--- title: "The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses" author: "Apuleius" translator: "William Adlington" languages: [la, en] shelf: "Classical Latin" section: 8 of 21 url: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/8/ cite: "Apuleius, tr. William Adlington, The Golden Ass · Metamorphoses, section 8. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/8/" --- # 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. ## 8. Book V · chapter 5 · 5 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/8/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/apuleius-golden-ass/8/#p-N [¶0] 5. “ Thus fair Psyche being sweetly couched amongst the soft and tender herbs, as in a bed of dewy grass and fragrant flowers, and having qualified the troubles and thoughts of her restless mind, was now well reposed: and when she had refreshed herself sufficiently with sleep, she rose with a more quiet and pacified mind, and fortuned to espy a pleasant wood environed with great and mighty trees, and likewise a running river as clear as crystal; in the middest and very heart of the woods, well nigh at the fall of the river, was a princely edifice, wrought and builded, lot by the art or hand of man, but by the mighty lower of a god: and you would judge at the first entry therein, that it were some pleasant and worthy mansion for the powers of heaven. For the embowings above were curiously carven out 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 work of some demigod, or God himself, that put all these beasts into silver. The pavement was all of precious stone, divided and cut one from another, whereon was carved divers kinds of pictures, in such mart that blessed and thrice blessed were they which might go upon such a pavement of gems and orna- ments: every part and angle of the house was so well adorned by the precious stones and inestimable treasure there, and the walls were so solidly built up with great blocks of gold, that glittered and shone in such sort that the chambers, porches, and doors gave out the light of day as it had been the sun. > Latin: 5. “Psyche teneris et herbosis locis in ipso toro roscidi graminis suave recubans, tanta mentis perturbatione sedata, dulce conquievit. Iamque sufficienti recreata somno placido resurgit animo: videt lucum proceris et vastis arboribus consitum, videt fontem vitreo latice perlucidum medio luci meditullio. Prope fontis allapsum domus regia est, aedificata non humanis manibus sed divinis artibus: iam scies ab introitu primo dei cuiuspiam luculentum et amoenum videre te diversorium. Nam summa laquearia, citro et ebore curiose cavata, subeunt aureae columnae, parietes omnes argenteo caelamine conteguntur, bestiis et id genus pecudibus occurrentibus ob os introeuntium. Mirus prorsum homo, immo semideus vel certe deus, qui magnae artis subtilitate tantum efferavit argentum: enimvero pavimenta ipsa lapide pretioso caesim deminuto in varia picturae genera discriminantur: vehementer iterum ac saepius beatos illos qui super gemmas et monilia calcant! Iam ceterae partes longe lateque dispositae domus sine pretio pretiosae totique parietes solidati massis aureis splendore proprio coruscant, ut diem suum sibi domus faciat licet sole nolente; sic cubicula, sic porticus, sic ipsae valvae fulgurant. Nec setius opes ceterae maiestati domui respondent, ut equidem illud recte videatur ad conversationem humanam magno Iovi fabricatum caeleste palatium. [¶1] Neither otherwise did the other treasure of the house disagree unto so great a majesty, that verily it seemed in every point a heavenly palace fabricated and builded for Jupiter himself wherein to dwell among men. Then Psyche, moved with delectation, approached nigh, and taking a bold heart entered into the house led on by the beauty of that sight, and beheld everything there with great affection: she saw storehouses wrought exceeding fine, and replenished with abundance of riches, and finally, there could nothing be devised which lacked there, but amongst such great store of treasure, this was more marvellous, that there mas no closure, bolt, or lock, and no guardian to keep the same. And when with great pleasure she viewed all these things, she heard a voice without any body, that said: 'Why do you marvel, lady, at so great riches? Behold all that you see is at your commandment: wherefore go you into the chamber and repose yourself upon the bed, and desire what bath you will have, and we, whose voices you hear, be your servants, and ready to minister unto you according to your desire: in the mean season, when you have refreshed your body, royal meats and dainty dishes shall be prepared for you.' > Latin: Invitata Psyche talium locorum oblectatione propius accessit et paulo fidentior intra limen sese facit, mox prolectante studio pulcherrimae visionis rimatur singula et altrinsecus aedium horrea sublimi fabrica perfecta magnisque congesta gazis conspicit; nec est quicquam quod ibi non est: sed praeter ceteram tantarum divitiarum admirationem hoc erat praecipue mirificum, quod nullo vinculo, nullo claustro nullo custode totius orbis thesaurus ille muniebatur Haec ei summa cum voluptate visenti offert sese vox quaedam corporis sui nuda, et ‘Quid,’ inquit ‘Domina, tantis obstupescis opibus? Tua sunt haec omnia. prohinc cubiculo te refer, et lectulo lassitudinem refove, et ex arbitrio lavacrum pete. Nos quarum voces accipis, tuae famulae; sedulo tibi praeministrabimus nec corporis curatae tibi regales epulae morabuntur.’ [¶2] Then Psyche perceived the felicity of divine providence, and according to the advertisement of the incorporeal voices she first reposed herself upon the bed, and then refreshed her body in the bath. This done, she saw the table garnished with meats, and a round chair to sit down, and gladly reposed herself beside the array for dining, which she thought was set very conveniently for her refreshment. Then straightway all sorts of wines like nectar were brought in, and plentiful dishes of divers meats, not by anybody but as it were by some divine spirit or breath, for she could see no person before her, but only hear words falling on every side, and she had only voices no serve her. After that all the rich services were brought to the table, one came in and sang invisibly, another played on the harp, and that, too, could not be seen; the harmony of a large concourse did so? greatly thrill in her ears, that though there were no manner of person, yet seemed she in the midst of a great quire. > Latin: Sensit Psyche divinae providentiae beatitudinem monitusque, voces informes audiens, et prius somno et mox lavacro fatigationem sui diluit, visoque statim proximo semirotundo suggestu, propter instrumentum cenatorium rata refectui suo commodum, libens accumbit. Et illico vini nectarei eduliumque variorum fercula copiosa, nullo serviente sed tantum spiritui quodam impulsa, subministrantur: nec quemquam tamen illa videre poterat, sed verba tantum audiebat excidentia et solas voces famulas habebat. Post opimas dapes quidam introcessit et cantavit invisus et alius citharam pulsavit, quae videbatur nec ipsa: tunc. modulatae multitudinis conferta vox aures eius affertur, ut, quamvis hominum nemo pareret, chorus tamen esse pateret. [¶3] All these pleasures finished, when night approached Psyche went to bed; and when she was Paid, and the night far advanced, still a sweet sound came about her ears; then she greatly feared for her virginity, because she was alone; she trembled and quaked the more for that she knew not what evil might come to pass. Then came her unknown husband to her bed, and after that he had made her his very wife, he rose in the morning before day and departed. Soon after came those invisible voices, consoling the bride for that virginity she had lost, and thus she passed a great while: and so (as it naturally happened) that which was first a novelty, by continual custom did at last bring her great pleasure, but specially the sound of the voices was a comfort unto her being alone and knowing nothing of her estate. During this time her father and mother did nothing but weep and lament in their old age, and the fame of it was all blown abroad, and her two sisters, hearing of her most miserable fortune, came with great dolour and sorrow to see and speak with their parents. > Latin: Finitis voluptatibus, vespera suadente, concedit Psyche cubitum, iamque provecta nocte clemens quidam sonus aures eius accedit. Tunc virginitate suae pro tanta solitudine metuens et pavet et horrescit et quovis malo plus timet quod ignorat: iamque aderat ignobilis maritus et torum inscenderat,et uxorem sibi Psychen fecerat et ante lucis exortum propere discesserat: statim voces cubiculo praestolatae novam nuptam interfectae virginitatis curant. Haec diutino tempore sic agebantur, atque, ut est natura redditum, novitas per assiduam consuetudinem delectationem ei commendarat, et sonus vocis incertae solitudinis erat solacium. Interea parentes eius indefesso luctu atque maerore consenescebant latiusque porrecta fama sorores illae maiores cuncta cognorant, propereque maestae atque lugubres deserto Lare certatim ad parentum suorum conspectum affatumque perrexerant. [¶4] Now on that very night Psyche's husband spake unto her (for she might not know him with her eyes, but only with her hands and ears) and said: ' O my sweet spouse and dear wife, fortune doth menace unto thee imminent peril and danger, whereof I wish thee greatly to beware: for know thou that thy sisters, thinking thou art dead, be greatly troubled and will loon come to the mountain by thy footsteps; whose lamentations, if thou fortune to hear, beware that thou do in no wise either make answer or look up toward them. For if thou do, thou shalt purchase to me a great sorrow, and to thyself utter destruction.' > Latin: Ea nocte ad suam Psychen sic infit maritus (namque praeter oculos et manibus et auribus is non nihil sentiebatur): ‘Psyche dulcissima et cara uxor exitiabile tibi periculum minatur fortuna saevior, quom observandum pressiore cautela censeo. Sorores, iam tuae mortis opinione turbatae tuumque vestigium requirentes, scopulum istum protinus aderunt, quarum si quas forte lamentationes acceperis, neque respondeas, immo nec prospicias omnino; ceterum mihi quidem gravissimum dolorem, tibi vero summum creabis exitium.’ [¶5] Psyche (hearing her husband) promised that she would do all things as he commanded, but after that he was departed, and the night passed away, she lamented and cried all day following, thinking that low she was past all hope of comfort in that she was both closed within the walls of a fine prison, deprived of human conversation, and commanded not to aid or assist 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 bathing, but incontinently after came her husband earlier than he was wont, who (when he had embraced her sweetly) as she still wept, began to say: ' Is it thus that you perform your promise, my sweet wife? > Latin: Annuit et ex arbitrio mariti se facturam spopondit, sed eo simul cum nocte dilapso diem totum lacrimis ac plangoribus misella consumit, se nunc maxime prorsus perisse iterans, quae beati carceris custodia saepta et humanae conversationis colloquio viduata nec sororibus quidem suis de se maerentibus opem salutarem ferre ac ne videre eas quidem omnino posset; nec lavacro nec cibo nec ulla denique refectione recreata flens ubertim decessit ad somnum. [¶6] What do I find here, that am your husband? What have I to hope? Pass you all the day and the night in weeping, and will you not cease even in your husband's arms? Go to, do what you will, purchase your own 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 she should die, unless he would grant her desire that she might see her sisters, whereby she might speak with them and comfort them; > Latin: Nec mora, cum paulo maturius lectum maritus accubans, eamque etiamnunc lacrimantem complexus, sic expostulat: ‘Haecine mihi pollicebare, Psyche mea? Quid iam de te tuus maritus expecto, quid spero? Et perdia et pernox nec inter amplexus coniugales desinis cruciatum. Age iam nunc ut voles et animo tuo damnosa poscenti pareto: tantum memineris meae seriae monitionis cum coeperis sero paenitere.’ [¶7] whereat at length he was contented, and moreover he willed that she should give them as much gold and jewels as she would, but he gave her a further charge, warning her often, and saying that she should beware that she should covet not (being moved by the pernicious counsel of her sisters) to see the shape of his person, lest by her wicked curiosity she should be deprived of so great and worthy estate and nevermore feel his embrace. Psyche being glad herewith rendered unto him most entire thanks and said: ' My honey, my husband, I had rather die an hundred times than be separate from your sweet company; for whosoever you be, I love and retain you within my heart, as if you were mine own spirit, and I make you not less than if you were Cupid himself: but I pray you grant this likewise, that you would command your servant Zephyrus to bring my sisters down into the valley, as he brought me, and place them here'; wherewithal she kissed him sweetly, and desired him with tender words to grant her request, and clasped him closely to her bosom, calling him her spouse, her sweetheart, her joy, her own very soul, whereby she enforced him by the power of her love (though unwilling) to her mind, and he promised to do her will, and when morning came he departed away from her arms. echoes answered again their frequent howlings: and when they called their sister by her name, so that their lamentable cries came down the mountain unto her ears, she came forth, very anxious and now almost put of her mind, and said: ' Behold, here is she for whom you weep; > Latin: Tunc illa precibus et dum se morituram comminatur extorquet a marito cupitis annuat, ut sorores videat, luctus mulceat, ora conferat: sic ille novae nuptae precibus veniam tribuit, et insuper quibuscumque vellet eas auri vel monilium donare concessit, sed identidem monuit ac saepe terruit, nequando sororum pernicioso consilio suasa de forma mariti quaerat, neve se sacrilega curiositate de tanto fortunarum suggestu pessum deiciat nec suum postea contingat amplexum. Gratias egit marito, iamque laetior ‘Sed prius’ inquit ‘Centies moriar quam tuo isto dulcissimo connubio caream: amo enim, et efflictim te, quicumque es, diligo aeque ut meum spiritum, nec ipsi Cupidini comparo. Sed istud etiam meis precibus, oro, largire et illi tuo famulo Zephyro praecipe simili vectura sorores hic mihi sistat’: et imprimens oscula suasoria et ingerens verba mulcentia et iungeris membra cohibentia, haec etiam blanditiis astruit: ‘Mi mellite, mi marite, tuae Psychae dulcis anima.’ Vi ac potestate Venerei susurrus invitus succubuit maritus et cuncta se facturum spopondit, atque iam luce proximante de manibus uxoria evanuit. [¶8] I pray you torment yourself no more, and dry those tears with which you have so long wetted your cheeks, for now may you embrace her for whom you mourned.' By and by she commanded Zephyrus by the appointment of her husband to bring them down; neither did he delay, for. with gentle blasts he retained them up, and laid them softly in the valley: I am not able to express the often embracing, kissing, and greeting which was between them three; and those tears which had been then laid apart sprang forth again for joy. ' Come in,', quoth Psyche, ' Into our house with gladness and refresh your afflicted minds with me your sister.' After this she shewed them the storehouses of treasure, she caused them to hear the great company of voices which served her, the fair bath was made ready, and she entertained 'them richly with dainty meats of her celestial table, and when they had eaten and filled themselves with divine delicacies they conceived great envy within their hearts: and one of them being very curious in every point, did not cease to demand what her husband was, and who was the lord of so precious a house; > Latin: At illae sorores percontatae scopulum locumque illum, quo fuerat Psyche deserta, festinanter adveniunt, ibique difflebant oculos et plangebant ubera, quoad crebris earum eiulatibus saxa cautesque parilem sonum resultarent. Iamque nomine proprio sororem miseram ciebant, quoad sono penetrabili vocis ululabilis per prona delapso amens et trepida Psyche procurrit e domo et, ‘Quid ’ inquit ‘Vos miseris lamentationibus nequicquam effligitis? Quam lugetis adsum. Lugubres voces desinite, et diutinis lacrimis madentes genas siccate tandem, quippe cum iam possitis quam plangebatis amplecti.’ Tunc vocatum Zephyrum praecepti maritalis admonet: nec mora, cum ille parens imperio statim clementissimis flatibus innoxia vectura deportat illas. Iam mutuis amplexibus et festinantibus saviis sese perfruuntur, et illae sedatae lacrimae postliminio redeunt prolectante gaudio. ‘Sed et tectum ’ inquit ‘Et Larem nostrum laetae succedite, et afflictas animas cum Psyche vestra recreate.’ [¶9] but Psyche, remembering the promise which she made to her husband, did not let it go forth from the secret places of her heart, but with timely colour feigned that he was a young man of comely stature with soft down, rather than a beard, just beginning to shadow his cheeks, and had great delight in hunting in the hills and dales hard by: and lest by her long talk she should be found to trip or fail in her words and betray her secret counsel, she filled their laps with gold and ornaments of jewels, and commanded Zephyrus to carry them away. When this was done these worthy sisters took their ways homeward to their own houses, and the poison of envy that they bare against Psyche grew hot within them, so that they murmured with much talk between them; and one began: ' Behold a cruel and contrary fortune! Doth it please thee that we (born all of one parent) have divers destinies, but especially we, that are the elder two, be married to strange husbands, made as handmaidens, and as it were banished from our country and friends; whereas our younger sister, last born, which is ever the weakest, hath so great abundance of treasure and gotten a god to her husband, but hath no skill how to use so great plenty of riches. Saw you not, sister, what was in the house? > Latin: Sic allocuta summas opes domus aureae vocumque servientium populosam familiam demonstrat auribus earum, lavacroque pulcherrimo et inhumanae mensae lautitiis eas opipare reficit, ut illarum prorsus caelestium divitiarum copiis affluentibus satiatae iam praecordiis penitus nutrirent invidiam. Denique altera earum satis scrupulose curioseque percontari non desinit, quis illarum caelestium rerum dominus, quisve vel qualis ipsius sit maritus: nec tamen Psyche coniugale illud praeceptum ullo pacto temerat vel pectoris arcanis exigit, sed e re nata confingit esse iuvenem quendam et speciosum, commodum lanoso barbitio genas inumbrantem, plerumque rurestribus ac montanis venatibus occupatum, et ne qua sermonis procedentis labe consilium tacitum proderetur, auro facto gemmosisque monilibus onustas eas statim vocato Zephyro, tradit reportandas. [¶10] What great store of jewels, what glittering robes, what gems, yea, what gold we trod on? So that if she have a goodly husband according as she affirmeth there is none that liveth this day more happy in all the world than she. And so it may come to pass that at length, if the great affection and love which he beareth unto her do continually increase, he may make her a goddess, for (by Hercules) such was her port, so she behaved herself. Now already she holds up her countenance, now she breathes the goddess, that as a woman hath voices to serve her, and lays her commands upon the winds. But I, poor wretch, have first married a husband older than my father, more bald than a coot,1 more weak than a child, and one that locketh up all the house with bolts and chains.' Then said the other sister: 'And in faith I am married to a husband that hath the gout, bent crooked, not courageous in paying the debt of love; I am fain to rub and mollify his crabbed and stony fingers, and I soil my white and dainty hands with stinking plasters and rank-smelling salves and with the corruption of filthy clouts, so that he uses me not like a wife, but more like a surgeon's servant. And you, my sister, seem to bear this with a patient, nay (that I may speak freely) with a servile mind, but I cannot abide to see our younger sister so unworthy in such great felicity. Saw you not, I pray, how proudly and arrogantly she handled us even now, and how in vaunting herself she uttered her presumptuous mind, how she cast grudgingly a little gold into our laps, and (being weary of our company) commanded that we should be borne and blown and whistled away? > Latin: Quo protenus perpetrato sorores egregiae domum redeuntes, iamque gliscentis invidiae felle flagrantes multa secum sermonibus mutuis perstrepebant: sic denique infit altera: ‘En orba et saeva et iniqua Fortuna! Hocine tibi complacuit, ut utroque parente prognatae diversam sortem sustineremus? Et nos! quidem, quae natu maiores sumus, maritis advenis ancillae deditae, extorres et Lare et ipsa patria degamus longe parentum velut exulantes, haec autem novissima, quam fetu satiante postremus partum effudit, tantis opibus et deo marito potita sit, quae nec uti recte tanta bonorum copia novit? Vidisti, soror, quanta in domo iacent et qualia monilia, quae praenitent vestes, quae splendicant gemmae, quantum praeterea passim calcatur aurum: quod si maritum etiam tam formosum tenet, ut affirmat, nulla nunc in orbe toto felicior vivit. Fortassis tamen procedente consuetudine et affectione roborata deam quoque illam deus maritus efficiet. Sic est Hercule, sic se gerebat ferebatque: iam iam sursum respicit et deam spirat mulier, quae voces ancillas habet et ventis ipsis imperitat. At ego misera primum patre meo seniorem maritum sortita sum, dein cucurbita calviorem et quovis puero pusilliorem, cunctam domum seris et catenis obditam custodientem.’ [¶11] Verily, I live not nor I am a woman, but I will cast her utterly down from her rich estate: and if you, my sister, as you should, be so far made bitter herewith as I, let us consult boldly together, and not shew this that we have to any person, no, nor yet to our parents, nor tell that we know that she liveth. For it sufficeth that we have seen her, whom it repenteth to have seen: neither let us declare her good fortune to our father, 'nor to all the world, for they be not wealthy, whose riches are unknown: so shall she know that she hath not abject slaves, but very elder sisters. But now let us go home to our husbands and poor houses, that be yet honest enough, and when we are better instructed with most careful plotting, let us return the stronger to suppress her pride.' > Latin: Suscipit alia: ‘Ego vero maritum articulari etiam morbo complicatum curvatumque, ac per hoc rarissimo Venerem meam recolentem sustineo, plerumque detortos et duratos in lapidem digitos eius perfricans, fomentis olidis et pannis sordidis et faetidis cataplasmatibus manus tam delicatas istas adurens, nec uxoris officiosam faciem sed medicae laboriosam personam sustinens. Et tu quidem, soror, videris, quam patienti vel potius servili—dicam enim libere quod sentio— haec per feras animo: enimvero ego nequeo sustinere ulterius tam beatam fortunam illapsam poeniendam firmiores redeamus.’ [¶12] So this evil counsel seemed good to these two evil women, and they hid that great treasure which Psyche gave them, and tare their hair and befouled their faces renewing their false and forged tears. Thus did they terrify their father and mother, and doubled their sorrows and griefs; and then full of ire and farced with envy they took their voyage homeward devising the hurt, nay the slaughter and destruction of their harmless lister. > Latin: Placet pro bono duabus malis malum consilium, totisque illis tam pretiosis muneribus absconditis, comam trahentes et proinde ut merebantur ora lacerantes simulatos redintegrant fletus. Ac sic parentes quoque redulcerato prorsum dolore raptim deterrentes, vesania turgidae domus suas contendunt dolum scelestum, immo vero parricidam struentes contra sororem insontem. [¶13] In the mean season the husband of Psyche, whom she knew not, did warn her again in the night with these words: 'Seest thou not,' quoth he, 'What peril and danger evil fortune doth threaten unto thee from afar? Whereof if thou take not good heed in time, it will shortly come upon thee: for the unfaithful harlots do greatly endeavour to set their snares to catch thee, and their purpose is to make kind persuade thee to behold my face, which if thou once fortune to see (as I have often told thee) thou shalt see no more: wherefore if these naughty hags, armed with wicked minds, do chance to come again ( as I think not otherwise but that they will) take heed that thou talk not with them, but simply suffer them to speak what they will; howbeit, if thou canst not restrain thyself for thy natural simplicity and for the tender years of thy mind, beware that thou have no communication of thy husband, nor answer a word if they fortune to question of me. So will we increase our stock, and thou hast a young land tender child couched in this young and tender belly of thine, who shall be made, if thou conceal my secret, an immortal god, but otherwise a mortal creature.' > Latin: Interea Psychen maritus ille quem nescit rursum suis illis nocturnis sermonibus sic commonet: ‘Videsne quantum tibi periculum? Velitatur Fortuna eminus ac, nisi longe firmiter praecaves, mox comminus congredietur. Perfidae lupulae magnis conatibus nefarias insidias tibi comparant, quarum summa est, ut te suadeant meos explorare vultus, quos, ut tibi saepe praedixi, non videbis si videris. Ergo igitur si posthac pessimae illae lamiae noxiis animis armatae venerint—venient autem, scio—neque omnino sermonem conteras et, si id tolerare pro genuina simplicitate proque animi tui teneritudine non potueris, certe de marito nil quicquam vel audias vel respondeas: nam et familiam nostram iam propagabimus et hic adhuc infantilis uterus gestat nobis infantem alium, si texeris nostra secreta silentio, divinum, si profanaveris, mortalem.’ [¶14] Then Psyche was very glad that she should bring forth a divine babe, and proud of the pledge that was to be born, and very joyful in that she should be honoured as a mother: she reckoned and numbered carefully the days and months that passed, and being never with child before, did marvel greatly that her belly should swell so big from so small a beginning. > Latin: Nuntio Psyche laeta florebat et divinae subolis solacio plaudebat et futuri pignoris gloria gestiebat et materni nominis dignitate gaudebat: crescentes dies et menses exeuntes anxia numerat, et sarcinae nesciae rudimento miratur de brevi punctulo tantum incrementulum locupletis uteri. [¶15] But those pestilent and wicked furies, breathing pit their serpentine poison, were hastening with picked speed to bring their enterprise to pass. Then Psyche was warned again by her husband, while he briefly tarried with her, in this sort: ' Behold the last day and the extreme ease. The enemies of thy own sex and blood have armed themselves against us, pitched their camps, set their host in array, sounded for advance, and are now marching towards us, for thy two sisters have drawn their swords and are ready to slay thee. Oh with what force and daughter are we assailed this day, sweet Psyche: I pray thee to take pity on thyself, and on me, keep a seal on thy lips, and deliver thy husband and thyself, and this infant within thy belly from so great and imminent a danger, and see not neither hear these cursed women, which are not worthy to be called thy sisters, for their great and murderous hatred, and breach of sisterly amity, for they will come (like Sirens) to the mountain, and yield out therein their piteous and lamentable cries.' > Latin: Sed iam pestes illae taeterrimaeque furiae anhelantes vipereum virus et festinantes impia celeritate navigabant. Tunc sic iterum momentarius maritus suam Psychen admonet: ‘Dies ultima et casus extremus: et sexus infestus et sanguis inimicus iam sumpsit arma et castra commovit et aciem direxit et classicum personavit; iam mucrone destricta iugulum tuum nefariae tuae sorores petunt. Heu quantis urguemur cladibus, Psyche dulcissima! Tui nostrique miserere, religiosaque continentia domum, maritum, teque et istum parvulum nostrum imi minentis ruinae infortunio libera, nec illas scelestas feminas, quas tibi post internecivum odium et calcata sanguinis foedera sorores appellare non licet, vel videas vel audias, cum in morem Sirenum scopulo prominentes funestis vocibus saxa personabunt.’ [¶16] When Psyche had heard these words, she sighed sorrowfully and said: ' O dear husband, this long time you have had experience and trial of my faith and my silence, and doubt you not but that I will persevere in the same stedfastness of mind: wherefore command you our servant Zephyrus that he may do as he hath done before, to the intent that instead of your form that you have forbidden me to see, yet ' I may comfort myself with the sight of my sisters. I pray you by this lovely and fragrant hair of yours that hangs down, by these round cheeks, delicate and tender like mine own, by your pleasant warm breast, by that shape and face that I shall learn at length by the child in my belly, hear the solemn prayer of my anxious beseeching, grant the fruit of my desire that I may embrace my sisters, refresh your dear spouse Psyche with joy, who is bound and linked unto you for ever. I little esteem to see your visage and figure, little do I regard the night and darkness, for I hold you in my arms, my only light.' Her husband (being as it were enchanted with these words, and compelled by violence of her often embracing, wiping away her tears with his hair) did yield unto his wife, and promised that which she desired, and before morning was come departed as he accustomed to do. > Latin: Suscipit Psyche singultu lacrimoso sermonem incertans: ‘Iamdudum, quod sciam, fidei atque parciloquio meo perpendisti documenta, nec eo setius approbabitur tibi nunc etiam firmatas animi mei. Tu modo Zephyro nostro rursum praecipe fungatur obsequio, et in vicem denegatae sacrosanctae imaginis tuae redde saltem conspectum sororum. Per istos cinnameos et undique pendulos crines tuos, per teneras et teretes et mei similes genas, per pectus nescioquo calore fervidum, sic in hoc saltem parvulo cognoscam faciem tuam: supplicis anxiae piis precibus erogatus germani complexus indulge fructum et tibi devotae Psychae animam gaudio recrea. Nec quicquam amplius in tuo vultu requiro, iam nil officiunt mihi vel ipsae nocturnae tenebrae: teneo te meum lumen.’ His verbis et amplexibus mollibus decantatus maritus, lacrimasque eius suis crinibus detergens, se facturum spopondit et praevertit statim lumen nascentis diei. [¶17] Now her sisters, their plot well compacted, arrived on land, and without even visiting of their lather and mother never rested till they came to the rock, and there leaped down rashly from the hill themselves, waiting not for the breeze that was to bear them; forgat not then Zephyrus the divine commandment, and brought them down in the bosom of the wind (though it were against his will) and laid them in the valley without any harm. By and by they went into the palace to their sister without leave, and when they had eftsoons embraced their prey, falsely assuming the shew of sisters, and hiding the store of their malice beneath a smiling face, with mattering words they said: ' O dear sister Psyche, know you that you are now no more so slim and slender, but already almost a mother? O what great joy bear 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 golden infant increase and grow!—who, if he be like his parents in beauty, as it is necessary he should, there is no doubt but a new Cupid shall be born.' > Latin: Iugum sororium consponsae factionis, ne pallentibus quidem visis, recta de navibus scopulum petunt illum praecipiti cum velocitate, nec venti ferentis oppertae praesentiam, licentiosa cum temeritate prosiliunt in altum. Nec immemor Zephyrus regalis edicti, quamvis invitus, susceptas eas gremio spirantis aurae solo reddidit. At illae incunctatae statim conferto vestigio domum penetrant, complexaeque praedam suam sorores nomine mentientes thesaurumque penitus abditae fraudis vultu laeto tegentes sic adulant: ‘Psyche, non ita ut pridem parvula, et ipsi iam mater es. Quantum, putas, boni nobis in ista geris perula, quantis gaudiis totam domum nostram hilarabis! O nos beatas quas infantis aurei nutrimenta laetabunt.! Qui si parentum, ut oportet! pulchritudini responderit, prorsus Cupido nascetur.’ [¶18] By this kind of pretended love they went about to win Psyche by little and little; but because they were weary with travel, they sat them down in chairs, and after that they had washed their bodies in warm and pleasant baths, they went into a parlour, where all those wonderful meats and goodly haggis were ready prepared. Psyche commanded the harp to play, and it was done; the flute to sound, and so it was; to make a quire, and song brake forth: but no person was seen, by whose sweet harmony and modulation the sisters of Psyche were greatly delighted. Howbeit the wickedness of these, cursed women was nothing suppressed by the sweet and honeyed noise of these instruments, but they settled themselves to work their treason and snare against Psyche, demanding with guile who was her husband, and of what parentage or race he was: then she (having forgotten, by too much simplicity, that which she had before spoken of her husband) invented a new answer, and said that her husband was of a near province, a merchant in great affairs, and a man of a middle age, having his head interspersed with a few grey hairs; which when she had shortly said (because she would have no further talk) she filled their lap full of the richest gifts, and bade them again be borne away of the wind. > Latin: Sic affectione simulata paulatim sororis invadunt animum; statimque eas lassitudine viae sedilibus refotas et balnearum vaporosis fontibus curatas pulcherrime triclinio mirisque illis et beatis edulibus atque tuccetis oblectat. Iubet citharam loqui, psallitur; tibias agere, sonatur; choros canere, cantatur: quae cuncta nullo praesente dulcissimis modulis animos audientium remulcebant. Nec tamen scelestarum feminarum nequitia vel ipsa mellita cantus dulcedine mollita conquievit, sed ad destinatam fraudium pedicam sermonem conferentes dissimulanter occipiunt sciscitari qualis ei maritus et unda natalium, secta cuia proveniret. Tunc illa simplicitate nimia pristini sermonis oblita, novum commentum instruit atque maritum suum de provincia proxima magnis pecuniis negotiantem iam medium, cursum aetatis agere, interspersum rara canitie. Nec in sermone isto tantillum morata rursum opiparis muneribus eas onustas ventoso vehiculo reddidit. [¶19] In their return homeward, carried aloft by the gentle breath of Zephyrus, they murmured with themselves, saying: ' How say you, sister, to so great and apparent a lie of doting Psyche? For first she said that her husband was a young man with the down of his chin but just beginning to spring, and now she saith that he hath a head.half grey with age: what is he that in so short space can suddenly become so old? You shall find it no otherwise, my sister, but that either this cursed quean hath invented a great lie or else that she never saw the shape of her husband: and whichever be true, we must, as soon as may be, drive her forth from that rich estate of hers. And if it be so that she never saw him, then verily she is married to some god, and hath a young god for us in her belly; but if it be a divine babe of the which she shall soon be called the mother (as God forbid it should) then may I go and hang myself: wherefore let us go now to our parents, and with such forged lies as this let us colour the matter.' > Latin: Sed dum Zephyri tranquillo spiritu sublimatae domum redeunt, sic secum altercantes: ‘Quid, soror, dicimus de tam monstruoso fatuae illius mendacio? Tunc adolescens modo florenti lanugine barbam instruens, nunc aetate media candenti canitie lucidus: quis ille quem temporis modici spatium repentina senecta reformavit? Nil aliud repperies, mi soror quam vel mendacio istam pessimam feminam confingere vel formam mariti sui nescire; quorum utrum verum est, opibus istis quam primum exterminanda est. Quod si viri sui faciem ignorat, deo profecto denupsit et deum nobis praegnatione ista gerit. Certe si divini puelli—quod absit—haec mater audierit, statim me laqueo nexili suspendam. Ergo interim ad parentes nostros redeamus, et exordio sermonis huius quam concolores fallacias attexamus.’