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Ancients and Moderns under the Empire of Circe: Machiavelli’s The Ass, Translation2 7 3And my guide said: “Let us go down therenear that pig, if it really would please youto hear his desires and his words.Because if you wanted to pull him from that lake,125 making him turn into a man, he would not want to;as a fish that was in a river or lake.And because this would not be believed,in order that you can decide in full faith,you will ask him then if he would come out.”130 Thereupon my lady moved her foot;and not to be separated from her in the least,I took her by the hand she gave me;such that I came near to that pig.Chapter EightAs we reached him that pig raised his snout,all marked with shit and mud,such that looking at him disgusted me.And because I was already known to him a long time,5 he moved toward me showing me his teeth,with the rest being still and motionless.So I said to him, in the most gracious tones:“May God give you a better fate, if it seems good to you;God sustain you, if it pleases you.10 If it pleased you to reason with me,I would be grateful, and so that you know it certain,provided it is your will, you can satisfy yourself.And to talk to you freely and openlyI say it to you with license from her,15 who has shown me this deserted path.With such grace the gods have given me,that it did not appear to her a labor to save meand pull me from the sorrows where you are.For her part she also wants me to tell you20 that she will free you from so much evil,if you want to return to your old form.”He stood up straight on his feet, the boar,hearing that, and made this response,