Apuleius · c. 160 CE (composition of the Metamorphoses/The Golden Ass)
primary
passage 95 of 156 · (78/126)
↪ you wandered here via “Apuleius definition of demons” — the connecting lines are tinted below
in brief
The boy mocks Apuleius and spreads a story that Apuleius voluntarily tumbled into the fire, questioning how long anyone will keep a “fiery” beast for nothing.
I willingly tumbled in the fire as I passed through the village. Then he laughed upon me saying: How long shall we nourish and keepe this fiery Asse in vaine?