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