THE SEVENTH CHAPTER


How Apuleius going to buy fish, met with his companion Pythias.

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 out to be sould:
and so I cheapened part thereof, and that which they at first held at an
hundred pence, I bought at length for twenty. Which when I had done, and
was departing away, one of myne old acquaintance, and fellow at Athens,
named Pithias, fortuned to passe by, and viewing me at a good space, in
the end brought me to his remembrance, and gently came and kissed mee,
saying, O my deare friend Lucius, it is a great while past since we two
saw one another, and moreover, from the time that wee departed from our
Master Vestius, I never heard any newes from you. I pray you Lucius tell
me the cause of your peregrination hither. Then I answered and sayd, I
will make relation thereof unto you tomorrow: but I pray you tell me,
what meaneth these servitors that follow you, and these rods or verges
which they beare, and this habit which you wear like unto a magistrate,
verily I thinke you have obtained your own desire, whereof I am right
glad. Then answered Pithias, I beare the office of the Clerke of the
market, and therfore if you will have any pittance for your supper
speake and I will purvey it for you. Then I thanked him heartily and
sayd I had bought meat sufficient already. But Pithias when hee espied
my basket wherein my fish was, tooke it and shaked it, and demanded of
me what I had payd for all my Sprots. In faith (quoth I), I could scarce
inforce the fishmonger to sell them for twenty pence. Which when I
heard, he brought me backe again into the market, and enquired of me