Eumolpus and Gito came to the door, and entering, prevented my design: Gito, his grief growing to a rage, made a great out-cry, and forcing me on the bed, "You're mistaken," said he, "Encolpius, if you fancy it possible for you to dye before me: I was first in the design, and had not surviv'd my choice of Ascyltos; if I had met with an instrument of death: But had not you come to my relief in the bath, I had resolv'd to throw my self out of the window: And that you may know how ready death is to wait those that desire it: see I've got what you so lately endeavour'd."
You must pass the only guarded part of the ship near which place the rope that holds the boat is tyed: Besides, Encolpius, I wonder you did not remember that one seaman was upon constant duty night and day in the boat it self; nor will be mov'd from his post, without you cut his throat, or fling him overboard; which consider whether you can dare attempt; for my part, to go with you I would refuse no danger that could give me the least hopes of getting off; but to put so low a value on life, to throw it away as a useless thing, I believe even your selves are unwilling: Hear whether you like my proposal; I'll put ye into two mantles I have here, and making holes to breathe and eat through, will place you amongst my other goods for baggage, next morning I allarm the whole ship, crying out, my servants, fearing a greater punishment, in the night jump into the sea; that when the ship made to land, I might carry you off for baggage."
Ascyltos, well aware by now of the danger of dipping into the secrets of others, covered his head with his mantle. Given away by my laughter, the maid clapped her hands and cried, "I put one by you, young man; did you drink so much all by yourself?" "What's that you say?", Quartilla chimed in. "Did Encolpius drink all the satyrion there was in the house?"
The text, as we possess it, may be divided into three divisions: the first and last relate the adventures of Encolpius and his companions, the second, which is a digression, describes the Dinner of Trimalchio.
'Twas now quite dark, and our supper was dishing up, when Eumolpus knock'd at the door: I ask'd how many there was of 'em: And took an opportunity through a chink, to see whether Ascyltos was with him: But finding him alone, I soon open'd the door: He had hardly fixt himself on his couch, when seeing Gito in waiting, "on my word," said he, "a very Gannymed; sure Encolpius, you'll have no reason to complain to day."
Poor Encolpius, my reader,122 who is so indispensable to me in my studies and amusements, was so affected with the dust that it brought on a spitting of blood: an accident which will prove no less unpleasant to me than unfortunate to himself, should he be thereby rendered unfit for the literary work in which he so greatly excels.
While we were thus ingag'd a storm arose; now thick clouds, and th' inrag'd flood eclypst the day, the seamen fly to their posts as fast as fear cou'd make 'em; and, pulling down the sails, leave the vessel to the mercy of the tempest; for the uncertain winds made them hopeless of any direct course; nor did the pilot know which way to steer; sometimes the unguided ship was forc'd on the coast of Sicily, often by contrary winds 'twas tost near Italy; and what was more dangerous than all, on a sudden the gathering clouds spread such horrid darkness all around, that the pilot cou'd not see over the fore-castle; upon which all despair'd of safety; when Lycas threw himself before me, and lifting up his trembling hands, "I beseech you Encolpius," began he, "assist the distress'd, that is restore the sacred vest and timbrel you took from the image of the goddess Isis; be merciful as you are wont. At what time a whirlwind snatcht him up, and threw him howling midst the flood, and soon a spiteful wave just shew'd him us, and drew him back again.
"Item, you Lycas, from the bottom of your heart, as you are in perfect mind; do promise never to reproach, or insultingly treat Encolpius, either in words, or gestures: But, on the forfeiture of 200 denarii for each time you abuse him, behind his back."
Some applaud; others disapprove. Encolpius, seized with a fit of melancholy, thinks of hanging himself, but is persuaded to live by the artless caresses of a fair boy whom he has loved. Several adventures of a similar kind follow, and the book, which towards the end becomes very fragmentary, ends without any regular conclusion. Enough has been given to show its general character.
The next day Eumolpus, when he found Tryphoena was stirring, went to visit Lycas; and after he had talk'd with him about the happy voyage he hop'd from the clearness of the heavens, Lycas, turning to Tryphoena, "Methoughts," said he, "about midnight the vision of Priapus appear'd to me, and told me, he had lately brought into my ship Encolpius that I sought for": Tryphoena was startl'd, "And you'd swear we slept together," reply'd she, "for methoughts the image of Neptune having struck his trident thrice against the Bajoe, told me that in Lycas' ship I shou'd meet my Gito."
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