--- title: "The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses" author: "Apuleius" translator: "William Adlington" languages: [la, en] shelf: "Classical Latin" section: 7 of 21 url: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/7/ cite: "Apuleius, tr. William Adlington, The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses, section 7. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/7/" --- # The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses *Apuleius, tr. William Adlington* Lucius dabbles in magic, is turned into a donkey, and is saved by Isis; with the tale of Cupid and Psyche. > Latin: ed. Stephen Gaselee, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi1212.phi002, CC BY-SA 4.0). > English: William Adlington, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi1212.phi002.perseus-eng1). Notes are not included. > Rows follow the references the two texts share (books, chapters and sections), cut where both reach the end of a sentence. ## 7. Book IV · chapter 4 · 4 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/7/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/7/#p-N [¶0] Then Thrasyleon was ready at hand, seizing upon that time of night which is for robbers most fit, and crept out of the cage and went to kill all such of his guards as he found asleep; but when he came to the porter he slew him also and took the key and opened the gates and let us all in: and he shewed us now in the midst of the house a large counter, wherein looking sharply he saw put the night before a great abundance of treasure: which when by violence of us all we had broken open, I bade every one of my fellows take as much gold and silver as they could quickly bear away, and carry it to the sepulchre, and there quickly hide it in the house of those dead who were to us most faithful allies, and then come soon back to take another burden; but I, for our common weal, would stand alone at the gate watching diligently when they would return, and the bear running about the house would make such of the family afraid as fortuned to wake and come out: for who is he that is so puissant and courageous, that at the sight of so great a monster would not quail and flee away and keep his chamber well barred, especially in the night?’ Now when we had brought this matter to so good a point, there chanced a pitiful case; > Latin: sed suscipiens ego “Caveas,” inquam “Domine, flagrantia solis et itineris spatio fatigatam coetui multarum et, ut audio, non recte valentium committere ferarum. Quin potius domus tuae patulum ac perflabilem locum, immo et lacu aliquo conterminum refrigerantemque prospicis? An ignoras hoc genus bestiae lucos consitos et specus roridos et fontes amoenos semper incubare?” Talibus monitis Demochares perterritus numerumque perditorum secum recensens, non difficulter assensus, ut ex arbitrio nostro caveam locaremus facile permisit. “Sed et nos” inquam “Ipsi parati sumus hic ibidem pro cavea ista excubare noctes, ut aestus et vexationis incommodo bestiae fatigatae et cibum tempestivum et potum solitum accuratius offeramus.” “Nihil indigemus labore isto vestro;” respondit ille “Iam paene tota familia per diutinam consuetudinem nutriendis ursis exercitata est.” [¶1] for as I looked for my companions that should come from the sepulchre, behold there was a boy of the house that fortuned to be awaked by the noise, as pate would have it, and look out of a window and espy the bear running freely about the house, and he went back on his steps a-tiptoe and very secretly, and told all the servants, and at once the house was filled with the whole train of them. Incontinently they came forth with torches, lanterns, candles and papers, and other lights, that they might see all the yard over; they came not unarmed, but with clubs, spears, and naked swords, to guard the entrances, and they set on greyhounds and mastiffs, even those with great ears and shaggy hair, to subdue the poor beast. Then I, during this broil, thought to run away, but because I would see Thrasyleon fighting wonderfully with the dogs, I lay behind the gate to behold him. And although I might perceive that he was at the very term or limit of life, yet remembered he his own faithfulness and ours, and valiantly resisted the gaping and ravenous mouths of the hound of Hell: for he took well to play the part which he so willingly had taken in hand himself, and with much ado, so long as the breath was in him, now flying and now pursuing, with many twistings and turnings of his body, tumbled at length out of the house; put when he was come to liberty abroad, yet could lie not save himself by flight, for all the dogs of the street (which were fierce and many) joined themselves to the greyhounds and mastiffs that had just come out of the house, to chase him like a great host: alas, what a pitiful sight it was when our poor Thrasyleon was thus environed and compassed with so many furious dogs that tore and rent him miserably! Then I, impatient of so great his misery, ran in amongst the press of the people, and aiding my comrade secretly with my words (for no more could I do) exhorted all the leaders of this chase in this manner: ' O great extreme mischance, what a previous and excellent beast do we lose!' but my words did nothing prevail to help the poor wretch. For there came running out a tall man with a spear in his hand, that thrust him clean through, and afterwards many that stood by, released of their fear, drew out their swords, and so they killed him. > Latin: Post haec valefacto discessimus et portam civitatis egressi monumentum quoddam conspicamur procul a via remoto et abdito loco positum. Ibi capulos carie et vetustate semitectos, quis inhabitabant pulverei et iam cinerosi mortui, passim ad futurae praedae receptacula reseramus et, ex disciplina sectae servati noctis inlunio tempore, quo somnus obvius impetu primo corda mortalium validius invadit ac premit, cohortem nostram gladiis armatam ante ipsas fores Democharis velut expilationis vadimonium sistimus. Nec setius Thrasyleon, examussim capto noctis latrocinali momento, prorepit cavea statimque custodes, qui propter sopiti quiescebant omnes ad unum, moi etiam ianitorem ipsum gladio conficit, clavique subtracta fores ianuae repandit nobisque prompte convolantibus et domus alveo receptis demonstrat horreum ubi vespera sagaciter argentum copiosum recondi viderat. Quo protinus perfracto confertae manus violentia, iubeo singulos commilitonum asportari quantum quisque poterat auri vel argenti, et in illi! aedibus fidelissimorum mortuorum occultare propere rursumque concito gradu recurrentes sarcinas iterare: quod enim ex usu foret omnium, me solum resistentem pro domus limine cuncta rerum exploraturum sollicite dum redirent; nam et facies ursae mediis aedibus discurrentis ad proterrendos, si qui de familia forte evigilassent, videbatur opportuna. Quis enim, quamuis fortis et intrepidus, immani forma tantae bestiae noctu praesertim visitata, non se ad fugam statim concitaret, non obdito cellae pessulo pavens et trepidus sese cohiberet? [¶2] But verily our brave captain Thrasyleon, the great honour of our band, when his life, that was worthy never to die, was utterly overcome, but not pis fortitude, would not bewray the league between us, either by crying, howling, or any other means, but (being torn with dogs, and wounded with weapons) did still send forth a bellowing cry more like that of a beast than of a man: and taking his present fortune in good part, with courage and glory enough did finish his life with such a terror unto the assembly, that no person was so hardy (until it was morn, nay, until it was high day) as to touch him, though he were a beast stark dead: but at last there came a butcher more valiant than the rest, who (opening the paunch of the beast) slit off the skin from the hardy and venturous thief. In this manner there was lost to us also our captain Thrasyleon, but there was not lost to him his fame and honour. When all this was done, we packed up our treasure which the faithful dead in the sepulchre pad kept for us, and we got us out of the bounds of Plataea, thinking always with ourselves that there was no fidelity to be found amongst the living; and no wonder, for that it hath passed over to the ghosts and the dead in hatred of our deceitfulness. > Latin: His omnibus salubri consilio recte dispositis occurrit scaevus eventus: namque dum reduces socios nostros suspensus opperior, quidam servulus, strepitu scilicet divinitus inquietus, proserpit leniter visaque bestia, quae libere discurrens totis aedibus commeabat, premens obnixum silentium vestigium suum replicat et utcumque cunctis in domo visa pronuntiat. Nec mora, cum numerosae familiae frequentia domus tota completur: taedis, lucernis, cereis, sebaciis, et ceteris nocturni luminis instrumentis clarescunt tenebrae; nec inermis quisquam de tanta copia processit, sed singuli fustibus, lanceis, destrictis denique gladiis armati muniunt aditus. Nec secus canes etiam venaticos, auritos illos et horricomes ad comprimendam bestiam cohortantur. [¶3] And so, being wearied with the weight of our burdens, and very tired with our rough travel, having thus lost three of our soldiers, we are come home with this present prey that you see.” Thus when they had spoken and poured libation of pure wine from cups of gold in memory of their slain companions, they sung hymns to the god Mars to pacify him withal, and laid them down to sleep. Then the old woman gave us fresh barley in plenty Without measure, in so much that my horse, the only lord of all that abundance, might well think he was at some priestly banquet that day. But I, that was accustomed to eat flour finely milled and long cooked with broth, thought that but a sour kind of meat; wherefore espying a corner where lay the loaves of bread left by all the band, I got me thither, and used upon them my jaws which ached with long famine and seemed to be full of cobwebs. Now when the night was come the thieves awaked and rose up: and when they had buckled on their weapons and disguised their faces with vizors, like unto spectres, they departed, and yet for all the great sleep that came upon me, I could in no wise leave eating, and whereas, when I was a man, I could be contented with one or two loaves at the most, now my guts were so greedy that three panniers full would scarcely serve me; and while I laboured at this business, the morning came, and being moved by even an ass's shamefastness, I left my food at last (though well I liked it) and at a stream hard by I quenched my thirst. > Latin: Tunc ego, sensim gliscente adhuc illo tumultu, retrogradi fuga domo facesso sed plane Thrasyleonem mire canibus repugnantem, latens pone ianuam ipse, prospicio: quamquam enim vitae metas ultimas obiret, non tamen sui nostrique vel pristinae virtutis oblitus iam faucibus ipsis hiantis Cerberi reluctabat: scaenam denique quam sponte sumpserat cum anima retinens, nunc fugiens, nunc resistens, variis corporis sui schemis ac motibus tandem domo prolapsus est. Nec tamen, quamvis publica potitus libertate, salutem fuga quaerere potuit, quippe cuncti canes de proximo angiportu satis feri satisque copiosi venaticis illis, qui commodum domo similiter insequentes processerant, se obmiscent agminatim Miserum funestumque spectamen aspexi, Thrasyleonem nostrum catervis canum saevientium cinctum atque obsessum multisque numero morsibus laniatum. Denique tanti doloris impatiens populi circumfluentis turbelis immisceor, et in quo solo poteram celatum auxilium bono ferre commilitoni, sic indaginis principes dehortabar: “O grande” inquam “Et extremum flagitium, magnam et vere pretiosam perdimus bestiam.” [¶4] And suddenly after, the thieves returned home careful and heavy, bringing no burdens with them, no not so much as one poor cloke, but with all their swords and strength, yea even with the might of their whole band, only a maiden that seemed by her habit to be some gentlewoman born, and the daughter of some noble of that country, who was so fair and beautiful, that though I were an ass, yet I swear that I had a great affection to her. The virgin lamented and tore her hair, and spoiled her garments for the great sorrow she was in, but the thieves brought her within the cave, and essayed to comfort her in this sort: “Weep not, fair gentlewoman, we pray you, for be you assured that we will do no outrage or violence to your person, but take patience awhile for our profit; for necessity and poor estate hath compelled us to this enterprise: we warrant you that your parents (although they be covetous) from their great store will be contented to give us money enough to redeem and ransom you, that are their own blood, from our hands.” With such flattering words they endeavoured to appease the gentlewoman: howbeit she would in no lease be comforted, but put her head between her knees and cried piteously. Then they called the old woman and commanded her to sit by the maiden, and pacify her dolour as much as she might. And they departed away to rob, as they accustomed to do, put the virgin would not assuage her griefs nor mitigate her sorrow by any entreaty of the old woman, but howled and sobbed, shaking her bosom with her sighs, in such sort that she made me (poor ass) likewise to weep, and thus she said: “Alas! can I, poor wretch, that am come of so good a house, being now forsaken of all my dear parents, my many friends and great house and family, made a rapine and prey, closed servilely in this stony prison, deprived of all the pleasures wherein I have been brought up, thrown in danger, ready to be rent in pieces amongst so many sturdy thieves and dreadful robbers, can I (I say) cease from weeping or live any longer?” Thus she cried and lamented, and after she had wearied herself with sorrow and beating of her breast, she closed the windows of her hollow eyes to sleep: but scarce had she slept, but she rose again, like a furious and mad woman, and did afflict herself more violently than before, and beat her breast and comely face with her cruel hands. Then the old woman enquired the cause of her new and sudden lamentation, to whom (sighing in pitiful sort) she answered: “Alas! now I am utterly undone, now I am out of all hope. > Latin: Nec tamen nostri sermonis artes infelicissimo profuerunt iuveni, quippe quidam procurrens e domo procerus et validus incunctanter lanceam mediis iniecit ursae praecordiis nec secus alius et ecce plurimi iam timore discusso certatim gladios etiam de proximo congerunt: enimvero Thrasyleon egregium decus nostrae factionis, tandem immortalitate digno illo spiritu expugnato, magis quam patientia neque clamore ac ne ululatu quidem fidem sacramenti prodidit, sed iam morsibus laceratus ferroque laniatus, obnixo mugitu et ferino fremitu praesentem casum generoso vigore tolerans gloriam sibi reservavit, vitam fato reddidit. Tanto tamen terrore tantaque formidine coetum illum turbaverat, ut usque diluculum, immo et in multum diem nemo quisquam fuerit ausus quamvis iacentem bestiam vel digito contingere, nisi tandem pigre ac timide quidam. lanius paulo fidentior, utero bestiae resecto, ursae magnificum despoliavit latronem. Sic etiam Thrasyleon nobis perivit sed a gloria non perivit. Confestim itaque constrictis sarcinis illis, quas nobis servaverant fideles mortui, Plataeae terminos concito gradu deserentes, istud apud nostros animos identidem reputabamus, merito nullam fidem in vita nostra repperiri, quod ad manes iam et mortuos odia perfidiae nostrae demigrarit. Sic onere vecturae simul et asperitate vel somnus imminens impedire potuit; et quamquam prius, cum essem Lucius, unico vel secundo pane contentus mensa decederem, tunc ventri tam profundo serviens iam ferme tertium qualum rumigabam. Huic me operi attonitum clara lux oppressit: [¶5] O, give me a knife to kill me or la halter to hang me, or a precipice that I may throw me down therefrom”: whereat the old woman was more angry, and severely commanded her to tell her the cause of her sorrow, and why after her sleep she should renew her dolour and miserable weeping. “What, think you,” quoth she, “To deceive our young men of the price of your ransom? No, no; therefore cease your crying, for the thieves do little esteem your tears, and if you will still weep, I will surely burn you alive.” Hereat the maiden was greatly afraid, and kissed her hand and said: “O mother, take pity upon me and my wretched fortune, for the sake of human kindness, for I think there be mercy ripe and frank in your venerable hoar head, and hear the sum of my calamity. There was a comely young man of the first rank in the city, who for his bounty and grace was beloved entirely as a son of all the town, my cousin-germain, and but three years older than I; from our early years we two were nourished and brought up in one house, and lay under one roof, aye, in one chamber and bed, and at length by promise of marriage and by consent of our parents we were by law contracted together; the marriage i day was come, my spouse was accompanied with his parents, kinsfolk, and friends, and made sacrifice in.the temples and public places; the whole house was garnished with laurel, and torches were set in every place as they chanted in honour of Hymenaeus, and when my unhappy mother was pampering me in her lap and decking me like a bride, kissing me sweetly and praying earnestly for the hope of future children, behold there came in suddenly a great multitude of thieves, armed like men of war, with naked swords in their hands, who went not about to do any slaughter, neither to take anything away, but brake into the chamber where I was, and violently took me, now half dead with fear, out of my mother's arms, when none of the family would fight nor resist ever so little. > Latin: tandem itaque asinali verecundia ductus, aegerrime tamen digrediens rivulo proximo sitim lenio. Nec mora, cum latrones ultro anxii atque solliciti remeant, nullam quidem prorsus sarcinam vel omnino, licet vilem, laciniam ferentes sed tantum gladiis totis, introvocatae anui praecipiunt assidens eam blando quantum posset solaretur alloquio, seque ad sectae sueta conferunt. Nec tamen puella quivit ullis aniculae sermonibus ab inceptis fletibus avocari, sed altius eiulans sese et assiduis singultibus ilia quatiens mihi etiam lacrimas excussit, ac sic “An ego” inquit “Misera, tali domo, tanta familia, tam caris vernulis tam sanctis parentibus desolata et infelicis rapinae praeda et mancipium effecta, inque isto saxeo carcere serviliter clausa et omnibus deliciis, quis inuata atque innutrita sum, privata, sub incerto salutis et carnificinae laniena, inter tot ac tales latrones et horrendum gladiatorum populum, vel fictum desinere vel omnino vivere potero?” Lamentata sic, et animi dolore et faucium tundore et corporis lassitudine iam fatigata, marcentes oculos demisit ad soporem; at commodum conniverat nec diu, cum repente lymphatico ritu somno recussa est refricaret: “Nimirum” inquit “Tanto compendio tuae redemptionis defraudare iuvenes meos destinas quod si pergis ulterius, iam faxo lacrimis istis, quas parvi pendere latrones consuerunt, insuper habitis viva exurare.” [¶6] In this sort was our marriage broken and disturbed, like the marriage of Hippodamia and Protesilaus: but behold, good mother, now my unhappy fortune is renewed and increased: for I dreamed in my sleep that I was pulled out of our house, out of our chamber, and out of my bed, and that I roamed about in solitary and unknown places, calling upon the name of my unfortunate husband, and that he, when he was robbed of my embrace, even still smelling of perfumes and crowned with garlands, did trace me by my steps as I fled on feet not mine own, desiring the aid of the people to assist him, in that his fair wife was violently stolen away: and as he went crying up and down, one of the thieves, moved with indignation my reason of his pursuit, took up a great stone that lay at his feet and threw it at my husband, poor youth, and killed him: by the terror of which sight I awaked in fear from so dreadful a sleep.” Then the old woman, tendering out like sighs, began to speak in this sort: “My lady, take a good heart unto you, and be not afraid at feigned or strange visions or dreams, for as the visions of the day are accounted false and untrue, so the visions of the night do often chance contrary: kind indeed to dream of weeping, beating, and killing is a token of good luck and prosperous change, whereas contrary, to dream of laughing, filling the belly with good cheer, or dalliance of love, is sign of sadness of heart, sickness of body, or other displeasure. But I will tell thee a pleasant old wives' tale to put k way all thy sorrow and to revive thy spirits”; and so she began in this manner: “ There was sometime a certain 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 most comely shape and beauty, yet they did not excel all the praise and commendation of mortal speech; but the singular passing beauty and maidenly majesty of the youngest Slaughter was so far excellent, that no earthly tongue could by any means sufficiently express or set out the same: by reason whereof the citizens and strangers there, being inwardly pricked by zealous affection to behold her famous person, came daily by thousands to see her, and as astonied with admiration of per incomparable beauty did no less worship and reverence her, bringing their right hands to their lips,1 with the forefinger laid against the thumb, as tokens, and with other divine adorations, as if she were 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 borne and brought forth, and the froth of the foaming waves had nourished (to the intent, to shew her high magnificency and power in earth to such as before did honour and worship her) was now conversant amongst mortal men, or else that the earth and not the seas, by a new concourse and influence of the celestial planets, had budded and yielded forth a new Venus, endued with the flower of virginity. So daily more and more increased this opinion, and now was her flying fame dispersed into the next islands and well nigh into every part and province of the whole world. Whereupon innumerable strangers resorted from far countries, adventuring themselves by long journeys on land and by great travels on water, to behold this wonder of the age. By occasion whereof such a contempt grew towards the goddess Venus, that no person travelled unto the town Paphos nor unto Cnidos, no nor to the isle Cythera to worship her. > Latin: Tali puella sermone deterrita, manuque eius exosculata, “Parce” inquit “Mi parens, et durissimo casui meo, pietatis humanae memor, subsiste paululum; nec enim, ut reor, aevo longiore maturatae tibi in ista sancta canitie miseratio prorsus exaruit. Specta denique scaenam meae calamitatis: speciosus adulescens inter suos principales, quem filium publicum omnia sibi civitas cooptavit, meus alioquin consobrinus, tantulo triennio maior in aetate, qui mecum primis ab annis nutritus et adultus individuo contubernio domusculae, immo vero cubiculi torique sanctae caritatis affectione mutuo mihi pigneratus, votisque nuptialibus pacto iugali pridem destinatus, consensu parentum tabulis etiam maritus nuncupatus, ad nuptias officio frequenti cognatorum et affinium stipatus templis et aedibus publicis victimas immolabat: domus tota lauris obsita, taedis lucida constrepebat hymenaeum. Tunc me gremio suo mater infelix tolerans mundo nuptiali decenter ornabat, mellitisque saviis crebriter ingestis iam spem futuram liberorum votis anxiis propagabat, cum irruptionis subitae gladiatorum impetus ad belli faciem saeviens, nudis et infestis mucronibus coruscans; non caedi, non rapinae manus afferunt, sed denso conglobatoque cuneo cubiculum nostrum inuadunt protinus: nec ullo de familiaribus nostris repugnante ac ne tantillum quidem resistente, miseram, exanimem saevo pavore, trepidam medio matris gremio rapuere. Sic ad instar Athracidis at vero puellae iunioris tam praecipua, tam praeclara pulchritudo nec exprimi ac ne sufficienter quidem laudari sermonis humani penuria poterat. Multi denique civium et advenae copiosi, quos eximii spectacula rumor studiosa celebritate congregabat, inaccessae formositatis admiratione stupidi et admoventes oribus suis dexteram primore digito in erectum pollicem residente ut ipsam prorsus deam Venerem venerabantur religiosis adoptionibus. Iamque proximas civitates et attiguas regiones fama pervaserat deam, quam caerulum profundum pelagi peperit et ros spumantem fluctuum educavit, iam numinis sui passuri tributa venia in mediis conversari populi coetibus, vel certe rursum novo caelestium stillarum germine noni maria, sed terras Venerem aliam, virginali flore praeditam, pullulasse. [¶7] Her liturgies were left out, her temples defaced, her couches 1 contemned, her ceremonies neglected, and her bare altars unswept and foul with the ashes of old burnt sacrifice. For why, every person honoured and worshipped this maiden instead of Venus, calling upon the divinity of that great goddess in a human form, and in the morning at her first coming abroad, offered unto her oblations, provided banquets, called her by the name of Venus which was not Venus indeed, and in her honour, as she walked in the streets, presented flowers and garlands in most reverent fashion. This sudden change and alteration of celestial honour unto the worship of a mortal maiden did greatly inflame and kindle the mind of very Venus, who (unable to temper herself from indignation, shaking her head in raging sort) reasoned with herself in this manner: ' Behold I, the original of nature, pie first beginning of all the elements, behold I, the lady Venus of all the world, am now joined with a mortal maiden as a partaker of my honour; my name, registered in the city of heaven, is profaned and made vile by terrene absurdities. > Latin: Sic immensum procedit in dies opinio, sic insulas iam proxumas et terrae plusculum provinciasque plurimas fama porrecta pervagatur: iam multi mortalium longis itineribus atque altissimis maris meatibus ad saeculi specimen gloriosum confluebant: Paphon nemo, Cnidon nemo ac ne ipsa quidem Cythera ad conspectum deae Veneris navigabant. Sacra diae praetereuntur, templa deformantur, pulvinaria proteruntur, huius etiam ipsius illicitae formositatis paeniteat.” Et vocat confestim puerum suum pinnatum illum et satis temerarium, qui malis suis moribus contempta disciplina publica, flammis et sagittis armatus per alienas domos nocte discurrens et omnium matrimonia corrumpens impune committit tanta flagitia, et nihil prorsus boni facit. [¶8] If I shall suffer any mortal creature to present my majesty in earth, and must be content with sharing the godhead and receiving worship through other, or that any girl that one day is to die shall bear about a false surprised shape of my person, then in vain did Paris that shepherd (in whose just judgement and confidence the great Jupiter had affiance) prefer me above the other great goddesses for the excellency of my beauty: but she, whatsoever she be, shall not for nought have usurped mine honour, but she shall shortly repent her of her unlawful loveliness.' Then by and by she called her winged son Cupid, lash enough and hardy, who by his evil manners, contemning all public justice and law, armed with ire and arrows, running up and down in the nights worn house to house, and corrupting the lawful marriages of every person, doth nothing (and yet he is not punished) but that which is evil: and although he were of his own proper nature sufficient prone to work mischief, yet she egged him forward with words and brought him to the city, and shewed him Psyche (for so the maiden was called) and having told him of her rival beauty, the cause of her anger, not without great rage, ' I pray thee,' quoth she, ' My dear child, by the motherly bond of love, by the sweet wounds of thy piercing darts, by the pleasant heat of thy fire, revenge fully the injury which is done to thy mother upon the false and disobedient beauty of a mortal maiden; > Latin: Hunc, quamquam genuina licentia procacem, verbis quoque insuper stimulat et perducit ad illam civitatem et Psychen—hoc enim nomine puella nuncupabatur—coram ostendit et tota illa perlata de formositatis aemulatione fabula, gemens ac fremens indignatione “Per ego te ” inquit “Maternae caritatis foedera deprecor, per tuae sagittae dulcia vulnera, per flammae istius mellitas uredines, vindictam tuae parenti sed plenam tribue et in pulchritudinem contumacem severiter obsequium. Adsunt Nerei filiae chorum canentes, et Portunus caerulis barbis hispidus, et gravis piscoso sinu Salacia, et auriga parvulus delphini Palaemon iam passim maria persultantes Tritonum catervae; hic concha sonaci leniter buccinat, ille serico tegmina flagrantiae solis obsistit inimici, alius sub oculis dominae speculum progerit, curru biiuges alii subnatant. Talis ad Oceanum pergentem Venerem comitatur exercitus. [¶9] and this beyond all I pray thee without delay, that she may fall in desperate love with the most miserable creature living, the most poor, the most crooked, and the most vile, that there may be lone found in all the world of like wretchedness.' When she had spoken these words, she embraced long and kissed often her son, and took her voyage towards the shore hard by, where the tides flow to and fro: and when she was come there, and had trodden with her rosy feet upon the top of the trembling waters, then the deep sea became exceeding calm upon its whole surface, and at her will, as though she had before given her bidding, straight- way appeared her servitors from the deep: for incontinent came the daughters of Nereus singing with tunes melodiously; Portunus with his bristled land rough beard of azure; Salacia with her bosom full of fish; > Latin: Interea Psyche cum sua sibi perspicua pulchritudine nullum decoris sui fructum percipit. Spectatur ab omnibus, laudatur ab omnibus, nec quisquam, non rex, non regius, nec de plebe saltem cupiens eius nuptiarum petitor accedit: mirantur quidem divinam speciem, sed ut simulacrum fabre politum mirantur omnes. Olim duae maiores sorores, quarum temperatam formositatem nulli diffamarant populi, procis regibus desponsae iam beatas nuptias adeptae sed Psyche virgo vidua domi residens deflet desertam suam solitudinem, aegra corporis, animi saucia, et quamvis gentibus totis complacitam odit in se suam formositatem. [¶10] Palaemon the little driver of the dolphin; land the bands of Triton trumpeters leaping hither land thither, the one blowing on his shell with heavenly noise, another turning aside with a silken veil the burning heat of the fierce sun, another holding her mirror before his lady's eyes, others, yoked two together, swimming beneath her car. Such was the company which followed Venus marching towards the middest Ocean. In the mean season Psyche with all her beauty received no fruit of her honour. > Latin: Sic infortunatissimae filiae miserrimus pater,suspectatis caelestibus odiis et irae superum metuens, dei Milesii vetustissimum percontatur oraculum et a tanto numine precibus et victimis ingratae virgini petit nuptias et maritum. Sed Apollo, quamquam Graecus et Ionicus, propter Milesiae conditorem sic Latina sorte respondit: [¶11] She was wondered at of all, she was praised of all, but she perceived that no king nor prince nor any of the inferior sort did repair to woo her. Every one marvelled at her divine beauty, but only as it were at some image well painted and set out. Her other two sisters, whose lesser beauty was nothing so greatly exalted by the people, were royally married to two kings, but the virgin Psyche sitting at home alone lamented her solitary life, and being disquieted both in mind and body (although she pleased all the world) yet hated she in herself her own beauty. Whereupon the miserable father of this unfortunate daughter, suspecting that the gods and powers of heaven did envy her estate, went into the town called Miletus to receive the most ancient oracle of Apollo, where lie made his prayers and offered sacrifice, and desired a husband for his neglected daughter; but Apollo, though he were a Grecian of the country of Ionia, yet for the sake of him that telleth this Milesian tale, gave answer in Latin verse, the sense whereof was this: ' Let Psyche's corpse be clad in mourning weed And set on rock of yonder hill aloft: Her husband is no wight of human seed, But serpent dire and fierce as may be thought, Who flies with wings above in starry skies And doth subdue each thing with fiery flight. The gods themselves and powers that seem so wise With mighty Jove be subject to his might; The rivers black and deadly floods of pain And darkness eke as thrall to him remain.' > Latin: ‘Montis in excelsi scopulo, rex, siste puellam Ornatam mundo funerei thalami: Nec speres generum mortali stirpe creatum, Sed saevum atque ferum vipereumque malum, Quod pinnis volitans super aethera cuncta fatigat Flammaque et ferro singula debilitat; Quod tremit ipse Iovis, quo numina terrificantur, Fluminaque horrescunt et Stygiae tenebrae.’ Rex, olim beatus, affatu sanctae vaticinationis accepto pigens tristisque retro domum pergit suaeque coniugi praecepta sortis enodat infaustae. Maeretur, fletur, lamentatur diebus plusculis: sed dirae sortis iam urget taeter effectus, iam feralium nuptiarum miserrimae virgini choragium struitur, iam taedae lumen atrae fuliginis cinere marcescit, et sonus tibiae zygiae mutatur in querulum Lydii modum, cantusque laetus hymenaei lugubri finitur ululatu, et puella nuptura deterget lacrimas ipso suo flammeo. Sic affectae domus triste fatum cuncta etiam civitas congemebat, luctuque publico confestim congruens edicitur iustitium. [¶12] The king, beforetimes happy, when he heard the prophecy 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 days in great sorrow. But now was the sad fulfilment of the oracle at hand, now the time approached of Psyche's funeral marriage; preparation was made, the torches burned weakly with black and sooty flame, the pleasant sound of the nuptial flute was turned into the sad Lydian strains, the melody of Hymenaeus was ended with deadly howling, the ¦maiden that should be married did wipe her eyes with her veil; all the people of the city wept likewise the gloomy fate of a fallen house; and with great lamentation was ordained a public mourning for that day. But necessity compelled that poor Psyche should be brought to her appointed doom, according to the divine commandment; and when the solemnity of the wretched wedding was ended with great sorrow, all the people followed the living corpse, and they, went to bring this sorrowful spouse, not to her marriage, but to her final end and burial. And while the father and mother of Psyche did go forward, weeping and crying and delaying to do this enterprise, Psyche spake unto them in this sort: 'Why torment you your unhappy age with continual dolour? Why trouble you your breath, which is more rather mine than yours, with these many cryings? Why soil ye with useless tears your faces which I ought to adore and worship? Why tear you my eyes when ye tear yours? Why pull you your hoar hairs? Why knock you your breasts that are holy to me? Now you see the reward of my excellent beauty: now, now, you perceive (but too late) the deadly plague of envy. When the people did honour me with divine honours and all together call me new Venus, then you should have grieved, then you should have wept, then you should have sorrowed, as though I had been then dead: for now I see and perceive that I am come to this misery by the only name of Venus. > Latin: Sed monitis caelestibus parendi necessitas misellam Psychen ad destinatam poenam efflagitabat: perfectis igitur feralis thalami cum summo maerore sollemnibus toto prosequente populo vivum producitur funus et lacrimosa Psyche comitatur non nuptias sed exequias suas. Ac dum maesti parentes et tanto malo perciti nefarium facinus perficere cunctantur, ipsa illa filia talibus eos adhortatur vocibus: ‘Quid infelicem senectam fletu diutino cruciatis? Quid spiritum vestrum, qui magis meus est, crebris eiulatibus fatigatis? Quid lacrimis inefficacibus ora mihi veneranda foedatis? Quid laceratis in vestris oculis mea lumina? Quid canitiem scinditis? Quid pectora, quid ubera sancta tunditis? Haec erunt vobis egregiae formositatis meae praeclara praemia? Invidiae nefariae letali plaga percussi sero sentitis. Cum gentes et populi celebrarent nos divinis honoribus, cum novam me Venerem ore consono nuncuparent, tunc dolere, tunc flere, tunc me iam quasi peremptam lugere debuistis: iam sentio, iam video solo me nomine Veneris perisse. Ducite me, et cui sors addixit scopulo sistite: festino felices istas nuptias obire, festino generosum illum maritum meum videre. Quid differo? Quid detrecto venientem qui totius orbis exitio natus est?’ [¶13] Bring me, and (as fortune hath appointed) place me on the top of the rock; I greatly desire to end my happy marriage, I greatly covet to see my noble husband. Why do I delay? Why should I refuse him that is appointed to destroy all the world?' Thus ended she her words, and thrust herself with strong gait amongst the people that followed: then they brought her to the appointed rock of the high hill, and set her thereon and so departed. The torches and lights were put out with the tears of the people, and every man gone home with bowed heads: the miserable parents, well nigh consumed with sorrow, closed themselves in their palace and gave themselves to everlasting darkness. Thus poor Psyche being left alone weeping and trembling on the highest top of the rock, there lame a gentle air of softly breathing Zephyrus and carried her from the hill, with a meek wind, which retained her garments up, and by little and little brought her down into a deep valley, where she was laid in a soft grassy bed of most sweet and fragrant flowers.” > Latin: Sic profata virgo conticuit ingressuque iam valido pompae populi prosequentis sese miscuit. Itur ad constitutum scopulum montis ardui, cuius in summo cacumine statutam puellam cuncti deserunt, taedasque nuptiales, quibus praeluxerant, ibidem lacrimis suis extinctas relinquentes deiectis capitibus domuitionem parant, et miseri quidem parentes eius tanta clade defessi clausae domus abstrusi tenebris perpetuae nocti sese dedidere. Psychen autem paventem ac trepidam et in ipso scopuli vertice deflentem mitis aura molliter spirantis Zephyri, vibratis hinc inde laciniis et reflato sinu, sensim levatam suo tranquillo spiritui vehens paulatim per devexa rupis excelsae, vallis subditae florentis caespitis gremio leniter delapsam reclinat.”