DEM. Nay it hath not, ... and I know The power of evil is no power at all Against eternal good. 'Tis fire on water, As darkness against sunlight, like a dream 1070 To waken'd will. Foolish was I to fear That aught coud hurt thee, Cora. But to-day Speak we no more.... This mystery of Hell Will do me service: I'll not tell thee now: But sure it is that Fate o'erruleth all For good or ill: and we (no more than men) Have power to oppose, nor any will nor choice Beyond such wisdom as a fisher hath Who driven by sudden gale far out to sea Handles his fragile boat safe thro' the waves, 1080 Making what harbour the wild storm allows. To-day hard-featured and inscrutable Fate Stands to mine eyes reveal'd, nor frowns upon me. I thought to find thee as I knew thee, and fear'd Only to find thee sorrowful: I find thee Far other than thou wert, nor hurt by Hell. I thought I must console thee, but 'tis thou Playest the comforter: I thought to teach thee, And had prepared my lesson, word by word; But thou art still beyond me. One thing only 1090 Of all my predetermin'd plan endures: My purpose was to bid thee to Eleusis For thy spring festival, which three days hence Inaugurates my temple. Thou wilt come? PER. I come. And art thou reconcil'd, dear Mother? DEM. Joy and surprise make tempest in my mind; When their bright stir is o'er, there will be peace. But ere we leave this flowery field, the scene Of strange and beauteous memories evermore, I thank thee, Hermes, for thy willing service. 1100 PER. I thank thee, son of Maia, and bid farewell. HER. Have thy joy now, great Mother; and have thou joy, Fairest Persephone, Queen of the Spring. _CHORUS._ Fair Persephone, garlands we bring thee, Flow'rs and spring-tide welcome sing thee. Hades held thee not, Darkness quell'd thee not. Gay and joyful welcome! Welcome, Queen, evermore. Earth shall own thee, 1110 Thy nymphs crown thee, Garland thee and crown thee, Crown thee Queen evermore. EROS & PSYCHE _A narrative Poem in twelve measures_ [Illustration: decoration] THE STORY DONE INTO ENGLISH FROM THE LATIN OF APULEIUS [Illustration: decoration] _L'anima semplicetta che sa nulla._ _O latest born, O loveliest vision far Of all Olympus' faded hierarchy._ _PREVIOUS EDITIONS_ 1. _Chiswick Press for Bell & Sons._ 1885. 2. _Do. do. revised._ 1894. 3. _Smith, Elder & Co. Vol. I_. 1898. FIRST QUARTER SPRING PSYCHE'S EARTHLY PARENTAGE · WORSHIPPED BY MEN · & PERSECUTED BY APHRODITE · SHE IS LOVED & CARRIED OFF BY EROS MARCH 1