Speaking, his brute divinity explored The secret of her silence; and old Pan Grew kind and told her of a shallow ford Where lower down the stream o'er pebbles ran, And one might pass at ease with ankles dry: Whither she went, and crossing o'er thereby, Her lonely wanderings through the isle began. 20 But none coud tell, no, nor herself had told Where food she found, or shelter through the land By day or night; until by fate control'd She came by steep ways to the southern strand, Where, sacred to the Twins and Britomart, Pent in its rocky theatre apart, A little town stood on the level sand. 21 'Twas where her younger sister's husband reign'd: And Psyche to the palace gate drew near, Helplessly still by Eros' hest constrain'd, And knocking begg'd to see her sister dear; But when in state stepp'd down that haughty queen, And saw the wan face spent with tears and teen, She smiled, and said 'Psyche, what dost thou here?' 22 Then Psyche told how, having well employ'd Their means, and done their bidding not amiss, Looking on him her hand would have destroy'd, 'Twas Eros; whom in love leaning to kiss, Even as she kisst, a drop of burning oil Fall'n from the lamp had served her scheme to foil, Discovering her in vision of her bliss; 23 Wherewith the god stung, like a startled bird Arose in air, and she fell back in swoon; 'But ere he parted,' said she, 'he confer'd On thee the irrecoverable boon By prying lost to me: _Go tell_, he said, _Thy sister that I love her in thy stead, And bid her by her love haste hither soon_. 24 Which when that heart of malice heard, it took The jealous fancy of her silly lust: And pitilessly with triumphant look She drank the flattery, and gave full trust; And leaving Psyche ere she more coud tell, Ran off to bid her spouse for aye farewell, And in his ear this ready lie she thrust: 25 'My dearest sister Psyche, she whose fate We mourn'd, hath reappear'd alive and hale, But brings sad news; my father dies: full late These tidings come, but love may yet avail; Let me be gone.' And stealing blind consent, Forth on that well-remember'd road she went, And climb'd upon the peak above the dale. 26 There on the topmost rock, where Psyche first Had by her weeping sire been left to die, She stood a moment, in her hope accurst Being happy; and the cliffs took up her cry With chuckling mockery from her tongue above, _Zephyr, sweet Zephyr, waft me to my love_! When off she lept upon his wings to fly. 27