To one so jealous as Venus, this homage paid to Psyche was an enormous
crime, and she determined to take vengeance for the offence, by punishing
her in the tenderest part of a woman's nature; for she commanded Cupid to
make her fall deeply in love, with the ugliest being he could find.
With the intention of fulfilling this commission, Cupid visited Psyche, but
so beautiful was the being he came to see, that he found himself compelled
to pay the same homage to her which others had done; and finished by
becoming deeply enamoured himself, as he saw
"Upon her purple couch sweet Psyche laid,
Her radiant lips a downy slumber sealed,
In light transparent veil alone arrayed,
Her bosom's opening charms were half revealed,
And scarce the lucid folds her polished limbs concealed.
"He half relenting on her beauties gazed,
Just then awaking with a sudden start,
Her opening eye in humid lustre blazed,
Unseen he still remained, enchanted and amazed."