alwaies I have loved as mine owne child, moreover I shall incurre the
danger of the law, intituled, De servo corrupto, whereby am forbidden
to retaine any servant fugitive, against the will of his Master. Then
Psyches cast off likewise by Juno, as without all hope of the recovery
of her husband, reasoned with her selfe in this sort: Now what comfort
or remedy is left to my afflictions, when as my prayers will nothing
availe with the goddesses? what shall I do? whither shall I go? In what
cave or darknesse shall I hide my selfe, to avoid the furor of Venus?
Why do I not take a good heart, and offer my selfe with humilitie unto
her, whose anger I have wrought? What do I know whether he (whom I
seeke for) be in his mothers house or no? Thus being in doubt, poore
Psyches prepared her selfe to her owne danger, and devised how she
might make her orison and prayer unto Venus. After that Venus was weary
with searching by Sea and Land for Psyches, shee returned toward
heaven, and commanded that one should prepare her Chariot, which her
husband Vulcanus gave unto her by reason of marriage, so finely wrought
that neither gold nor silver could be compared to the brightnesse
therof. Four white pigeons guided the chariot with great diligence, and
when Venus was entred in a number of sparrowes flew chirping about,
making signe of joy, and all other kind of birds sang sweetly,
foreshewing the comming of the great goddesse: the clouds gave place,
the heavens opened, and received her joyfully, the birds that followed
nothing feared the Eagle, Hawkes, or other ravenous foules of the aire.
Incontinently she went unto the royall Pallace of God Jupiter, and with
a proud and bold petition demanded the service of Mercury, in certaine
of her affaires, whereunto Jupiter consented: then with much joy shee
descended from Heaven with Mercury, and gave him an earnest charge to
put in execution her words, saying: O my Brother, borne in Arcadia,
thou knowest well, that I (who am thy sister) did never enterprise to
doe any thing without thy presence, thou knowest also how long I have
sought for a girle and cannot finde her, wherefore there resteth
nothing else save that thou with thy trumpet doe pronounce the reward
to such as take her: see thou put in execution my commandment, and
declare that whatsoever he be that retaineth her wittingly, against my
will shall not defend himselfe by any meane or excusation: which when
she had spoken, she delivered unto him a libell, wherein was contained
the name of Psyches, and the residue of his publication, which done,
she departed away to her lodging. By and by, Mercurius (not delaying
the matter) proclaimed throughout all the world, that whatsoever hee
were that could tell any tydings of a Kings fugitive Daughter, the
servant of Venus, named Psyches, should bring word to Mercury, and for
reward of his paines, he should receive seaven sweet kisses of Venus.
After that Mercury had pronounced these things, every man was enflamed
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