Eros and Psyche

📖 The Scoop

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ... JANUARY i BUT Eros now recover'd from his hurt, Felt other pangs; for who would not relent Weighing the small crime and unmatch'd desert Of Psyche with her cruel punishment i And shamed he grew to be so near allied To her, who by her taunts awoke his pride, As his compassion by her spite unspent. 2 Which Aphrodite seeing, wax'd more firm That he should never meet with Psyche more; And had in thought already set the term To their communion with that trial sore, Which serft her forth upon a quest accurst, And not to be accomplisht, that of thirst She there might perish on hell's torrid shore. 3 And now it chanced that she had called her son Into her presence-chamber, to unfold Psyche's destruction, that her fate might stun What love remained by duty uncontrol'd; And he to hide his tears' rebellious storm Was fled; when in his place another form Rose 'neath the golden lintel; and behold 4 Psyche herself, in slow and balanced strain, Poising the crystal bowl with fearful heed, Her eyes at watch upon the steadied plane, And whole soul gathered in the single deed. Onward she came, and stooping to the floor Set down the cup unspill'd and brimming o'er At Aphrodite's feet, and rose up freed. 5 Surprise o'ercame the goddess, and she too Stood like a statue, but with passion pale: Till, when her vidtim nothing spake, she threw Some kindness in her voice, and bade her hail; But in the smiling judge 'twas plain to see-- Saying "What water bringst thou here to me ?"-- That justice over hate should not prevail. 6 Then Psyche said "This is the biting flood Of black Cocytus, silver'd with the gleam Of souls, that guilty of another's blood Are pent therein, and as they swim they scream. The horned snakes of hell, upon the mount Enchain'd, for ever guard...

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