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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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