After they were thus inflamed and had proudly visited their parents, having passed the night in fitful watchings, they returned again to the mountain, and by the aid of the wind Zephyrus were carried down into the valley; and after they had strained their eyelids to enforce themselves to weep, they called unto Psyche in this sort: 'Thou (ignorant of so great evil) thinkest thyself sure and happy, and sittest at home nothing regarding thy peril, whereas we go about thy affairs, and are exceeding sorry for the harm that shall happen unto thee: for we are credibly informed, neither can we but utter it unto thee, that are the companions of thy grief and mishap, that there is a great serpent of many coils, full of deadly poison, with a ravenous and gaping throat, that lieth with thee secretly every night. Remember the oracle of Apollo, who pronounced that thou shouldest be married to a dire and fierce beast; and many of the inhabitants hereby, and such as hunt about in the country, affirm that they have teen him towards evening returning from pasture and swimming over the river: whereby they do undoubtedly say that he will not pamper thee long with delicate meats, but when the time of delivery shall approach, he will devour both thee and thy child as a more tender morsel.
Sic inflammatae, parentibus fastidienter appellatis et nocte turbata vigiliis, perditae matutino scopulum pervolant et inde solito venti praesidio vehementer devolant, lacrimisque pressura palpebrarum coactis, hoc astu puellam appellant: ‘Tu quidem felix et ipsa tanti mali ignorantia beata, sedes incuriosa periculi tui; nos autem, quae pervigili cura rebus tuis excubamus, cladibus tuis misere cruciamur. Pro vero namque comperimus nec te, sociae scilicet doloris casusque tui, celare possumus immanem colubrum multinodis voluminibus serpentem, veneno noxio colla sanguinantem hiantemque ingluvie profunda, tecum noctibus latenter acquiescere. Nunc recordare sortis Pythicae, quae te trucis bestiae nuptiis destinatam esse clamavit: et multi coloni, quique circumsecus venantur, et accolae plurimi viderunt eum vespera redeuntem e pastu proximique fluminis vadis innatantem.’
Wherefore advise thyself, whether thou wilt agree unto us that are careful for thy safety, and so avoid the peril of death, and be contented to live with thy sisters, or whether thou wilt remain with the most cruel serpent, and in the end be swallowed into the gulf of his body. And if it be so that thy solitary life, thy conversation with voices, and this servile and dangerous pleasure, that.is the secret and filthy love of the poisonous serpent, do more delight thee; say not but that we have played the parts of natural sisters in warning thee.'
‘Nec diu blandis alimoniarum obsequiis te saginaturum omnes affirmant, sed cum primum praegnationem tuam plenus maturaverit uterus, opimiore fructu praeditam devoraturum. Ad haec iam tua est existimatio, utrum sororibus pro tua cara salute sollicitis assentiri velis et declinata morte nobiscum secura periculi vivere, an saevissimac bestiae sepeliri visceribus: quod si te ruris huius vocalis solitudo vel clandestinae Veneris faetidi periculosique concubitus et venenati serpentis amplexus delectant, certe piae sorores nostrum fecerimus.’
Then the poor simple Psyche was moved with the fear of so dreadful words, and (being amazed in per mind) did clean forget the admonitions of her husband and her own promises made unto him. And (throwing herself headlong into extreme misery) with a wan and sallow countenance, scantly uttering and stammering forth her words, at length began to say in this sort: ' O my most dear sisters, I heartily thank you for your great kindness towards me, and I am pow verily persuaded that they which have told you hereof, have told you of nothing but truth, for I never saw the shape of my husband, neither know I from whence he came;
Tunc Psyche misella, utpote simplex et animi tenella, rapitur verborum tam tristium formidine: extra terminum mentis suae posita prorsus omnium mariti monitionum suarumque promissionum memoriam effudit et in profundum calamitatis sese praecipitavit, tremensque et exsangui colore lurida tertiata verba semihianti voce substrepens sic ad illas ait:
only I hear his voice in the night, in so much that I have an unknown husband, and one that loveth not the light of the day; which causeth me to suspect that he is some least as you affirm. Moreover I do greatly fear to see him, for he doth menace and threaten great evil unto me, if I should go about to spy, and behold his shape; wherefore, my loving sisters, if you have any wholesome remedy for your sister in danger, give it now presently: for if ye be now careless so to do, ye will make of none effect the kindness of your watchfulness that was before.' Then those wicked women, opening the gates of their sister's heart, did put away now all privy guile, and egged her forward in her fearful thoughts, drawing openly the sword of deceit, and persuading her to do as they would have her;
‘Vos quidem, carissimae sorores, ut par erat, in officio vestrae pietatis permanetis, verum et illi qui talia vobis affirmant non videntur mihi mendacium fingere: nec enim unquam viri mei vidi faciem vel omnino cuiatis sit novi, sed tantum nocturnis subaudiens vocibus maritum incerti status et prorsus lucifugam tolero, bestiamque aliquam recte dicentibus vobis merito consentio: meque magnopere semper a suis terret aspectibus, malumque grande de vultus curiositate praeminatur. Nunc si quam salutarem opem periclitanti sorori vestrae potestis afferre, iam nunc subsistite; ceterum incuria sequens prioris providentiae beneficia corrumpet.’
and one of them began and said: ' Because that we, obliged by our kinship with you, little esteem any peril or danger to save your life, we intend to shew you the best way and means to safety as we may possibly do, and we have long thought thereon.
Tunc nanctae iam portis patentibus nudatum sororis animum facinerosae mulieres, omissis tectae machinae latibulis, destrictis gladiis fraudium simplicis puellae paventes cogitationes invadunt.
Take a sharp razor, whetted upon the palm of your hand to its finest edge, and put it under the pillow of your bed, and see that you have ready a privy burning lamp with oil, hid under some part of the hanging of the chamber; and (finely dissimulating all the matter) when, according to his custom, he cometh to bed and stretcheth him fully out and sleepeth soundly, breathing deep, arise you secretly, and with your bare feet treading a-tiptoe, go and take your lamp, with the razor lifted high in your right hand, from the ward of its hiding-place that you may borrow from its light the occasion of a bold deed, and with valiant force cut off the head of the poisonous serpent at the knot of his neck: wherein we will aid and assist you, and when by the death of him you shall be made safe, we will bring quickly away all these riches and marry you, that are a woman, to some comely man, and no beast.' After they had thus inflamed the heart of their sister, who was already alight (fearing lest some danger might happen unto them by reason of their privity in so picked a deed) they left her and were carried by the wind Zephyrus to the top of the mountain, and so they ran away, and took shipping. When Psyche was left alone (saving that she teemed not to be alone, being stirred by so many furies) she was in a tossing mind, like the waves of the sea, and although her will was obstinate and fixed to put in execution the counsel of her sisters, yet when she was now ready to do the deed, she was in doubtful and divers opinions touching her calamity.
Sic denique altera: ‘Quoniam nos originis nexus pro tua incolumitate periculum quidem nullum ante oculos habere compellit, viam quae sola deducit iter ad salutem diu diuque cogitatam monstrabimus tibi. Novaculam praeacutam, appulsu etiam palmulae lenientis exasperatam, tori qua parte cubare consuesti latenter absconde lucernamque concinnem completam oleo claro lumine praemicantem subde aliquo claudentis aululae tegmine, omnique isto apparatu tenacissime dissimulate, postquam sulcatos intrahens gressus cubile solitum conscenderit iamque porrectus et exordio somni prementis implicatus altum soporem flare coeperit, toro delapsa nudoque vestigio pensilem gradum pullulatim minuens, caecae tenebrae custodia liberata lucerna, praeclari tui facinoris opportunitatem de luminis consilio mutuare et ancipiti telo illo audaciter, prius dextera sursum elata, nisu quam valido noxii serpentis nodum cervicis et capitis abscinde. Nec nostrum tibi deerit subsidium, sed cum primum, illius morte salutem tibi feceris, anxiae praestolabimur, cunctisque istis ocius tecum relatis, votivis nuptiis hominem te iungemus homini.’
Sometimes she would, sometimes she would not, sometimes she is bold, sometimes she feareth, sometimes she mistrusteth, sometimes she is moved, and at last in one person she hateth the beast and loveth her husband; but at length the evening came, when she made preparation for her wicked intent.
Tali verborum incendio flammata viscera sororis iam prorsus ardentis deserentes ipsae protinus, tanti mali confinium sibi etiam eximie metuentes, flatus alitis impulsu solito porrectae super scopulum, illico pernici se fuga proripiunt statimque conscensis navibus abeunt.
Then was it night, and soon after her husband came, and when he had kissed and embraced her he fell asleep: then Psyche (somewhat feeble in body and mind, yet strengthened by cruelty of fate) received boldness and brought forth the lamp, and took the razor, so that by her audacity she changed herself to masculine kind. But when she took the lamp and the secret parts of the bed were made light, she saw the most meek and sweetest beast of all beasts, even fair Cupid, couched fairly, at whose sight the very lamp increased its light for joy, and the razor turned its edge. But when Psyche saw so glorious a body, she greatly feared, and amazed in mind, with a pale countenance, all trembling, fell on her knees, and thought to hide the razor, yea verily in her own heart;
At Psyche relicta sola, nisi quod infestis furiis agitata sola non est, aestu pelagi simile maerendo fluctuat, et quamvis statuto consilio et obstinato animo, iam tamen facinori manus admovens adhuc incerta consilii titubat multisque calamitatis suae distrahitur affectibus. Festinat, differt; audet, trepidat; diffidit, irascitur; et, quod est ultimum, in eodem corpore odit bestiam, diligit maritum. Vespera tamen iam noctem trahente praecipiti festinatione nefarii sceleris instruit apparatum: nox aderat et maritus aderat priusque Veneris proeliis velitatus altum soporem descenderat.
which she had undoubtedly done, had it not, through fear of so wicked an enterprise, fallen out of her rash and hasty hands. And now she was faint and had lost her strength, but when she saw and beheld the beauty of his divine visage, she was well recreated in her mind; she saw his hairs of gold, that were drenched with ambrosia and yielded out a sweet savour thereof; his neck more white than milk; his ruddy cheeks upon which his hair hanged comely behind and before, the brightness whereof did darken the light of the lamp; the tender plume feathers of that flying god dispersed upon his shoulders with shining gleam, and though his wings were at rest, the tender down of their edges trembling hither and thither, and the other parts of his body so smooth and soft that it could not repent Venus to bear such a child. At the bed's feet lay his bow, quiver and arrows that be the gentle weapons of so great a god: which when Psyche did curiously behold, and marvelling at the weapons of her husband took one of the arrows out of the quiver, and trying the sharpness thereof with her finger, she pricked herself withal: wherewith she was so grievously wounded that some little drops of blood followed, and thereby of her own accord she fell in love with Love. Then more and more broiling in the love of Cupid, she embraced him and kissed him i a thousand times, fearing the measure of his sleep. But alas, while she was in this great joy, and her spirit languished and wavered, whether it were for foul envy, or for desire to touch this amiable body likewise, there fell out a drop of burning oil from the lamp upon the right shoulder of the god. O rash and bold lamp, the vile ministry of love, how darest thou be so bold as to burn the god of all fire, when surely some lover invented thee, to the intent that he might with more joy pass the nights in pleasure?
Tunc Psyche, et corporis et animi alioquin infirma, fati tamen saevitia subministrante viribus roboratur, et prolata lucerna et arrepta novacula sexum audacia mutatur. Sed cum primum luminis oblatione tori secreta claruerunt, videt omnium ferarum mitissimam dulcissimamque bestiam, ipsum illum Cupidinem formosum deum formose cubantem, cuius aspectu lucernae quoque lumen hilaratum increbruit et acuminis sacrilegi novaculam paenitebat. At vero Psyche tanto aspectu deterrita et impos animi, marcido pallore defecta tremensque desedit in imos poplites et ferrum quaerit abscondere, sed in suo pectore: quod profecto fecisset, nisi ferrum timore tanti flagitii manibus temerariis delapsum evolasset. Iamque lassa, salute defecta dum saepius divini vultus intuetur pulchritudinem, recreatur animi: videt capitis aurei genialem caesariem ambrosia temulentam, cervices lacteas genasque purpureas pererrantes crinium globos decoriter impeditos, alios antependulos, alios retropendulos, quorum splendore nimio fulgurante iam et ipsum lumen lucernae vacillabat: per numeros volatalis dei pinnae roscidae micanti flore candicant et quamvis alis quiescentibus extimae plumulae tenellae ac delicatae tremule resultantes inquieta lasciviunt: ceterum corpus glabellum atque luculentum et quale peperisse Venerem non paeniteret. Ante lectuli pedes iacebat arcus et pharetra et sagittae, magni dei propitia tela;
The god being burned in this sort, and perceiving that promise and faith was broken, he fled away without utterance of any word from the pisses and hands of his most unhappy wife. But Psyche fortuned to catch him as he was rising by the right thigh with both hands, and held him fast as he flew about in the air, hanging to him (poor wretch) through his cloudy journey, until such time that, constrained by weariness, she let go and fell down upon the ground: but Cupid left her not altogether, but followed her down and lighted upon the top of a cypress-tree, and angrily spake unto her in this manner: ' O simple Psyche, consider with thyself, how I (little regarding the commandment of my mother, who willed me that thou shouldest be married to a man of base and miserable condition) did come myself from heaven to love thee.
quae dum insatiabili animo Psyche, satis et curiosa, rimatur atque pertrectat et mariti sui miratur arma, depromit unam de pharetra sagittam et puncto pollicis extremam aciem periclitabunda frementis etiam nunc articuli nisu fortiore pupugit altius, ut per summam cutem roraverint parvulae sanguinis rosei guttae: sic ignara Psyche sponte in Amoris incidit amorem. Tunc magis magisque cupidine flagrans Cupidinis, prona in eum efflictim inhians, patulis ac petulantibus saviis festinanter ingestis, de somni mensura metuebat.
This have I very wantonly done, I know (and I have wounded mine own body with my proper weapon) to have thee to my spouse, and did I seem a beast unto thee, that thou shouldest go about to cut off, my head with a razor, yea this head with its eyes that love thee so well? Did not I always give thee in charge against this danger? Did not I gently will thee to beware? But those cursed aiders and counsellors of thine shall be worthily rewarded for their pains. As for thee, thou shalt be sufficiently punished by my absence.' And when he had spoken these words he took his flight into the air.
Sed dum bono tanto percita saucia mente fluctuat, lucerna illa, sive perfidia pessima sive invidia noxia sive quod tale corpus contingere et quasi basiare et ipsa gestiebat, evomuit de summa luminis sui stillam ferventis olei super humerum dei dexterum: hem audax et temeraria lucerna et amoris vile ministerium, ipsum ignis totius deum aduris, cum te, scilicet amator aliquis, ut diutius cupitis etiam nocte potiretur primus invenerit! Sic inustus exiluit deus visaque detectae fidei colluvie prorsus ex osculis et manibus infelicissimae coniugis tacitus avolavit:
Then Psyche fell flat on the ground, and as long as she might see her husband, she cast her eyes after him into the air, weeping and lamenting piteously: but when he was flown clean away out of her sight, she threw herself into the next running river, for the great anguish and dolour that she was in, for the lack of her husband; howbeit the gentle water would not suffer her to be drowned, but took pity upon her, in the honour of Cupid which accustomed to broil and burn the very river, and so fearing for himself would not harm her, but threw her upon the bank amongst the herbs. Then Pan the rustical god was sitting on the river-side, embracing and teaching the goddess Echo of the mountains to tune her songs and pipes, by whom were feeding upon the grass of the margin the young and tender goats; and after that this goat-footed god perceived poor Psyche in ho sorrowful case, not ignorant (I know not by what means) of her miserable estate, he called her gently beside him and endeavoured to pacify her in this port: 'O fair maid, I am a rustic and rude herdsman, howbeit (by reason of my old age) expert in many things; for as far as I can learn by conjecture, which (according as wise men do term) is called.divination, I perceive by your uncertain and trembling gait, your pale hue, your sobbing sighs, aye and your watery eyes, that you are greatly in love.
at Psyche statim resurgentis eius crure dextero manibus ambabus arrepto, sublimis evectionis appendix miserandi et per nubilas plagas penduli comitatus extremi consequia tandem fessa delabitur solo. Nec deus amator humi iacentem deserens, involavit proximam cupressum deque eius alto cacumine sic eam graviter commotus affatur: ‘Ego quidem, simplicissima Psyche parentis meae Veneris praceptorum immemor, quae te miseri extremique hominis devinctam cupidine infimo matrimonio addici iusserat, ipse potius amator advolavi tibi. Sed hoc feci leviter, scio, et praeclarus ille sagittarius ipse me telo meo percussi teque coniugem meam feci, ut bestia scilicet tibi viderer ei ferro caput excideres meum, quod istos amatores tuos oculos gerit! Haec tibi semper cavenda censebam, haec benivole remonebam. Sed illae quidem consiliatrices egregiae tuae tam perniciosi magisterii dabunt actutum mihi poenas: te vero tantum fuga! mea punivero’; et cum termino sermonis pinnis in altum se proripuit.
Wherefore hearken to me, and go not about to slay yourself, nor weep not at all, but rather adore and worship the great god Cupid, and win him unto you, that is a delicate and wanton youth, by your gentle promise of service.' When the god of shepherds had spoken these words, she gave no answer, but made reverence unto him as to a god, and so departed: and after that she had gone more than a little way with weary feet, she fortuned unawares to take a certain path, and towards evening to come to a city where the husband of one of her sisters did reign; which when Psyche did understand, she caused that her sister had knowledge of her coming. And so they met together, and after great embracing and salutation the sister of Psyche demanded the cause of her travel thither. ' Marry,' quoth she, ' Do not you remember the counsel that you gave me, whereby you would that I should kill with a razor the beast, who under colour of my husband did lie with me every night, before he should utterly devour miserable me? You shall understand that as soon as, by thy further advice, I brought forth the lamp to see and behold his shape, I perceived a wonderful and even a divine sight; for it was the son of Venus, even Cupid himself, that lay softly asleep. Then I, being stricken with the sight of so great pleasure, and distraught by exceeding great joy, could not thoroughly assuage my delight, but, alas (by evil chance) the boiling oil of the lamp fortuned to fall on his shoulder, which caused him to awake; and he, aroused by the pain thereof, seeing me armed with fire and weapon, began to say: ‘How darest thou be so bold as to do so great a mischief? Depart from me, and take such things as thou diddest bring: 1 for I will have thy sister’ (and named you) ‘to my wife, and she shall be joined in true wedlock with me ’;
Psyche vero humi prostrata et quantum visui poterat volatus mariti prospiciens extremis affligebat lamentationibus animum. Sed ubi remigio plumae raptum maritum proceritas spatii fecerat alienum, per proximi fluminis marginem praecipitem sese dedit: sed mitis fluvius in honorem dei scilicet, qui et ipsas aquas urere consuevit, metuens sibi confestim eam innoxio volumine super ripam florentem herbis exi posuit. Tunc forte Pan deus rusticus iuxta superi cilium amnis sedebat, complexus Echo montanam deam eamque voculas omnimodas edocens recinere; proxime ripam vago pastu lasciviunt, comam fluvii tondentes, capellae. Hircuosus deus sauciam Psychen atque defectam, utcumque casus eius non inscius, clementer ad se vocatam sic permulcet verbis lenientibus: ‘Puella scitula, sum quidem rusticanus et upilio, sed senectutis prolixae beneficio multis experimentis instructus. Verum si recte coniecto, quod profecto prudentes viri divinationem autumant, ab isto titubante et saepius vacillante vestigio deque nimio pallore corporis et assiduo suspiritu, immo ei ipsis marcentibus oculis tuis, amore nimio laboras. Ergo mihi ausculta, nec te rursus praecipitio vel ullo mortis accersitae genere perimas. Luctum desine et pone maerorem precibusque potius Cupidinem deorum maximum percole, et utpote adolescentem delicatum luxuriosumque blandis obsequiis promerere.’
and by and by he commanded Zephyrus to carry me away from the bounds of his house.' Psyche had scantly finished her tale, but her sister (pierced with the prick of carnal desire and picked envy) ran home, and feigning to her husband with a cunningly made lie that she had heard somewhat of the death of her parents, took shipping and came to the mountain. And although there blew a contrary wind, yet being brought in a vain hope, she pried: 'O Cupid, take me a more worthy wife, and thou, Zephyrus, bear down thy mistress,' and so she least herself down from the mountain But she fell not into the valley neither alive nor dead, for all the members and parts of her body were torn amongst the rocks, whereby she was made a prey to the birds wind wild beasts, as she worthily deserved, and so she perished. Neither was the vengeance of the other delayed: for Psyche, travelling with wandering feet, fortuned to come to another city, where her other sister did dwell; to whom when she had declared all such things as she told to her first sister, she also was caught in the snare, and being very jealous of her marriage, ran likewise unto the rock, and was slain in like sort. In the meantime, Psyche travelled about in the, country to seek her husband Cupid, but he was gotten into his mother's chamber, and there bewailed the sorrowful wound which he caught by the oil of the burning lamp. Then the white bird the gull, which I swimmeth with his wings over the waves of the water, flew down to the Ocean sea, where she found Venus washing and bathing herself: to whom she declared her son was burned and suffering from a grievous wound and in danger of death, and moreover that it was a common report in the mouth of every person to speak evil of all the family of Venus;
Sic locuto deo pastore, nulloque sermone reddito sed adorato tantum numine salutari, Psyche pergit ire. Sed cum aliquam multum viae laboranti vestigio pererrasset, inscio quodam tramite, iam die labente, accedit quandam civitatem, in qua regnum maritus unius sororis eius obtinebat. Qua re cognita Psyche nuntiari praesentiam suam sorori desiderat; mox inducta, mutuis amplexibus alternae salutationis expletis, percontanti causas adventus sui sic incipit: ‘Meministi consilium vestrum, scilicet quo mihi suasistis ut bestiam, quae mariti mentito nomine mecum quiescebat, prius quam ingluvie voraci me misellam hauriret, ancipiti novacula peremerem? Sed cum primum, ut aeque placuerat, conscio lumine vultus eius aspexi, video mirum divinumque prorsus spectaculum; ipsum illum deae Veneris filium, ipsum inquam Cupidinem leni quiete sopitum. Ac dum tanti boni spectaculo percita et nimia voluptatis copia turbata fruendi laborarem inopia, casu scilicet pessimo lucerna fervens oleum rebullivit in eius numerum. Quo dolore statim somno recussus, ubi me ferro et igni conspexit armatam, “Tu quidem ” inquit “Ob istud tam dirum facinus confestim toro meo divorte tibique res tuas habeto, ego vero sororem tuam ‘—et nomen quo tu censeris aiebat—’ Iam mihi confestim farreatis nuptiis coniugabo,” et statim Zephyri praecipit ultra terminos me domus eius efflaret.’
' Thy son,' quoth she, ' Doth nothing but haunt harlots in the mountain, and thou thyself dost use to riot on the, sea, whereby they say there is now nothing any more gracious, nothing pleasant, nothing gentle, but all is become uncivil, monstrous, and horrible; moreover, there are no more loving marriages, nor friendships of amity, nor loving of children, but all is disorderly, and there is a very bitter hatred of weddings as base things.' This the wordy and curious gull did clatter in the ears of Venus, reprehending her son. But Venus began to be very angry, and said: ' What, lath my son gotten any love? I pray thee, gentle bird, that dost alone serve me so faithfully, tell me what she is and what is her name, that hath troubled my simple and beardless 1 son in such sort, whether she be any of the tribe of the Nymphs, of the number of the Seasons, of the company of the Muses, or of the ministry of my Graces? ' To whom the bird answered that could never be silent: ' Madam, I know not what she is; but this I know, that he loveth her greatly, and that she is called Psyche.' Then Venus pith indignation cried out: ' What, is it she? The usurper of my beauty, the vicar of my name? And this is more and worse;
Necdum sermonem Psyche finierat; illa vesanae libidinis et invidiae noxiae stimulis agitata, e re concinnato mendacio fallens maritum, quasi de morti parentum aliquid comperisset, statim navem ascendi! et ad illum scopulum protinus pergit, et quamvis alio flante vento, caeca spe tamen inhians, ‘Accipe me’ dicens ‘Cupido, dignam te coniugem et tu, Zephyre, suscipe dominam!’ saltu se maximo praecipitem dedit Nec tamen ad illum locum vel saltem mortua pervenire potuit: nam per saxa cautium membris iactatis atque dissipatis et proinde ut merebatur lacerata visceribus suis alitibus bestiisque obvium ferens pabulum interiit. Nec vindictae sequentis poena tardavit nam Psyche rursus errabundo gradu pervenit ad civitatem aliam, in qua pari modo soror morabatur alia. Nec setius et ipsa fallacie germanitatis inducta, et in sororis sceleratas nuptias aemula, festinavit ad scopulum inque simile mortis exitium cecidit.
will the brat think that I am a bawd, by whose shewing he fell acquainted with the maid?' Thus she complained, and immediately departed and went to her golden chamber, where she found per son wounded, as it was told unto her; whom when she beheld she stood at the door and cried out very loudly in this sort: ' Is this an honest thing? Is this honourable to thy parents and to thine own good name? Is this reason that thou hast first violated and broken the commandment of thy mother and sovereign mistress? And whereas thou shouldest pave vexed my enemy with a loathsome and base love, thou hast done contrary: for (being but of lender and unripe years) thou hast with too licentious appetite embraced her, that my most mortal foe shall be made a daughter unto me. Thou presumest and thinkest (thou trifling boy, thou varlet, Ind without all love) that thou art alone my true child, and that I am not able by reason of mine ige to have another son; but this I could do, and' thou shouldest well understand that I would bear i more worthier than thou: but to work thee a greater despite, I do determine to adopt one of my Servants, and to give him these wings, this fire, this bow and these arrows, and all other furniture which I gave to thee, though not for this purpose; for of Bill this nothing came to thee from thy father to thy furnishment. But first thou hast been evil brought up and instructed in thy youth: thou hast thy hands ready and sharp: thou hast often most rudely struck and beaten thy ancients, and especially thy own mother, myself I say, thou hast robbed me daily, ¦thou very parricide, and hast pierced me with thy darts, thou contemnest me as a widow, neither dost thou regard thy valiant and invincible stepfather, ¦but to anger me more thou settest him after wenches ¦that I may be jealous: but I will cause that thou shalt shortly repent thee of this sport, and that this ¦marriage shall be bitter to thee and dearly bought. ¦To what a public scorn am I now driven? What ¦shall I do? Whither shall I go? How shall I repress this beast? Shall I ask aid of mine enemy Sobriety, whom I have often offended because of thy wantonness?
Interim, dum Psyche quaestioni Cupidinis intenta populos circumibat, ille vulnere lucernae dolens in ipso thalamo matris iacens ingemebat. Tunc avis peralba illa gavia, quae super fluctus marinos pinnis natat, demergit sese propere ad Oceani profundum gremium. Ibi commodum Venerem lavantem natantemque propter assistens, indicat adustum filium eius, gravi vulneris dolore maerentem, dubium salutis iacere, iamque per cunctorum ora populorum rumoribus conviciisque variis omnem Veneris familiam male audire, ‘quod ille quidem montano scortatu, tu vero marino natatu secesseritis ac per hoc non voluptas ulla, non gratia, non lepos, sed incompta et agrestia et horrida cuncta sint, non nuptiae coniugales, non amicitiae sociales, non liberum caritates, sed enormis eluvies auribus Veneris, filii lacerans existimationem, ganniebat: at Venus irata solidum exclamat repente: “Ergo iam ille bonus filius meus habet amicam aliquam! Prome agedum, quae sola mihi servis amanter, nomen eius quae puerum ingenuum et investem sollicitavit, sive illa de Nympharum populo seu de Horarum numero seu de Musarum choro vel de mearum Gratiarum ministerio.” Nec loquax illa conticuit avis, sed; “Nescio” inquit, “Domina; puto puellam illum generosum, nec me iam per aetatem posse concipere velim ergo scias multo te meliorem filium alium genituram; immo, ut contumeliam magis sentias, aliquem de meis adoptaturam vernulis eique donaturam istas pinnas et flammas et arcum et ipsas sagittas et omnem meam supellectilem, quam tibi non ad hos usus dederam: nec enim de patris tui bonis ad instructionem istam quicquam concessum est.”
But I hate to seek for counsel from so poor and rustical a woman. No, no, howbeit I will not cease from my vengeance, whence-I soever it cometh; to her must I have recourse for [help, and to none other (I mean to Sobriety) who may [correct sharply this trifler, take away his quiver, I deprive him of his arrows, unbend his bow, quench his fire, and subdue his body with punishment still more bitter; and when that she hath razed and cut off this his hair, which I have dressed with mine own hand and made to glitter like gold, and when she hath clipped his wings which I myself have dyed with the immortal fountain of my breast, then shall I think to have sufficiently revenged myself for the injury which he hath done.' When she had spoken these words she departed in a great rage out of her chamber full of the bitterness of very Venus; and immediately as she was going away, came Juno and Ceres, and seeing her angry countenance, they demanded the cause of her anger, and why with so gloomy a frown she had dimmed the glory of her shining eyes. Then Venus made answer: ' Verily you are come in good time to carry into effect the purpose of my furious heart; but I pray you with all diligence to seek out one whose name is Psyche, who is a vagabond, and runneth about the countries, and I think you are not ignorant of the bruit of my son Cupid, and of his demeanour, which I am ashamed to declare.' Then they understanding and knowing 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 should so greatly accuse his love, and blame him by reason that he is amorous?
“Sed male prima pueritia inductus es et acutas manus habes et maiores tuos irreverenter pulsasti totiens et ipsam matrem tuam, me inquam ipsam parricida denudas cotidie et percussisti saepius et quasi viduam utique contemnis, nec vitricum tuum fortissimum illum maximumque bellatorem me tuis. Quidni? Cui saepius in angorem mei paelicatus puellas propinare consuesti. Sed iam faxo te lusus huius paeniteat et sentias acidas et amaras istas nuptias. Sed nunc irrisui habita quid agam? Quo me conferam? Quibus modis stelionem istum cohibeam? Petamne auxilium ab inimica mea Sobrietate, quam propter huius ipsius luxuriam offendi saepius? At rusticae squalentisque feminae colloquium prorsus horresco. Nec tamen vindictae solacium undeunde spernendum est: illa mihi prorsus adhibenda est nec ulla alia, quae castiget asperrime nugonem istum, pharetram explicet et sagittas dearmet, arcum enodet, taedam deflammet, immo et ipsum corpus eius acrioribus remediis coerceat. Tunc iniuriae meae litatum crediderim, cum eius comas, quas istis manibus meis subinde aureo nitore perstrinxi, deraserit; pinnas, quas meo gremio nectarei fontis infeci, practotonderit.”
And why should you seek the death of her whom he doth fancy? What is his fault, we pray, if he have accorded to the mind of a fair maiden? What, do not you know that he is a man and a young man? Or have you forgotten of what years he is? Doth he seem always to you to be a child because he beareth well his age? You are his mother and a kind and understanding woman; will you continually search out his dalliance? Will you blame his luxury? Will you bridle his love? And will you reprehend your own art and delights in your lovely son? What god or man is he, that can endure that you should sow or disperse your seed of love in every place, and at the same time make a restraint of that same love within your own doors, and entirely close and shut up that factory where the natural faults of women are made?' In phis sort these goddesses endeavoured to excuse Cupid with all their power (although he were absent) for fear of his dart and shafts of love. But Venus would in no wise assuage her heat, but (thinking that they did but trifle and taunt at her injuries) she departed from them, and took her voyage again towards the sea in all haste.”
Sic effata foras sese proripit infesta et stomachata biles Venerias. Sed eam protinus Ceres et Iuno continuantur visamque vultu tumido quaesiere cur truci supercilio tantam venustatem micantium oculorum coerceret. At illa “Opportune” inquit “Ardenti prorsus isto meo pectori violentiam scilicet perpetraturae venitis. Sed totis, oro, vestris viribus Psychen illam fugitivam volaticam mihi requirite. Nec enim vos utique domus meae famosa fabula ei non dicendi filii mei facta latuerunt.” Tunc illae non artes tuasque delicias in formoso filio reprehendes? Quis autem te deum, quis hominum patietur passim cupidines populis disseminantem, cum tuae domus amores amare coerceas et vitiorum muliebrium publicam praecludas officinam?’ Sic illae metu sagittarum patrocinio gratioso Cupidini quamvis absenti blandiebantur. Sed Venus indignata ridicule tractari suas iniurias praeversis illis alterorsus concito gradu pelago viam capessit.”