The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of Cupid and
Psyches.
There was sometimes a certaine King, inhabiting in the West parts, who
had to wife a noble Dame, by whom he had three daughters exceeding
fair: of whom the two elder were of such comly shape and beauty, as
they did excell and pass all other women living, whereby they were
thought worthily to deserve the praise and commendation of every
person, and deservedly to be preferred above the residue of the common
sort. Yet the singular passing beauty and maidenly majesty of the
youngest daughter did so farre surmount and excell then two, as no
earthly creature could by any meanes sufficiently expresse or set out
the same.
By reason wherof, after the fame of this excellent maiden was spread
about in every part of the City, the Citisens and strangers there
beeing inwardly pricked by the zealous affection to behold her famous
person, came daily by thousands, hundreths, and scores, to her fathers
palace, who was astonied with admiration of her incomparable beauty,
did no less worship and reverence her with crosses, signes, and tokens,
and other divine adorations, according to the custome of the old used
rites and ceremonies, than if she were the Lady Venus indeed, and
shortly after the fame was spread into the next cities and bordering
regions, that the goddess whom the deep seas had born and brought
forth, and the froth of the waves had nourished, to the intent to show
her high magnificencie and divine power on earth, to such as erst did
honour and worship her, was now conversant among mortall men, or else
that the earth and not the sea, by a new concourse and influence of the
celestiall planets, had budded and yeelded forth a new Venus, endued
with the floure of virginity.
So daily more and more encreased this opinion, and now is her flying
fame dispersed into the next Island, and well nigh unto every part and
province of the whole world. Wherupon innumerable strangers resorted
from farre Countries, adventuring themselves by long journies on land
and by great perils on water, to behold this glorious virgin. By
occasion wherof such a contempt grew towards the goddesse Venus, that
no person travelled unto the Towne Paphos, nor to the Isle Gyndos, nor
to Cythera to worship her. Her ornaments were throwne out, her temples
defaced, her pillowes and cushions torne, her ceremonies neglected, her
images and Statues uncrowned, and her bare altars unswept, and fowl
with the ashes of old burnt sacrifice. For why, every person honoured
and worshipped this maiden in stead of Venus, and in the morning at her
first comming abroad offered unto her oblations, provided banquets,
called her by the name of Venus, which was not Venus indeed, and in her
honour presented floures and garlands in most reverend fashion.
This sudden change and alteration of celestiall honour, did greatly
inflame and kindle the love of very Venus, who unable to temper her
selfe from indignation, shaking her head in raging sort, reasoned with
her selfe in this manner, Behold the originall parent of all these
elements, behold the Lady Venus renowned throughout all the world, with
whome a mortall maiden is joyned now partaker of honour: my name
registred in the city of heaven is prophaned and made vile by terrene
absurdities. If I shall suffer any mortall creature to present my
Majesty on earth, or that any shall beare about a false surmised shape
of her person, then in vaine did Paris the sheepheard (in whose
judgement and competence the great Jupiter had affiance) preferre me
above the residue of the goddesses, for the excellency of my beauty:
but she, whatever she be that hath usurped myne honour, shal shortly
repent her of her unlawful estate. And by and by she called her winged
sonne Cupid, rash enough and hardy, who by his evill manners contemning
all publique justice and law, armed with fire and arrowes, running up
and down in the nights from house to house, and corrupting the lawfull
marriages of every person, doth nothing but that which is evill, who
although that hee were of his owne proper nature sufficiently prone to
worke mischiefe, yet she egged him forward with words and brought him
to the city, and shewed him Psyches (for so the maid was called) and
having told the cause of her anger, not without great rage, I pray thee
(quoth she) my dear childe, by motherly bond of love, by the sweet
wounds of thy piercing darts, by the pleasant heate of thy fire,
revenge the injury which is done to thy mother by the false and
disobedient beauty of a mortall maiden, and I pray thee, that without
delay shee may fall in love with the most miserablest creature living,
the most poore, the most crooked, and the most vile, that there may bee
none found in all the world of like wretchednesse. When she had spoken
these words she embraced and kissed her sonne, and took her voyage
toward the sea.
When she came upon the sea she began to cal the gods and goddesses, who
were obedient at her voyce. For incontinent came the daughters of
Nereus, singing with tunes melodiously: Portunus with his bristled and
rough beard, Salita with her bosome full of fish, Palemon the driver of
the Dolphine, the Trumpetters of Tryton, leaping hither and thither,
and blowing with heavenly noyse: such was the company which followed
Venus, marching towards the ocean sea.
In the meane season Psyches with all her beauty received no fruit of
honor. She was wondred at of all, she was praised of all, but she
perceived that no King nor Prince, nor any one of the superiour sort
did repaire to wooe her. Every one marvelled at her divine beauty, as
it were some Image well painted and set out. Her other two sisters,
which were nothing so greatly exalted by the people, were royally
married to two Kings: but the virgin Psyches, sitting alone at home,
lamented her solitary life, and being disquieted both in mind and body,
although she pleased all the world, yet hated shee in her selfe her
owne beauty. Whereupon the miserable father of this unfortunate
daughter, suspecting that the gods and powers of heaven did envy her
estate, went to the town called Milet to receive the Oracle of Apollo,
where he made his prayers and offered sacrifice, and desired a husband
for his daughter: but Apollo though he were a Grecian, and of the
country of Ionia, because of the foundation of Milet, yet hee gave
answer in Latine verse, the sence whereof was this:—
Let Psyches corps be clad in mourning weed,
And set on rock of yonder hill aloft:
Her husband is no wight of humane seed,
But Serpent dire and fierce as might be thought.
Who flies with wings above in starry skies,
And doth subdue each thing with firie flight.
The gods themselves, and powers that seem so wise,
With mighty Jove, be subject to his might,
The rivers blacke, and deadly flouds of paine
And darkness eke, as thrall to him remaine.
The King, sometimes happy when he heard the prophesie of Apollo,
returned home sad and sorrowful, and declared to his wife the miserable
and unhappy fate of his daughter. Then they began to lament and weep,
and passed over many dayes in great sorrow. But now the time approached
of Psyches marriage, preparation was made, blacke torches were lighted,
the pleasant songs were turned into pittifull cries, the melody of
Hymeneus was ended with deadly howling, the maid that should be married
did wipe her eyes with her vaile. All the family and people of the city
weeped likewise, and with great lamentation was ordained a remisse time
for that day, but necessity compelled that Psyches should be brought to
her appointed place, according to the divine appointment.
And when the solemnity was ended, they went to bring the sorrowful
spowse, not to her marriage, but to her final end and burial. And while
the father and mother of Psyches did go forward weeping and crying unto
this enterprise, Psyches spake unto them in this sort: Why torment your
unhappy age with continuall dolour? Why trouble you your spirits, which
are more rather mine than yours? Why soyle ye your faces with teares,
which I ought to adore and worship? Why teare you my eyes in yours? why
pull you your hory haires? Why knocke ye your breasts for me? Now you
see the reward of my excellent beauty: now, now you perceive, but too
late, the plague of envy. When the people did honour me, and call me
new Venus, then yee should have wept, then you should have sorrowed as
though I had been dead: for now I see and perceive that I am come to
this misery by the only name of Venus, bring mee, and as fortune has
appointed, place me on the top of the rocke, I greatly desire to end my
marriage, I greatly covet to see my husband. Why doe I delay? why
should I refuse him that is appointed to destroy all the world.
Thus ended she her words, and thrust her selfe among the people that
followed. Then they brought her to the appointed rocke of the high
hill, and set [her] hereon, and so departed. The Torches and lights
were put out with the teares of the people, and every man gone home,
the miserable Parents well nigh consumed with sorrow, gave themselves
to everlasting darknes.
Thus poore Psyches being left alone, weeping and trembling on the toppe
of the rocke, was blowne by the gentle aire and of shrilling Zephyrus,
and carried from the hill with a meek winde, which retained her
garments up, and by little and little bought her downe into a deepe
valley, where she was laid in a bed of most sweet and fragrant flowers.
Thus faire Psyches being sweetly couched among the soft and tender
hearbs, as in a bed of sweet and fragrant floures, and having qualified
the thoughts and troubles of her restlesse minde, was now well reposed.
And when she had refreshed her selfe sufficiently with sleepe, she rose
with a more quiet and pacified minde, and fortuned to espy a pleasant
wood invironed with great and mighty trees. Shee espied likewise a
running river as cleare as crystall: in the midst of the wood well nigh
at the fall of the river was a princely Edifice, wrought and builded
not by the art or hand of man, but by the mighty power of God: and you
would judge at the first entry therin, that it were some pleasant and
worthy mansion for the powers of heaven. For the embowings above were
of Citron and Ivory, propped and undermined with pillars of gold, the
walls covered and seeled with silver, divers sorts of beasts were
graven and carved, that seemed to encounter with such as entered in.
All things were so curiously and finely wrought, that it seemed either
to be the worke of some Demy god, or of God himselfe. The pavement was
all of pretious stones, divided and cut one from another, whereon was
carved divers kindes of pictures, in such sort that blessed and thrice
blessed were they that might goe upon such a pavement: Every part and
angle of the house was so well adorned, that by reason of the pretious
stones and inestimable treasure there, it glittered and shone in such
sort, that the chambers, porches, and doores gave light as it had beene
the Sunne. Neither otherwise did the other treasure of the house
disagree unto so great a majesty, that verily it seemed in every point
an heavenly Palace, fabricate and built for Jupiter himselfe.
Then Psyches moved with delectation approched nigh and taking a bold
heart entred into the house, and beheld every thing there with great
affection, she saw storehouses wrought exceedingly fine, and
replenished with aboundance of riches. Finally, there could nothing be
devised which lacked there: but among such great store of treasure this
was most marvellous, that there was no closure, bolt, nor locke to
keepe the same. And when with great pleasure shee had viewed all these
things, she heard a voyce without any body, that sayd, Why doe you
marvell Madame at so great riches? behold, all that you see is at your
commandement, wherefore goe you into the chamber, and repose your selfe
upon the bed, and desire what bath you will have, and wee whose voyces
you heare bee your servants, and ready to minister unto you according
to your desire. In the meane season, royall meats and dainty dishes
shall be prepared for you.
Then Psyches perceived the felicity of divine providence, and according
to the advertisement of the incorporeall voyces she first reposed her
selfe upon the bed, and then refreshed her body in the baines. This
done, shee saw the table garnished with meats, and a chaire to sit
downe.
When Psyches was set downe, all sorts of divine meats and wines were
brought in, not by any body, but as it were with a winde, for she saw
no person before her, but only heard voyces on every side. After that
all the services were brought to the table, one came in and sung
invisibly, another played on the harpe, but she saw no man. The harmony
of the Instruments did so greatly shrill in her eares, that though
there were no manner of person, yet seemed she in the midst of a
multitude of people.
All these pleasures finished, when night aproched Psyches went to bed,
and when she was layd, that the sweet sleep came upon her, she greatly
feared her virginity, because shee was alone. Then came her unknowne
husband and lay with her: and after that hee had made a perfect
consummation of the marriage, he rose in the morning before day, and
departed. Soone after came her invisible servants, and presented to her
such things as were necessary for her defloration. And thus she passed
forth a great while, and as it happeneth, the novelty of the things by
continuall custome did encrease her pleasure, but especially the sound
of the instruments was a comfort to her being alone.
During this time that Psyches was in this place of pleasures, her
father and mother did nothing but weepe and lament, and her two sisters
hearing of her most miserable fortune, came with great dolour and
sorrow to comfort and speake with her parents.
The night following, Psyches husband spake unto her (for she might
feele his eyes, his hands, and his ears) and sayd, O my sweet Spowse
and dear wife, fortune doth menace unto thee imminent danger, wherof I
wish thee greatly to beware: for know that thy sisters, thinking that
thou art dead, bee greatly troubled, and are coming to the mountain by
thy steps. Whose lamentations if thou fortune to heare, beware that
thou doe in no wise make answer, or looke up towards them, for if thou
doe thou shalt purchase to mee great sorrow, and to thyself utter
destruction. Psyches hearing her Husband, was contented to doe all
things as hee had commanded.
After that hee was departed and the night passed away, Psyches lamented
and lamented all the day following, thinking that now shee was past all
hopes of comfort, in that shee was closed within the walls of a prison,
deprived of humane conversation, and commaunded not to aid her
sorrowful Sisters, no nor once to see them. Thus she passed all the day
in weeping, and went to bed at night, without any refection of meat or
baine.
Incontinently after came her husband, who when he had embraced her
sweetly, began to say, Is it thus that I find you perform your promise,
my sweet wife? What do I finde heere? Passe you all the day and the
night in weeping? And wil you not cease in your husbands armes? Goe
too, doe what ye will, purchase your owne destruction, and when you
find it so, then remember my words, and repent but too late. Then she
desired her husband more and more, assuring him that shee should die,
unlesse he would grant that she might see her sisters, wherby she might
speak with them and comfort them, wherat at length he was contented,
and moreover hee willed that shee should give them as much gold and
jewels as she would. But he gave her a further charge saying, Beware
that ye covet not (being mooved by the pernicious counsell of you
sisters) to see the shape of my person, lest by your curiosity you
deprive your selfe of so great and worthy estate. Psyches being glad
herewith, rendered unto him most entire thankes, and said, Sweet
husband, I had rather die than to bee separated from you, for whosoever
you bee, I love and retaine you within my heart, as if you were myne
owne spirit or Cupid himselfe: but I pray you grant this likewise, that
you would commaund your servant Zephyrus to bring my sisters downe into
the valley as he brought mee.
Wherewithall shee kissed him sweetly, and desired him gently to grant
her request, calling him her spowse, her sweetheart, her Joy and her
Solace. Wherby she enforced him to agree to her mind, and when morning
came he departed away.
After long search made, the sisters of Psyches came unto the hill where
she was set on the rocke, and cried with a loud voyce in such sort that
the stones answered againe. And when they called their sister by her
name, that their lamentable cries came unto her eares, shee came forth
and said, Behold, heere is shee for whom you weepe, I pray you torment
your selves no more, cease your weeping. And by and by she commaunded
Zephyrus by the appointment of her husband to bring them downe. Neither
did he delay, for with gentle blasts he retained them up and laid them
softly in the valley. I am not able to expresse the often embracing,
kissing and greeting which was between them three, all sorrows and
tears were then layd apart.
Come in (quoth Psyches) into our house, and refresh your afflicted
mindes with your sister.
After this she shewed them the storehouses of treasure, shee caused
them to hear the voyces which served her, the bain was ready, the meats
were brought in, and when they had filled themselves with divine
delecates, they conceived great envy within their hearts, and one of
them being curious, did demand what her husband was, of what estate,
and who was Lord of so pretious a house? But Psyches remembring the
promise which she had made to her husband, feigned that hee was a young
man, of comely stature, with a flaxen beard, and had great delight in
hunting the dales and hills by. And lest by her long talke she should
be found to trip or faile in her words, she filled their laps with
gold, silver, and Jewels, and commanded Zephyrus to carry them away.
When they were brought up to the mountain, they made their wayes
homeward to their owne houses, and murmured with envy that they bare
against Psyches, saying, behold cruell and contrary fortune, behold how
we, borne all of one Parent, have divers destinies: but especially we
that are the elder two bee married to strange husbands, made as
handmaidens, and as it were banished from our Countrey and friends.
Whereas our younger sister hath great abundance of treasure, and hath
gotten a god to her husband, although shee hath no skill how to use
such great plenty of riches. Saw you not sister what was in the house,
what great store of jewels, what glittering robes, what Gemmes, what
gold we trod on? That if shee hath a husband according as shee
affirmeth, there is none that liveth this day more happy in all the
world than she. And so it may come to passe, at length for the great
affection which hee may beare unto her that hee may make her a
goddesse, for by Hercules, such was her countenance, so she behaved her
self, that as a goddesse she had voices to serve her, and the windes
did obey her.
But I poore wretch have first married an husband elder than my father,
more bald than a Coot, more weake than a childe, and that locketh me up
all day in the house.
Then said the other sister, And in faith I am married to a husband that
hath the gout, twyfold, crooked, nor couragious in paying my debt, I am
faine to rub and mollifie his stony fingers with divers sorts of oyles,
and to wrap them in playsters and salves, so that I soyle my white and
dainty hands with the corruption of filthy clouts, not using my self
like a wife, but more like a servant. And you my sister seem likewise
to be in bondage and servitude, wherefore I cannot abide to see our
younger sister in such felicity; saw you not I pray you how proudly and
arrogantly she handled us even now? And how in vaunting her selfe she
uttered her presumptuous minde, how she cast a little gold into our
laps, and being weary of our company, commanded that we should be borne
and blown away?
Verily I live not, nor am a woman, but I will deprive her of all her
blisse. And if you my sister bee so far bent as I, let us consult
together, and not to utter our minde to any person, no not to our
parents, nor tell that ever we saw her. For it sufficeth that we have
seene her, whom it repenteth to have seene. Neither let us declare her
good fortune to our father, nor to any other, since as they seeme not
happy whose riches are unknowne: so shall she know that she hath
sisters no Abjects, but worthier than she.
But now let us goe home to our husbands and poore houses, and when we
are better instructed, let us return to suppresse her pride. So this
evill counsell pleased these two evil women, and they hid the treasure
which Psyches gave them, and tare their haire, renewing their false and
forged teares. When their father and mother beheld them weep and lament
still, they doubled their sorrowes and griefes, but full of yre and
forced with Envy, they tooke their voyage homeward, devising the
slaughter and destruction of their sister.
In the meane season the husband of Psyches did warne her againe in the
night with these words: Seest thou not (quoth he) what perill and
danger evill fortune doth threaten unto thee, whereof if thou take not
good heed it will shortly come upon thee. For the unfaithfull harlots
doe greatly endeavor to set their snares to catch thee, and their
purpose is to make and perswade thee to behold my face, which if thou
once fortune to see, as I have often told, thou shalt see no more.
Wherfore if these naughty hagges, armed with wicked minds, doe chance
to againe (as I think no otherwise but that they will) take heed that
thou talk not with them but simply suffer them to speake what they
will, howbeit if thou canst not refraine thy selfe, beware that thou
have no communication of thy husband, nor answer a word if they fortune
to question of me, so will we encrease our stocke, and this young and
tender childe, couched in this young and tender belly of thine, shall
be made an immortall god, otherwise a mortal creature. Then Psyches was
very glad that she should bring forth a divine babe, and very joyfull
in that she should be honored as a mother. She reckened and numbered
carefully the days and months that passed, and beeing never with child
before, did marvel greatly that in so short a time her belly should
swel so big. But those pestilent and wicked furies breathing out their
Serpentine poyson, took shipping to bring their enterprise to passe.
Then Psyches was warned again by her husband in this sort: Behold the
last day, the extream case, and the enemies of thy blood, hath armed
themselves against us, pitched their campe, set their host in array,
and are marching towards us, for now thy two sisters have drawn their
swords and are ready to slay thee. O with what force are we assailed on
this day! O sweet Psyches I pray thee to take pitty on thy selfe, of
me, and deliver thy husband and this infant within thy belly from so
great danger, and see not, neither heare these cursed women, which are
not worthy to be called thy sisters, for their great hatred and breach
of sisterly amity, for they wil come like Syrens to the mountains, and
yeeld out their pittious and lamentable cries. When Psyches had heard
these words she sighed sorrowfully and said, O deare husband this long
time have you had experience and triall of my faith, and doubt you not
that I will persever in the same, wherefore command your winde
Zephyrus, that hee may doe as hee hath done before, to the intent that
where you have charged me not to behold your venerable face, yet that I
may comfort myself with the sight of my sisters. I pray you by these
beautifull haires, by these round cheekes delicate and tender, by your
pleasant hot breast, whose shape and face I shall learn at length by
the childe in my belly, grant the fruit of my desire, refresh your
deare Spowse Psyches with joy, who is bound and linked unto you for
ever. I little esteeme to see your visage and figure, little doe I
regard the night and darknesse thereof, for you are my only light.
Her husband being as it were inchanted with these words and compelled
by violence of her often embracing, wiping away her teares with his
haire, did yeeld unto his wife. And when morning came, departed as hee
was accustomed to doe.
Now her sisters arrived on land, and never rested til they came to the
rock, without visiting their parents, and leapt down rashly from the
hill themselves. Then Zephyrus according to the divine commandment
brought them down, although it were against his wil, and laid them in
the vally without any harm: by and by they went into the palace to
their sister without leave, and when they had eftsoone embraced their
prey, and thanked her with flattering words for the treasure which she
gave them, they said, O deare sister Psyches, know you that you are now
no more a child, but a mother: O what great joy beare you unto us in
your belly? What a comfort will it be unto all the house? How happy
shall we be, that shall see this Infant nourished amongst so great
plenty of Treasure? That if he be like his parents, as it is necessary
he should, there is no doubt but a new cupid shall be borne. By this
kinde of measures they went about to winne Psyches by little and
little, but because they were wearie with travell, they sate them downe
in chaires, and after that they had washed their bodies in baines they
went into a parlour, where all kinde of meats were ready prepared.
Psyches commanded one to play with his harpe, it was done. Then
immediately others sung, others tuned their instruments, but no person
was seene, by whose sweet harmony and modulation the sisters of Psyches
were greatly delighted.
Howbeit the wickednesse of these cursed women was nothing suppressed by
the sweet noyse of these instruments, but they settled themselves to
work their treasons against Psyches, demanding who was her husband, and
of what Parentage. Then shee having forgotten by too much simplicity,
what shee had spoken before of her husband, invented a new answer, and
said that her husband was of a great province, a merchant, and a man of
middle age, having his beard intersparsed with grey haires. Which when
shee had spoken (because shee would have no further talke) she filled
their laps with Gold and Silver, and bid Zephyrus to bear them away.
In their returne homeward they murmured within themselves, saying, How
say you sister to so apparent a lye of Psyches? First she sayd that her
husband was a young man of flourishing yeares, and had a flaxen beard,
and now she sayth that he is halfe grey with age. What is he that in so
short a space can become so old? You shall finde it no otherwise my
sister, but that either this cursed queane hath invented a great lie,
or else that she never saw the shape of her husband. And if it be so
that she never saw him, then verily she is married to some god, and
hath a young god in her belly. But if it be a divine babe, and fortune
to come to the eares of my mother (as God forbid it should) then may I
go and hang my selfe: wherfore let us go to our parents, and with
forged lies let us colour the matter.
After they were thus inflamed, and had visited their Parents, they
returned againe to the mountaine, and by the aid of the winde Zephyrus
were carried down into the valley, and after they had streined their
eye lids, to enforce themselves to weepe, they called unto Psyches in
this sort, Thou (ignorant of so great evill) thinkest thy selfe sure
and happy, and sittest at home nothing regarding thy peril, whereas wee
goe about thy affaires and are carefull lest any harme should happen
unto you: for we are credibly informed, neither can we but utter it
unto you, that there is a great serpent full of deadly poyson, with a
ravenous gaping throat, that lieth with thee every night. Remember the
Oracle of Apollo, who pronounced that thou shouldest be married to a
dire and fierce Serpent, and many of the Inhabitants hereby, and such
as hunt about in the countrey, affirme that they saw him yesternight
returning from pasture and swimming over the River, whereby they doe
undoubtedly say, that hee will not pamper thee long with delicate
meats, but when the time of delivery shall approach he will devoure
both thee and thy child: wherefore advise thy selfe whether thou wilt
agree unto us that are carefull of thy safety, and so avoid the perill
of death, bee contented to live with thy sisters, or whether thou
remaine with the Serpent and in the end be swallowed into the gulfe of
his body. And if it be so that thy solitary life, thy conversation with
voices, this servile and dangerous pleasure, and the love of the
Serpent doe more delight thee, say not but that we have played the
parts of naturall sisters in warning thee.
Then the poore and simple miser Psyches was mooved with the feare of so
dreadful words, and being amazed in her mind, did cleane forget the
admonitions of her husband, and her owne promises made unto him, and
throwing her selfe headlong into extreame misery, with a wanne and
sallow countenance, scantly uttering a third word, at length gan say in
this sort: O my most deare sisters, I heartily thanke you for your
great kindnesse toward me, and I am now verily perswaded that they
which have informed you hereof hath informed you of nothing but truth,
for I never saw the shape of my husband, neither know I from whence he
came, only I heare his voice in the night, insomuch that I have an
uncertaine husband, and one that loveth not the light of the day: which
causeth me to suspect that he is a beast, as you affirme. Moreover, I
doe greatly feare to see him, for he doth menace and threaten great
evill unto mee, if I should goe about to spy and behold his shape
wherefore my loving sisters if you have any wholeome remedy for your
sister in danger, give it now presently. Then they opened the gates of
their subtill mindes, and did put away all privy guile, and egged her
forward in her fearefull thoughts, perswading her to doe as they would
have her whereupon one of them began and sayd, Because that wee little
esteeme any perill or danger, to save your life we intend to shew you
the best way and meane as we may possibly do. Take a sharpe razor and
put it under the pillow of your bed; and see that you have ready a
privy burning lampe with oyle, hid under some part of the hanging of
the chamber, and finely dissembling the matter when according to his
custome he commeth to bed and sleepeth soundly, arise you secretly, and
with your bare feet goe and take the lampe, with the Razor in your
right hand and with valiant force cut off the head of the poysonous
serpent, wherein we will aid and assist you: and when by the death of
him you shall be made safe, we wil marry you to some comely man.
After they had thus inflamed the heart of their sister fearing lest
some danger might happen unto them by reason of their evill counsell,
they were carried by the wind Zephyrus to the top of the mountaine, and
so they ran away and tooke shipping.
When Psyches was left alone (saving that she seemed not to be alone,
being stirred by so many furies) she was in a tossing minde like the
waves of the sea, and although her wil was obstinate, and resisted to
put in execution the counsell of her Sisters, yet she was in doubtfull
and divers opinions touching her calamity. Sometime she would, sometime
she would not, sometime she is bold, sometime she feareth, sometime
shee mistrusteth, somtime she is mooved, somtime she hateth the beast,
somtime she loveth her husband: but at length night came, when as she
prepared for her wicked intent.
Soon after her husband came, and when he had kissed and embraced her he
fell asleep. Then Psyches (somwhat feeble in body and mind, yet mooved
by cruelty of fate) received boldnes and brought forth the lampe, and
tooke the razor, so by her audacity she changed her mind: but when she
took the lamp and came to the bed side, she saw the most meeke and
sweetest beast of all beasts, even faire Cupid couched fairly, at whose
sight the very lampe encreased his light for joy, and the razor turned
his edge.
But when Psyches saw so glorious a body shee greatly feared, and amazed
in mind, with a pale countenance all trembling fel on her knees and
thought to hide the razor, yea verily in her owne heart, which
doubtlesse she had done, had it not through feare of so great an
enterprise fallen out of her hand. And when she saw and beheld the
beauty of the divine visage shee was well recreated in her mind, she
saw his haires of gold, that yeelded out a sweet savor, his neck more
white than milk, his purple cheeks, his haire hanging comely behinde
and before, the brightnesse whereof did darken the light of the lamp,
his tender plume feathers, dispersed upon his sholders like shining
flours, and trembling hither and thither, and his other parts of his
body so smooth and so soft, that it did not repent Venus to beare such
a childe. At the beds feet lay his bow, quiver, and arrowes, that be
the weapons of so great a god: which when Psyches did curiously behold,
she marvelling at her husbands weapons, took one of the arrows out of
the quiver, and pricked her selfe withall, wherwith she was so
grievously wounded that the blood followed, and thereby of her owne
accord shee added love upon love; then more broyling in the love of
Cupid shee embraced him and kissed him and kissed him a thousand times,
fearing the measure of his sleepe. But alas while shee was in this
great joy, whether it were for envy for desire to touch this amiable
body likewise, there fell out a droppe of burning oyle from the lampe
upon the right shoulder of the god. O rash and bold lampe, the vile
ministery of love, how darest thou bee so bold as to burne the god of
all fire? When as he invented thee, to the intent that all lovers might
with more joy passe the nights in pleasure.
The god beeing burned in this sort, and perceiving that promise and
faith was broken, hee fled away without utterance of any word, from the
eyes and hands of his most unhappy wife. But Psyches fortuned to catch
him as hee was rising by the right thigh, and held him fast as hee flew
above in the aire, until such time as constrained by wearinesse shee
let goe and fell downe upon the ground. But Cupid followed her downe,
and lighted upon the top of a Cypresse tree, and angerly spake unto her
in this manner: O simple Psyches, consider with thy selfe how I, little
regarding the commandement of my mother (who willed mee that thou
shouldst bee married to a man of base and miserable condition) did come
my selfe from heaven to love thee, and wounded myne owne body with my
proper weapons, to have thee to my Spowse: And did I seeme a beast unto
thee, that thou shouldst go about to cut off my head with a razor, who
loved thee so well? Did not I alwayes give thee a charge? Did not I
gently will thee to beware? But those cursed aides and Counsellors of
thine shall be worthily rewarded for their pains. As for thee thou
shalt be sufficiently punished by my absence. When hee had spoken these
words he tooke his flight into the aire. Then Psyches fell flat on the
ground, and as long as she could see her husband she cast her eyes
after him into the aire, weeping and lamenting pitteously: but when hee
was gone out of her sight shee threw her selfe into the next running
river, for the great anguish and dolour that shee was in for the lack
of her husband, howbeit the water would not suffer her to be drowned,
but tooke pity upon her, in the honour of Cupid which accustomed to
broyle and burne the river, and threw her upon the bank amongst the
herbs.
Then Pan the rusticall god sitting on the river side, embracing and
[instructing] the goddesse Canna to tune her songs and pipes, by whom
were feeding the young and tender Goats, after that he perceived
Psyches in sorrowful case, not ignorant (I know not by what meanes) of
her miserable estate, endeavored to pacific her in this sort: O faire
maid, I am a rusticke and rude heardsman, howbeit by reason of my old
age expert in many things, for as farre as I can learnt by conjecture
(which according as wise men doe terme is called divination) I perceive
by your uncertaine gate, your pale hew, your sobbing sighes, and your
watery eyes, that you are greatly in love. Wherefore hearken to me, and
goe not about to slay your selfe, nor weepe not at all, but rather
adore and worship the great god Cupid, and winne him unto you by your
gentle promise of service.
When the god of Shepherds had spoken these words, she gave no answer,
but made reverence to him as to a god, and so departed.
After that Psyches had gone a little way, she fortuned unawares to come
to a city where the husband of one of her Sisters did dwell. Which when
Psyches did understand, shee caused that her sister had knowledge of
her comming, and so they met together, and after great embracing and
salutation, the sister of Psyches demaunded the cause of her travell
thither. Marry (quoth she) doe you not remember the counsell you gave
me, whereby you would that I should kill the beast which under colour
of my husband did lie with mee every night? You shall understand, that
as soone as I brought forth the lampe to see and behold his shape, I
perceived that he was the sonne of Venus, even Cupid himselfe that lay
with mee. Then I being stricken with great pleasure, and desirous to
embrace him, could not thoroughly asswage my delight, but alas by evill
ill chance the oyle of the lampe fortuned to fall on his shoulder which
caused him to awake, and seeing me armed with fire and weapons, gan
say, How darest thou be so bold to doe so great a mischiefe? Depart
from me and take such things as thou didst bring: for I will have thy
sister (and named you) to my wife, and she shall be placed in thy
felicity, and by and by hee commaunded Zephyrus to carry me away from
the bounds of his house.
Psyches had scantly finished her tale but her sister pierced with the
pricke of carnall desire and wicked envy ran home, and feigning to her
husband that she had heard word of the death of her parents tooke
shipping and came to the mountaine. And although there blew a contrary
winde, yet being brought in a vaine hope shee cried O Cupid take me a
more worthy wife, and thou Zephyrus beare downe thy mistresse, and so
she cast her selfe headlong from the mountaine: but shee fell not into
the valley neither alive nor dead, for all the members and parts of her
body were torne amongst the rockes, wherby she was made prey unto the
birds and wild beasts, as she worthily deserved.
Neither was the vengeance of the other delayed, for Psyches travelling
in that country, fortuned to come to another city where her other
sister did dwel; to whom when shee had declared all such things as she
told to her other sister shee ran likewise unto the rock and was slaine
in like sort. Then Psyches travelled about in the countrey to seeke her
husband Cupid, but he was gotten into his mothers chamber and there
bewailed the sorrowful wound which he caught by the oyle of a burning
lamp.
Then the white bird the Gull, which swims on the waves of the water,
flew toward the Ocean sea, where he found Venus washing and bathing her
selfe: to whom she declared that her son was burned and in danger of
death, and moreover that it was a common brute in the mouth of every
person (who spake evill of all the family of Venus) that her son doth
nothing but haunt harlots in the mountain, and she her self
lasciviously use to ryot in the sea: wherby they say that they are now
become no more gratious, pleasant nor gentle, but incivile, monstrous
and horrible. Moreover, that marriages are not for any amity, or for
love of procreation, but full of envy, discord, and debate. This the
curious Gul did clatter in the ears of Venus, reprehending her son. But
Venus began to cry and sayd, What hath my sonne gotten any Love? I pray
thee gentle bird that doest serve me so faithfully, tell me what she
is, and what is her name that hath troubled my son in such sort?
whether shee be any of the Nymphs, of the number of the goddesses, of
the company of the Muses, or of the mistery of the Graces? To whom the
bird answered, Madam I know not what shee is, but this I know that she
is called Psyches. Then Venus with indignation cried out, What is it
she? the usurper of my beauty, the Vicar of my name? What did he think
that I was a bawd, by whose shew he fell acquainted with the maid? And
immediately she departed and went to her chamber, where she found her
son wounded as it was told unto her, whom when she beheld she cries out
in this sort.
Is this an honest thing, is this honourable to thy parents? is this
reason, that thou hast violated and broken the commandement of thy
mother and soveraign mistresse: and whereas thou shouldst have vexed my
enemy with loathsom love, thou hast done otherwise?
For being of tender and unripe yeares, thou hast with too licentious
appetite embraced my most mortall Foe, to whome I shall bee made a
mother, and she a Daughter.
Thou presumest and thinkest, thou trifling boy, thou Varlet, and
without all reverence, that thou art most worthy and excellent, and
that I am not able by reason of myne age to have another son, which if
I should have, thou shouldst well understand that I would beare a more
worthier than thou. But to worke thee a greater despight, I do
determine to adopt one of my servants, and to give him these wings,
this fire, this bow, and these Arrowes, and all other furniture which I
gave to thee, not to this purpose, neither is any thing given thee of
thy father for this intent: but first thou hast been evill brought up
and instructed in thy youth thou hast thy hands ready and sharpe. Thou
hast often offended thy antients, and especially me that am thy mother,
thou hast pierced mee with thy darts thou contemnest me as a widow,
neither dost thou regard thy valiant and invincible father, and to
anger me more, thou art amorous of harlots and wenches: hot I will
cause that thou shalt shortly repent thee, and that this marriage shal
be dearely bought. To what a point am I now driven? What shall I do?
Whither shall I goe? How shall I represse this beast? Shall I aske ayd
of myne enemy Sobriety, whom I have often offended to engender thee? Or
shall I seeke for counsel of every poore rusticall woman? No, no, yet
had I rather dye, howbeit I will not cease my vengeance, to her must I
have recourse for helpe, and to none other (I meane to Sobriety), who
may correct thee sharpely, take away thy quiver, deprive thee of thy
arrowes, unbend thy bow, quench thy fire, and which is more subdue thy
body with punishment: and when that I have rased and cut off this thy
haire, which I have dressed with myne owne hands, and made to glitter
like gold, and when I have clipped thy wings, which I my selfe have
caused to burgen, then shall I thinke to have revenged my selfe
sufficiently upon thee for the injury which thou hast done. When shee
had spoken these words shee departed in a great rage out of her
chamber.
Immediatelie as she was going away came Juno and Ceres, demaunding the
cause of her anger. Then Venus answered, Verily you are come to comfort
my sorrow, but I pray you with all diligence to seeke out one whose
name is Psyches, who is a vagabond, and runneth about the Countries,
and (as I thinke) you are not ignorant of the brute of my son Cupid,
and of his demeanour, which I am ashamed to declare. Then they
understanding the whole matter, endeavoured to mitigate the ire of
Venus in this sort: What is the cause Madam, or how hath your son so
offended, that you shold so greatly accuse his love, and blame him by
reason that he is amorous? and why should you seeke the death of her,
whom he doth fancie? We most humbly intreat you to pardon his fault if
he have accorded to the mind of any maiden: what do you not know that
he is a young man? Or have you forgotten of what yeares he is? Doth he
seeme alwayes unto you to be a childe? You are his mother, and a kind
woman, will you continually search out his dalliance? Will you blame
his luxury? Will you bridle his love? and will you reprehend your owne
art and delights in him? What God or man is hee, that can endure that
you should sowe or disperse your seed of love in every place, and to
make restraint thereof within your owne doores? certes you will be the
cause of the suppression of the publike paces of young Dames. In this
sort this goddesse endeavoured to pacifie her mind, and to excuse Cupid
with al their power (although he were absent) for feare of his darts
and shafts of love. But Venus would in no wise asswage her heat, but
(thinking that they did rather trifle and taunt at her injuries) she
departed from them, and tooke her voiage towards the sea in all haste.
In the meane season Psyches hurled her selfe hither and thither, to
seeke her husband, the rather because she thought that if he would not
be appeased with the sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would take
mercy on her at her servile and continuall prayers. And (espying a
Church on the top of a high hill) she said, What can I tell whether my
husband and master be there or no? wherefore she went thitherward, and
with great paine and travell, moved by hope, after that she climbed to
the top of the mountaine, she came to the temple, and went in, wheras
behold she espied sheffes of corn lying on a heap, blades withered with
garlands, and reeds of barly, moreover she saw hooks, sithes, sickles,
and other instruments, to reape, but every thing lay out of order, and
as it were cast in by the hands of laborers which when Psyches saw she
gathered up and put everything in order, thinking that she would not
despise or contemne the temples of any of the Gods, but rather get the
favour and benevolence of them all: by and by Ceres came in, and
beholding her busie and curious in her chapell, cried out a far off,
and said, O Psyches needfull of mercy, Venus searcheth for thee in
every place to revenge her selfe and to punish thee grievously, but
thou hast more mind to be heere, and carest for nothing lesse, then for
thy safety. Then Psyches fell on her knees before her, watring her feet
with her teares, wiping the ground with her haire, and with great
weeping and lamentation desired pardon, saying, O great and holy
Goddesse, I pray thee by thy plenteous and liberall right hand, by the
joyfull ceremonies of thy harvest, by the secrets of thy Sacrifice, by
the flying chariots of thy dragons, by the tillage of the ground of
Sicilie, which thou hast invented, by the marriage of Proserpin, by the
diligent inquisition of thy daughter, and by the other secrets which
are within the temple of Eleusis in the land of Athens, take pitty on
me thy servant Psyches, and let me hide my selfe a few dayes amongst
these sheffes of corne, untill the ire of so great a Goddesse be past,
or until that I be refreshed of my great labour and travell. Then
answered Ceres, Verely Psyches, I am greatly moved by thy prayers and
teares, and desire with all my heart to aide thee, but if I should
suffer thee to be hidden here, I should increase the displeasure of my
Cosin, with whom I have made a treatie of peace, and an ancient promise
of amity: wherefore I advise thee to depart hence and take it not in
evil part in that I will not suffer thee to abide and remaine here
within my temple. Then Psyches driven away contrary to her hope, was
double afflicted with sorrow and so she returned back againe. And
behold she perceived a far off in a vally a Temple standing within a
Forest, faire and curiously wrought, and minding to over-passe no place
whither better hope did direct her, and to the intent she would desire
pardon of every God, she approached nigh unto the sacred doore, whereas
she saw pretious riches and vestiments ingraven with letters of gold,
hanging upon branches of trees, and the posts of the temple testifying
the name of the goddesse Juno, to whom they were dedicate, then she
kneeled downe upon her knees, and imbraced the Alter with her hands,
and wiping her teares, gan pray in this sort: O deere spouse and sister
of the great God Jupiter which art adored and worshipped amongst the
great temples of Samos, called upon by women with child, worshipped at
high Carthage, because thou wast brought from heaven by the lyon, the
rivers of the floud Inachus do celebrate thee: and know that thou art
the wife of the great god, and the goddesse of goddesses; all the east
part of the world have thee in veneration, all the world calleth thee
Lucina: I pray thee to be my advocate in my tribulations, deliver me
from the great danger which pursueth me, and save me that am weary with
so long labours and sorrow, for I know that it is thou that succorest
and helpest such women as are with child and in danger. Then Juno
hearing the prayers of Psyches, appeared unto her in all her royalty,
saying, Certes Psyches I would gladly help thee, but I am ashamed to do
any thing contrary to the will of my daughter in law Venus, whom
alwaies I have loved as mine owne child, moreover I shall incurre the
danger of the law, intituled, De servo corrupto, whereby am forbidden
to retaine any servant fugitive, against the will of his Master. Then
Psyches cast off likewise by Juno, as without all hope of the recovery
of her husband, reasoned with her selfe in this sort: Now what comfort
or remedy is left to my afflictions, when as my prayers will nothing
availe with the goddesses? what shall I do? whither shall I go? In what
cave or darknesse shall I hide my selfe, to avoid the furor of Venus?
Why do I not take a good heart, and offer my selfe with humilitie unto
her, whose anger I have wrought? What do I know whether he (whom I
seeke for) be in his mothers house or no? Thus being in doubt, poore
Psyches prepared her selfe to her owne danger, and devised how she
might make her orison and prayer unto Venus. After that Venus was weary
with searching by Sea and Land for Psyches, shee returned toward
heaven, and commanded that one should prepare her Chariot, which her
husband Vulcanus gave unto her by reason of marriage, so finely wrought
that neither gold nor silver could be compared to the brightnesse
therof. Four white pigeons guided the chariot with great diligence, and
when Venus was entred in a number of sparrowes flew chirping about,
making signe of joy, and all other kind of birds sang sweetly,
foreshewing the comming of the great goddesse: the clouds gave place,
the heavens opened, and received her joyfully, the birds that followed
nothing feared the Eagle, Hawkes, or other ravenous foules of the aire.
Incontinently she went unto the royall Pallace of God Jupiter, and with
a proud and bold petition demanded the service of Mercury, in certaine
of her affaires, whereunto Jupiter consented: then with much joy shee
descended from Heaven with Mercury, and gave him an earnest charge to
put in execution her words, saying: O my Brother, borne in Arcadia,
thou knowest well, that I (who am thy sister) did never enterprise to
doe any thing without thy presence, thou knowest also how long I have
sought for a girle and cannot finde her, wherefore there resteth
nothing else save that thou with thy trumpet doe pronounce the reward
to such as take her: see thou put in execution my commandment, and
declare that whatsoever he be that retaineth her wittingly, against my
will shall not defend himselfe by any meane or excusation: which when
she had spoken, she delivered unto him a libell, wherein was contained
the name of Psyches, and the residue of his publication, which done,
she departed away to her lodging. By and by, Mercurius (not delaying
the matter) proclaimed throughout all the world, that whatsoever hee
were that could tell any tydings of a Kings fugitive Daughter, the
servant of Venus, named Psyches, should bring word to Mercury, and for
reward of his paines, he should receive seaven sweet kisses of Venus.
After that Mercury had pronounced these things, every man was enflamed
with desire to search out Psyches.
This proclamation was the cause that put all doubt from Psyches, who
was scantly come in the sight of the house of Venus, but one of her
servants called Custome came out, who espying Psyches, cried with a
loud voyce, saying: O wicked harlot as thou art, now at length thou
shalt know that thou hast a mistresse above thee. What, dost thou make
thy selfe ignorant, as though thou didst not understand what travell
wee have taken in searching for thee? I am glad that thou art come into
my hands, thou art now in the golfe of hell, and shalt abide the paine
and punishment of thy great contumacy, and therewithall she tooke her
by the haire, and brought her in, before the presence of the goddesse
Venus. When Venus spied her, shee began to laugh, and as angry persons
accustome to doe, she shaked her head, and scratched her right eare
saying, O goddesse, goddesse, you are now come at length to visit your
husband that is in danger of death, by your meanes: bee you assured, I
will handle you like a daughter: where be my maidens, Sorrow and
Sadnesse? To whom (when they came) she delivered Psyches to be cruelly
tormented; then they fulfilled the commandement of their Mistresse, and
after they had piteously scourged her with rods and whips, they
presented her againe before Venus; then she began to laugh againe,
saying: Behold she thinketh (that by reason of her great belly, which
she hath gotten by playing the whore) to move me to pitty, and to make
me a grandmother to her childe. Am not I happy, that in the flourishing
time of al mine age, shall be called a grandmother, and the sonne of a
vile harlot shall bee accounted the nephew of Venus: howbeit I am a
foole to tearm him by the name of my son, since as the marriage was
made betweene unequall persons, in the field without witnesses, and not
by the consent of parents, wherefore the marriage is illegitimate, and
the childe (that shall be borne) a bastard; if we fortune to suffer
thee to live so long till thou be delivered. When Venus had spoken
these words she leaped upon the face of poore Psyches, and (tearing her
apparell) tooke her by the haire, and dashed her head upon the ground.
Then she tooke a great quantity of wheat, of barly, poppy seede,
peason, lintles, and beanes, and mingled them altogether on a heape
saying: Thou evil favoured girle, thou seemest unable to get the grace
of thy lover, by no other meanes, but only by diligent and painefull
service, wherefore I will prove what thou canst doe: see that thou
separate all these graines one from another, disposing them orderly in
their quantity, and let it be done before night. When she had appointed
this taske unto Psyches, she departed to a great banket that was
prepared that day. But Psyches went not about to dissever the graine,
(as being a thing impossible to be brought to passe by reason it lay so
confusedly scattered) but being astonyed at the cruell commandement of
Venus, sate still and said nothing. Then the little pismire the emote,
taking pitty of her great difficulty and labour, cursing the
cruellnesse of the daughter of Jupiter, and of so evill a mother, ran
about, hither and thither, and called to all her friends, Yee quick
sons of the ground, the mother of all things, take mercy on this poore
maid, espouse to Cupid, who is in great danger of her person, I pray
you helpe her with all diligence. Incontinently one came after another,
dissevering and dividing the graine, and after that they had put each
kinde of corne in order, they ranne away againe in all haste. When
night came, Venus returned home from the banket wel tippled with wine,
smelling of balme, and crowned with garlands of roses, who when shee
had espied what Psyches had done, gan say, This is not the labour of
thy hands, but rather of his that is amorous of thee: then she gave her
a morsel of brown bread, and went to sleep. In the mean season, Cupid
was closed fast in the surest chamber of the house, partly because he
should not hurt himself with wanton dalliance, and partly because he
should not speake with his love: so these two lovers were divided one
from another. When night was passed Venus called Psyches, and said,
Seest thou yonder Forest that extendeth out in length with the river?
there be great sheepe shining like gold, and kept by no manner of
person. I command thee that thou go thither and bring me home some of
the wooll of their fleeces. Psyches arose willingly not to do her
commandement, but to throw her selfe headlong into water to end her
sorrows. Then a green reed inspired by divine inspiration, with a
gratious tune and melody gan say, O Psyches I pray thee not to trouble
or pollute my water by the death of thee, and yet beware that thou goe
not towards the terrible sheepe of this coast, untill such time as the
heat of the sunne be past, for when the sunne is in his force, then
seeme they most dreadfull and furious, with their sharpe hornes, their
stony foreheads and their gaping throats, wherewith they arme
themselves to the destruction of mankinde. But untill they have
refreshed themselves in the river, thou must hide thy selfe here by me,
under this great plaine tree, and as soone as their great fury is past,
thou maist goe among the thickets and bushes under the wood side and
gather the lockes their golden Fleeces, which thou shalt finde hanging
upon the briers. Then spake the gentle and benigne reed, shewing a mean
to Psyches to save her life, which she bore well in memory, and with
all diligence went and gathered up such lockes as shee found, and put
them in her apron, and carried them home to Venus. Howbeit the danger
of this second labour did not please her, nor give her sufficient
witnesse of the good service of Psyches, but with a sower resemblance
of laughter, did say: Of a certaine I know that this is not thy fact,
but I will prove if that thou bee of so stout, so good a courage, and
singular prudency as thou seemest to bee. Then Venus spake unto Psyches
againe saying: Seest thou the toppe of yonder great Hill, from whence
there runneth downe waters of blacke and deadly colour, which
nourisheth the floods of Stix, Cocytus? I charge thee to goe thither,
and bring me a vessell of that water: wherewithall she gave her a
bottle of Christall, menacing and threatening her rigorously. Then poor
Psyches went in all haste to the top of the mountaine, rather to end
her life, then to fetch any water, and when she was come up to the
ridge of the hill, she perceived that it was impossible to bring it to
passe: for she saw a great rocke gushing out most horrible fountaines
of waters, which ran downe and fell by many stops and passages into the
valley beneath: on each side shee did see great Dragons, which were
stretching out their long and bloody Neckes, that did never sleepe, but
appointed to keepe the river there: the waters seemed to themselves
likewise saying, Away; away, what wilt thou doe? flie, flie, or else
thou wilt be slaine. Then Psyches (seeing the impossibility of this
affaire) stood still as though she were transformed into a stone and
although she was present in body, yet was she absent in spirit and
sense, by reason of the great perill which she saw, insomuch that she
could not comfort her self with weeping, such was the present danger
that she was in. But the royall bird of great Jupiter, the Eagle
remembring his old service which he had done, when as by the pricke of
Cupid he brought up the boy Ganimedes, to the heavens, to be made
butler of Jupiter, and minding to shew the like service in the person
of the wife of Cupid, came from the high-house of the Skies, and said
unto Psyches, O simple woman without all experience, doest thou thinke
to get or dip up any drop of this dreadfull water? No, no, assure thy
selfe thou art never able to come nigh it, for the Gods themselves do
greatly feare at the sight thereof. What, have you not heard, that it
is a custome among men to sweare by the puissance of the Gods, and the
Gods do sweare by the majesty of the river Stix? but give me thy
bottle, and sodainly he tooke it, and filled it with the water of the
river, and taking his flight through those cruell and horrible dragons,
brought it unto Psyches: who being very joyfull thereof, presented it
to Venus, who would not yet be appeased, but menacing more and more
said, What, thou seemest unto me a very witch and enchauntresse, that
bringest these things to passe, howbeit thou shalt do nothing more.
Take this box and to Hell to Proserpina, and desire her to send me a
little of her beauty, as much as will serve me the space of one day,
and say that such as I had is consumed away since my sonne fell sicke,
but returne againe quickly, for I must dresse my selfe therewithall,
and goe to the Theatre of the Gods: then poore Psyches perceived the
end of all fortune, thinking verely that she should never returne, and
not without cause, when as she was compelled to go to the gulfe and
furies of hell. Wherefore without any further delay, she went up to an
high tower to throw her selfe downe headlong (thinking that it was the
next and readiest way to hell) but the tower (as inspired) spake unto
her saying, O poore miser, why goest thou about to slay thy selfe? Why
dost thou rashly yeeld unto thy last perill and danger? know thou that
if thy spirit be once separated from thy body, thou shalt surely go to
hell, but never to returne againe, wherefore harken to me; Lacedemon a
Citie in Greece is not farre hence: go thou thither and enquire for the
hill Tenarus, whereas thou shalt find a hold leading to hell, even to
the Pallace of Pluto, but take heede thou go not with emptie hands to
that place of darknesse: but Carrie two sops sodden in the flour of
barley and Honney in thy hands, and two halfepence in thy mouth. And
when thou hast passed a good part of that way, thou shalt see a lame
Asse carrying of wood, and a lame fellow driving him, who will desire
thee to give him up the sticks that fall downe, but passe thou on and
do nothing; by and by thou shalt come unto a river of hell, whereas
Charon is ferriman, who will first have his fare paied him, before he
will carry the soules over the river in his boat, whereby you may see
that avarice raigneth amongst the dead, neither Charon nor Pluto will
do any thing for nought: for if it be a poore man that would passe over
and lacketh money, he shal be compelled to die in his journey before
they will shew him any reliefe, wherefore deliver to carraine Charon
one of the halfpence (which thou bearest for thy passage) and let him
receive it out of thy mouth. And it shall come to passe as thou sittest
in the boat thou shalt see an old man swimming on the top of the river,
holding up his deadly hands, and desiring thee to receive him into the
barke, but have no regard to his piteous cry; when thou art passed over
the floud, thou shalt espie old women spinning, who will desire thee to
helpe them, but beware thou do not consent unto them in any case, for
these and like baits and traps will Venus set to make thee let fall one
of thy sops, and thinke not that the keeping of thy sops is a light
matter, for if thou leese one of them thou shalt be assured never to
returne againe to this world. Then shalt thou see a great and
marvailous dogge, with three heads, barking continually at the soules
of such as enter in, but he can do them no other harme, he lieth day
and night before the gate of Proserpina, and keepeth the house of Pluto
with great diligence, to whom if thou cast one of thy sops, thou maist
have accesse to Proserpina without all danger: shee will make thee good
cheere, and entertaine thee with delicate meate and drinke, but sit
thou upon the ground, and desire browne bread, and then declare thy
message unto her, and when thou hast received such beauty as she
giveth, in thy returne appease the rage of the dogge with thy other
sop, and give thy other halfe penny to covetous Charon, and come the
same way againe into the world as thou wentest: but above all things
have a regard that thou looke not in the boxe, neither be not too
curious about the treasure of the divine beauty. In this manner the
tower spake unto Psyches, and advertised her what she should do: and
immediately she tooke two halfe pence, two sops, and all things
necessary, and went to the mountaine Tenarus to go towards hell. After
that Psyches had passed by the lame Asse, paid her halfe pennie for
passage, neglected the old man in the river, denyed to helpe the woman
spinning, and filled the ravenous month of the dogge with a sop, shee
came to the chamber of Proserpina. There Psyches would not sit in any
royall seate, nor eate any delicate meates, but kneeled at the feete of
Proserpina, onely contented with course bread, declared her message,
and after she had received a mysticall secret in a boxe, she departed,
and stopped the mouth of the dogge with the other sop, and paied the
boatman the other halfe penny. When Psyches was returned from hell, to
the light of the world, shee was ravished with great desire, saying, Am
not I a foole, that knowing that I carrie here the divine beauty, will
not take a little thereof to garnish my face, to please my love
withall? And by and by shee opened the boxe where she could perceive no
beauty nor any thing else, save onely an infernall and deadly sleepe,
which immediatly invaded all her members as soone as the boxe was
uncovered, in such sort that she fell downe upon the ground, and lay
there as a sleeping corps.
But Cupid being now healed of his wound and Maladie, not able to endure
the absence of Psyches, got him secretly out at a window of the chamber
where hee was enclosed, and (receiving his wings,) tooke his flight
towards his loving wife, whom when he had found, hee wiped away the
sleepe from her face, and put it againe into the boxe, and awaked her
with the tip of one of his arrows, saying: O wretched Caitife, behold
thou wert well-nigh perished againe, with the overmuch curiositie:
well, goe thou, and do thy message to my Mother, and in the meane
season, I will provide for all things accordingly: wherewithall he
tooke his flight into the aire, and Psyches brought her present to
Venus.
Cupid being more and more in love with Psyches, and fearing the
displeasure of his Mother, did pearce into the heavens, and arrived
before Jupiter to declare his cause: then Jupiter after that hee had
eftsoone embraced him, gan say in this manner: O my well beloved sonne,
although thou haste not given due reverence and honour unto me as thou
oughtest to doe, but haste rather spoiled and wounded this my brest
(whereby the laws and order of the Elements and Planets be disposed)
with continuall assaults, of Terren luxury and against all laws, and
the discipline Julia, and the utility of the publike weale, in
transforming my divine beauty into serpents, fire, savage beasts,
birds, and into Bulles: howbeit remembring my modesty, and that I have
nourished thee with mine owne proper hands, I will doe and accomplish
all thy desire, so that thou canst beware of spitefull and envious
persons. And if there be any excellent Maiden of comely beauty in the
world, remember yet the benefit which I shall shew unto thee by
recompence of her love towards me againe. When he had spoken these
words he commanded Mercury to call all the gods to counsell, and if any
of the celestiall powers did faile of appearance he would be condemned
in ten thousand pounds: which sentence was such a terrour to all the
goddesses, that the high Theatre was replenished, and Jupiter began to
speake in this sort: O yee gods, registred in the bookes of the Muses,
you all know this young man Cupid whom I have nourished with mine owne
hands, whose raging flames of his first youth, I thought best to bridle
and restraine. It sufficeth that hee is defamed in every place for his
adulterous living, wherefore all occasion ought to bee taken away by
meane of marriage: he hath chosen a Maiden that fancieth him well, and
hath bereaved her of her virginity, let him have her still, and
possesse her according to his owne pleasure: then he returned to Venus,
and said, And you my daughter, take you no care, neither feare the
dishonour of your progeny and estate, neither have regard in that it is
a mortall marriage, for it seemeth unto me just, lawfull, and
legitimate by the law civill. Incontinently after Jupiter commanded
Mercury to bring up Psyches, the spouse of Cupid, into the Pallace of
heaven. And then he tooke a pot of immortality, and said, Hold Psyches,
and drinke, to the end thou maist be immortall, and that Cupid may be
thine everlasting husband. By and by the great banket and marriage
feast was sumptuously prepared, Cupid sate downe with his deare spouse
between his armes: Juno likewise with Jupiter, and all the other gods
in order, Ganimedes filled the pot of Jupiter, and Bacchus served the
rest. Their drinke was Nectar the wine of the gods, Vulcanus prepared
supper, the howers decked up the house with roses and other sweet
smells, the graces threw about blame, the Muses sang with sweet
harmony, Apollo tuned pleasantly to the Harpe, Venus danced finely:
Satirus and Paniscus plaid on their pipes; and thus Psyches was married
to Cupid, and after she was delivered of a child whom we call Pleasure.
This the trifling old woman declared unto the captive maiden: but I
poore Asse, not standing farre of, was not a little sorry in that I
lacked pen and inke to write so worthy a tale.