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JTE
PSYCHE
VALLEY
THE
IN
FLOWERS
OF
THE STORY OF H

CUPID PSYCHE

TRANSLATED FROM THE

LATIN OF APULEIUS BY
CHARLES STUTTAFORD
ILLUSTRATED BY JESSIE
MOTHERSOLE So

NEW IMPRESSION

LONDON : PUBLISHED BY THE

PRIORY PRESS 70 HIGH STREET
HAMPSTEAD N.W. So MDCCCCXII
 -09
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HIS WIFE
THIS RENDERING OF AN OLD STORY
IS
DEDICATED
BY
THE TRANSLATOR

357841
 Printed at
The Priory Press
48 St. John Square
&.C.
 ILLUSTRATIONS

Psyche in the Valley of Flowers Frontispiece

The Discovery of Cupid . • Toface page 42

Psyche aided by the Bird of Jupiter 99 82

Psyche awakened by Cupid • 99 92

TO PSYCHE

O Goddess ! hear these tuneless numbers, wrung

By sweet enforcement and remembrance dear,
And pardon that thy secrets should be sung,
Even in thine own soft-conched ear:
Surely I dreamt to-day, or did I see
The winged Psyche with awaken'd eyes?
I wandered in a forest thoughtlessly,
And, on a sudden, fainting with surprise,
Saw two fair creatures, couched side by side
In deepestgrass, beneath the whispering roof
Ofleaves and trembled blossoms, where there ran
A brooklet, scarce espied:
'Mid hush'd, cool-rooted flowers fragrant-eyed,
Blue, silver-white, and budded Tyrian,
They lay calm-breathing on the beddedgrass ;
Their arms embraced, and their pinions too ;
Their lips touch'd not, but had not bade adieu
As ifdisjoined by soft-handed slumber,
And ready still past kisses to outnumber
At tender eye-dawn ofaurorean love :
The winged boy I knew ;
But who wast thou, O happy happy dove?
His Psyche true!

O latest-born and lovliest visionfar

Ofall Olympus' faded hierarchy!
Fairer than Phoebe's sapphire-region'd star,
Or Vesper, amorous glow-worm of the sky ;
ix
TO PSYCHE

Fairer then these, though temple thou hast none,

Nor altar heap'd with flowers ;
Nor Virgin-choir to make delicious moan
Upon the midnight hours ;
No voice, no lute, no pipe, no incense sweet
From chain-swung censer teeming ;
No shrine, nogrove, no oracle, no heat
Ofpale-mouth'dprophet dreaming.
O brightest! though too latefor antique vows,
Too, too latefor thefond believing lyre,
When holy were the haunted forest boughs,
Holy the air, the water, and thefire ;
Yet even in these days sofar retired
From happypieties, thy lucentfans,
Fluttering among thefaint Olympians,
I see, and sing, by my own eyes inspired.
So let me be thy choir, and make a moan
Upon the midnight hours !
Thy voice, thy lute, thy pipe, thy incense sweet
From swinged censer teeming :
Thy shrine, thygrove, thy oracle, thy heat
Ofpale-mouth'd prophet dreaming.

Yes, I will be thy priest, and build afane

In some untrodden region of my mind,
Where branched thoughts, new-grown with pleasant
pain,
Instead ofpines shall murmur in the wind :
Far, far around shall those dark-clustered trees
Fledge the wild-ridged mountains steep by steep ;
And there by zephyrs, streams, and birds and bees,
X
TO PSYCHE

The moss-lain Dryads shall be lull'd to sleep ;

And in the midst ofthis wide quietness
A rosy sanctuary will I dress
With the wreath'd trellis ofa working brain,
With buds, and bells, and stars without a name.
With all the gardener Fancy e'er couldfeign,
Who breedingflowers, will never breed the same :
And there shall be for thee all soft delight
That shadowy thought can win,
A bright torch, and a casement ope at night,
To let the warm Love in !
JOHN KEATS

xi
 INTRODUCTION

UCIUS APULEIUS was born

LUCIabout the year A.D. 114, at

Madaura, a city on the borders

of Numidia and Gætulia, which must
not be confused with the Numidian

town of the same name , which is now

Ayedrah. His father, who was an
Italian, had settled at Madaura, where

he attained high office and amassed

a considerable fortune. He sent his

son to school at Carthage, then the

second city of the world, and dying,
bequeathed him his fortune. Lucius

Apuleius then started on his travels,

and spent the next ten years of his
life wandering through Greece, Italy,
and the East, studying rhetoric, phi-
losophy, and especially magic. At

the age of twenty-five he returned to

xiii
INTRODUCTION

Madaura where he appears to have

practised as a barrister.

Love of knowledge soon drove him

again from home, and he started for
Alexandria. The cold and fatigue of

travelling made him break off his

journey at Tripolis, where he met and
married a wealthy widow, considerably
older than himself. He was accused

by her relatives of having gained her

affections through magic, but was
acquitted after having delivered the
" Apology " that has come down to
us. Soon afterwards he went to Car-

thage, where he attained the greatest

renown, both as a pleader and as a
teacher of rhetoric. Here he spent
the rest of his life, dying in the year

A.D. 191 , about the age of seventy- six.

Of his numerous writings, all that
have come down to us, are " The God
of Socrates," " The Florida ," " The
Σίν
INTRODUCTION

Apology, " " The Doctrines of Plato,"

" Description of the World," " Ascle-

pius, " and the romance " The Meta-
morphoses," or, as it is sometimes
called, with very little reason, " The
Golden Ass."

The story of "The Metamorphoses "

tells how a young man is turned by
magic into an ass. With the loss of
his human form he loses his power

of speech, but retains his human

intelligence. In the course of his
adventures he falls into the hands of
a band of robbers, who also capture a
beautiful maiden. When setting out

to seek further booty, the robbers

leave the maiden and the ass in the

charge of a half-tipsy old woman.

This old hag, in order to divert the
maiden's thoughts from the evils of
her situation, tells her the following
story .
XV
CUPID AND PSYCHE

NCE upon a time there lived

ONin a certain land a king and

queen who had three daughters

of rare loveliness . Although the two
elder of these sisters were very beauti-

ful, yet it was within the power of

human tongue to sound their charms ;
but the beauty of the youngest was so

marvellous and dazzling that it out-

stripped all human praise and made it
halt behind her. The dwellers in this

land and many strangers, drawn by

the rumour of this marvel, came in

great numbers to gaze, and gazing

were struck into such wondering ad-
miration that they straightway fell
B
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

down and worshipped her, as if she

were Venus herself. Already the

report was spreading through the

neighbouring cities and surrounding
lands that the Goddess to whom the

azure deep gave birth, and who was

reared among the foam of sea- spray,

had deigned to lay aside her divinity

and mix with mortal beings, or, at

least, that, by a new effect of the

creative influence of the stars, the

earth, and not the sea, had brought

forth a second Venus, with her same

flower of virginity. This belief spread

widely day by day, from neighbouring
islands to countries more remote, until
her fame had encircled all the world.
Now multitudes of men, by long

marches and by ploughing the deep

seas, travelled hither to behold the
glorious wonder of the age. None

journeyed now to Paphos or to Cnidos,

2
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

nor even sailed to Cythera to worship

at the shrine of Venus. Her sacri-

fices were suspended, her temples

dishonoured, her thrones trampled
under foot, her ceremonies neglected,
her statues uncrowned , and her solitary
altars grimed with cold ashes. It was
to a mortal maiden they offered up
their prayers, through the beauty of a

mortal face they adored the divinity

of the mighty Goddess ; when , in the
morning, this maiden issued forth,
with victims and with feasts they
worshipped the name of the absent

Venus, and as she passed through the

streets, the people, gathering together
in crowds, cast sprays and garlands
before her feet.
When the true Venus saw the sacred

honours, due to her, paid without stint

a maiden, fierce rage seized upon

her and, trembling with passion , thus

3 B2
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

she debated with herself. " Is it for

me, the first parent of all Nature, the

prime and origin of all the world's
elements ; is it for me, Venus, the
great Mother, to share my honours
with a mortal ? Shall my fame, whose
foundations are in heaven , be pro-

faned by the mean creatures of earth ?

Shall I , forsooth, rest content with the
divided honours of an attenuated god-
head ? Is a maiden, by her nature
foredoomed to death, to represent me

on earth ? Was it for this that the

shepherd, whose judgment great

Jupiter upheld, preferred my charms
before those of the two puissant
Goddesses ? But whoever she be that

has usurped my honours, she shall

not rejoice for long ; soon shall she
curse the insolence of her encroaching
beauty. "

4
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

Forthwith she calls to her side her

winged son, the boy who with his

waywardness and evil habits mocks all
public order, who, armed with torch

and arrow , careers at night through

strange houses , breaking with im-
punity all marriage-bonds, doing all
that is evil and nought that is good ;

whom , though raging with inborn

.
lust, she excites still further by her
words. Now she brings him to the
city and shows him Psyche , for that
was the maiden's name. Trembling

with passionate indignation, she tells

him how this maiden's beauty rivalled

her own. " I pray you , " says she, "by

the bonds of filial love, by your arrows'

pleasant wounds, by
by your
your torch's

honeyed burning ; avenge your mother,

ay, avenge her to the full, punish well
this rebel beauty, do this my one
desire. Let her burn with insatiate

5
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

love for the meanest of mankind ; one

wanting both birth and place, one

damned by Fortune , one so mean
that in all the world his fellow cannot
be found."

Thus saying, with half - opened

mouth, she showers long and fervent
kisses on her son, and then seeks the
nearest shore of the recoiling sea,
where the spray of the curling waves
kisses her feet. Behold now she

reclines on the deep sea's transparent

breast and her wishes, carried on the
wings of thought, bring speeding to her
side the Spirits of the sea. Hither

come the band of Nereus ' daughters,

chanting their hymns of praise ; shaggy
Portunus with green beard ; Salacia
with fishes clinging to her robe, and
little Palæmon who rides upon a

dolphin's back. Here was the gather-

6
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

ing of Tritons, who range the whole

sea ; some blow soft tunes through
the melodious shell ; some with a
silken veil restrain the ardour of the
importunate sun, one holds a mirror

before the eyes of his mistress , while

others, yoked in pairs, are the horses
of her chariot. Such is the train of
Venus when she traverses the Ocean.
Meanwhile Psyche gained nought

by her marvellous beauty. All gazed

on her and extolled her loveliness , but

no king, no son of royal siege, nor

suitor from among the people, came
forward to ask her hand. They

praised her divine loveliness , but only

as one praises a statue carved with a
sculptor's art. Ere this, her two
sisters, whose lesser charms had
gained no wide renown, had wedded
royal suitors, but Psyche , left at home
alone, wept her solitude, and, sick in
7
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

mind and body, loathed the beauty

that all nations praised. The sorrow-

ing father of this unhappy maiden,

fearing lest the curse of the gods had
fallen upon them, sought the ancient
oracle at Miletus. offered prayers
He offered

and sacrifices to the great God, and

besought a marriage and a husband

for his daughter ; but thus Apollo

answered :

" Conduct your daughter to the mountain crag,

Enshroud her in the garments of the grave,
Nor hope to find a son of mortal stock :
A Serpent winged shall be her loathsome mate,
Who sweeps the skies, who blasts with flaming
tongue,
Who frights the Gods, makes tremble Jove
himself,
And scares the streams and Styx's sombre wave.”

When the king, who hitherto had

lived happily, received the answer
from the oracle, he returned in

anguish to his palace and told his

8
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

queen its dreadful bidding. For

many days they moaned and wept ;

while the day on which the oracle
must be obeyed came ever nearer.

Now they make ready the bridal

festival of the wretched maid, but the

glow of the torches fades away into.

sooty ashes, the sound of the nuptial
flute is changed to the wail of the
Lydian measure, the joyous marriage
hymn turns to a mournful dirge, and
the betrothed maiden dries her tears

even with her marriage veil, and the

whole land mourns the fate of this
afflicted house.

But the necessity of obeying the com-

mands of the Gods compels the unfor-
tunate Psyche to prepare for her doom .
Sadly they make ready what was to
be both her bier and her marriage-

bed ; the whole people follows this

living funeral, and weeping Psyche
9
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

attends, not her marriage, but her

burial. Her parents hesitate to per-
form this awful sacrifice, but their
daughter urges them with these
words :
""
'Why do you torture your old age

with endless groans ? Why shorten

your lives, dearer to me than mine, by
repeated lamentations ? Why do you
redden my eyes by reddening your
own with useless tears ? Why do you
disfigure those features that are so
dear to me ? Why do you tear your
silvered hair and beat your venerable

breasts ? This is the glorious reward

of my beauty so prized by you.
Cruel jealousy has struck you a deadly
wound, which now you feel. When

the nations worshipped me with divine

honours, when, with one voice, they
hailed me as a second Venus, then
should you have sorrowed then should
ΙΟ
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

you have wept and mourned me as

one snatched from your arms. Now

I feel, now I know it was because of

the name ' Venus ' that I perish.
Lead me to the mountain crag that
the oracle has appointed ; I am im-

patient to fulfil these happy nuptials ;

I am impatient to see my noble
spouse. Why should I loiter ? Why
should I shun the coming of him who
was born to be the destroyer of the
whole world ? ”

With this she said no more and

bravely took her place in the gather-

ing throng, and all wended their way
to the pinnacle of the mountain
decreed by the oracle. On its top-
most peak they abandoned the maiden

to her fate, leaving behind the

nuptial torches that had lighted their
way, and which their tears had ex-
II
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

tinguished, with downcast faces they

sought again their homes. As for
the sorrowing parents, heart-broken
with their dreadful loss, they shut
themselves up in their palace and
gave themselves over to an endless

night. But as Psyche stood on the

mountain crag, trembling and bewail-
ing her fate, Zephyr's breath softened .
the air, ruffling the lappets and folds
of her gown, then raising her softly,
with gentle pressure bore her forward,
down from the steep rock's summit
into a deep valley, and laid her in a
meadow's flowery lap.
142
 II

YING pleasantly on this bed of

LYING
soft and dewy grass , Psyche
forgot her troubles, and , after a

refreshing sleep , rose with a tranquil

mind. She saw a grove planted with

huge and lofty trees and in its centre

a spring transparent as crystal, near
which a royal palace rose, built by no
mortal but by heavenly hands, whose
very entrance showed that it was a
god's delectable abode . The lofty

ceiling, in cedar and ivory curiously

fretted, rested on golden pillars . The
walls were covered with silver mould-

ings, picturing all the animals of the

world. Surely a man of cunning art,

a demi-god, nay, in sooth, a god it

was that wrought this massy silver
with such subtle skill. The flooring

13
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

was a mosaic of precious stones worked

up into many wondrous pictures. Oh,
happy and thrice happy they who
walk on gems and jewels ! All other
parts of this wide and spacious palace
were costly above all cost ; the walls

of massive gold shone with their own

light, making their own day, all care-
less of the sun ; even so glittered the
rooms, the porches and the doors :
nor was the rest of this lordly mansion
less richly adorned : to mortal mind
it seemed as if its builder must have

been Jupiter himself, in order that he

might dwell among mankind.

Allured by its beauty, Psyche draws

nearer, and gathering courage steps
across the threshold. Fascinated by
the sight of all these wonders , she
passes from one to the other and
gazes up at the galleries fashioned in
14
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

perfect symmetry and with golden

lustre richly emblazed ; for the earth
knows no treasure that had not
been pressed into service. But

stranger still than all this wealth ,

there were no bolts, no bars, nor
guardian to keep watch over this
treasure-house.

While she stood delighting in these

wonders, she heard a voice issuing

from the void, saying : " Wherefore ,

lady, do you stand amazed at these
treasures ? All are yours. Enter,
therefore, into your apartment, on a
couch repair your wearied powers, and

refresh yourself in the bath . We

whose voices you hear, are your

servants, and carefully will minister

unto you, nor, when we have arrayed
you, will you have to wait for a royal

banquet."
Psyche felt the comfort of divine
15
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

protection, and, guided by the advice

of her unseen counsellors, she first slept
and then drove away her weariness
by a bath. Suddenly she perceived
near her a semi-circular table furnished

with viands, and feeling sure it was

for her use, she sat down without
hesitation. Instantly she was supplied
with wines like nectar and with every
kind of dish, by no visible agency but
as if borne on the wind. She could
see no one, but heard words in the air

and was served only by voices. After

a superb banquet, an invisible singer
entered and sang, while an unseen
player touched her lyre. Then the
music of a choir crept upon her ear ;
but no human being appeared.

When these delights had ended and

evening was drawing near, Psyche
sought her couch. Soon night came
16
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

on, and then she heard a gentle noise.

In such a solitude Psyche feared for
her virginity, and feared the more
because she knew not what she
feared. Then came to her couch

the unknown bridegroom and made

Psyche his wife ; but before dawn he
disappeared. Immediately the voices
came and attended upon the young
bride who had lost her maidenhood.

In this way things went on for a long

while ; by habit this new life became
sweet, and the sound of the mysterious
voices became the solace of her lone-
liness.

17 с
 III

N the meanwhile her parents grew

IN old in the sorrow that nothing

could assuage. The story of her

fate was spread abroad, and when it
reached her sisters' ears, they hastened
to the lonely hearth of their parents

to try to comfort them. That same

night Psyche's husband said to her

(for though she could not see him,

yet she could hear his voice and feel

the pressure of his limbs) ; " Dearly

loved wife, cruel fate threatens you

with a great danger, which only by

great caution can you escape. Your
sisters, mourning your death, are seek-
ing traces of you, and soon will reach
the mountain crag. If by chance you
hear their lamentations , do not speak

to them , and under no circumstances

18
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

look on them ; else will you bring

great sorrow upon me and utter ruin

upon yourself. "

Psyche bowed her head and pro-

mised her husband that she would
obey his wishes. But, as soon as

night had passed, she spent the day

in tears and dejection, complaining
that she was more than ever lost, close

confined in a prison of marvels and

bereft of all human intercourse, unable
to carry consolation to her sisters

when they wept over her ; nor even

able to see them.Refreshed neither

by bath nor food, in tears she sought

her bed. A moment later her husband

came, earlier than his wont, and em-

bracing her, all tears, uttered his
reproach : " Is it thus that you are
keeping your promises ? What then

can your husband expect or hope of

19 C2
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

you ? By day, by night, even when

in the arms of your lover, you do not
cease your tears. Ah well ! Hence-

forth do as you will, listen to the

desires that will lead you to your

ruin but you will remember my

warning when, too late, you begin to
""
repent.
Then, by prayers and by threatening
to slay herself, she extorted permission
from her husband to see her sisters in
order to embrace them and to calm

their grief and he, over-persuaded

by the entreaties of his bride, gave
way, and also permitted her to give
them what gold and gems she would.
But at the same time he warned her

not to be misled by the evil counsels

of her sisters , and seek to view her
husband's form, lest her unholy
curiosity should cast her down from

her height of pleasure, and for ever

20
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

prevent the renewal of their embraces.

With lightened heart she thanked her

husband : " Rather, " she said, " would
I die a hundred deaths than break

our sweet bonds : for I love you so

tenderly I love you whoever you
are, more than very life nor would I
change you for Cupid himself. Add

one more boon to my prayers , and

command your servant Zephyr to
bring my sisters here to me in the
same way that I was brought. " Press-
ing luxurious kisses on him , whispering
soft words and intertwining her limbs,
she wooed him with passionate
caresses. He fell, conquered by the

power of love, and promised all.

Then at the approach of dawn he
slipped from the arms of his bride.

The two sisters, having learnt the

way to the crag on which Psyche had
21
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

been left, hastened thither, and there

they wept and mourned : while the
rocks echoed back their lamentations.

As they cried aloud on the name of

their unfortunate sister the sound of
their voices travelled down into the

valley, and Psyche, beside herself with

joy, rushed out from her palace and

cried : " Why do you torture your-
selves with needless woe ? She whom

you mourn is here. End your plaints

and dry your tear-washed cheeks , and
now, since you can, fold in your arms
the sister who has caused your tears."

Then she called Zephyr, and told

him her husband's order. At once ,

obedient to command , he raised them

on a gentle breeze and carried them
along without harm. Now they em
braced with oft - repeated kisses ; and
their tears, so lately dried , flowed
again from joy. " But enter," she
22
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

said, " my home, and, in company

with your Psyche, drive away all
remains of your sorrow . "
" Thus say-
ing, she showed them the palace
prodigal in gold and treasure , she
called their attention to the minister-
ing voices, and then she refreshed
them with a sumptuous bath and an
abundant and godlike feast. When,
however, their wonder at all these
marvels began to wear off, envy was
born in their hearts. One of them.
would not leave off her pryingquestions
as to who was the lord of this celestial

abode, who and what was her husband.

But Psyche would not disobey her
husband's command, and kept her
secret. She made up a story that he
was a beautiful youth with cheeks
covered with down, who was, for the

most part, occupied in hunting over

the plains and mountains. And then,
23
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

lest in a long conversation she might

betray her secret, she loaded them

with precious gifts, and called Zephyr

to convey them back.
The two sisters returned home, and,

already pricked on by the bitter gall

of envy, debated with each other. At

last one ended by saying : " Fortune,

how cruel and unjust you are ! For
what reason has it pleased you that,
daughters of the same parents, we
should meet with such different

destinies ? We, who are the eldest,

were married to husbands who were

strangers , and whose servants we are ;

we live banished from our home and
our parents, as if exiles : but this, the
youngest, the child born in a satiated

bed, has all this wealth and a divine

husband, she who does not know how
to use rightly all this abundance ! Did
you see, sister, what jewels there were
24
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

in the palace, how her clothing shone,

how the gems glittered, how she
walked on gold ? What ! if she also
has a husband as beautiful as she says

he is, no one in the world is more for-

tunate. Perhaps , when his affection has
been deepened by intimacy, her divine
husband will make her a goddess. By
Hercules, that is it, for so she bore
herself and walked . Though still a
woman she looks aloft and aims at

divinity, she who has voices for

servants, and compels the very winds.

But I , poor wretch ! Fate has given
me a husband older than my father,
balder than a pumpkin, a boy in stature,
and who keeps the whole house under
lock and key." Then followed the
other, "I endure a husband bent

double with gout, and who, for this

reason, can but rarely offer up a lover's

dues : I spend most of my time rub-

25
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

bing his hands, crippled and hardened

with chalkstones, making my once

delicate hands all chapped and hard

by preparing evil- smelling poultices,
by touching the filthy bandages and
fœtid cataplasms : I do not fulfil the
gentle duties of a wife, but the arduous
labours of a nurse. That you, sister,

should see all this -you who bear

patiently so much suffering, or to

speak plainly, such slavery ! As for
me, I can no longer bear to see such

good fortune fall on one so unworthy.

Just think with what pride and
arrogance she treated us ; how with
her insolent airs she disclosed a mind

fraught with vanity, how out of all

these riches she unwillingly threw us
a few poor presents, and then , wearied
by our company, she ordered us to be

caught up and whisked away on the

wind. I am no woman, if, as I live ,
26
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

I do not drag her down to the ground,

and if, as I expect, you feel as
annoyed as I do at the affront we
have received, let us put our heads
For one
together to pay her out.
thing, it is not necessary that we
should show the presents we have
received, either to our parents or to
any one else, or to tell them we are

quite sure of her safety. It is bad

enough to have seen those things

which it has pained us to see, without
having to tell our parents and all the
people of her happy state ; not that
she can be really happy when she has
no one before whom she can flaunt
her wealth. Ah ! young woman , you

shall learn that we are your elder

sisters, and not your slaves. Now

indeed we may go back to Our

husbands and our humble hearths, but

when we have fully thought out our
27
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

plans we will return to punish your

arrogance. " This evil project pleased
these two wicked sisters : they hid
the costly gifts they had received, and
then, as if they had been weeping,
they scratched their faces and let fall
deceitful tears. Then, when they had

made their parents' grief bleed again,

they went away and, raging with
jealousy, they their own
sought their
homes, there to plan some cruel
scheme for the ruin or death of their
innocent sister.

During their nightly interviews

Psyche received fresh warnings from
her mysterious husband : " Do you
not see what dangers fortune is pre-
paring for you in the future ? And if

you do not arm yourself betimes, they

will close in upon you. Those false

hags are straining every nerve to get
28
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

you into their clutches : their chief

wile is to get you to see my face,

which, as I have often told you, if you

see it once you will never see again .

Therefore if these horrid witches,
armed with their hate, come again-

and that they will come I know-

avoid them altogether, or, if through
tenderness and affection you cannot
do this, neither listen to nor answer

any remarks about your husband.

Here we will rear a family, and here
your childish womb shall bring forth
another child, destined, if you keep

our secret, to be a god, if you break

it, to be a mortal."

Psyche grew glad at these tidings ;

she rejoiced in the hope of a divine
child to lighten her loneliness and
gloried in name and dignity of

motherhood . Impatiently she counted

29
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

the days and months as they passed :

she wondered at the strange load she
carried when her fertile womb grew

big. But alas, these two pestilent

furies, breathing the black poison of

vipers, were hastening on their im-
pious errand. Then the transient
husband once more warned Psyche.

“ Now are we at the last day and

have reached the last fatal moment :

now jealous hatred has armed herself,

has sounded her alarum and marches

on to battle, now, with drawn sword,

your sisters seek to slay you. Alas !

dearest Psyche, with what dangers
are we surrounded ! Take pity on
yourself and on me , guard well your
secret so that you may not bring
sorrow on your husband, yourself, and
our still unborn child. These impious
women, who in their murderous hate

towards you would trample under foot

30
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

the ties of blood, are no longer worthy

to be called sisters. Take care that

you neither see nor listen to them,

when, like Sirens, their hateful voices
ccho from the mountain crags."

Psyche answered, sighing and in

tearful voice , " You have long had
proof of my faithfulness and discre-
tion and in this fresh trial I will show

you once more the firmness of my

character. Only order Zephyr to

fulfil his duties quickly, and as the

sight of your divine face is denied me,
let me at least see my sisters. This
I beseech you by your flowing and
perfumed locks, by your cheeks as
smooth and rounded as mine, by your

breast warm with its mysterious heat.

As I hope to see your features in our
child, be moved by my entreaties,
allow me to embrace my sisters, and
make happy your Psyche, who lives
31
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

for you alone. I do not ask to see

your face, nor do the shades of night
oppress me now : I have you, the

light of my world." The husband ,

overcome by her soft embraces, dried

her tears with his hair, acceded to her

requests ; and then by flight prevented

the light of the dawning day.

Having arranged their plot, the two

sisters, as soon as they reached the
land, made straight for the pinnacle,
without tarrying to visit their parents,

nor did they even await the coming

of the wind, but insolently threw
themselves into space. Zephyr, re-

membering the commands of his king,

caught them, although unwillingly, on
the lap of a breeze, and brought them
safely down to the earth. Hastening
to the palace, they embraced their

prey, calling themselves, with lying

32
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

tongues, her loving sisters. Then

hiding, under smiling faces, hearts

overflowing with guile, they spoke

loving words : " Psyche , you are no

longer a little girl, but soon to be a

mother . Think what a treasure you

are carrying in your womb ! What joy

you will bring to our house ! How

happy shall we be to help rear this

glorious child, who should be another
Cupid, if, as he is sure to do, he takes
after his parents ."

Thus, little by little, they dupe their

sister with their deceitful endearments.

To rest them after their journey she

places seats for them, prepares them
steaming baths, and entertains them

with a feast of rare and pleasant dishes.

She orders the lutes to play, the pipes
to sound, the choirs to sing : and with
tenderest melodies these invisible

33 D
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

players soothe the spirits of their

hearers. Such, however, was the
wickedness of the two sisters that
no honeyed notes could soften their

hearts, but they direct all their con-

versation with a view of entangling
their sister in their nets, and begin to

enquire who and of what family and

condition was her husband. Psyche,
in her simplicity forgetting the story
she had previously told , makes up a
fresh tale ; she says her husband is
from a neighbouring province , en-

gaged in commerce, of middle age,

with hair just beginning to whiten :
then, not wishing to prolong this
conversation she loads them with
presents, and sends them back in
their aërial chariot.

When, carried by Zephyr's gentle

breeze, they arrived home, they spoke

34
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

thus together : " What, sister, shall

we think of that simpleton's monstrous
lies ? Yesterday he was a youth with
downy cheeks , now a middle-aged
man turning grey. What manner of
man can he be who has grown old so
suddenly ? Sister, it must either be

that this lying woman deceives us, or

that she does not know her husband's
face. Whichever of these two con-

jectures holds the truth, she must be

driven from her present state. If she
does not know her husband's face, it

must be a god whom she has married,

and of a god is she pregnant. Cer-
tainly will I hang myself, if ever she

is proclaimed the mother of a god-

which Heaven forbid ! Let us go to
our parents, and let us devise some
scheme which will fit in with our
present conversation . "

Burning with envy, they could

35 D2
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

scarcely speak to their parents, and

through the night they tossed on
sleepless beds. In the morning they
hastened to the rock, and, by the now
habitual help of the breeze, they
flew quickly through the air. They
rubbed their eyes to bring forth tears,
and, full of guile, they called for the
girl. "You live happily and con-
tentedly, ignorant and incurious of the
great evil and danger that surrounds

you. But, we, who have been keep-

ing a sleepless watch over your
fortunes, are heart-broken at your

peril. For we have made a discovery

the truth of which is beyond dispute,
and which we, who are companions in
all your sorrow and misfortune, dare
not hide from you. An immense

serpent with many coils, with fangs

full of poison, with maw unfathomable
and terrible, each night lies sleeping
36
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

by your side. Remember the Pythian

oracle, who proclaimed you the bride
of a cruel monster. Many of the
husbandmen who hunt the neighbour-
hood, and many of our neighbours,

have seen him in the evening when

he has returned from the pasture , and

is bathing in the adjacent stream .

They all believe that he will not long
allow you to revel in this life of sweet-
ness, but as soon as you are at your

full reckoning he will devour you like

a ripened fruit. Make your choice ;
either take the advice of your sisters,
whose whole care is your safety, and
by flying death, live with us free from

all danger, or find your tomb in the

bowels of this most savage monster.
But of course, if the silence of this

land, broken only by these mysterious

voices, if this foul, secret and danger-
ous amour, and the embraces of this

37
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

poisonous reptile please you, we, your

loving sisters, can do no more : by
advising you we have done our

duty. "

Poor Psyche, her simple trusting

heart is overcome by these dreadful
prophecies, and she loses all her
presence of mind. She forgets all her
husband's warnings and all her pro-
mises. She throws herself headlong

into this sea of trouble ; pale and

trembling, she speaks in faltering
tones. " Indeed, you have been
loving sisters to me ; what you tell
me is no doubt true. I have never

seen my husband's face, nor have I

any idea from what country he is

sprung ; only at night I hear the
murmur of his voice. I embrace a

husband whose position in life I do

not know, and who always flies from
38
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

me before the dawn. I believe you say

rightly that he is some monster, for he

is always in the greatest fear lest I
should see his face, and fortells the
greatest evils, should I succumb to

my curiosity. If you can help to

rescue your sister, fenced round with
danger, come now to her aid for it
would be worse than useless if you

have told me of a danger from which ,

even with your help, I cannot be
delivered."

Now that they had discovered the

whole of their sister's secret these
wicked women make haste to fulfil
their infamous intentions. One of
them says to her : " The bond of

sisterhood compelled us to seek out

every road that could lead to your
safety after deepest thought, we
have found one, which we will point
39
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

out to you. Take the sharpest knife

you can find, strop it on the palm of
your hand, and hide it in the part of
the bed where you usually lie : then
take a lamp well filled with oil, so that
it may burn brightly, and place it
somewhere behind the curtains . All
this you must do secretly. Then

when, according to his wont, with

trailing step this monster has reached
the bed, and is chained in deep sleep,

slip out of the bed, on tip-toe, and

with naked foot, take the lamp from
its hiding-place, and use its light to
help you in your great enterprise.
Seize your two- edged weapon, raise
high your hand , and with a blow
sever the head from the shoulders of

this poisonous reptile. We will be at

hand to help, and as soon as you have
gained safety by his death, we will
attend you, and will carry you and
40
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

your riches to your friends, where we

will find you a husband among human
creatures." Having by these words
enhanced their sister's dismay, they at

once leave her fearing to stay near

the scene of the intended crime. The

wonted breeze carries them safely to

the rock, from thence they quickly de-

scend, and taking ship, they sail away.

But Psyche is left all alone, unless

to be racked with all the anguish of

despair is to be in company. Her

thoughts rise and fall, like the waves
on a stormy sea. First, with fierce

mind, her hands make ready the

instruments of crime ; then she falters
with wavering heart. She makes

feverish haste, she stands with idle

hands, she scorns all danger, she

trembles, she weeps, she is enraged ;
for she hates the monster, but she
41
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

loves the husband. Evening, how-

ever, approaches, touching everything
with its shadows, and she hastens
to prepare the means of her odious
misdeed ; then night comes on, bring-
ing the bridegroom in its train , who,
after some amorous dalliance , falls
into a deep sleep .
Then Psyche, hitherto so gentle in
mind and body, is driven by the force
of savage fate : gathering strength,
she seizes the lamp and knife : her
courage conquering her sex. The

first ray of light that falls on the

bed discovers its secret. There she

sees the sweetest and most docile of

monsters : Cupid himself, the comeliest

of the gods, lying clothed in all his
beauty. At this sight the lamp itself
shone more brightly, and the knife

was ashamed of its accursed edge.

But Psyche, nearly frightened to death
42
 美火

DISCOVERY
THE
OF
CUPID
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

at this sight, loses all presence of

mind : blanched and trembling she
falls on her knees, and seeks in her

own bosom , to sheathe the dagger's

blade ; which straightway would she
have done, had not her fear made the
weapon slip from her nerveless hand .

But although now weakened and

without defence, the sight of his god-
like face strengthens her mind and
comforts her heart. She sees those

radiant locks , ambrosia- scented, the

milk-white neck, the damask cheek

over which wander those glorious curls

whose brilliancy makes the lamp's
light tremble. His wings, sparkling

with dew and gleaming with the

whiteness of the lily, are folded at his
shoulders, their delicate points moving
gently with the wind. The rest of
his body smooth and clear, and such
that Venus had no need to blush for

43
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

having borne him. At the foot of the

bed lie the bow and arrowed quiver,

the great god's pleasant weapons.

Curiosity seizes on Psyche ; she

touches and wonders at her husband's

weapons. She draws an arrow out of

the quiver and tries the point with the

tip of her thumb, but the trembling
of her hand causes her to prick too
deeply, and a few beads of rosy blood
ooze out through the skin. Thus

Psyche all unwittingly falls in love

with Love and burns for him more
and more . Breathless and craving

she bends over him, and, although

she fears to break his slumbers , she
showers on him her passionate and
burning kisses . But while her ex-

cited mind is all aglow with these

delights , the lamp -whether through
the blackest perfidy , or hateful jealousy ,
or whether it longed to touch that
44
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

beautiful form as if to kiss it-from

its flame lets fall a drop of burning

oil on the god's right shoulder. Oh !

reckless and accursed lamp, unworthy

minister of love . You burn the god

who burns all others. Was it not a
lover who first invented you, so that

he might prolong his pleasures, even

into the night ?

The god, burnt by the oil , starts up

from his sleep and, seeing his secret
so shamefully betrayed, tries to fly in
silence from the presence of his un-

happy wife but Psyche, as he rises,

clings to his knees with both hands.
She clings to him in agony as he
pursues his skyward course until , tired
out , she lets go and falls to the earth.

The god would not leave her lying

there on the ground, and alights on
the top of a neighbouring cypress,
45
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

and from its height speaks to her

in deep sadness. " Psyche, foolish

Psyche, I forgot the orders of my

mother Venus, who commanded me
to strike you with an infatuation for
the meanest and most wretched of

men, instead of which I myself be-

came your lover. I see now how

foolishly I acted, how I , renowned for

.
my arrow, was wounded by my own
weapon . I made you my wife : how
could I have seemed such a monster
to you that you would have cut off
the head of him whose eyes were lit
up with love for you ? How often I

told you to be ever on the watch !

How often I warned you ! Your evil

advisers shall receive their reward for

their wicked counsel, my flight will

be sufficient punishment for you. "

Ending with these words, he spreads

his wings and flies away.
46
 IV

SYCHE, prone on the ground,

PSYC H breaking heart followed
with
with her eyes her husband's
flight as far as she could see. When

the oarage of his wings had carried

him out of sight, she threw herself
headlong into a river that ran close
by. But the merciful stream , in

honour of the god who could inflame

even the waters, and also through
fear of his vengeance, caught her up

in the lap of a gentle wave and threw

her unharmed on its grass- grown

bank. By chance Pan was sitting on

a hillock close by the stream, embrac-

ing Echo, the mountain goddess ,

whom he was teaching to repeat

every kind of song. Near the bank

gambolled the goats who browsed on
47
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

the herbage that fringed the stream .

The goat-legged god saw Psyche
bowed down in sorrow, and, knowing

the cause of her suffering, with gentle

words called her to his side. " Poor

child, although I am but uncouth and

clownish, age has brought me much
knowledge. Unless my conjectures,
which wise men say are as good as

divination, are wrong, your wander-

ing and uncertain footsteps, your pale
cheek, your heart-drawn sighs, your
eyes flooded with tears, disclose an

untoward love. Listen to my words :

do not try to throw yourself from a
precipice, nor by any other means to
seek a violent death. Dry your tears

and pursue Cupid, the greatest of the

gods, with your prayers, for he is
young and voluptuous and may be
""
persuaded by your charms .'

48
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

Psyche did not reply to the rustic

god but honouring him as a pro-
pitious divinity she went her way.
Footsore and weary, she wandered for
some time until, after having gone

along an unknown path she came to

the city over which reigned the
husband of one of her sisters . As

soon as she discovered where she was,

Psyche made known her presence to

her sister. After they had met and
had embraced, the sister began to ask
Psyche the reason of her coming, who
said : " You remember you persuaded

me that a monster, assuming the name

of husband, slept by my side, and that
I ought to kill him with my knife
before he swallowed me up in his
gluttonous maw ? But when, having

taken your advice, I first looked on

his face by the aid of the guilty lamp,
I saw a sight marvellous and divine ,
49 E
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

the son of Venus , yes, I tell you, it

I tell
was he, Cupid, lying in sweet, quiet
sleep. Excited by the beauty of this
spectacle, and filled with desire, I could

not contain my tumultuous passion .

By a cursed chance, the lamp let fall
a drop of burning oil on his shoulder.
The pain woke him up immediately,
and he saw me armed with sword and
fire. How hideous, ' said he, ' is your

crime ; leave at once my couch ; I

cast you off for ever, and I will join
myself in marriage with your sister '
(and he called you by your name). He
then gave an order to Zephyr to carry
me outside the boundaries of the

palace. "

Psyche had scarcely finished speak-

ing, when the sister, filled with
jealousy and tormented by a criminal.
desire, hoodwinked her husband with
50
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

a lying tale that she had just heard of

the death of her parents, took ship
immediately and made haste to the
mountain crag. Although another

wind was blowing, blinded by her

66
impatience, she called out, Receive

me, Cupid, a spouse who is worthy of

you, and Zephyr catch up your
mistress ." Then she leapt far into

the abyss : but even her body could

not reach the desired valley, for the

jagged rocks caught and broke her
limbs to pieces. She met the fate she
deserved, for her scattered limbs and

entrails were devoured by the birds

and beasts of prey . Nor did the

punishment of the second sister linger

on its way, for Psyche, beginning
again her wanderings , came to another
city where the other sister lived .
Snared by the same tale and burning
to make an incestuous marriage , this
51 E2
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

other sister also hastened to the crag,

and likewise there met with her death.

While Psyche, in her unflagging

search for Cupid, was wandering all

over the world, he lay groaning in his

mother's chamber suffering from the
burns from the lamp. Then a sea-
mew, one of those birds who cleave

with their wings the waves of the sea,

dived down into the depths of Ocean's

lap. He alighted near the spot where
lovely Venus was bathing and told
her how her son was suffering from a
grievous burn, and lay on her bed,
his recovery doubtful : that rumour

and great scandal concerning the

whole of Venus' family was spreading
"
on every side. " They say your son,'
said the sea-mew, " has been dallying
with a hill-side mistress, while you

have been beguiling your hours in

52
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

bathing in the sea ; hence there has

been no more love, or pleasure, or
charm : nothing has gone smoothly,

but all things have been rough and

rude ; there have been no weddings,
no dear friendships, no love for

children, but all has been anarchy and

the draff from unholy unions. " These
words the garrulous and tale-bearing
bird poured into Venus' ear, stirring
up her anger against her son.

Venus, filled with anger, cried out :

"What, has my good son already

found a mistress ? Tell me, you who

alone serve me faithfully, what is the

name of the woman who has beguiled
my innocent and beardless boy ? Is
it one of the Nymphs, one of the
Hours, one of the band of Muses , or
one of the Graces who wait upon
me ? "
53
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

That chattering bird could not keep

silent. " I don't know, mistress, " he
said, "but I believe it is a maid

that he sighs for, and , if I remember

rightly, her name is Psyche. " Then

Venus, mad with anger, called out :

"What, he loves this Psyche, the rival
of my beauty, the stealer of my name !
Did the boy take me for a bawd
who showed him the girl for him to
enjoy ?"

With these angry words she rose

quickly out of the sea and straight-
way sought her golden chamber, and
there, as she had heard, she found
her wounded son. Standing on the
threshold she cried out : " Here is

fine behaviour which will brighten the

renown of our family and of your
reputation that you should spurn
her commands, who is not only
54
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

your mother, but is also your queen !

What means it that, instead of rack-
ing my enemy on the cross of a

squalid love, you , a mere boy, should

indulge in the embraces of a licentious

and immature passion , and think that

I would countenance my rival being
made my daughter in-law ? Do you
think, you little monster, that you
are safe to be always my only son,

and that I am past the age of child-

bearing ? I would have you know
that I will have another son, better
behaved than you : or at any rate, so

that you may feel more deeply the

weight of my anger, I will adopt one
of my pages ; to him will I give the
wings, the torch, the bow, even the
arrows and all the equipment, which
is mine, and which was intrusted to
you for uses far other than those

to which you have put them. You

55
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

never would bend to the instructions

of your good parents , but from your

earliest infancy you were untoward
and petulant in your actions. How
often would you beat irreverently your
elders ; every day you would tear the

clothes off my back, you little wretch,

and a thousand times have you struck

me, and now you defy my authority

as if I were a helpless widow, nor do
you even fear your step-father, that
brave and mighty fighter. On the
contrary, you have been in the habit

of procuring girls for him, to my great

torment. But now I will make you

pay the penalty for your misdeeds,

and you shall taste the bitterness of
your marriage. What have I done
that I should be made a laughing-
stock ? Where can I hide myself?

How can I punish this little serpent ?

Must I seek the help of my enemy
56
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

Sobriety ; whom I have so often

offended in order to satisfy this

boy's fantasies ? Must I consult that

awkward clown of a woman ? I

shudder at the thought : but, from

wherever it comes, I must not disdain
help in my search for revenge. Yes,
I must seek her out forthwith, for no
one else will chastise this young knave
so severely. She will unstrap his

quiver, blunt his arrows , cut his bow-

string, quench his torch, and , as for

his body, she will keep that in check

by stern means. I will think my

injuries atoned for when she has cut

off his hair, those golden curls with

which I have so often played : when

she has clipped those wings which

have been dewed with the nectar from
my breast."

57
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

When she had finished she rushed

in a fury out of the house. There

she was joined by Ceres and Juno ,

who inquired why her face was so
flushed, why her stern frown and
flashing of her beautiful eyes ? "You
come at an opportune moment, " said
Venus ; " so fierce is my anger that I
was like to have done violence to my-
self. Seek for me, I pray you, with

all your might that vagabond Psyche,

who has flown and escaped me. For

the scandal that has spread about my

house, and the escapades of him who

is no longer fit to be called my son
are not unknown to you. "

Then the goddesses , who knew all

that had passed , strove to allay her
fierce anger : 66 What, mistress, are

your son's misdeeds so great that you

strive with all your might against his

58
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

desires, and even would destroy her

whom he loves ? Is it, pray, such a
fearful crime to make eyes at a pretty

girl ? Do you not know he is now a

sturdy youth, or have you forgotten
the tale of his years ? Because he

carries his years so lightly, does he

still seem to you a boy ? You are a
mother, and moreover, a sensible

woman ; do you intend always to

keep so nice an eye on your son's
gallantries, to rebuke him for his
lapses from virtue, to enchain his
desires and to condemn, when found
in your son, the arts and charms that

all have learnt from you ? What god,

what mortal, would put up with you,
sowing desires in all men, while wish-

ing to restrain the play of passion in

your own household , and to close the

workshop of woman's transgressions ? "

Thus, wishing to keep in his favour,
59
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

they defended the absent Cupid,

whose arrows they so greatly feared.
But Venus, incensed at the injuries
she had received being treated with
ridicule, turned her back on them and
with quickened pace made for the
sea.

60
 V

EANWHILE Psyche
ME wandered through the land,

by day and night seeking

traces of Cupid , her longing growing
each day more ardent, hoping, even if
she could not win back her angered
husband by the fascinations of a wife,

she might be able to do so by the

prayers of a slave. One day in the
distance she saw a temple, capping a
"
rough mountain's summit. " Perhaps,
said she, " my lord dwells there."
She quickened her steps towards her
goal ; hope and desire conquering her
weariness. Resolutely she climbed

the hard and lofty crags and reached

the entrance of the sanctuary. There
she saw some ears of corn , some
in sheaves and some plaited into
61
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

crowns, there also she saw some ears

of barley. Sickles were there and all
the implements a harvester needs :
but all in disorder, as if thrown down

by wearied labourers. Psyche tidied

all these things and put each in its
place, feeling she ought not to neglect
service to any divine sanctuary, but to
court the favour of every sympathetic

god.

While she was doing this with zeal

and care, kindly Ceres caught sight of
her and exclaimed : " Alas , poor

Psyche ! Venus, beside herself with

anger, makes unremitting search for

you ; she seeks the direst penalty for
you, and calls all her strength together
to obtain revenge. Are you here taking
care of my belongings and thinking
of all else but your safety ? " Then

Psyche fell upon her knees and with her

62
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

abundant tears bathed the feet of the

goddess, while , with hair sweeping

the ground and with many a fervent
prayer, she implored her help. " By
your hand, which gives forth fruits to
the earth, by the pleasant rites of the
harvesters, by the mysteries of the
secret chest, by the chariot winged by
dragons who serve you, by the furrows
of Sicilian soil, by the car that carried
off Proserpine, by the earth who
imprisoned her so fast, by her dark

subterranean nuptials, by the light

that guided you on your return after
you had found your daughter, by all
those things that the sacred silence of
Attic Eleusis conceals, I beseech you
take pity on poor Psyche who kneels
to you . Let me hide among these

sheaves, if only for a few days :

perhaps by that time the wrath of the

goddess will have passed away, or at

63
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

least, by an interval of rest, my way-

worn limbs will have gathered fresh

strength !"
66
Your prayers and sorrows," re-
plied Ceres, "go to my heart, and I
would that I could help you but

Venus is my kinswoman and to her

am I bound by all the ties of friend-
ship, moreover she is an excellent
woman and I do not wish to expose

myself to her illwill. Leave, therefore,

the precincts of my temple without
delay, and think yourself lucky that I
have not kept you prisoner." Psyche,
repulsed in spite of her hopes, was
now doubly sad. She retraced her
steps and saw in the bottom of a
valley a shrine of skilful architecture.

Wishing not to neglect the chance of

a kinder reception, however doubtful
that chance might be, but to implore
the assistance of every divinity, she
64
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

therefore drew near the sacred portals.

There she saw the most precious
offerings, robes embroidered with
golden letters hung on the branches of
trees and were fixed to the doorposts
of the temple ; which attested the
favours that had been received and

the goddess to whom they were

consecrated. Then on bended knee

and with hands clasping the still warm

altar, stifling her sobs, she breathed
forth her prayer :

" Great wife and sister of Jove,

whether you dwell in the ancient

temple of Samos, which rejoices in

having heard your earliest cries, in
having been your nursery and play-
ground : or whether you dwell in
the happy seats of lofty Carthage
where men adore you as a maiden
carried up to heaven in a lion-drawn
65 F
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

car or whether, on the banks of

Inachus, where you are proclaimed the

wife of Jupiter and the queen of god-
desses, you protect the far-famed walls
of Argos you whom all the Orient
worships as Zygia and all the
Occident as Lucina ! in my deep

affliction be to me Juno the Pro-

tectress, pity me, outwearied by my
long drawn suffering, and save me
from the danger that hangs over me :

even as I know you are wont, in their

time of peril, to help all women labour-
ing with child." At these prayers ,

Juno presented herself in all the pomp

of heavenly dignity, and answered :
""
By all I hold sacred , I wish I could
answer your prayers : but it would be
against the wish of Venus my

daughter-in-law, whom I have always

loved as my daughter, and this pro-
priety forbids me to do : the laws also
66
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

forbid me to harbour a slave who has

fled from her mistress. "

Psyche was now in despair at the

utter shipwreck of her fortunes. Un-
able to find traces of her winged

husband, and robbed of all hope and

safety, she broods over her sad destiny.
"Whose help can I seek in my tribu-
lation, whose help can I obtain when
even these goddesses , in spite of their
good wishes, dare not come to my
aid ? Surrounded as I am , with so

many snares, how can I retrace my

steps ? Under what roof, within what
shades can I hide myself from the
all- seeing eyes of great Venus ? Why
not arm yourself with dauntless

courage, bravely cast aside all fruitless

hopes, and throw yourself, of your
own accord, before the feet of your
mistress ? Perhaps your submission ,
67 F2
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

although tardy, will soften her cruel

wrath. Who knows but that you may

find in his mother's palace him for

whom you have sought so long?"
Prepared, by surrendering, for the
doubtful chance of safety, or for the
completion of her ruin, she thinks out
the form of her supplication .

Venus, deciding to lay aside earthly

means to succeed in her quest, seeks
the heavens. She orders her chariot

to be made ready, the one that Vulcan,

the wonderful goldsmith, had wrought
with his subtle art, and which he had

offered her as a bridal gift before the

consummation of her nuptials. This
chariot, made more beautiful by the
fretwork of the file, had gained in

value by its loss of gold . From the

army of white doves who lodged
near the chamber of their mistress,
68
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

four fly out, and with joyous haste,

bending their tinted necks, they fasten
themselves to the gem- covered yoke :

their mistress takes her place and

gaily they rise on wing.
With boisterous twittering , the
wanton sparrows swirl round the

chariot of the goddess, while the other

birds with their sweetest song herald

the advent of the queen. The clouds

part asunder, and heaven opens his
gate to his daughter, and with joy the
vast empyrean receives the goddess,
nor do the choiring attendants of
Venus fear either the fierce eagle or
the ravenous hawk.

She turns her steps towards Jupiter's

royal seat, and demands the use of the

services of Mercury with the sonorous

voice. Jupiter bows his azure brow

in consent. Then the exulting Venus

descends from heaven accompanied by

69
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

Mercury, and coaxes him with these

words : " Arcadian brother, you know

that Venus has never done anything

without the help of Mercury, nor is

it unknown to you how long I have
made fruitless search for this slave who
has escaped me. Nothing remains
but that you as crier, should publicly
make the offer of a reward to any one
who shall recover her. Obey my

commands with speed , make clear the

signs and tokens by which she can be
recognised , so that if, hereafter, any
one is accused of the crime of unlaw-

fully harbouring her, ignorance cannot

""
be pleaded as an excuse.' With these
words she hands him a paper on
which is inscribed Psyche's name and
other details and as soon as she had
done this , she goes home.

70
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

Mercury did not fail to obey. He

went through all the countries of the
world and made known the following

proclamation and reward : " If any

one shall take in flight, or discover the
hiding place of a fugitive slave of
Venus, Psyche by name, the daughter
of a king, he shall hand her over to
Mercury the herald, behind the

Murtian boundaries. He who does

this shall receive, as reward, seven

sweet fierce kisses from Venus herself,

and one, sweet with the honey drawn

""
from her caressing tongue.' This

proclamation by Mercury aroused in

every one a wild desire for the reward,

and quite removed any irresolution

which Psyche might hitherto have felt.

As she approached the portals of

her mistress she met one of the

attendants of Venus, called Habit,

71
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

who, as soon as she saw Psyche, cried

at the top of her voice : " At last,
basest of slaves, have you learnt that
you have a mistress ? Or, with an
audacity that would fit well with the

rest of your character, will you pretend

that you did not know what trouble

we have been put to in our search for

you ? But luckily you have fallen
into my hands, you are caught fast in
the claws of Orcus, and without delay
shall receive the punishment fit for
your rebellion." With these words

she savagely seized the unresisting

Psyche by the hair and dragged her
along.

When she had been brought be-

fore Venus, the goddess broke into

triumphant laughter, but it was the
laughter of one fierce with wrath :

then, shaking her head and scratching

72
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

her right ear, she says : " At length

visit your
you have deigned to
mother-in-law ? Or is it not rather

that you have come to visit your

husband, who lies sore wounded by
you ? But be at ease, I will show
you how a good daughter- in-law
should be trained." Then she called
out : "Where are my two slaves,
Sorrow and Care ?" When they were
called in, she handed Psyche over to

them for torture. They followed out

the orders of their mistress, and having
scourged poor Pysche, and put her
under all forms of torture, they brought

her again before the throne of their

mistress .

Once more Venus broke forth in

laughter : " Behold , " said she , “ that

swelling belly ought to obtain my
sympathy ; will not its glorious fruit
73
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

make me a happy grandmother ?

How nice for me to be called ' grand-

mother ' while still in the flower of
my youth, and to hear this low slave's

child called the grandson of Venus !

But I am wrong in saying that he
will be my grandson . The marriage
is unequal it was celebrated in a
country place , without witnesses , with-
out the father's consent ; it cannot be

considered valid : your child , there-

fore, will be born a bastard , even if I

let you live to bring forth a child

at all."

When she had ended, she rushed

on Psyche, tore her clothes to shreds,
pulled her hair, and struck her on the

head with great violence. Then she

had brought to her some grains of
corn, of barley, of millet, of poppy

seed, of chick pea, of lentils, and

74
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

of beans. She mixed them all up

together into one confused heap and

said to Psyche : " You seem to me so
ill-favoured a slave, that the only way
for you to win a lover is to show great

zeal in his service. I will test what

good there is in you. These seeds

that I have mixed together , separate

them one by one, and arrange them in

their different classes. Before night

you must submit your completed task

for my approval. " Having pointed
out the great heap of seeds, she went
away to attend a wedding feast.

Psyche made no effort to sort this

confused and chaotic heap, but, dis-
mayed by the barbarity of the order,
she stood in silent stupor. Then an
ant, one of those little insects that live

in the fields, appreciating the enormity

of her task, took pity on the bride
75
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

of the great god , and, execrating the

mother-in-law's cruelty, ran quickly

and called together the whole of the

neighbouring tribe of ants. " Take

pity," he cried, " oh nimble children of

the fruitful earth, take pity on Love's
wife hasten to succour a beautiful

maid, from approaching danger. "

They came running up, these little
six-legged animals, tumbling one over
another like the waves in the sea ;

then they separated the grain , and ,

arranging each in its class, they swiftly
disappeared . As the night fell, Venus
returned from the wedding feast,
soaked in wine and smelling of

balsam , with her body wound round

with gleaming roses. When she saw

the miraculous accomplishment of the

task she had set, she cried : " This
is none of your work, you deceitful
wretch, but of his, to whom , to his
76
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

and your ruin, you appeared pleasing ."

Then, throwing her a piece of black
bread, she sought her couch.

Meanwhile Cupid was kept close

prisoner in the innermost room of the
palace, partly that his wound should

not grow worse through his petulance

and restlessness, partly that he should
not meet his love. Thus, although
separated, the two lovers passed a sad
night under the same roof. Just as
Aurora was driving across the sky,
Venus called Psyche and said : " Do
you see that wood, through which a
deep banked river flows : the further-
most trees of the wood looking on the
source of the stream ? There you will

find sheep shining with golden fleeces,

and grazing without a shepherd. I
command you at once to get from
them, as best you can, a flock of their
77
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

precious wool and bring it back to

me. "

Psyche started off willingly, not,

however, to fulfil her task, but from

the rocky precipice by the river- side

to find an end to her sufferings. But
from the middle of the river a green

reed, the cradle of many a tender

harmony, inspired by the gods, com-

forted Psyche with these gentle words :
ཀའ་
Psyche, although you have been
racked with so many hardships, do not
stain my holy waters by your un-
hallowed death : nor go near the

fierce sheep who pasture on these

banks , for when the sun pours down
on them with its midday heat, they
are wont to become mad with rage ,

and with their sharp horns, their hard

foreheads, and sometimes with their

poisonous bites, they bring to mortals

78
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

a cruel death. Until midday is passed

and the sun's heat diminished, and the
flock has been calmed by the coolness

of the stream, you can hide yourself

under the tall plane tree which drinks
with me the waters of this river. As

soon as the cool of the evening has

tempered the raging of the flock,
by pulling aside the leaves of the

neighbouring trees, you will find the

golden wool that has adhered to the

network of branches through which

the sheep have forced their way. "
Thus did a simple reed show poor
Psyche her way to safety. She did
not fail to listen attentively to her
instructions , but, by observing them
all, she easily accomplished the thefts
of the flocks of yellow gold, and,
filling her lap, she carried them to
Venus .

79
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

But the issue of this second trial

had not the desired success : wrinkling
her brows and with sneering smile,

her tyrant mistress said : " You cannot

cheat me I recognise the hand of
your false helper. Now I will give
you a test which will prove whether
you have such exceeding cleverness

and prudence. Do you see the jagged

rock that overhangs the summit of
yonder mountain, from which a stream
flows down in inky waves into the
lap of a neighbouring valley, nourish-
ing the Stygian bogs and the hoarse
waters of Cocytus ? Seek the earliest

source of that stream, take with you

this little flagon, and fill it full with its
icy waters . " Thus saying, with many

threats she placed in her hand a

crystal flagon.

Psyche eagerly hastened to the top

80
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

of the mountain, thinking to find

there an end to her misery in death,
and as she neared the rock that

had been pointed out to her, she

realised the difficulties of her task,
and the certainty of her fate . The

rock towered over her, jagged and

inaccessible, spewing out from its
ragged jaws the noisome stream ,
which, when it had escaped its con-
fines, tumbled and flowed down
the mountain side, then, tracing a

narrow channel , was lost in the valley

beneath. From either side of these

rocky jaws two raging dragons , with

reared heads, rushed out, unsleeping
sentinels, whose vigilance is never
tired or cheated. Now even the

waters, finding voice, began to warn

her : " Go back," they cried. "What
are you doing ? " " Beware . " " Fly,

or you will perish . " The hopeless-

81 G
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

ness of her task turned Psyche to a

stone ; her body was there, but her
mind had fled : crushed under the

weight of her sorrow, she was bereft

even of the comfort of tears.

The sorrows of this innocent soul

were not, however, hidden from all-

seeing Providence. Suddenly the

royal bird of all - powerful Jupiter, the
fierce eagle, spread wide his wings
and flew down to her. He it was

who, guided by Cupid, found and

carried off the Phrygian youth to be
Jove's cupbearer. He wished to

repay the god of Love by bringing

help to the troubled bride and for
this reason he had left the ethereal

realms, and alighted

alighted before the
maiden.

" Ah, Innocent ! unused to these

tasks, do you hope to get even a

82
M

PSYCHE AIDED BY THE BIRD OF JUPITER

 CUPID AND PSYCHE

drop from this fount, as terrible as it

is sacred ? Do you hope to be able
even to reach it? Have you not

heard that all the gods, even Jupiter

himself, fear the Stygian waters, and

that, as you mortals are wont to swear
by the divinity of the gods, the gods
swear by the majesty of the Styx ?

But give me your flagon. " He took

it from her hand, and soon returned
with it filled.

For, by rising on his spreading

wings, he could fly between the
dragons whose open jaws showed
their terrible fangs and the darting
of their triple tongues. When the
flowing waters ordered him with
threats to retire and leave them

unharmed, he pretended he came by

the orders of Venus and on her

service by this ruse he obtained an

easier access to their source.
83 G2
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

Having the flagon full of water,

Psyche returned joyfully to Venus :
but even this time she could not

assuage the anger of the impla

cable goddess. But threatening her
with still heavier and crueller tasks,
Venus called to her, smiling spite-
fully : " You seem to be a witch

deeply versed in the infernal arts,

since you have so quickly obeyed
such difficult commands : but here,

my lass, you shall do me one more

service. Take this box and carry it

to the realms of the dead ; right

into the gloomy home of Orcus.

There you shall present the box
to Proserpine : tell her that Venus

asks her to send by you a little of her

beauty, even if it is only sufficient
for a day for she has consumed all
that she had in nursing her son, who
is sick. Lose no time in returning ,
84
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

for I must use it before I take my

place in the theatre of the gods. ”

Then Psyche felt she had reached

the very crown of her sorrows, and

casting on one side all illusive hopes,

she saw that the goddess intended to
drive her to destruction . Else , why
should she command her to go on foot
to Tartarus and the Shades ? Without

delay she made for the first high

tower that she saw, from there intend-

ing to throw herself headlong. This,

she judged, would be the easiest
and most direct way to descend to
Tartarus. But suddenly the tower

found voice and spoke to her in the

following words : "Why, poor wretch ,
do you seek your death by throwing
yourself down from my summit ?
Why do you succumb without effort
before this fresh task and danger?
85
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

If you unyoke your soul from your

body you can, indeed , go to the very
bottom of Tartarus : but then you can
in no wise return. Listen to me.

Lacedaemon, a noble city of Achaia,

is situated not far from here . Seek

near there the entrance to Taenarus,

hidden in an obscure corner. There

is the vent hole of Pluto's dwelling,

and through the yawning gap you
will see a pathless way : as soon as
you have passed through this gap,
and have entered on your journey, a

straight road will bring you to the

kingdom of Orcus. You will not,

however, be able to walk right through

these shades with empty hands. You
must carry in either hand a cake of

pearl-barley mixed with honey, and,

in your mouth, two pieces of money.
When you have gone some way along

the road of the dead, you will meet a

86
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

lame donkey loaded with faggots, and

with him a lame driver, who will ask
you to hand him some cords as the
But you
load has slipped down.
must pass on without answering a
word. Soon you will come to the
river of the dead. There Charon

holds his sway, demanding toll from

all who wish to be ferried over to the
opposite bank in his frail bark. For
greed thrives among the dead.
Charon, Pluto himself, though great

even among the gods, gives nothing

for nothing, and a poor man dying
must seek money for his fare, for no
one who has it not is allowed to
breathe out his soul. Give this loath-

some old man a piece of money for

his fare but make him take it out of
your mouth with his hand. Nor is

this all ; as you are passing over these

stagnant waters, an old dead man
87
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

floating in the stream will raise aloft

his putrefying hands and beg you to

draw him into the boat. But do not
give way to a pity that is unlawful.
When you have crossed the river and

have gone a little distance on your

way, some old women spinning a web
will ask you to lend them your aid for
a little while but it is not lawful for

you even to stretch forth your hand.

For these, and many others , are
merely traps laid by malevolent Venus

in order to get you to drop one of

your cakes. Do not think the loss of

one of these cakes would be a matter

of small moment , for if one is lost the

light of day will, for ever after, be

refused you.
Then you will see an

immense dog, endowed with three

huge heads and throats , a fierce and
dreadful monster who , thundering out

deep barks from his throats, frights

88
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

away the dead, whom, however, he

cannot harm . He watches always
before the threshold of Proserpine's

sombre halls, and guards Pluto's

silent dwelling. You will easily

be able to get past him by throwing

him one of your cakes. You will

then be able to go direct to Proserpine ,

who will welcome you kindly, and

will invite you to recline on a soft

couch, and to partake of a sumptuous
feast. Refuse this, and, sitting on

the ground, ask for a piece of black

bread and eat it. Then tell the pur-

pose of your coming, and, taking what

is given you, retrace your steps.

Assuage the savage dog by throwing
him your remaining cake : after that
you will pay the greedy ferryman with

your second piece of money, and,

having recrossed his river, you will
follow the path you came by , and see
89
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

once more the sky with its glittering

band of stars. In all my advice, this

one point is the most important : do

not wish to open the box you are
carrying, or look upon the divine
beauty deep hidden in its treasure
house." Thus the benevolent tower
gave its advice.

Psyche directed her steps without

delay to Taenarus, and providing her-
self with the pieces of money and the

cakes , she descended the path to the

shades. She passed in silence the

crippled donkey driver, and gave the

ferryman the piece of money ; she
hardened her heart against the old
man swimming in the stream, and
turned a deaf ear to the crafty prayers

of the spinners , and , appeasing the

dog's rage by the gift of a cake, she

entered Proserpine's palace. Refusing

the offer of a soft couch and a dainty
90
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

repast, she seated herself humbly at

the feet of the goddess, and having
appeased her hunger with black bread,
she told the message of Venus. With-
out delay she obtained the box, filled
and closely fastened. With her second
cake she sealed the mouth of the

snarling dog, and giving her remain.

ing piece of money to the ferryman ,
she ran with all haste from the valley
of the shades.
When with thankful heart she

once more reached the upper world,

although in hot haste to end her

task, a reckless curiosity filled her

mind. " Behold," said she, " here am

I, stupidly bearing the source of the

goddess' beauty, which if I take but a
little for myself, will render me

gracious in the eyes of my beloved. "

With these words she opened the box.

Lo ! it contained no means of beauty,
91
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

but a death-like and Stygian sleep,

which, as soon as the lid was opened ,

rose and spread its lethargic vapours
over every limb, and chained her to
the very spot on which she stood.
There she fell, bereft of all power of

motion, a breathing statue.

But Cupid had now quite recovered

from his wound, and could no longer

bear his Psyche's absence. He, there-

fore, escaped by the narrow window
of the chamber in which he was im-

prisoned. On wings , strengthened by

his long rest, he flew swiftly down to
his Psyche : he recaptured the Sleep,
and forced it back into its box, and
then with his arrow's harmless point
""
he awakened Psyche, " Once more,

he said, " poor child, you come to

grief through the same curiosity . Lose
no time now in fulfilling my mother's
|| 92
9
PSYCHE AWAKENED BY CUPID
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

commands : after that I will see to the

rest." With these words, her lover

took flight, and Psyche carried Proser-

pine's gift without delay to Venus.

In the meanwhile, Cupid, outworn

with love, and fearing that his mother's
displeasure would send him forthwith

to Sobriety, took possession once more

of his arms . On swiftest wing he

flew up to the topmost sky, and there,

before Jupiter himself, he pleaded his
cause. Jupiter took his face between

his hands, and drawing it towards his

mouth, kissed him, and then addressed
him : " You know well, my son, you
have never treated me with the respect

that all the other gods have paid me :

this intelligence which has formed the
great laws of nature, which guides the
stars in their journeys , you have dis-
torted by your repeated blows. On
93
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

earth you have disgraced it by oft-

repeated amours, breaking the laws
especially promulgated against such
intrigues. You have drawn me into
adulterous adventures which have com-

promised my honour and good name ;

you have compelled me to hide my
majesty under the basest forms, a
snake, a fire, a wild beast, a bird , a

bull. I must not, however, forget the

need of gentleness : or that you were
brought up under my hand. I will

consent to all your requests : but

remember to be on guard against
your rivals, and if there is on earth a

maid of surpassing beauty, with her

you must repay my bounty."

When he had spoken thus, he

ordered Mercury to convoke an

assembly of the gods, and to proclaim

that if any of the gods were absent
94
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

from the roll-call, he would be con-

demned to a fine of ten thousand
crowns. By reason of this threat, the

celestial amphitheatre was quickly

filled. Seated on his lofty throne

great Jupiter began : " Gods whose

names are enrolled in the registers of

the Muses, you know full well that
this youth, by my side, was reared

under my hand. His youthful prime,

his boyish outbreaks, make me think
it necessary to rein him in. Each day
brings me tales of his lechery and riot.
I feel that an end must be put to all
this, and I have decided to enchain

his intemperance with the bonds of

matrimony. He has chosen a maid,
and has robbed her of her virginity.
Her shall he hold , her shall he possess ,

in Psyche's embraces shall he for ever

find content. " Then, turning to

Venus, he said : " And you, my

95
 CUPID AND PSYCHE

beloved daughter, do not grieve, nor

fear, by reason of a marriage with a

mortal , that the honour of your great
house and name will be dimmed .

This marriage shall neither be dis-

proportionate nor irregular. " He then
ordered Mercury to find Psyche and
carry her up to the heavens. When
this had been done , he took a cup
of ambrosia and said : " Drink,

Psyche, and be immortal : never more

shall Cupid leave your side, for

your marriage shall last throughout
eternity. "

Immediately a magnificent marriage

feast was served. On the seat of

honour sat Cupid with Psyche in his

arms. With them sat Jupiter and

Juno, then the gods in their order.

Nectar, which is the wine of the gods,
was handed around. His own cup
96
 UNIV. OF

CALIFORNIA

CUPID AND PSYCHE

bearer, the young shepherd, served

Jupiter, the rest of the gods were
waited on by Bacchus, while Vulcan
cooked the viands. The Hours

crowned the guests with roses, the

Graces sprayed them with balsam, the
Muses sang with dulcet voice. Apollo
sang to his lyre, Venus, to the strains
of sweetest music, danced with
heavenly grace . It was so arranged
that the Muses formed the choir,

while a Satyr played his flute , and a

pupil of Pan attuned his pipe. Thus ,
with all due rites, was Psyche joined

to Cupid, and, in due course, the child

was born, whom men call Desire.

Here ends the tale of Cupid and

Psyche.

97
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