With eager eye he search'd the salty marge, Boding all mischief from his mother's glee; And wondering of her wiles, and what the charge Shut in the dark obsidian pyx might be. And lo! at last, outstretch'd beside the rocks, Psyche as lifeless; and the open box Laid with the weedy refuse of the sea. 6 He guess'd all, flew down, and beside her knelt, With both his hands stroking her temples wan; And for the poison with his fingers felt, And drew it gently from her; and anon She slowly from those Stygian fumes was freed; Which he with magic handling and good heed Replaced in pyx, and shut the lid thereon. 7 'O Psyche,' thus, and kissing her he cried, 'O simple-hearted Psyche, once again Hast thou thy foolish longing gratified, A second time hath prying been thy bane. But lo! I, love, am come, for I am thine: Nor ever more shall any fate malign, Or spite of goddess smite our love in twain. 8 'Let now that I have saved thee twice outweigh The once that I deserted thee: and thou Hast much obey'd for once to disobey, And wilt no more my bidding disallow. Take up thy pyx; to Aphrodite go, And claim the promise of thy mighty foe; Maybe that she will grant it to thee now. 9 'If she should yet refuse, despair not yet!' Then Psyche, when she felt his arms restore Their old embrace, and as their bodies met, Knew the great joy that grief is pardon'd for; And how it doth first ecstasy excel, When love well-known, long-lost, and mournèd well In long days of no hope, comes home once more. 10 But Eros leaping up with purpose keen Into the air, as only love can fly, Bore her to heaven, and setting her unseen At Aphrodite's golden gate,--whereby They came as night was close on twilight dim,-- There left, and bidding her say nought of him Went onward to the house of Zeus most high. 11 Where winning audience of the heavenly sire, Who well disposed to him was used to be, He told the story of his strong desire; And boldly begg'd that Zeus would grant his plea That he might have sweet Psyche for his wife, And she be dower'd with immortal life, Since she was worthy, by his firm decree. 12 And great Zeus smiled; and at the smile of Zeus All heaven was glad, and on the earth below Was calm and peace awhile and sorrow's truce: The sun shone forth and smote the winter snow, The flowërs sprang, the birds gan sing and pair, And mortals, as they drew the brighten'd air, Marvel'd, and quite forgot their common woe. 13