The Works of Apuleius (Golden Ass, God of Socrates, Florida, On the Doctrines of Plato)

“‘O Aristomenes!’ said he, ‘it is clear that you are ignorant of the slippery turns, the unstable freaks, and the ever-changing changes of Fortune.’

“As he said this, he hid his face, which was crimson with shame, in his cobbled tatters, leaving the rest of his body naked from the navel down to the groin. At last, unable to endure the sight of such misery, I took hold of him and tried to raise him from the ground. But, with his head covered as it was, he exclaimed, ‘Leave me alone, leave me alone; let Fortune still enjoy the trophy she has erected.’

“However, I convinced him to accompany me. At the same time, I took off one of my own two garments and wrapped him in it, after which I took him to a bath. I applied the necessary oil and scrubbing, and laboriously rubbed off the layer of filth with which he was defiled. Having attended to him, though I was tired myself, I supported his feeble steps and with great difficulty brought him to my inn. There, I made him rest on a couch, gave him plenty of food, cheered him with wine, and entertained him with the news of the day. Our conversation turned quite merry, and we joked and prattled, when, heaving a bitter sigh from the bottom of his breast and violently striking his forehead with his right hand:

“‘Miserable man that I am!’ he said. ‘To have fallen into these misfortunes while intending to gratify myself with a famous gladiatorial spectacle. As you are well aware, I went to Macedonia on business, and after being detained there for ten months, I was on my way home with a tidy sum of money. I had nearly reached Larissa,A city of Thessaly near the river Peneus. which I had included in my route to see the spectacle, when I was attacked by desperate robbers in a lonely, rugged valley. I only escaped after they plundered me of all I possessed. Reduced to extreme distress, I betook myself to a woman named Meroe, who kept a tavern. Though old, she was remarkably engaging, and to her I related the circumstances of my absence, my desire to reach home, and my being robbed.’”