THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHE | THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER

The Golden Ass

by Lucius Apuleius

THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHE | THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER, THE GOLDEN ASS by Lucius Apuleius


The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of Cupid and
Psyches.

There was sometimes a certaine King, inhabiting in the West parts,
who had to wife a noble Dame, by whom he had three daughters
exceeding fair, : of whom the two elder were of such comly shape
and beauty, as they did excell and pass all other women living,
whereby they were thought worthily to deserve the praise and
commendation of every person, and deservedly to be preferred
above the residue of the common sort. Yet the singular passing
beauty and maidenly majesty of the youngest daughter did so farre
surmount and excell then two, as no earthly creature could by any
meanes sufficiently expresse or set out the same.

By reason wherof, after the fame of this excellent maiden was
spread about in every part of the City, the Citisens and strangers
there beeing inwardly pricked by the zealous affection to behold her
famous person, came daily by thousands, hundreths, and scores, to
her fathers palace, who was astonied with admiration of her
incomparable beauty, did no less worship and reverence her with
crosses, signes, and tokens, and other divine adorations, according
to the custome of the old used rites and ceremonies, than if she
were the Lady Venus indeed, and shortly after the fame was
spread into the next cities and bordering regions, that the goddess
whom the deep seas had born and brought forth, and the froth of
the waves had nourished, to the intent to show her high
magnificencie and divine power on earth, to such as erst did honour
and worship her, was now conversant among mortall men, or else
that the earth and not the sea, by a new concourse and influence of
the celestiall planets, had budded and yeelded forth a new Venus,
endued with the floure of virginity.

So daily more and more encreased this opinion, and now is her
flying fame dispersed into the next Island, and well nigh unto every
part and province of the whole world. Wherupon innumerable
strangers resorted from farre Countries, adventuring themselves by
long journies on land and by great perils on water, to behold this
glorious virgin. By occasion wherof such a contempt grew
towards the goddesse Venus, that no person travelled unto the
Towne Paphos, nor to the Isle Gyndos, nor to Cythera to worship
her. Her ornaments were throwne out, her temples defaced, her
pillowes and cushions torne, her ceremonies neglected, her images
and Statues uncrowned, and her bare altars unswept, and fowl with
the ashes of old burnt sacrifice. For why, every person honoured
and worshipped this maiden in stead of Venus, and in the morning
at her first comming abroad offered unto her oblations, provided
banquets, called her by the name of Venus, which was not Venus
indeed, and in her honour presented floures and garlands in most
reverend fashion.

This sudden change and alteration of celestiall honour, did greatly
inflame and kindle the love of very Venus, who unable to temper
her selfe from indignation, shaking her head in raging sort, reasoned
with her selfe in this manner, Behold the originall parent of all these
elements, behold the Lady Venus renowned throughout all the
world, with whome a mortall maiden is joyned now partaker of
honour : my name registred in the city of heaven is prophaned and
made vile by terrene absurdities. If I shall suffer any mortall
creature to present my Majesty on earth, or that any shall beare
about a false surmised shape of her person, then in vaine did Paris
the sheepheard (in whose judgement and competence the great
Jupiter had affiance) preferre me above the residue of the
goddesses, for the excellency of my beauty : but she, whatever she
be that hath usurped myne honour, shal shortly repent her of her
unlawful estate. And by and by she called her winged sonne
Cupid, rash enough and hardy, who by his evill manners contemning
all publique justice and law, armed with fire and arrowes, running
up and down in the nights from house to house, and corrupting the
lawfull marriages of every person, doth nothing but that which is
evill, who although that hee were of his owne proper nature
sufficiently prone to worke mischiefe, yet she egged him forward
with words and brought him to the city, and shewed him Psyches
(for so the maid was called) and having told the cause of her anger,
not without great rage, I pray thee (quoth she) my dear childe, by
motherly bond of love, by the sweet wounds of thy piercing darts,
by the pleasant heate of thy fire, revenge the injury which is done
to thy mother by the false and disobedient beauty of a mortall
maiden, and I pray thee, that without delay shee may fall in love
with the most miserablest creature living, the most poore, the most
crooked, and the most vile, that there may bee none found in all the
world of like wretchednesse. When she had spoken these words
she embraced and kissed her sonne, and took her voyage toward
the sea.

When she came upon the sea she began to cal the gods and
goddesses, who were obedient at her voyce. For incontinent came
the daughters of Nereus, singing with tunes melodiously : Portunus
with his bristled and rough beard, Salita with her bosome full of fish,
Palemon the driver of the Dolphine, the Trumpetters of Tryton,
leaping hither and thither, and blowing with heavenly noyse : such
was the company which followed Venus, marching towards the
ocean sea.

In the meane season Psyches with all her beauty received no fruit
of honor. She was wondred at of all, she was praised of all, but
she perceived that no King nor Prince, nor any one of the superiour
sort did repaire to wooe her. Every one marvelled at her divine
beauty, as it were some Image well painted and set out. Her other
two sisters, which were nothing so greatly exalted by the people,
were royally married to two Kings : but the virgin Psyches, sitting
alone at home. lamented her solitary life, and being disquieted both
in mind and body, although she pleased all the world, yet hated shee
in her selfe her owne beauty. Whereupon the miserable father of
this unfortunate daughter, suspecting that the gods and powers of
heaven did envy her estate, went to the town called Milet to
receive the Oracle of Apollo, where he made his prayers and
offered sacrifice, and desired a husband for his daughter : but
Apollo though he were a Grecian, and of the country of Ionia,
because of the foundation of Milet, yet hee gave answer in Latine
verse, the sence whereof was this :-

Let Psyches corps be clad in mourning weed,
And set on rock of yonder hill aloft :
Her husband is no wight of humane seed,
But Serpent dire and fierce as might be thought.
Who flies with wings above in starry skies,
And doth subdue each thing with firie flight.
The gods themselves, and powers that seem so wise,
With mighty Jove, be subject to his might,
The rivers blacke, and deadly flouds of paine
And darkness eke, as thrall to him remaine.

The King, sometimes happy when he heard the prophesie of
Apollo, returned home sad and sorrowful, and declared to his wife
the miserable and unhappy fate of his daughter. Then they began
to lament and weep, and passed over many dayes in great sorrow.
But now the time approached of Psyches marriage, preparation
was made, blacke torches were lighted, the pleasant songs were
turned into pittifull cries, the melody of Hymeneus was ended with
deadly howling, the maid that should be married did wipe her eyes
with her vaile. All the family and people of the city weeped
likewise, and with great lamentation was ordained a remisse time
for that day, but necessity compelled that Psyches should be
brought to her appointed place, according to the divine appointment.

And when the solemnity was ended, they went to bring the
sorrowful spowse, not to her marriage, but to her final end and
burial. And while the father and mother of Psyches did go forward
weeping and crying unto this enterprise, Psyches spake unto them
in this sort : Why torment your unhappy age with continuall dolour?
Why trouble you your spirits, which are more rather mine than
yours? Why soyle ye your faces with teares, which I ought to
adore and worship? Why teare you my eyes in yours? why pull
you your hory haires? Why knocke ye your breasts for me? Now
you see the reward of my excellent beauty : now, now you
perceive, but too late, the plague of envy. When the people did
honour me, and call me new Venus, then yee should have wept,
then you should have sorrowed as though I had been dead : for
now I see and perceive that I am come to this misery by the only
name of Venus, bring mee, and as fortune has appointed, place me
on the top of the rocke, I greatly desire to end my marriage, I
greatly covet to see my husband. Why doe I delay? why should I
refuse him that is appointed to destroy all the world.

Thus ended she her words, and thrust her selfe among the people
that followed. Then they brought her to the appointed rocke of the
high hill, and set [her] hereon, and so departed. The Torches and
lights were put out with the teares of the people, and every man
gone home, the miserable Parents well nigh consumed with sorrow,
gave themselves to everlasting darknes.

Thus poore Psyches being left alone, weeping and trembling on the
toppe of the rocke, was blowne by the gentle aire and of shrilling
Zephyrus, and carried from the hill with a meek winde, which
retained her garments up,, and by little and little bought her downe
into a deepe valley, where she was laid in a bed of most sweet and
fragrant flowers.

Thus faire Psyches being sweetly couched among the soft and
tender hearbs, as in a bed of sweet and fragrant floures, and having
qualified the thoughts and troubles of her restlesse minde, was now
well reposed. And when she had refreshed her selfe sufficiently
with sleepe, she rose with a more quiet and pacified minde, and
fortuned to espy a pleasant wood invironed with great and mighty
trees. Shee espied likewise a running river as cleare as crystall : in
the midst of the wood well nigh at the fall of the river was a
princely Edifice, wrought and builded not by the art or hand of man,
but by the mighty power of God : and you would judge at the first
entry therin, that it were some pleasant and worthy mansion for the
powers of heaven. For the embowings above were of Citron and
Ivory, propped and undermined with pillars of gold, the walls
covered and seeled with silver, divers sorts of beasts were graven
and carved, that seemed to encounter with such as entered in. All
things were so curiously and finely wrought, that it seemed either to
be the worke of some Demy god, or of God himselfe. The
pavement was all of pretious stones, divided and cut one from
another, whereon was carved divers kindes of pictures, in such sort
that blessed and thrice blessed were they that might goe upon such
a pavement : Every part and angle of the house was so well
adorned, that by reason of the pretious stones and inestimable
treasure there, it glittered and shone in such sort, that the chambers,
porches, and doores gave light as it had beene the Sunne. Neither
otherwise did the other treasure of the house disagree unto so great
a majesty, that verily it seemed in every point an heavenly Palace,
fabricate and built for Jupiter himselfe.

Then Psyches moved with delectation approched nigh and taking a
bold heart entred into the house, and beheld every thing there with
great affection, she saw storehouses wrought exceedingly fine, and
replenished with aboundance of riches. Finally, there could nothing
be devised which lacked there : but among such great store of
treasure this was most marvellous, that there was no closure, bolt,
nor locke to keepe the same. And when with great pleasure shee
had viewed all these things, she heard a voyce without any body,
that sayd, Why doe you marvell Madame at so great riches?
behold, all that you see is at your commandement, wherefore goe
you into the chamber, and repose your selfe upon the bed, and
desire what bath you will have, and wee whose voyces you heare
bee your servants, and ready to minister unto you according to your
desire. In the meane season, royall meats and dainty dishes shall
be prepared for you.

Then Psyches perceived the felicity of divine providence, and
according to the advertisement of the incorporeall voyces she first
reposed her selfe upon the bed, and then refreshed her body in the
baines. This done, shee saw the table garnished with meats, and a
chaire to sit downe.

When Psyches was set downe, all sorts of divine meats and wines
were brought in, not by any body, but as it were with a winde, for
she saw no person before her, but only heard voyces on every side.
After that all the services were brought to the table, one came in
and sung invisibly, another played on the harpe, but she saw no
man. The harmony of the Instruments did so greatly shrill in her
eares, that though there were no manner of person, yet seemed she
in the midst of a multitude of people.

All these pleasures finished, when night aproched Psyches went to
bed, and when she was layd, that the sweet sleep came upon her,
she greatly feared her virginity, because shee was alone. Then
came her unknowne husband and lay with her : and after that hee
had made a perfect consummation of the marriage, he rose in the
morning before day, and departed. Soone after came her invisible
servants, and presented to her such things as were necessary for
her defloration. And thus she passed forth a great while, and as it
happeneth, the novelty of the things by continuall custome did
encrease her pleasure, but especially the sound of the instruments
was a comfort to her being alone.

During this time that Psyches was in this place of pleasures, her
father and mother did nothing but weepe and lament, and her two
sisters hearing of her most miserable fortune, came with great
dolour and sorrow to comfort and speake with her parents.

The night following , Psyches husband spake unto her (for she
might feele his eyes, his hands, and his ears) and sayd, O my sweet
Spowse and dear wife, fortune doth menace unto thee imminent
danger, wherof I wish thee greatly to beware : for know that thy
sisters, thinking that thou art dead, bee greatly troubled, and are
coming to the mountain by thy steps. Whose lamentations if thou
fortune to heare, beware that thou doe in no wise make answer, or
looke up towards them, for if thou doe thou shalt purchase to mee
great sorrow, and to thyself utter destruction. Psyches hearing her
Husband, was contented to doe all things as hee had commanded.

After that hee was departed and the night passed away, Psyches
lamented and lamented all the day following, thinking that now shee
was past all hopes of comfort, in that shee was closed within the
walls of a prison, deprived of humane conversation, and
commaunded not to aid her sorrowful Sisters, no nor once to see
them. Thus she passed all the day in weeping, and went to bed at
night, without any refection of meat or baine.

Incontinently after came her husband, who when he had embraced
her sweetly, began to say, Is it thus that I find you perform your
promise, my sweet wife? What do I finde heere? Passe you all
the day and the night in weeping? And wil you not cease in your
husbands armes? Goe too, doe what ye will, purchase your owne
destruction, and when you find it so, then remember my words, and
repent but too late. Then she desired her husband more and more,
assuring him that shee should die, unlesse he would grant that she
might see her sisters, wherby she might speak with them and
comfort them, wherat at length he was contented, and moreover
hee willed that shee should give them as much gold and jewels as
she would. But he gave her a further charge saying, Beware that
ye covet not (being mooved by the pernicious counsell of you
sisters) to see the shape of my person, lest by your curiosity you
deprive your selfe of so great and worthy estate. Psyches being
glad herewith, rendered unto him most entire thankes, and said,
Sweet husband, I had rather die than to bee separated from you,
for whosoever you bee, I love and retaine you within my heart, as if
you were myne owne spirit or Cupid himselfe : but I pray you grant
this likewise, that you would commaund your servant Zephyrus to
bring my sisters downe into the valley as he brought mee.

Wherewithall shee kissed him sweetly, and desired him gently to
grant her request, calling him her spowse, her sweetheart, her Joy
and her Solace. Wherby she enforced him to agree to her mind,
and when morning came he departed away.

After long search made, the sisters of Psyches came unto the hill
where she was set on the rocke, and cried with a loud voyce in
such sort that the stones answered againe. And when they called
their sister by her name, that their lamentable cries came unto her
eares, shee came forth and said, Behold, heere is shee for whom
you weepe, I pray you torment your selves no more, cease your
weeping. And by and by she commaunded Zephyrus by the
appointment of her husband to bring them downe. Neither did he
delay, for with gentle blasts he retained them up and laid them
softly in the valley. I am not able to expresse the often embracing,
kissing and greeting which was between them three, all sorrows
and tears were then layd apart.

Come in (quoth Psyches) into our house, and refresh your afflicted
mindes with your sister.

After this she shewed them the storehouses of treasure, shee
caused them to hear the voyces which served her, the bain was
ready, the meats were brought in, and when they had filled
themselves with divine delecates, they conceived great envy within
their hearts, and one of them being curious, did demand what her
husband was, of what estate, and who was Lord of so pretious a
house? But Psyches remembring the promise which she had made
to her husband, feigned that hee was a young man, of comely
stature, with a flaxen beard, and had great delight in hunting the
dales and hills by. And lest by her long talke she should be found to
trip or faile in her words, she filled their laps with gold, silver, and
Jewels, and commanded Zephyrus to carry them away.

When they were brought up to the mountain, they made their
wayes homeward to their owne houses, and murmured with envy
that they bare against Psyches, saying, behold cruell and contrary
fortune, behold how we, borne all of one Parent, have divers
destinies : but especially we that are the elder two bee married to
strange husbands, made as handmaidens, and as it were banished
from our Countrey and friends. Whereas our younger sister hath
great abundance of treasure, and hath gotten a god to her husband,
although shee hath no skill how to use such great plenty of riches.
Saw you not sister what was in the house, what great store of
jewels, what glittering robes, what Gemmes, what gold we trod on?
That if shee hath a husband according as shee affirmeth, there is
none that liveth this day more happy in all the world than she. And
so it may come to passe, at length for the great affection which hee
may beare unto her that hee may make her a goddesse, for by
Hercules, such was her countenance, so she behaved her self, that
as a goddesse she had voices to serve her, and the windes did obey
her.

But I poore wretch have first married an husband elder than my
father, more bald than a Coot, more weake than a childe, and that
locketh me up all day in the house.

Then said the other sister, And in faith I am married to a husband
that hath the gout, twyfold, crooked, nor couragious in paying my
debt, I am faine to rub and mollifie his stony fingers with divers
sorts of oyles, and to wrap them in playsters and salves, so that I
soyle my white and dainty hands with the corruption of filthy clouts,
not using my self like a wife, but more like a servant. And you my
sister seem likewise to be in bondage and servitude, wherefore I
cannot abide to see our younger sister in such felicity; saw you not
I pray you how proudly and arrogantly she handled us even now?
And how in vaunting her selfe she uttered her presumptuous minde,
how she cast a little gold into our laps, and being weary of our
company, commanded that we should be borne and blown away?

Verily I live not, nor am a woman, but I will deprive her of all her
blisse. And if you my sister bee so far bent as I, let us consult
together, and not to utter our minde to any person, no not to our
parents, nor tell that ever we saw her. For it sufficeth that we
have seene her, whom it repenteth to have seene. Neither let us
declare her good fortune to our father, nor to any other, since as
they seeme not happy whose riches are unknowne : so shall she
know that she hath sisters no Abjects, but worthier than she.

But now let us goe home to our husbands and poore houses, and
when we are better instructed, let us return to suppresse her pride.
So this evill counsell pleased these two evil women, and they hid
the treasure which Psyches gave them, and tare their haire,
renewing their false and forged teares. When their father and
mother beheld them weep and lament still, they doubled their
sorrowes and griefes, but full of yre and forced with Envy, they
tooke their voyage homeward, devising the slaughter and
destruction of their sister.

In the meane season the husband of Psyches did warne her againe
in the night with these words : Seest thou not (quoth he) what perill
and danger evill fortune doth threaten unto thee, whereof if thou
take not good heed it will shortly come upon thee. For the
unfaithfull harlots doe greatly endeavor to set their snares to catch
thee, and their purpose is to make and perswade thee to behold my
face, which if thou once fortune to see, as I have often told, thou
shalt see no more. Wherfore if these naughty hagges, armed with
wicked minds, doe chance to againe (as I think no otherwise but
that they will) take heed that thou talk not with them but simply
suffer them to speake what they will, howbeit if thou canst not
refraine thy selfe, beware that thou have no communication of thy
husband, nor answer a word if they fortune to question of me, so
will we encrease our stocke, and this young and tender childe,
couched in this young and tender belly of thine, shall be made an
immortall god, otherwise a mortal creature. Then Psyches was
very glad that she should bring forth a divine babe, and very joyfull
in that she should be honored as a mother. She reckened and
numbered carefully the days and months that passed, and beeing
never with child before, did marvel greatly that in so short a time
her belly should swel so big. But those pestilent and wicked furies
breathing out their Serpentine poyson, took shipping to bring their
enterprise to passe. The Psyches was warned again by her
husband in this sort : Behold the last day, the extream case, and the
enemies of thy blood, hath armed themselves against us, pitched
their campe, set their host in array, and are marching towards us,
for now thy two sisters have drawn their swords and are ready to
slay thee. O with what force are we assailed on this day! O
sweet Psyches I pray thee to take pitty on thy selfe, of me, and
deliver thy husband and this infant within thy belly from so great
danger, and see not, neither heare these cursed women, which are
not worthy to be called thy sisters, for their great hatred and breach
of sisterly amity, for they wil come like Syrens to the mountains,
and yeeld out their pittious and lamentable cries. When Psyches
had heard these words she sighed sorrowfully and said, O deare
husband this long time have you had experience and triall of my
faith, and doubt you not that I will persever in the same, wherefore
command your winde Zephyrus, that hee may doe as hee hath done
before, to the intent that where you have charged me not to behold
your venerable face, yet that I may comfort myself with the sight
of my sisters. I pray you by these beautifull haires, by these round
cheekes delicate and tender, by your pleasant hot breast, whose
shape and face I shall learn at length by the childe in my belly,
grant the fruit of my desire, refresh your deare Spowse Psyches
with joy, who is bound and linked unto you for ever. I little esteeme
to see your visage and figure, little doe I regard the night and
darknesse thereof, for you are my only light.

Her husband being as it were inchanted with these words and
compelled by violence of her often embracing, wiping away her
teares with his haire, did yeeld unto his wife. And when morning
came, departed as hee was accustomed to doe.

Now her sisters arrived on land, and never rested til they came to
the rock, without visiting their parents, and leapt down rashly from
the hill themselves. Then Zephyrus according to the divine
commandment brought them down, although it were against his wil,
and laid them in the vally without any harm : by and by they went
into the palace to their sister without leave, and when they had
eftsoone embraced their prey, and thanked her with flattering
words for the treasure which she gave them, they said, O deare
sister Psyches, know you that you are now no more a child, but a
mother : O what great joy beare you unto us in your belly? What a
comfort will it be unto all the house? How happy shall we be, that
shall see this Infant nourished amongst so great plenty of Treasure?
That if he be like his parents, as it is necessary he should, there is
no doubt but a new cupid shall be borne. By this kinde of measures
they went about to winne Psyches by little and little, but because
they were wearie with travell, they sate them downe in chaires, and
after that they had washed their bodies in baines they went into a
parlour, where all kinde of meats were ready prepared. Psyches
commanded one to play with his harpe, it was done. Then
immediately others sung, others tuned their instruments, but no
person was seene, by whose sweet harmony and modulation the
sisters of Psyches were greatly delighted.

Howbeit the wickednesse of these cursed women was nothing
suppressed by the sweet noyse of these instruments, but they
settled themselves to work their treasons against Psyches,
demanding who was her husband, and of what Parentage. Then
shee having forgotten by too much simplicity, what shee had
spoken before of her husband, invented a new answer, and said
that her husband was of a great province, a merchant, and a man
of middle age, having his beard intersparsed with grey haires.
Which when shee had spoken (because shee would have no further
talke) she filled their laps with Gold and Silver, and bid Zephyrus to
bear them away.

In their returne homeward they murmured within themselves,
saying, How say you sister to so apparent a lye of Psyches? First
she sayd that her husband was a young man of flourishing yeares,
and had a flaxen beard, and now she sayth that he is halfe grey
with age. What is he that in so short a space can become so old?
You shall finde it no otherwise my sister, but that either this cursed
queane hath invented a great lie, or else that she never saw the
shape of her husband. And if it be so that she never saw him, then
verily she is married to some god, and hath a young god in her
belly. But if it be a divine babe, and fortune to come to the eares of
my mother (as God forbid it should) then may I go and hang my
selfe : wherfore let us go to our parents, and with forged lies let us
colour the matter.

After they were thus inflamed, and had visited their Parents, they
returned againe to the mountaine, and by the aid of the winde
Zephyrus were carried down into the valley, and after they had
streined their eye lids, to enforce themselves to weepe, they called
unto Psyches in this sort, Thou (ignorant of so great evill) thinkest
thy selfe sure and happy, and sittest at home nothing regarding thy
peril, whereas wee goe about thy affaires and are carefull lest any
harme should happen unto you: for we are credibly informed,
neither can we but utter it unto you, that there is a great serpent
full of deadly poyson, with a ravenous gaping throat, that lieth with
thee every night Remember the Oracle of Apollo, who pronounced
that thou shouldest he married to a dire and fierce Serpent, and
many of the Inhabitants hereby, and such as hunt about in the
countrey, affirme that thev saw him yesternight returning from
pasture and swimming over the River, whereby they doe
undoubtedly say, that hee will not pamper thee long with delicate
meats, but when the time of delivery shall approach he will devoure
both thee and thy child : wherefore advise thy selfe whether thou
wilt agree unto us that are carefull of thy safety, and so avoid the
perill of death, bee contented to live with thy sisters, or whether
thou remaine with the Serpent arid in the end be swallowed into the
gulfe of his body. And ff it be so that thy solitary life, thy
conversation with voices, this servile and dangerous pleasure, and
the love of the Serpent doe more delight thee, say not but that we
have played the parts of naturall sisters in warning thee.

Then the poore and simple miser Psyches was mooved with the
feare of so dreadful words, and being amazed in her mind, did
cleane forget the admonitions of her husband, and her owne
promises made unto him, and throwing her selfe headlong into
extreame misery, with a wanne and sallow countenance, scantly
uttering a third word, at length gan say in this sort : O my most
deare sisters, I heartily thanke you for your great kindnesse toward
me, and I am now verily perswaded that they which have informed
you hereof hath informed you of nothing but truth, for I never saw
the shape of my husband, neither know I from whence he came,
only I heare his voice in the night, insomuch that I have an
uncertaine husband, and one that loveth not the light of the day :
which causeth me to suspect that he is a beast, as you affirme.
Moreover, I doe greatly feare to see him, for he doth menace and
threaten great evill unto mee, if I should goe about to spy and
behold his shape wherefore my loving sisters if you have any
wholeome remedy for your sister in danger, give it now presently.
Then they opened the gates of their subtill mindes, and did put
away all privy guile, and egged her forward in her fearefull
thoughts, perswading her to doe as they would have her whereupon
one of them began and sayd, Because that wee little esteeme any
perill or danger, to save your life we intend to shew you the best
way and meane as we may possibly do. Take a sharpe razor and
put it under the pillow of your bed; and see that you have ready a
privy burning lampe with oyle, hid under some part of the hanging
of the chamber, and finely dissembling the matter when according
to his custome he commeth to bed and sleepeth soundly, arise you
secretly, and with your bare feet goe and take the lampe, with the
Razor in your right hand and with valiant force cut off the head of
the poysonous serpent, wherein we will aid and assist you : and
when by the death of him you shall be made safe, we wil marry
you to some comely man.

After they had thus inflamed the heart of their sister fearing lest
some danger might happen unto them by reason of their evill
counsell, they were carried by the wind Zephyrus to the top of the
mountaine, and so they ran away and tooke shipping.

When Psyches was left alone (saving that she seemed not to be
alone, being stirred by so many furies) she was in a tossing minde
like the waves of the sea, and although her wil was obstinate, and
resisted to put in execution the counsell of her Sisters, yet she was
in doubtfull and divers opinions touching her calamity. Sometime
she would, sometime she would not, sometime she is bold,
sometime she feareth, sometime shee mistrusteth, somtime she is
mooved, somtime she hateth the beast, somtime she loveth her
husband : but at length night came, when as she prepared for her
wicked intent.

Soon after her husband Came, and when he had kissed and
embraced her he fell asleep. Then Psyches (somwhat feeble in
body and mind, yet mooved by cruelty of fate) received boldnes
and brought forth the lampe, and tooke the razor, so by her audacity
she changed her mind : but when she took the lamp and came to
the bed side, she saw the most meeke and sweetest beast of all
beasts, even faire Cupid couched fairly, at whose sight the very
lampe encreased his light for joy, and the razor turned his edge.

But when Psyches saw so glorious a body shee greatly feared, and
amazed in mind, with a pale countenance all trembling fel on her
knees and thought to hide the razor, yea verily in her owne heart,
which doubtlesse she had done, had it not through feare of so great
an enterprise fallen out of her hand. And when she saw and beheld
the beauty of the divine visage shee was well recreated in her
mind, she saw his haires of gold, that yeelded out a sweet savor, his
neck more white than milk, his purple cheeks, his haire hanging
comely behinde and before, the brightnesse whereof did darken
the light of the lamp, his tender plume feathers, dispersed upon his
sholders like shining flours, and trembling hither and thither, and his
other parts of his body so smooth and so soft, that it did not repent
Venus to beare such a childe. At the beds feet lay his bow,

quiver, and arrowes, that be the weapons of so great a god : which
when Psyches did curiously behold, she marvelling at her husbands
weapons, took one of the arrows out of the quiver, and pricked her
selfe withall, wherwith she was so grievously wounded that the
blood followed, and thereby of her owne accord shee added love
upon love; then more broyling in the love of Cupid shee embraced
him and kissed him and kissed him a thousand times, fearing the
measure of his sleepe But alas while shee was in this great joy,
whether it were for envy for desire to touch this amiable body
likewise, there fell out a droppe of burning oyle from the lampe
upon the right shoulder of the god. O rash and bold lampe, the vile
ministery of love, how darest thou bee so bold as to burne the god
of all fire? When as he invented thee, to the intent that all lovers
might with more joy passe the nights in pleasure.

The god beeing burned in this sort, and perceiving that promise and
faith was broken, bee fled away without utterance of any word,
from the eves and hands of his most unhappy wife. But Psyches
fortuned to catch him as hee was rising by the right thigh, and held
him fast as hee flew above in the aire, until such time as
constrained by wearinesse shee let goe arid fell downe upon the
ground. But Cupid followed her downe, and lighted upon the top of
a Cypresse tree, and angerly spake unto her in this manner : O
simple Psyches, consider with thy selfe how I, little regarding the
commandement of my mother (who willed mee that thou shouldst
bee married to a man of base and miserable condition) did come
my selfe from heaven to love thee, and wounded myne owne body
with my proper weapons, to have thee to my Spowse : And did I
seeme a beast unto thee, that thou shouldst go about to cut off my
head with a razor, who loved thee so well? Did not I alwayes give
thee a charge? Did not I gently will thee to beware? But those
cursed aides and Counsellors of thine shall be worthily rewarded
for their pains. As for thee thou shalt be sufficiently punished by
my absence. When hee had spoken these words he tooke his flight
into the aire. Then Psyches fell flat on the ground, and as long as
she could see her husband she cast her eyes after him into the aire,
weeping and lamenting pitteously : but when hee was gone out of
her sight shee threw her selfe into the next running river, for the
great anguish and dolour that shee was in for the lack of her
husband , howbeit the water would not suffer her to be drowned,
but tooke pity upon her, in the honour of Cupid which accustomed
to broyle and burne the river, and threw her upon the bank amongst
the herbs.

Then Pan the rusticall god sitting on the river side, embracing and
[instructing] the goddesse Canna to tune her songs and pipes, by
whom were feeding the young and tender Goats, after that he
perceived Psyches in sorrowful case, not ignorant (I know not by
what meanes) of her miserable estate, endeavored to pacific her in
this sort : O faire maid, I am a rusticke and rude heardsman,
howbeit by reason of my old age expert in many things, for as farre
as I can learnt by conjecture (which according as wise men doe
terme is called divination) I perceive by your uncertaine gate, your
pale hew, your sobbing sighes, and your watery eyes, that you are
greatly in love. Wherefore hearken to me, and goe not about to
slay your selfe, nor weepe not at all, but rather adore and worship
the great god Cupid, and winne him unto you by your gentle
promise of service.

When the god of Shepherds had spoken these words, she gave no
answer, but made reverence to him as to a god, and so departed.

After that Psyches had gone a little way, she fortuned unawares to
come to a city where the husband of one of her Sisters did dwell.
Which when Psyches did understand, shee caused that her sister
had knowledge of her comming, and so they met together, and after
great embracing and salutation, the sister of Psyches demaunded
the cause of her travell thither. Marry (quoth she) doe you not
remember the counsell you gave me, whereby you would that I
should kill the beast which under colour of my husband did lie with
mee every night i You shall understand, that as soone as I brought
forth the lampe to see and behold his shape, I perceived that he
was the sonne of Venus, even Cupid himselfe that lay with mee.
Then I being stricken with great pleasure, and desirous to embrace
him, could not thoroughly asswage my delight, but alas by evill ill
chance the oyle of the lampe fortuned to fall on his shoulder which
caused him to awake, and seeing me armed with fire and
weapons, gan say, How darest thou be so bold to doe so great a
mischiefe? Depart from me and take such things as thou didst bring
: for I will have thy sister (and named you) to my wife, and she
shall be placed in thy felicity, and by and by hee commaunded
Zephyrus to carry me away from the bounds of his house.

Psyches had scantly finished her tale but her sister pierced with
the pricke of carnall desire and wicked envy ran home, and feigning
to her husband that she had heard word of the death of her parents
tooke shipping and came to the mountaine. And although there
blew a contrary winde, yet being brought in a vaine hope shee cried
O Cupid take me a more worthy wife, and thou Zephyrus beare
downe thy mistresse, and so she cast her selfe headlong from the
mountaine : but shee fell not into the valley neither alive nor dead,
for all the members and parts of her body were torne amongst the
rockes, wherby she was made prey unto the birds and wild beasts,
as she worthily deserved.

Neither was the vengeance of the other delayed, for Psyches
travelling in that country, fortuned to come to another city where
her other sister did dwel; to whom when shee had declared all such
things as she told to her other sister shee ran likewise unto the
rock and was slaine in like sort Then Psyches travelled about in
the countrey to seeke her husband Cupid, hut he was gotten into his
mothers chamber and there bewailed the sorrowful wound which
he caught by the oyle of a burning lamp.

Then the white bird the Gull, which swims on the waves of the
water, flew toward the Ocean sea, where he found Venus washing
and bathing her selfe : to whom she declared that her son was
burned and in danger of death, and moreover that it was a common
brute in the mouth of every person (who spake evill of all the family
of Venus) that her son doth nothing but haunt harlots in the
mountain, and she her self lasciviously use to ryot in the sea :
wherby they say that they are flow become no more gratious,
pleasant nor gentle, but incivile, monstrous and horrible. Moreover,
that marriages are not for any amity, or for love of procreation, but
full of envy, discord, and debate. This the curious Gul did clatter in
the ears of Venus, reprehending her son. But Venus began to cry
and sayd, What hath my sonne gotten any Love? I pray thee
gentle bird that doest serve me so faithfully, tell me what she is, and
what is her name that hath troubled my son in such sort? whether
shee be any of the Nymphs, of the number of the goddesses, of the
company of the Muses, or of the mistery of the Graces? To whom
the bird answered, Madam I know not what shee is, but this I know
that she is called Psyches. Then Venus with indignation cried out,
What is it she? the usurper of my beauty, the Vicar of my name?
What did he think that I was a bawd, by whose shew he fell
acquainted with the maid? And immediately she departed and
went to her chamber, where she found her son wounded as it was
told unto her, whom when she beheld she cries out in this sort.

Is this an honest thing, is this honourable to thy parents? is this
reason, that thou hast violated and broken the commandement of
thy mother and soveraign mistresse : and whereas thou shouldst
have vexed my enemy with loathsom love, thou hast done
otherwise?

For being of tender and unripe yeares, thou hast with too licentious
appetite embraced my most mortall Foe, to whome I shall bee
made a mother, and she a Daughter.

Thou presumest and thinkest, thou trifling boy, thou Varlet, and
without all reverence, that thou art most worthy and excellent, and
that I am not able by reason of myne age to have another son,
which if I should have, thou shouldst well understand that I would
beare a more worthier than thou. But to worke thee a greater
despight, I do determine to adopt one of my servants, and to give
him these wings, this fire, this bow, and these Arrowes, and all
other furniture which I gave to thee, not to this purpose, neither is
any thing given thee of thy father for this intent : but first thou hast
been evill brought up and instructed in thy youth thou hast thy hands
ready and sharpe. Thou hast often offended thy antients, and
especially me that am thy mother, thou hast pierced mee with thy
darts thou contemnest me as a widow, neither dost t thou regard
thy valiant and invincible father, and to anger me more, thou art
amorous of harlots and wenches : hot I will cause that thou shalt
shortly repent thee, and that this marriage shal be dearely bought.
To what a point am I now driven? What shall I do? Whither shall I
goe? How shall I represse this beast? Shall I aske ayd of myne
enemy Sobriety, whom I have often offended to engender thee? Or
shall I seeke for counsel of every poore rusticall woman? No, no,
yet had I rather dye, howbeit I will not cease my vengeance, to her
must I have recourse for helpe, and to none other (I meane to
Sobriety), who may correct thee sharpely, take away thy quiver,
deprive thee of thy arrowes, unbend thy bow, quench thy fire, and
which is more subdue thy body with punishment : and when that l
have rased and cut off this thy haire, which I have dressed with
myne owne hands, and made to glitter like gold, and when I have
clipped thy wings, which I my selfe have caused to burgen, then
shall I thinke to have revenged my selfe sufficiently upon thee for
the injury which thou hast done. When shee had spoken these
words shee departed in a great rage out of her chamber.

Immediatelie as she was going away came Juno and Ceres,
demaunding the cause of her anger. Then Venus answered, Verily
you are come to comfort my sorrow, but I pray you with all
diligence to seeke out one whose name is Psyches, who is a
vagabond, and runneth about the Countries, and (as I thinke) you
are not ignorant of the brute of my son Cupid, and of his
demeanour, which I am ashamed to declare. Then they
understanding the whole matter, endeavoured to mitigate the ire of
Venus in this sort : What is the cause Madam, or how hath your
son so offended, that you shold so greatly accuse his love, and
blame him by reason that he is amorous? and why should you
seeke the death of her, whom he doth fancie? We most humbly
intreat you to pardon his fault if he have accorded to the mind of
any maiden : what do you not know that he is a young man? Or
have you forgotten of what yeares he is? Doth he seeme alwayes
unto you to be a childe? You are his mother, and a kind woman,
will you continually search out his dalliance? Will you blame his
luxury? Will you bridle his love? and will you reprehend your owne
art and delights in him? What God or man is hee, that can endure
that you should sowe or disperse your seed of love in every place,
and to make restraint thereof within your owne doores? certes you
will be the cause of the suppression of the publike paces of young
Dames. In this sort this goddesse endeavoured to pacifie her mind,
and to excuse Cupid with al their power (although he were absent)
for feare of his darts and shafts of love. But Venus would in no
wise asswage her heat, but (thinking that they did rather trifle and
taunt at her injuries) she departed from them, and tooke her voiage
towards the sea in all haste. In the meane season Psyches hurled
her selfe hither and thither, to seeke her husband, the rather
because she thought that if he would not be appeased with the
sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would take mercy on her at her
servile and continuall prayers. And (espying a Church on the top of
a high hill) she said, What can I tell whether my husband and
master be there or no? wherefore she went thitherward, and with
great paine and travell, moved by hope, after that she climbed to
the top of the mountaine, she came to the temple, and went in,
wheras behold she espied sheffes of corn lying on a heap, blades
withered with garlands, and reeds of barly, moreover she saw
hooks, sithes, sickles, and other instruments, to reape, but every
thing lay out of order, and as it were cast in by the hands of
laborers which when Psyches saw she gathered up and put
everything in order, thinking that she would not despise or
contemne the temples of any of the Gods, but rather get the favour
and benevolence of them all : by and by Ceres came in, and
beholding her busie and curious in her chapell, cried out a far off,
and said, O Psyches needfull of mercy, Venus searcheth for thee in
every place to revenge her selfe and to punish thee grievously, but
thou hast more mind to be heere, and carest for nothing lesse, then
for thy safety. Then Psyches fell on her knees before her, watring
her feet with her teares, wiping the ground with her haire, and with
great weeping and lamentation desired pardon, saying, O great and
holy Goddesse, l pray thee by thy plenteous and liberall right hand,
by the joyfull ceremonies of thy harvest, by the secrets of thy
Sacrifice, by the flying chariots of thy dragons, by the tillage of the
ground of Sicilie, which thou hast invented, by the marriage of
Proserpin, by the diligent inquisition of thy daughter, and by the
other secrets which are within the temple of Eleusis in the land of
Athens, take pitty on me thy servant Psyches, and let me hide my
selfe a few dayes amongst these sheffes of corne, untill the ire of
so great a Goddesse be past, or until that I be refreshed of my
great labour and travell. Then answered Ceres, Verely Psyches, I
am greatly moved by thy prayers and teares, and desire with all my
heart to aide thee, but if I should suffer thee to be hidden here, I
should increase the displeasure of my Cosin, with whom I have
made a treatie of peace, and an ancient promise of amity :
wherefore I advise thee to depart hence and take it not in evil part
in that I will not suffer thee to abide and remaine here within my
temple. Then Psyches driven away contrary to her hope, was
double afflicted with sorrow and so she returned back againe. And
behold she perceived a far off in a vally a Temple standing within a
Forest, faire and curiously wrought, and minding to over-passe no
place whither better hope did direct her, and to the intent she would
desire pardon of every God, she approached nigh unto the sacred
doore, whereas she saw pretious riches and vestiments ingraven
with letters of gold, hanging upon branches of trees, and the posts
of the temple testifying the name of the goddesse Juno, to whom
they were dedicate, then she kneeled downe upon her knees, and
imbraced the Alter with her hands, and wiping her teares, gan pray
in this sort : O deere spouse and sister of the great God Jupiter
which art adored and worshipped amongst the great temples of
Samos, called upon by women with child, worshipped at high
Carthage, because thou wast brought from heaven by the lyon, the
rivers of the floud Inachus do celebrate thee : and know that thou
art the wife of the great god, and the goddesse of goddesses; all the
east part of the world have thee in veneration, all the world calleth
thee Lucina : I pray thee to be my advocate in my tribulations,
deliver me from the great danger which pursueth me, and save me
that am weary with so long labours and sorrow, for I know that it is
thou that succorest and helpest such women as are with child and
in danger. Then Juno hearing the prayers of Psyches, appeared
unto her in all her royalty, saying, Certes Psyches I would gladly
help thee, but I am ashamed to do any thing contrary to the will of
my daughter in law Venus, whom alwaies I have loved as mine
owne child, moreover I shall incurre the danger of the law, intituled,
De servo corrupto, whereby am forbidden to retaine any servant
fugitive, against the will of his Master. Then Psyches cast off
likewise by Juno, as without all hope of the recovery of her
husband, reasoned with her selfe in this sort : Now what comfort or
remedy is left to my afflictions, when as my prayers will nothing
availe with the goddesses? what shall I do? whither shall I go? In
what cave or darknesse shall I hide my selfe, to avoid the furor of
Venus? Why do I not take a good heart, and offer my selfe with
humilitie unto her, whose anger I have wrought? What do I know
whether he (whom I seeke for) be in his mothers house or no?
Thus being in doubt, poore Psyches prepared her selfe to her owne
danger, and devised how she might make her orison and prayer
unto Venus. After that Venus was weary with searching by Sea
and Land for Psyches, shee returned toward heaven, and
commanded that one should prepare her Chariot, which her
husband Vulcanus gave unto her by reason of marriage, so finely
wrought that neither gold nor silver could be compared to the
brightnesse therof. Four white pigeons guided the chariot with great
diligence, and when Venus was entred in a number of sparrowes
flew chirping about, making signe of joy, and all other kind of birds
sang sweetly, foreshewing the comming of the great goddesse: the
clouds gave place, the heavens opened, and received her joyfully,
the birds that followed nothing feared the Eagle, Hawkes, or other
ravenous foules of the aire. Incontinently she went unto the royall
Pallace of God Jupiter, and with a proud and bold petition
demanded the service of Mercury, in certaine of her affaires,
whereunto Jupiter consented: then with much joy shee descended
from Heaven with Mercury, and gave him an earnest charge to put
in execution her words, saying : O my Brother, borne in Arcadia,
thou knowest well, that I (who am thy sister) did never enterprise
to doe any thing without thy presence, thou knowest also how long
I have sought for a girle and cannot finde her, wherefore there
resteth nothing else save that thou with thy trumpet doe pronounce
the reward to such as take her: see thou put in execution my
commandment, and declare that whatsoever he be that retaineth
her wittingly, against my will shall not defend himselfe by any
meane or excusation: which when she had spoken, she delivered
unto him a libell, wherein was contained the name of Psyches, and
the residue of his publication, which done, she departed away to her
lodging. By and by, Mercurius (not delaying the matter) proclaimed
throughout all the world, that whatsoever hee were that could tell
any tydings of a Kings fugitive Daughter, the servant of Venus,
named Psyches, should bring word to Mercury, and for reward of
his paines, he should receive. seaven sweet kisses of Venus After
that Mercury had pronounced. these things, every man was
enflamed with desire to search out Psyches.

This proclamation was the cause that put all doubt from Psyches,
who was scantly come in the sight of the house of Venus, but one
of her servants called Custome came out, who espying Psyches,
cried with a loud voyce, saying: O wicked harlot as thou art, now at
length thou shalt know that thou hast a mistresse above thee. What,
dost thou make thy selfe ignorant, as though thou didst not
understand what travell wee have taken in searching for thee? I am
glad that thou art come into my hands, thou art now in the golfe of
hell, and shalt abide the paine and punishment of thy great
contumacy, and therewithall she tooke her by the haire, and brought
her in, before the presence of the goddesse Venus. When Venus
spied her, shee began to laugh, and as angry persons accustome to
doe, she shaked her head, and scratched her right eare saying, O
goddesse, goddesse, you are now come at length to visit your
husband that is in danger of death, by your meanes : bee you
assured, I will handle you like a daughter : where be my maidens,
Sorrow and Sadnesse? To whom (when they came) she delivered
Psyches to be cruelly tormented; then they fulfilled the
commandement of their Mistresse, and after they had piteously
scourged her with rods and whips, they presented her againe
before Venus; then she began to laugh againe, saying : Behold she
thinketh (that by reason of her great belly, which she hath gotten by
playing the whore) to move me to pitty, and to make me a
grandmother to her childe. Am not I happy, that in the flourishing
time of al mine age, shall be called a grandmother, and the sonne of
a vile harlot shall bee accounted the nephew of Venus : howbeit I
am a foole to tearm him by the name of my son, since as the
marriage was made betweene unequall persons, in the field without
witnesses, and not by the consent of parents, wherefore the
marriage is illegitimate, and the childe (that shall be borne) a
bastard; if we fortune to suffer thee to live so long till thou be
delivered. When Venus had spoken these words she leaped upon
the face of poore Psyches, and (tearing her apparell) tooke her by
the haire, and dashed her head upon the ground. Then she tooke a
great quantity of wheat, of barly, poppy seede, peason, lintles, and
beanes, and mingled them altogether on a heape saying : Thou evil
favoured girle, thou seemest unable to get the grace of thy lover, by
no other meanes, but only by diligent and painefull service,
wherefore I will prove what thou canst doe : see that thou separate
all these graines one from another, disposing them orderly in their
quantity, and let it be done before night. When she had appointed
this taske unto Psyches, she departed to a great banket that was
prepared that day. But Psyches went not about to dissever the
graine, (as being a thing impossible to be brought to passe by
reason it lay so confusedly scattered) but being astonyed at the
cruell commandement of Venus, sate still and said nothing. Then
the little pismire the emote, taking pitty of her great difficulty and
labour, cursing the cruellnesse of the daughter of Jupiter, and of so
evill a mother, ran about, hither and thither, and called to all her
friends, Yee quick sons of the ground, the mother of all things, take
mercy on this poore maid, espouse to Cupid, who is in great danger
of her person, I pray you helpe her with all diligence. Incontinently
one came after another, dissevering and dividing the graine, and
after that they had put each kinde of corne in order, they ranne
away againe in all haste. When night came, Venus returned home
from the banket wel tippled with wine, smelling of balme, and
crowned with garlands of roses, who when shee had espied what
Psyches had done, gan say, This is not the labour of thy hands, but
rather of his that is amorous of thee : then she gave her a morsel of
brown bread, and went to sleep. In the mean season, Cupid was
closed fast in the surest chamber of the house, partly because he
should not hurt himself with wanton dalliance, and partly because
he should not speake with his love : so these two lovers were
divided one from another. When night was passed Venus called
Psyches, and said, Seest thou yonder Forest that extendeth out in
length with the river? there be great sheepe shining like gold, and
kept by no manner of person. I command thee that thou go thither
and bring me home some of the wooll of their fleeces. Psyches
arose willingly not to do her commandement, but to throw her selfe
headlong into water to end her sorrows. Then a green reed
inspired by divine inspiration, with a gratious tune and melody gan
say, O Psyches I pray thee not to trouble or pollute my water by
the death of thee, and yet beware that thou goe not towards the
terrible sheepe of this coast, untill such time as the heat of the
sunne be past, for when the sunne is in his force, then seeme they
most dreadfull and furious, with their sharpe hornes, their stony
foreheads and their gaping throats, wherewith they arme
themselves to the destruction of mankinde. But untill they have
refreshed themselves in the river, thou must hide thy selfe here by
me, under this great plaine tree, and as soone as their great fury is
past, thou maist goe among the thickets and bushes under the wood
side and gather the lockes their golden Fleeces, which thou shalt
finde hanging upon the briers. Then spake the gentle and benigne
reed, shewing a mean to Psyches to save her life, which she bore
well in memory, and with all diligence went and gathered up such
lockes as shee found, and put them in her apron, and carried them
home to Venus. Howbeit the danger of this second labour did not
please her, nor give her sufficient witnesse of the good service of
Psyches, but with a sower resemblance of laughter, did say : Of a
certaine I know that this is not thy fact, but I will prove if that thou
bee of so stout, so good a courage, and singular prudency as thou
seemest to bee. Then Venus spake unto Psyches againe saying :
Seest thou the toppe of yonder great Hill, from whence there
runneth downe waters of blacke and deadly colour, which
nourisheth the floods of Stix, Cocytus? I charge thee to goe thither,
and bring me a vessell of that water : wherewithall she gave her a
bottle of Christall, menacing and threatening her rigorously. Then
poor Psyches went in all haste to the top of the mountaine, rather to
end her life, then to fetch any water, and when she was come up to
the ridge of the hill, she perceived that it was impossible to bring it
to passe : for she saw a great rocke gushing out most horrible
fountaines of waters, which ran downe and fell by many stops and
passages into the valley beneath : on each side shee did see great
Dragons, which were stretching out their long and bloody Neckes,
that did never sleepe, but appointed to keepe the river there : the
waters seemed to themselves likewise saying, Away; away, what
wilt thou doe? flie, flie, or else thou wilt be slaine. Then Psyches
(seeing the impossibility of this affaire) stood still as though she
were transformed into a stone and although she was present in
body, yet was she absent in spirit and sense, by reason of the great
perill which she saw, insomuch that she could not comfort her self
with weeping, such was the present danger that she was in. But
the royall bird of great Jupiter, the Eagle remembring his old service
which he had done, when as by the pricke of Cupid he brought up
the boy Ganimedes, to the heavens, to be made butler of Jupiter,
and minding to shew the like service in the person of the wife of
Cupid, came from the high-house of the Skies, and said unto
Psyches, O simple woman without all experience, doest thou thinke
to get or dip up any drop of this dreadfull water? No, no, assure thy
selfe thou art never able to come nigh it, for the Gods themselves
do greatly feare at the sight thereof. What, have you not heard,
that it is a custome among men to sweare by the puissance of the
Gods, and the Gods do sweare by the majesty of the river Stix? but
give me thy bottle, and sodainly he tooke it, and filled it with the
water of the river, and taking his flight through those cruell and
horrible dragons, brought it unto Psyches : who being very joyfull
thereof, presented it to Venus, who would not yet be appeased, but
menacing more and more said, What, thou seemest unto me a very
witch and enchauntresse, that bringest these things to passe,
howbeit thou shalt do nothing more. Take this box and to Hell to
Proserpina, and desire her to send me a little of her beauty, as
much as will serve me the space of one day, and say that such as I
had is consumed away since my sonne fell sicke, but returne againe
quickly, for I must dresse my selfe therewithall, and goe to the
Theatre of the Gods : then poore Psyches perceived the end of all
fortune, thinking verely that she should never returne, and not
without cause, when as she was compelled to go to the gulfe and
furies of hell. Wherefore without any further delay, she went up
to an high tower to throw her selfe downe headlong (thinking that it
was the next and readiest way to hell) but the tower (as inspired)
spake unto her saying, O poore miser, why goest thou about to slay
thy selfe? Why dost thou rashly yeeld unto thy last perill and
danger? know thou that if thy spirit be once separated from thy
body, thou shalt surely go to hell, but never to returne againe,
wherefore harken to me; Lacedemon a Citie in Greece is not farre
hence: go thou thither and enquire for the hill Tenarus, whereas
thou shalt find a hold leading to hell, even to the Pallace of Pluto,
but take heede thou go not with emptie hands to that place of
darknesse: but Carrie two sops sodden in the flour of barley and
Honney in thy hands, and two halfepence in thy mouth. And when
thou hast passed a good part of that way, thou shalt see a lame
Asse carrying of wood, and a lame fellow driving him, who will
desire thee to give him up the sticks that fall downe, but passe thou
on and do nothing; by and by thou shalt come unto a river of hell,
whereas Charon is ferriman, who will first have his fare paied him,
before he will carry the soules over the river in his boat, whereby
you may see that avarice raigneth amongst the dead, neither
Charon nor Pluto will do any thing for nought: for if it be a poore
man that would passe over and lacketh money, he shal be
compelled to die in his journey before they will shew him any
reliefe, wherefore deliver to carraine Charon one of the halfpence
(which thou bearest for thy passage) and let him receive it out of
thy mouth. And it shall come to passe as thou sittest in the boat
thou shalt see an old man swimming on the top of the river, holding
up his deadly hands, and desiring thee to receive him into the barke,
but have no regard to his piteous cry; when thou art passed over
the floud, thou shalt espie old women spinning, who will desire thee
to helpe them, hut beware thou do not consent unto them in any
case, for these and like baits and traps will Venus set to make thee
let fall one of thy sops, and thinke not that the keeping of thy sops is
a light matter, for if thou leese one of them thou shalt be assured
never to returne againe to this world. Then shalt thou see a great
and marvailous dogge, with three heads, barking continually at the
soules of such as enter in, but he can do them no other harme, he
lieth day and night before the gate of Proserpina, and keepeth the
house of Pluto with great diligence, to whom if thou cast one of thy
sops, thou maist have accesse to Proserpina without all danger :
shee will make thee good cheere, and entertaine thee with delicate
meate and drinke, but sit thou upon the ground, and desire browne
bread, and then declare thy message unto her, and when thou hast
received such beauty as she giveth, in thy returne appease the rage
of the dogge with thy other sop, and give thy other halfe penny to
covetous Charon, and come the same way againe into the world as
thou wentest : but above all things have a regard that thou looke not
in the boxe, neither be not too curious about the treasure of the
divine beauty. In this manner tire tower spake unto Psyches, and
advertised her what she should do : and immediately she tooke two
halfe pence, two sops, and all things necessary, and went to the
mountaine Tenarus to go towards hell. After that Psyches had
passed by the lame Asse, paid her halfe pennie for passage,
neglected the old man in the river, denyed to helpe the woman
spinning, and filled the ravenous month of the dogge with a sop,
shee came to the chamber of Proserpina. There Psyches would
not sit in any royall seate, nor eate any delicate meates, but kneeled
at the feete of Proserpina, onely contented with course bread,
declared her message, and after she had received a mysticall
secret in a boxe, she departed, and stopped the mouth of the dogge
with the other sop, and paied the boatman the other halfe penny.
When Psyches was returned from hell, to the light of the world,
shee was ravished with great desire, saying, Am not I a foole, that
knowing that I carrie here the divine beauty, will not take a little
thereof to garnish my face, to please my love withall? And by and
by shee opened the boxe where she could perceive no beauty nor
any thing else, save onely an infernall and deadly sleepe, which
immediatly invaded all her members as soone as the boxe was
uncovered, in such sort that she fell downe upon the ground, and
lay there as a sleeping corps.

But Cupid being now healed of his wound and Maladie, not able to
endure the absence of Psyches, got him secretly out at a window
of the chamber where hee was enclosed, and (receiving his wings,)
tooke his flight towards his loving wife, whom when he had found,
hee wiped away the sleepe from her face, and put it againe into the
boxe, and awaked her with the tip of one of his arrows, saying : O
wretched Caitife, behold thou wert well-nigh perished againe, with
the overmuch curiositie : well, goe thou, and do thy message to my
Mother, and in the meane season, I will provide for all things
accordingly : wherewithall he tooke his flight into the aire, and
Psyches brought her present to Venus.

Cupid being more and more in love with Psyches, and fearing the
displeasure of his Mother, did pearce into the heavens, and arrived
before Jupiter to declare his cause : then Jupiter after that hee had
eftsoone embraced him, gan say in this manner : O my well beloved
sonne, although thou haste not given due reverence and honour
unto me as thou oughtest to doe, but haste rather spoiled and
wounded this my brest (whereby the laws and order of the
Elements and Planets be disposed) with continuall assaults, of
Terren luxury and against all laws, and the discipline Julia, and the
utility of the publike weale, in transforming my divine beauty into
serpents, fire, savage beasts, birds, and into Bulles : howbeit
remembring my modesty, and that I have nourished thee with mine
owne proper hands, I will doe and accomplish all thy desire, so that
thou canst beware of spitefull and envious persons. And if there be
any excellent Maiden of comely beauty in the world, remember yet
the benefit which I shall shew unto thee by recompence of her love
towards me againe. When lie had spoken these words he
commanded Mercury to call all the gods to counsell, and if any of
the celestiall powers did faile of appearance he would be
condemned in ten thousand pounds : which sentence was such a
terrour to all the goddesses, that the high Theatre was replenished,
and Jupiter began to speake in this sort : O yee gods, registred in
the bookes of the Muses, you all know this young man Cupid whom
I have nourished with mine owne hands, whose raging flames of his
first youth, I thought best to bridle and restraine. It sufficeth that
hee is defamed in every place for his adulterous living, wherefore
all occasion ought to bee taken away by meane of marriage : he
hath chosen a Maiden that fancieth him well, and hath bereaved
her of her virginity, let him have her still, and possesse her
according to his owne pleasure : then he returned to Venus, and
said, And you my daughter, take you no care, neither feare the
dishonour of your progeny and estate, neither have regard in that it
is a mortall marriage, for it seemeth unto me just, lawfull, and
legitimate by the law civill. Incontinently after Jupiter commanded
Mercury to bring up Psyches, the spouse of Cupid, into the Pallace
of heaven. And then he tooke a pot of immortality, and said, Hold
Psyches, and drinke, to the end thou maist be immortall, and that
Cupid may be thine everlasting husband. By and by the great
banket and marriage feast was sumptuously prepared, Cupid sate
downe with his deare spouse between his armes : Juno likewise
with Jupiter, and all the other gods in order, Ganimedes filled the
pot of Jupiter, and Bacchus served the rest. Their drinke was
Nectar the wine of the gods, Vulcanus prepared supper, the
howers decked up the house with roses and other sweet smells, the
graces threw about blame, the Muses sang with sweet harmony,
Apollo tuned pleasantly to the Harpe, Venus danced finely : Satirus
and Paniscus plaid on their pipes; and thus Psyches was married to
Cupid, and after she was delivered of a child whom we call
Pleasure. This the trifling old woman declared unto the captive
maiden : but I poore Asse, not standing farre of, was not a little
sorry in that I lacked pen and inke to write so worthy a tale.




THE SIXTH BOOKE