'She but received us out of pride, to show Her state, well deeming that her happiness Was little worth while there was none to know; So is our lot uninjured if none guess. Reveal we nothing therefore, but the while Together scheme this wanton to beguile, And bring her boasting godhead to distress.' 16 So fresh disordering their dress and hair, With loud lament they to their sire return, Telling they found not Psyche anywhere, And of her sure mischance could nothing learn: And with that lie the wounded man they slew, Hiding the saving truth which well they knew; Nor did his piteous grief their heart concern. 17 Meanwhile her unknown lover did not cease To warn poor Psyche how her sisters plan'd To undermine her love and joy and peace; And urged how well she might their wiles withstand, By keeping them from her delight aloof: For better is security than proof, And malice held afar than near at hand. 18 'And, dearest wife,' he said, 'since 'tis not long Ere one will come to share thy secrecy, And be thy babe and mine; let nothing wrong The happy months of thy maternity. If thou keep trust, then shalt thou see thy child A god; but if to pry thou be beguiled, The lot of both is death and misery.' 19 Then Psyche's simple heart was fill'd with joy, And counting to herself the months and days, Look'd for the time, when she should bear a boy To be her growing stay and godlike praise. And 'O be sure,' she said, 'be sure, my pride Having so rich a promise cannot slide, Even if my love coud fail which thee obeys.' 20 And so most happily her life went by, In thoughts of love dear to her new estate; Until at length the evil day drew nigh, When now her sisters, joined in jealous hate, Set forth again, and plotted by the way How they might best allure her to betray Her secret; with what he their angle bait. 21 That night her husband spake to her, and said 'Psyche, thy sisters come: and when they climb The peak they will not tarry to be sped Down by the Zephyr, as that other time, But winging to the wind will cast themselves Out in the air, and on the rocky shelves Be dasht, and pay the penalty of crime. 22 'So let it be, and so shall we be saved.' Which meditated vengeance of his fear When Psyche heard, now for their life she craved, Whose mere distress erewhile had toucht her near. Around her lover's neck her arms she threw, And pleaded for them by her faith so true, Although they went on doom in judgment clear. 23