The love which had fallen upon Psyche, and the affection which dropped in
honied words from Cupid's lips, was so endearing, that the nymph longed to
communicate the delightful story of her good fortune to her less gifted,
but envious sisters.
She therefore told them of the glories of her marriage; though her
bridegroom had never made himself visible to her, and though to her he had
no name save that fond one of husband, yet still she could talk of the
beauties of her magic palace, of the musical voice of her invisible lover,
and of the heart-touching and passionate endearments he bestowed on her.
But all this was no pleasant intelligence to them, for with the malice of
ill-nature, they determined to be revenged on her for a happiness which was
no fault. They affected to believe that her husband had wicked designs in
his concealment, and that he would desert his Psyche if he became visible
to her--or they asserted that they had no doubt though the lips and skin of
this mysterious being seemed so soft to their sister, it was by the power
of enchantment, and that the light would reveal a monster whose presence
would astonish no less than it would frighten: and succeeded in persuading
her, by their next meeting, to provide herself with the means of procuring
a light, and a dagger to stab him, should he prove the monstrous being they
averred.
The next night came, and Psyche, when she heard the thrilling tones of her
husband's voice, could scarcely keep her secret. Dreading the anger of her
sisters, however, she waited until Cupid was locked in slumber, and from
its hiding place procured the light and the dagger.
--------------"She softly rose,
And seized the lamp--where it obscurely lay,
With hand too rashly daring to disclose
The sacred veil which hung mysterious o'er her woes."