E'en as the linnet looks upon the snake. Behold, thy wisely-guarded treasure take, And let thy breath of life no longer move The shadows with the memories of past love." But Psyche at that name, with quickened heart Turned eagerly, and hastened to depart Bearing that burden, hoping for the day; Harmless, asleep, the triple monster lay, The ferryman did set her in his boat Unquestioned, and together did they float Over the leaden water back again: Nor saw she more those women bent with pain Over their weaving, nor the fallen ass, But swiftly up the grey road did she pass And well-nigh now was come into the day By hollow Tænarus, but o'er the way The wings of Envy brooded all unseen; Because indeed the cruel and fair Queen Knew well how she had sped; so in her breast, Against the which the dreadful box was pressed, Grew up at last this foolish, harmful thought. "Behold how far this beauty I have brought To give unto my bitter enemy; Might I not still a very goddess be If this were mine which goddesses desire, Yea, what if this hold swift consuming fire, Why do I think it good for me to live, That I my body once again may give Into her cruel hands--come death! come life! And give me end to all the bitter strife!" Therewith down by the wayside did she sit And turned the box round, long regarding it; But at the last, with trembling hands, undid The clasp, and fearfully raised up the lid; But what was there she saw not, for her head Fell back, and nothing she rememberéd Of all her life, yet nought of rest she had, The hope of which makes hapless mortals glad; For while her limbs were sunk in deadly sleep Most like to death, over her heart 'gan creep Ill dreams; so that for fear and great distress She would have cried, but in her helplessness Could open not her mouth, or frame a word; Although the threats of mocking things she heard, And seemed, amidst new forms of horror bound, To watch strange endless armies moving round, With all their sleepless eyes still fixed on her, Who from that changeless place should never stir. Moveless she lay, and in that dreadful sleep Scarce had the strength some few slow tears to weep. And there she would have lain for evermore, A marble image on the shadowy shore In outward seeming, but within oppressed With torments, knowing neither hope nor rest But as she lay the Phoenix flew along Going to Egypt, and knew all her wrong, And pitied her, beholding her sweet face, And flew to Love and told him of her case; And Love, in guerdon of the tale he told, Changed all the feathers of his neck to gold, And he flew on to Egypt glad at heart. But Love himself gat swiftly for his part To rocky Tænarus, and found her there Laid half a furlong from the outer air.