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"The Golden Asse"
Translated by William Adlington, 1566
Illustrations by Martin Van Maele
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THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
How Apuleius was accused by two women, and how the slaine bodies
were found blowne bladders.
When this was done, out came a woman in the middle of the Theatre
arrayed in mourning vesture, and bearing a childe in her armes. And
after her came an old woman in ragged robes, crying and howling
likewise: and they brought with them the Olive boughs wherewith the
three slaine bodies were covered on the Beere, and cried out in this
manner: O right Judges, we pray by the justice and humanity which is in
you, to have mercy upon these slaine persons, and succour our Widowhood
and losse of our deare husbands, and especially this poore infant, who
is now an Orphan, and deprived of all good fortune: and execute your
justice by order and law, upon the bloud of this Theefe, who is the
occasion of all our sorrowes. When they had spoken these words, one of
the most antient Judges did rise and say, Touching this murther, which
deserveth great punishment, this malefactor himselfe cannot deny, but
our duty is to enquire and try out, whether he had Coadjutors to help
him. For it is not likely that one man alone could kill three such great
and valiant persons, wherefore the truth must be tried out by the racke,
and so wee shall learne what other companions he hath, and root out the
nest of these mischievous murtherers. And there was no long delay, but
according to the custome of Grecia, the fire, the wheele, and many other
torments were brought in. Then my sorrow encreased or rather doubled, in
that I could not end my life with whole and unperished members. And by
and by the old woman, who troubled all the Court with her howling,
desired the Judges, that before I should be tormented on the racke, I
might uncover the bodies which I had slaine, that every man might see
their comely shape and youthfull beauty, and that I might receive
condign and worthy punishment, according to the quality of my offence:
and therewithall shee made a sign of joy. Then the Judge commanded me
forthwith to discover the bodies of the slain, lying upon the beere,
with myne own handes, but when I refused a good space, by reason I would
not make my fact apparent to the eies of all men, the Sergeant charged
me by commandement of the Judges, and thrust me forward to do the same.
I being then forced by necessity, though it were against my wil,
uncovered the bodies: but O good Lord what a strange sight did I see,
what a monster? What sudden change of all my sorrows? I seemed as though
I were one of the house of Proserpina and of the family of death,
insomuch that I could not sufficiently expresse the forme of this new
sight, so far was I amased and astonied thereat: for why, the bodies of
the three slaine men were no bodies, but three blown bladders mangled in
divers places, and they seemed to be wounded in those parts where I
remembred I wounded the theeves the night before. Whereat the people
laughed exceedingly: some rejoyced marvellously at the remembrance
thereof, some held their stomackes that aked with joy, but every man
delighted at this passing sport, so passed out of the theatre. But I
from the time that I uncovered the bodies stood stil as cold as ice, no
otherwise than as the other statues and images there, neither came I
into my right senses, until such time as Milo my Host came and tooke mee
by the hand, and with civil violence lead me away weeping and sobbing,
whether I would or no. And because that I might be seene, he brought me
through many blind wayes and lanes to his house, where he went about to
comfort me, beeing sad and yet fearfull, with gentle entreaty of talke.
But he could in no wise mitigate my impatiency of the injury which I
conceived within my minde. And behold, by and by the Magistrates and
Judges with their ensignes entred into the house, and endeavoured to
pacify mee in this sort, saying, O Lucius, we are advertised of your
dignity, and know the genealogie of your antient lineage, for the
nobility of your Kinne doe possesse the greatest part of all this
Province: and thinke not that you have suffered the thing wherfore you
weepe, to any reproach and ignominy, but put away all care and sorrow
out of your minde. For this day, which we celebrate once a yeare in
honour of the god Risus, is alwaies renowned with some solemne novel,
and the god doth continually accompany with the inventor therof, and wil
not suffer that he should be sorrowfull, but pleasantly beare a joyfull
face. And verily all the City for the grace that is in you, intend to
reward you with great honours, and to make you a Patron. And further
that your statue or image may be set up for a perpetuall remembrance.
To whome I answered, As for such benefits as I have received of the
famous City of Thessaly, I yeeld and render the most entire thanks, but
as touching the setting up of any statues or images, I would wish that
they should bee reserved for myne Auntients, and such as are more worthy
than I.
And when I had spoken these words somewhat gravely, and shewed my
selfe more merry than I was before, the Judges and magistrates departed,
and I reverently tooke my leave of them, and bid them farewell. And
behold, by and by there came one running unto me in haste, and sayd,
Sir, your cousin Byrrhena desireth you to take the paines according to
your promise yester night, to come to supper, for it is ready. But I
greatly fearing to goe any more to her house in the night, said to the
messenger, My friend I pray you tell to my cousine your mistresse, that
I would willingly be at her commandement, but for breaking my troth and
credit. For myne host Milo enforced me to assure him, and compelled me
by the feast of this present day, that I should not depart from his
company, wherefore I pray you to excuse, and to defer my promise to
another time.
And while I was speaking these words, Milo tooke me by the hand, and
led me towards the next Baine: but by the way I went couching under him,
to hide my selfe from the sight of men, because I had ministred such an
occasion of laughter. And when I had washed and wiped my selfe, and
returned home againe, I never remembred any such thing, so greatly was I
abashed at the nodding and pointing of every person. Then went I to
supper with Milo, where God wot we fared but meanly. Wherefore feigning
that my head did ake by reason of my sobbing and weeping all day, I
desired license to depart to my Chamber, and so I went to bed.
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THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
How Fotis told to Apuleius, what witchcraft her mistresse did
use.
When I was a bed I began to call to minde all the sorrowes and
griefes that I was in the day before, until such time as my love Fotis,
having brought her mistresse to sleepe, came into the chamber, not as
shee was wont to do, for she seemed nothing pleasant neither in
countenance nor talke, but with sowre face and frowning looke, gan speak
in this sort, Verily I confesse that I have been the occasion of all thy
trouble this day, and therewith shee pulled out a whippe from under her
apron, and delivered it unto mee saying, Revenge thyself upon mee
mischievous harlot, or rather slay me.
And thinke you not that I did willingly procure this anguish and
sorrow unto you, I call the gods to witnesse. For I had rather myne owne
body to perish, than that you should receive or sustaine any harme by my
means, but that which I did was by the commandement of another, and
wrought as I thought for some other, but behold the unlucky chance
fortuned on you by my evill occasion.
The I, very curious and desirous to know the matter, answered, In
faith (quoth I), this most pestilent and evill favoured whip which thou
hast brought to scourge thee withal, shal first be broken in a thousand
pieces, than it should touch or hurt thy delicate and dainty skin. But I
pray you tell me how have you been the cause and mean of my trouble and
sorrow? For I dare sweare by the love that I beare unto you, and I will
not be perswaded, though you your selfe should endeavour the same, that
ever you went to trouble or harm me: perhaps sometimes you imagined an
evil thought in your mind, which afterwards you revoked, but that is not
to bee deemed as a crime.
When I had spoken these words, I perceived by Fotis eys being wet
with tears and well nigh closed up that shee had a desire unto pleasure
and specially because shee embraced and kissed me sweetly. And when she
was somewhat restored unto joy shee desired me that shee might first
shut the chamber doore, least by the untemperance of her tongue, in
uttering any unfitting words, there might grow further inconvenience.
Wherewithall shee barred and propped the doore, and came to me againe,
and embracing me lovingly about the neck with both her armes, spake with
a soft voice and said, I doe greatly feare to discover the privities of
this house, and to utter the secret mysteries of my dame. But I have
such confidence in you and in your wisedome, by reason that you are come
of so noble a line, and endowed with so profound sapience, and further
instructed in so many holy and divine things, that you will faithfully
keepe silence, and that whatsoever I shall reveale or declare unto you,
you would close them within the bottome of your heart, and never
discover the same: for I ensure you, the love that I beare unto you,
enforceth mee to utter it. Now shal you know all the estate of our
house, now shal you know the hidden secrets of my mistres, unto whome
the powers of hel do obey, and by whom the celestial planets are
troubled, the gods made weake, and the elements subdued, neither is the
violence of her art in more strength and force, than when she espieth
some comly young man that pleaseth her fancie, as oftentimes it hapneth,
for now she loveth one Boetian a fair and beautiful person, on whom she
employes al her sorcerie and enchantment, and I heard her say with mine
own ears yester night, that if the Sun had not then presently gon downe,
and the night come to minister convenient time to worke her magicall
enticements, she would have brought perpetuall darkness over all the
world her selfe. And you shall know, that when she saw yester night,
this Boetian sitting at the Barbers a polling, when she came from the
Baines shee secretly commanded me to gather up some of the haires of his
head which lay dispersed upon the ground, and to bring it home. Which
when I thought to have done the Barber espied me, and by reason it was
bruited though all the City that we were Witches and Enchantresses, he
cried out and said, Wil you never leave off stealing of young mens
haires? In faith I assure you, unlesse you cease your wicked sorceries,
I will complaine to the Justices. Wherewithall he came angerly towards
me, and tooke away the haire which I had gathered, out of my apron:
which grieved me very much, for I knew my Mistresses manners, that she
would not be contented but beat me cruelly.
Wherefore I intended to runne away, but the remembrance of you put
alwayes the thought out of my minde, and so I came homeward very
sorrowful: but because I would not seeme to come to my mistresse sight
with empty hands, I saw a man shearing of blowne goat skinnes, and the
hayre which he had shorne off was yellow, and much resembled the haire
of the Boetian, and I tooke a good deale thereof, and colouring of the
matter, I brought it to my mistresse. And so when night came, before
your return form supper, she to bring her purpose to passe, went up to a
high Gallery of her house, opening to the East part of the world, and
preparing her selfe according to her accustomed practise, shee gathered
together all substance for fumigations, she brought forth plates of
mettal carved with strange characters, she prepared the bones of such as
were drowned by tempest in the seas, she made ready the members of dead
men, as the nosethrils and fingers, shee set out the lumps of flesh of
such as were hanged, the blood which she had reserved of such as were
slaine and the jaw bones and teeth of willed beasts, then she said
certaine charmes over the haire, and dipped it in divers waters, as in
Wel water, Cow milk, mountain honey, and other liquor. Which when she
had done, she tied and lapped it up together, and with many perfumes and
smells threw it into an hot fire to burn. Then by the great force of
this sorcerie, and the violence of so many confections, those bodies
whose haire was burning in the fire, received humane shape, and felt,
heard and walked: And smelling the sent of their owne haire, came and
rapped at our doores in stead of Boetius. Then you being well tipled,
and deceived by the obscurity of the night, drew out your sword
courageously like furious Ajax, and kild not as he did, whole heard of
beastes, but three blowne skinnes, to the intent that I, after the
slaughter of so many enemies, without effusion of bloud might embrace
and kisse, not an homicide but an Utricide.
Thus when I was pleasantly mocked and taunted by Fotis, I sayd unto
her, verily now may I for this atcheived enterprise be numbered as
Hercules, who by his valiant prowesse performed the twelve notable
Labors, as Gerion with three bodies, and as Cerberus with three heads,
for I have slaine three blown goat skinnes. But to the end that I may
pardon thee of that thing which though hast committed, perform, the
thing which I most earnestly desire of thee, that is, bring me that I
may see and behold when thy mistresse goeth about any Sorcery or
enchantment, and when she prayeth unto the gods: for I am very desirous
to learne that art, and as it seemeth unto mee, thou thy selfe hath some
experience in the same. For this I know and plainly feele, That whereas
I have always yrked and loathed the embrace of Matrones, I am so
stricken and subdued with thy shining eyes, ruddy cheekes, glittering
haire, sweet cosses, and lilly white paps, that I have neither minde to
goe home, nor to depart hence, but esteeme the pleasure which I shall
have with thee this night, above all the joyes of the world. Then (quoth
she) O my Lucius, how willing would I be to fulfil your desire, but by
reason shee is so hated, she getteth her selfe into solitary places, and
out of the presence of every person, when she mindeth to work her
enchantments. Howbeit I regarde more to gratify your request, than I doe
esteeme the danger of my life: and when I see opportunitie and time I
will assuredly bring you word, so that you shal see all her
enchantments, but always upon this condition, that you secretly keepe
close such things as are done.
Thus as we reasoned together the courage of Venus assailed, as well
our desires as our members, and so she unrayed herself and came to bed,
and we passed the night in pastime and dalliance, till as by drowsie and
unlusty sleep I was constrained to lie still.
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THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistresse enchant.
On a day Fotis came running to me in great feare, and said that her
mistresse, to work her sorceries on such as shee loved, intended the
night following to transforme her selfe into a bird, and to fly whither
she pleased. Wherefore she willed me privily to prepare my selfe to see
the same. And when midnight came she led me softly into a high chamber,
and bid me look thorow the chink of a doore: where first I saw how shee
put off all her garments, and took out of a certain coffer sundry kindes
of Boxes, of the which she opened one, and tempered the ointment therein
with her fingers, and then rubbed her body therewith from the sole of
the foot to the crowne of the head, and when she had spoken privily with
her selfe, having the candle in her hand, she shaked the parts of her
body, and behold, I perceived a plume of feathers did burgen out, her
nose waxed crooked and hard, her nailes turned into clawes, and so she
became an Owle. Then she cried and screeched like a bird of that kinde,
and willing to proove her force, mooved her selfe from the ground by
little and little, til at last she flew quite away.
Thus by her sorcery shee transformed her body into what shape she
would. Which when I saw I was greatly astonied: and although I was
inchanted by no kind of charme, yet I thought that I seemed not to have
the likenesse of Lucius, for so was I banished from my sences, amazed in
madnesse, and so I dreamed waking, that I felt myne eyes, whether I were
asleepe or no. But when I was come againe to my selfe, I tooke Fotis by
the hand, and moved it to my face and said, I pray thee while occasion
doth serve, that I may have the fruition of the fruits of my desire, and
grant me some of this oyntment. O Fotis I pray thee by thy sweet paps,
to make that in the great flames of my love I may be turned into a bird,
so I will ever hereafter be bound unto you, and obedient to your
commandement. Then said Fotis, Wil you go about to deceive me now, and
inforce me to work my own sorrow? Are you in the mind that you will not
tarry in Thessaly? If you be a bird, where shall I seek you, and when
shall I see you? Then answered I, God forbid that I should commit such a
crime, for though I could fly in the aire as an Eagle or though I were
the messenger of Jupiter, yet would I have recourse to nest with thee:
and I swear by the knot of thy amiable hair, that since the time I first
loved thee, I never fancied any other person: moreover, this commeth to
my minde, that if by the vertue of the oyntment I shall become an Owle,
I will take heed I will come nigh no mans house: for I am not to learn,
how these matrons would handle their lovers, if they knew that they were
transformed into Owles: Moreover, when they are taken in any place they
are nayled upon posts, and so they are worthily rewarded, because it is
thought that they bring evill fortune to the house. But I pray you
(which I had almost forgotten) to tell me by what meanes when I am an
Owle, I shall return to my pristine shape, and become Lucius againe.
Feare not (quoth she) for my mistres hath taught me the way to bring
that to passe, neither thinke you that she did it for any good will and
favour, but to the end that I might help her, and minister some remedy
when she returneth home.
Consider I pray you with your selfe, with what frivolous trifles so
marvellous a thing is wrought: for by Hercules I swear I give her
nothing else save a little Dill and Lawrell leaves, in Well water, the
which she drinketh and washeth her selfe withall. Which when she had
spoken she went into the chamber and took a box out of the coffer, which
I first kissed and embraced, and prayed that I might [have] good
successe in my purpose. And then I put off all my garments, and greedily
thrust my hand into the box, and took out a good deale of oyntment and
rubbed my selfe withall.
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THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a Bird, was turned into
an Asse, and how he was led away by Theves.
After that I had well rubbed every part and member of my body, I
hovered with myne armes, and moved my selfe, looking still when I should
bee changed into a Bird as Pamphiles was, and behold neither feathers
nor appearance of feathers did burgen out, but verily my haire did turne
in ruggednesse, and my tender skin waxed tough and hard, my fingers and
toes losing the number of five, changed into hoofes, and out of myne
arse grew a great taile, now my face became monstrous, my nosthrils
wide, my lips hanging downe, and myne eares rugged with haire: neither
could I see any comfort of my transformation, for my members encreased
likewise, and so without all helpe (viewing every part of my poore body)
I perceived that I was no bird, but a plaine Asse.
The I though to blame Fotis, but being deprived as wel of language as
of humane shape, I looked upon her with my hanging lips and watery eyes.
Who as soon as shee espied me in such sort, cried out, Alas poore wretch
that I am, I am utterly cast away. The feare I was in, and my haste hath
beguiled me, but especially the mistaking of the box, hath deceived me.
But it forceth not much, in regard a sooner medicine may be gotten for
this than for any other thing. For if thou couldst get a rose and eat
it, thou shouldst be delivered from the shape of an Asse, and become my
Lucius againe. And would to God I had gathered some garlands this
evening past, according to my custome, then thou shouldst not continue
an Asse one nights space, but in the morning I shall seek some remedy.
Thus Fotis lamented in pittifull sort, but I that was now a perfect
asse, and for Lucius a brute beast, did yet retaine the sence and
understanding of a man. And did devise a good space with my selfe,
whether it were best for me to teare this mischievous and wicked harlot
with my mouth, or to kicke and kill her with my heels. But a better
thought reduced me from so rash a purpose: for I feared lest by the
death of Fotis I should be deprived of all remedy and help. Then shaking
myne head, and dissembling myne ire, and taking my adversity in good
part, I went into the stable to my owne horse, where I found another
asse of Milos, somtime my host, and I did verily think that mine owne
horse (if there were any natural conscience or knowledge in brute
beasts) would take pitty on me, and profer me lodging for that night:
but it chanced far otherwise. For see, my horse and the asse as it were
consented together to work my harm, and fearing lest I should eat up
their provender, would in no wise suffer me to come nigh the manger, but
kicked me with their heels from their meat, which I my self gave them
the night before. Then I being thus handled by them, and driven away,
got me into a corner of the stable, where while I remembred their
uncurtesie, and how on the morrow I should return to Lucius by the help
of a Rose, when as I thought to revenge my selfe of myne owne horse, I
fortuned to espy in the middle of a pillar sustaining the rafters of the
stable the image of the goddesse Hippone, which was garnished and decked
round about with faire and fresh roses: then in hope of present remedy,
I leaped up with my fore feet as high as I could, stretching out my
neck, and with my lips coveting to snatch some roses. But in an evill
houre I did go about that enterprise, for behold the boy to whom I gave
charge of my horse, came presently in, and finding me climbing upon the
pillar, ranne fretting towards me and said, How long shall wee suffer
this wild Asse, that doth not onely eat up his fellowes meat, but also
would spoyl the images of the gods? Why doe I not kill this lame theefe
and weake wretch. And therewithall looking about for some cudgel, hee
espied where lay a fagot of wood, and chusing out a crabbed truncheon of
the biggest hee could finde, did never cease beating of mee poore
wretch, until such time as by great noyse and rumbling, hee heard the
doores of the house burst open, and the neighbours crying in most
lamentable sort, which enforced him being stricken in feare, to fly his
way. And by and by a troupe of theeves entred in, and kept every part
and corner of the house with weapons. And as men resorted to aid and
help them which were within the doores, the theeves resisted and kept
them back, for every man was armed with a sword and target in his hand,
the glimpses whereof did yeeld out such light as if it had bin day. Then
they brake open a great chest with double locks and bolts, wherein was
layd all the treasure of Milo, and ransackt the same: which when they
had done they packed it up and gave every man a portion to carry: but
when they had more than they could beare away, yet were they loth to
leave any behind, but came into the stable, and took us two poore asses
and my horse, and laded us with greater trusses than wee were able to
beare. And when we were out of the house, they followed us with great
staves, and willed one of their fellows to tarry behind, and bring them
tydings what was done concerning the robbery: and so they beat us
forward over great hils out of the way. But I, what with my heavy burden
and long journy, did nothing differ from a dead asse: wherfore I
determined with my self to seek some civil remedy, and by invocation of
the name of the prince of the country to be delivered from so many
miseries: and on a time I passed through a great faire, I came among a
multitude of Greeks, and I thought to call upon the renowned name of the
Emperor and say, O Cesar, and cried out aloud O, but Cesar I could in no
wise pronounce. The Theeves little regarding my crying, did lay me on
and beat my wretched skinne in such sort, that after it was neither apt
nor meet to make Sives or Sarces. Howbeit at last Jupiter administred to
me an unhoped remedy. For when we had passed through many townes and
villages, I fortuned to espy a pleasant garden, wherein beside many
other flowers of delectable hiew, were new and fresh roses: and being
very joyful, and desirous to catch some as I passed by, I drew neerer
and neerer: and while my lips watered upon them, I thought of a better
advice more profitable for me, lest if from an asse I should become a
man, I might fall into the hands of the theeves, and either by suspition
that I were some witch, or for feare that I should utter their theft, I
should be slaine, wherefore I abstained for that time from eating of
Roses, and enduring my present adversity, I did eat hay as other Asses
did.
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THE FOURTH BOOKE
THE EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
How Apuleius thinking to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener,
and chased by dogs
When noone was come, that the broyling heate of the sunne had most
power, we turned into a village to certaine of the theeves acquaintance
and friends, for verily their meeting and embracing together did give
me, poore asse, cause to deeme the same, and they tooke the trusse from
my backe, and gave them part of the Treasure which was in it, and they
seemed to whisper and tell them that it was stollen goods, and after
that we were unladen of our burthens, they let us loose in a medow to
pasture, but myne own horse and Miloes Asse would not suffer me to feed
there with them, but I must seeke my dinner in some other place.
Wherefore I leaped into a garden which was behinde the stable, and
being well nigh perished with hunger, although I could find nothing
there but raw and green fallets, yet I filled my hungry guts therwithall
abundantly, and praying unto all the gods, I looked about in every place
if I could espy any red roses in the gardens by, and my solitary being
alone did put me in good hope, that if I could find any remedy, I should
presently of an Asse be changed into Lucius out of every mans sight. And
while I considered these things, I loked about, and behold I saw a farre
off a shadowed valley adjoyning nigh unto a wood, where amongst divers
other hearbes and pleasant verdures, me thought I saw bright flourishing
Roses of bright damaske colour; and said within my bestaill minde,
Verily that place is the place of Venus and the Graces, where secretly
glistereth the royall hew, of so lively and delectable a floure. Then I
desiring the help of the guide of my good fortune, ranne lustily towards
the wood, insomuch that I felt myself that I was no more an Asse, but a
swift coursing horse: but my agility and quicknes could not prevent the
cruelty of my fortune, for when I came to the place I perceived that
they were no roses, neither tender nor pleasant, neither moystened with
the heavenly drops of dew, nor celestial liquor, which grew out of the
thicket and thornes there. Neither did I perceive that there was any
valley at all, but onely the bank of the river, environed with great
thick trees, which had long branches like unto lawrell, and bearing a
flour without any manner of sent, and the common people call them by the
name of Lawrel roses, which be very poyson to all manner of beasts. Then
was I so intangled with unhappy fortune that I little esteemed mine own
danger, and went willingly to eat of these roses, though I knew them to
be present poyson: and as I drew neere I saw a yong man that seemed to
be the gardener, come upon mee, and when he perceived that I had
devoured all his hearbes in the garden, he came swearing with a great
staffe n his hand, and laid upon me in such sort, that I was well nigh
dead, but I speedily devised some remedy my self, for I lift up my legs
and kicked him with my hinder heels, that I left him lying at the hill
foot wel nigh slain, and so I ran away. Incontinently came out his wife,
who seeing her husband halfe dead, cried and howled in pittifull sort,
and went toward her husband, to the intent that by her lowd cries shee
might purchase to me present destruction. Then all the persons of the
town, moved by her noise came forth, and cried fro dogs to teare me
down. Out came a great company of Bandogs and mastifes, more fit to pul
down bears and lions than me, whom when I beheld I thought verily I
should presently die: but I turned myself about, and ranne as fast as
ever I might to the stable from whence I came. Then the men of the towne
called in their dogs, and took me and bound mee to the staple of a post,
and scourged me with a great knotted whip till I was well nigh dead, and
they would undoubtedly have slaine me, had it not come to passe, that
what with the paine of their beating, and the greene hearbes that lay in
my guts, I caught such a laske that I all besprinkled their faces with
my liquid dung, and enforced them to leave off.
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THE NINETEENTH CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
How Apuleius was prevented of his purpose, and how the Theeves
came to their den.
Not long after, the theeves laded us againe, but especially me, and
brought us forth of the stable, and when wee had gone a good part of our
journey what with the long way, my great burthen, the beating of staves,
and my worne hooves, I was so weary that I could scantly go. Then I saw
a little before mee a river running with fair water, and I said to
myself, Behold, now I have found a good occasion: for I will fall down
when I come yonder, and surely I will not rise againe, neither with
scourging nor with beating, for I had rather be slaine there presently,
than goe any further.
And the cause why I had determined so to doe was this, I thought that
the theeves when they did see me so feeble and weake that I could not
travell, to the intent they would not stay in their journey, they would
take the burthen from my backe and put it on my fellowes, and so for my
further punishment to leave me as a prey to the wolves and ravening
beasts. But evill fortune prevented so good a consideration; for the
other Asse being of the same purpose that I was of, by feigned and
coloured wearinesse fell downe first, with all his burthen on the ground
as though hee were dead, and he would not rise neither with beating nor
with pricking, nor stand upon his legs, though they pulled him by the
tail, by his legs, and by his eares: which when the theeves beheld, as
without all hope they said one unto another, What should we stand here
so long about a dead or rather a stony asse? let us bee gone: and so
they tooke his burthen, and divided some to mee, and some to my horse.
And then they drew out their swords and cut off his legs, and threw his
body from the point of a hill down into a great valley. Then I
considering with my selfe of the evill fortune of my poore companion,
and purposed now to forget all subtility and deceit, and to play the
good Asse to get my masters favour, for I perceived by their talke that
we were come home well nigh at our journeys end. And after that wee had
passed over a little hill, we came to our appointed place, and when we
were unladen of our burthens, and all things carried in, I tumbled and
wallowed in the dust, to refresh my selfe in stead of water. The thing
and the time compelleth me to make description of the places, and
especially of the den where the theeves did inhabit, I will prove my wit
in what I can doe, and the consider you whether I was an Asse in
judgement and sence, or no. For first there was an exceeding great hill
compassed about with big trees very high, with many turning bottoms full
of sharp stones, whereby it was inaccessible. There was many winding and
hollow vallies, environed with thickets and thornes, and naturally
fortressed round about. From the top of the hill ranne a running water
as cleare as silver, that watered all the valleyes below, that it seemed
like unto a sea inclosed, or a standing floud. Before the denne where
was no hill stood an high tower, and at the foot thereof were
sheep-coats fenced and walled with clay. Before the gate of the house
were pathes made in stead of wals, in such sort that you could easily
judge it to be a very den for theeves, and there was nothing else except
a little coat covered with thatch, wherein the theeves did nightly
accustome to watch by order, as I after perceived. And when they were
all crept into the house, and we were all tied fast with halters at the
dore, they began to chide with an old woman there, crooked with age, who
had the government and rule of all the house, and said, How is it old
witch, old trot, and strumpet, that thou sittest idley all day at home,
and having no regard to our perillous labours, hast provided nothing for
our suppers, but sittest eating and swilling thyself from morning till
night? Then the old woman trembled, and scantly able to speak gan say,
Behold my puissant and faithfull masters, you shall have meat and
pottage enough by and by: here is first store of bread, wine plenty,
filled in cleane rinsed pots, likewise here is hot water prepared to
bathe you.
Which when she had said, they put off all their garments and
refreshed themselves by the fire. And after they were washed and noynted
with oyle, they sate downe at the table garnished with all kind of
dainty meats. They were no sooner sate downe, but in came another
company of yong men more in number than was before, who seemed likewise
to bee Theeves, for they brought in their preyes of gold and silver,
Plate, jewels, and rich robes, and when they had likewise washed, they
sate among the rest, and served one another by order. Then they drank
and eat exceedingly, laughing, crying and making much noyse, that I
thought that I was among the tyrannous and wilde Lapithes, Thebans, and
Centaures. At length one of them more valiant than the rest, spake in
this sort, We verily have manfully conquered the house of Milo of
Hippata, and beside all the riches and treasure which by force we have
brought away, we are all come home safe, and are increased the more by
this horse and this Asse. But you that have roved about in the country
of Boetia, have lost your valiante captaine Lamathus, whose life I more
regarded than all the treasure which you have brought: and therfore the
memory of him shall bee renowned for ever amongst the most noble kings
and valiant captains: but you accustome when you goe abroad, like men
with ganders hearts to creepe through every corner and hole for every
trifle. Then one of them that came last answered, Why are you only
ignorant, that the greater the number is, the sooner they may rob and
spoyle the house? And although the family be dispersed in divers
lodgings, yet every man had rather to defend his own life, than to save
the riches of his master: but when there be but a few theeves, then will
they not only rather regard themselves, but also their substance, how
little or great soever it be. And to the intent you may beleeve me I
will shew you an example: wee were come nothing nigh to Thebes, where is
the fountain of our art and science, but we learned where a rich Chuffe
called Chriseros did dwell, who for fear of offices in the publique wel
dissembled his estate, and lived sole and solitary in a small coat,
howbeit replenished with aboundance of treasure, and went daily in
ragged and torn apparel. Wherefore wee devised with our selves to go to
his house and spoyl him of all his riches. And when night came we drew
towards the dore, which was so strongly closed, that we could neither
move it, nor lift it out of the hooks, and we thought it best not to
break it open lest by the noyse we should raise up to our harm the
neighbours by. Then our strong and valiant captaine Lamathus trusting in
his own strength and force, thrust in his had through a hole in the
dore, and thought to pull back the bolt: but the covetous caitif
Chriseros being awake, and making no noise came softly to the dore and
caught his hand and with a great naile nailed it fast to the post: which
when he had done, he ran up to the high chamber and called every one of
his neighbours by name, desiring them to succour him with all possible
speed, for his own house was on fire. Then every one for fear of his
owne danger came running out to aid him, wherewith we fearing our
present peril, knew not what was best to be don, whether wee should
leave our companion there, or yeeld ourselves to die with him: but we by
his consent devised a better way, for we cut off his arm by the elbow
and so let it hang there: then wee bound his wound with clouts, lest we
should be traced by the drops of blood: which don we took Lamathus and
led him away, for fear we would be taken: but being so nigh pursued that
we were in present danger, and that Lamathus could not keepe our company
by reason of faintnesse; and on the other side perceiving that it was
not for his profit to linger behinde, he spake unto us as a man of
singular courage and vertue, desiring us by much entreaty and prayer and
by the puissance of the god Mars, and the faith of our confederacy, to
deliver his body from torment and miserable captivity: and further he
said, How is it possible that so courageous a Captaine can live without
his hand, wherewith he could somtime rob and slay so many people? I
would thinke myself sufficiently happy if I could be slaine by one of
you. But when he saw that we all refused to commit any such fact, he
drew out his sword with his other hand, and after that he had often
kissed it, he drove it clean through his body. Then we honoured the
corps of so puissant a man, and wrapped it in linnen cloathes and threw
it into the sea. So lieth our master Lamathus, buried and did in the
grave of water, and ended his life as I have declared. But Alcinus,
though he were a man of great enterprise, yet could he not beware by
Lamathus, nor voide himselfe from evill fortune, for on a day when he
had entred into an old womans house to rob her, he went up into a high
chamber, where hee should first have strangled her: but he had more
regard to throw down the bags of mony and gold out at a window, to us
that stood under; and when he was so greedy that he would leave nothing
behinde, he went into the old womans bed where she lay asleep, and would
have taken off the coverlet to have thrown downe likewise, but shee
awaked, and kneeling on her knees, desired him in this manner: O sir I
pray you cast not away such torn and ragged clouts into my neighbours
houses, for they are rich enough, and need no such things. Then Alcinus
thinking her words to be true, was brought in beleefe, that such things
as he had throwne out already, and such things as hee should throw out
after, was not fallen downe to his fellowes, but to other mens houses,
wherefore hee went to the window to see, and as hee thought to behold
the places round about, thrusting his body out of the window, the old
woman marked him wel, and came behind him softly, and though shee had
but small strength, yet with sudden force she tooke him by the heeles
and thrust him out headlong, and so he fell upon a marvellous great
stone and burst his ribs, wherby he vomited and spewed great flakes of
blood, and presently died. Then wee threw him to the river likewise, as
we had done Lamathus before.
When we had thus lost two of our companions, we liked not Thebes, but
marched towards the next city called Platea, where we found a man of
great fame called Demochares, that purposed to set forth a great game,
where should be a triall of all kind of weapons: hee was come of a good
house, marvellous rich, liberall, and wel deserved that which he had and
had prepared many showes and pleasures for the Common people, insomuch
that there is no man can either by wit or eloquence shew in words his
worthy preparations: for first he had provided all sorts of armes, hee
greatly delighted in hunting and chasing, he ordained great towers and
Tables to move hither and thither: hee made many places to chase and
encounter in: he had ready a great number of men and wilde beasts, and
many condemned persons were brought from the Judgement place, to try and
fight with those beasts. But amongst so great preparations of noble
price, he bestowed the most part of his patrimony in buying of Beares,
which he nourished to his great cost, and esteemed more than all the
other beasts, which either by chasing hee caught himself, or which he
dearely bought, or which were given him from divers of his friends.
Howbeit for all his sumptuous cost, hee could not be free from the
malitious eyes of envy, for some of them were well nigh dead with too
long tying up, some meagre with the broyling heat of the sunne, some
languished with lying, but all having sundry diseases, were so afflicted
that they died one after another, and there was well nigh none left, in
such sort that you might see them lying in the streets pittiously dead.
And the common people having no other meat to feed on, little regarding
any curiosity, would come forth and fill their bellies with the flesh of
the beares. Then by and by Babulus and I devised a pretty sport, wee
drew one of the greatest of the Beares to our lodging, as though wee
would prepare to eat thereof, where wee flayed of his skinne, and kept
his ungles whole, but we medled not with the head, but cut it off by the
necke, and so let it hang to the skinne. Then we rased off the flesh
from the necke, and cast dust thereon, and set it in the sun to dry.
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THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
How Thrasileon was disguised in a Beares skin, and how he was
handled.
When the skin was a drying we made merry with the flesh, and then we
devised with our selves, that one of us being more valiant than the rest
both in body and courage (so that he would consent thereto) should put
on the skin, and feigning that he were a Beare, should be led to
Demochares house in the night, by which means we thought to be received
and let in. Many were desirous to play the Beare, but especially one
Thrasileon of a couragious minde would take this enterprise in hand.
Then wee put in into the Beares skin, which him finely in every point,
wee buckled it fast under his belly, and covered the seam with the
haire, that it might not be seen. After this we made little holes
through the bears head, and through his nosthrils and eyes, for
Thrasileon to see out and take wind at, in such sort that he seemed a
very lively and natural beast: when this was don we went into a cave
which we hired for the purpose, and he crept in after like a bear with a
good courage. Thus we began our subtility, and then wee imagined thus,
wee feigned letters as though they came from one Nicanor which dwelt in
the Country of Thracia, which was of great acquaintance with this
Demochares, wherein we wrote, that hee had sent him being his friend,
the first fruits of his coursing and hunting. When night was come, which
was a meet time for our purpose, we brought Thrasileon and our forged
letters and presented them to Demochares. When Demochares beheld this
mighty Beare, and saw the liberality of Nicanor his friend, hee
commanded his servants to deliver unto us x. crowns, having great store
in his coffers. Then (as the novelty of a thing doth accustom to stir
mens minds to behold the same) many persons came on every side to see
this bear: but Thrasileon, lest they should by curious viewing and
prying perceive the truth, ran upon them to put them in feare that they
durst not come nigh. The people said, Verily Demochares is right happy,
in that after the death of so many beasts, hee hath gotten maugre
fortunes head, so goodly a bear. Then Demochares commanded him with all
care to be put in the park with all the other beasts: but immediately I
spake unto him and said, Sir I pray you take heed how you put a beast
tired with the heat of the sun and with long travell, among others which
as I hear say have divers maladies and diseases, let him rather lie in
some open place in your house nie some water, where he may take air and
ease himself, for doe you not know that such kind of beasts do greatly
delight to couch under the shadow of trees and hillocks neer pleasant
wells and waters? Hereby Demochares admonished, and remembring how many
he had before that perished, was contented that we should put the bear
where we would. Moreover we said unto him, that we ourselves were
determined to lie all night neer the Bear, to look unto him, and to give
him meat and drink at his due houre.
Then he answered, Verily masters you need not put yourselves to such
paines, for I have men that serve for nothing but that purpose. So wee
tooke leave of him and departed: and when we were come without the gates
of the town, we perceived before us a great sepulchre standing out of
the highway in a privy and secret place, and thither we went and opened
the mouth thereof, whereas we found the sides covered with the
corruption of man, and the ashes and dust of his long buried body,
wherein we got ourselves to bring our purpose to passe, and having
respect to the dark time of night, according to our custome, when we
thought that every one was asleepe, we went with our weapons and
besieged the house of Demochares round about. Then Thrasileon was ready
at hand, and leaped out of the caverne, and went to kill all such as he
found asleepe: but when he came to the Porter, he opened the gates and
let us in, and then he shewed us a large Counter, wherein we saw the
night before a great aboundance of treasure: which when by violence we
had broke open, I bid every one of my fellows take as much gold and
silver as they could carry away: and beare it to the sepulchre, and
still as they carried away I stood at the gate, watching diligently when
they would returne. The Beare running about the house, to make such of
the family afeared as fortuned to wake and come out. For who is he that
is so puissant and couragious, that at the ougly sight of so great a
monster will not quayle and keep his chamber especially in the night?
But when wee had brought this matter to so good a point, there chanced a
pittifull case, for as I looked for my companions that should come from
the sepulchre, behold there was a Boy of the house that fortuned to
looke out of a window, and espied the Bear running about, and he went
and told all the servants of the house. Whereupon incontinently they
came forth with Torches, Lanthornes, and other lights, that they might
see all the yard over: they came with clubs, speares, naked swords,
Greyhounds, and Mastifes to slay the poore beast. Then I during this
broyle thought to run away, but because I would see Thrasileon fight
with the Dogs, I lay behinde the gate to behold him. And although I
might perceive that he was well nigh dead, yet remembred he his owne
faithfulnes and ours, and valiantly resisted the gaping and ravenous
mouths of the hell hounds, so tooke hee in gree the pagiant which
willingly he tooke in hand himself, and with much adoe tumbled at length
out of the house: but when hee was at liberty abroad yet could he not
save himself, for all the dogs of the Streete joyned themselves to the
greyhounds and mastifes of the house, and came upon him.
Alas what a pittifull sight it was to see our poore Thrasileon thus
environed and compassed with so many dogs that tare and rent him
miserably. Then I impatient of so great a misery, ranne in among the
prease of people, and ayding him with my words as much as I might,
exhorted them all in this manner: O great and extreame mischance, what a
pretious and excellent beast have we lost. But my words did nothing
prevaile, for there came out a tall man with a speare in his hand, that
thrust him cleane through, and afterwards many that stood by drew out
their swords, and so they killed him. But verily our good Captaine
Thrasileon, the honour of our comfort, received his death so patiently,
that he would not bewray the league betweene us, either by crying,
howling, or any other meanes, but being torn with dogs and wounded with
weapons, did yeeld forth a dolefull cry, more like unto a beast than a
man. And taking his present fortune in good part, with courage and glory
enough did finish his life, with such a terror unto the assembly, that
no person was hardy until it was day, as to touch him, though hee were
starke dead: but at last there came a Butcher more valiant than the
rest, who opening the panch of the beast, slit out an hardy and ventrous
theefe.
In this manner we lost our Captain Thrasileon, but he left not his
fame and honour.
When this was done wee packed up our treasure, which we committed to
the sepulchre to keepe, and got out of the bounds of Platea, thus
thinking with our selves, that there was more fidelity amongst the dead
than amongst the living, by reason that our preyes were so surely kept
in the sepulchre. So being wearied with the weight of our burthens, and
well nigh tyred with long travell, having lost three of our soldiers, we
are come home with these present cheats.
Thus when they had spoken in memory of their slaine companions, they
tooke cups of gold, and sung hymns unto the god mars, and layd them
downe to sleep. Then the old woman gave us fresh barley without measure,
insomuch that my horse fed so abundantly that he might well thinke hee
was at some banquet that day. But I that was accustomed to eat bran and
flower, thought that but a sower kinde of meate. Wherfore espying a
corner where lay loaves of bread for all the house I got me thither and
filled my hungry guts therewith.
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THE TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
How the Theeves stole away a Gentlewoman, and brought her to
their den.
When night was come the Theeves awaked and rose up, and when they had
buckled on their weapons, and disguised their faces with visards, they
departed. And yet for all the great sleep that came upon me, I could in
no wise leave eating: and whereas when I was a man I could be contented
with one or two loaves at the most, now my huts were so greedy that
three panniers full would scantly serve me, and while I considered these
things the morning came, and being led to a river, notwithstanding my
Assie shamefastnesse I quencht my thirst. And suddenly after, the
Theeves returned home carefull and heavy, bringing no burthens with
them, no not so much as traffe or baggage, save only a maiden, that
seemed by her habit to be some gentlewoman borne, and the daughter of
some worthy matron of that country, who was so fair and beautiful, that
though I were an Asse, yet I had a great affection for her. The virgin
lamented and tare her hair, and rent her garments, for the great sorrow
she was in; but the theeves brought her within the cave, and assisted
her to comfort in this sort, Weep not fair gentlewoman we pray you, for
be you assured we wil do no outrage or violence to your person: but take
patience a while for our profit, for necessity and poore estate hath
compelled us to do this enterprise: we warrant you that your parents,
although they bee covetous, will be contented to give us a great
quantity of mony to redeeme and ransome you from our hands.
With such and like flattering words they endeavoured to appease the
gentlewoman, howbeit shee would in no case be comforted, but put her
head betwixt her knees, and cried pittiously. Then they called the old
woman, and commaunded her to sit by the maiden, and pacify her dolor as
much as shee might. And they departed away to rob, as they were
accustomed to doe, but the virgin would not asswage her griefes, nor
mitigate her sorrow by any entreaty of the old woman, but howled and
sobbed in such sort, that she made me poore Asse likewise to weepe, and
thus she said, Alas can I poore wench live any longer, that am come of
so good a house, forsaken of my parents, friends, and family, made a
rapine and prey, closed servilely in this stony prison, deprived of all
pleasure, wherein I have been brought up, thrown in danger, ready to be
rent in pieces among so many sturdy theeves and dreadful robbers, can I
(I say) cease from weeping, and live any longer? Thus she cried and
lamented, and after she had wearied herself with sorrow and blubbered
her face with teares, she closed the windowes of her hollow eyes, and
laid her downe to sleepe. And after that she had slept, she rose again
like a furious and mad woman, and beat her breast and comely face more
that she did before.
Then the old woman enquired the causes of her new and sudden
lamentation. To whom sighing in pittifull sort she answered, Alas now I
am utterly undone, now am I out of all hope, O give me a knife to kill
me, or a halter to hang me. Whereat the old [woman] was more angry, and
severely commanded her to tell her the cause of her sorrow, and why
after her sleep, she should renew her dolour and miserable weeping.
What, thinke you (quoth she) to deprive our young men of the price of
your ransome? No, no therefore cease your crying, for the Theeves doe
little esteeme your howling, and if you do not, I will surely burn you
alive. Hereat the maiden was greatly feared, and kissed her hand and
said, O mother take pitty upon me and my wretched fortune, and give me
license a while to speake, for I think I shall not long live, let there
be mercy ripe and franke in thy venerable hoare head, and hear the sum
of my calamity.
There was a comely young man, who for his bounty and grace was
beloved entirely of all the towne, my cousine Germane, and but three
years older than I; we two were nourished and brought up in one house,
lay under one roofe, and in one chamber, and at length by promise of
marriage, and by consent of our parents we were contracted together. The
marriage day was come, the house was garnished with lawrel, and torches
were set in every place in the honour of Hymeneus, my espouse was
accompanied by his parents, kinsfolke, and friends, and made sacrifices
in the temples and publique places. And when my unhappy mother pampered
me in her lap, and decked me like a bride, kissing me sweetly, and
making me a parent for Children, behold there came in a great multitude
of theeves armed like men of warre, with naked swords in their hands,
who went not about to doe any harme, neither to take any thing away, but
brake into the chamber where I was, and violently tooke me out of my
mothers armes, when none of our family would resist for feare.
In this sort was our marriage disturbed, like the marriage of
Hyppodame and Perithous. But behold my good mother, now my unhappy
fortune is renewed and encreased: For I dreamed in my sleepe, that I was
pulled out of our house, out of our chamber, and out of my bed, and that
I removed about in solitary and unknowne places, calling upon the name
of my unfortunate husband, and how that he, as soone as he perceived
that he was taken away, even smelling with perfumes and crowned with
garlands, did trace me by the steppes, desiring the aid of the people to
assist him, in that his wife was violently stollen away. and as he went
crying up and down, one of the theeves mooved with indignation, by
reason of his pursuit, took up a stone that lay at his feet, and threw
it at my husband and killed him. By the terror of which sight, and the
feare of so dreadfull a dreame, I awaked.
Then the old woman rendring out like sighes, began to speake in this
sort: My daughter take a good heart unto you, and bee not afeared at
feigned and strange visions and dreams, for as the visions of the day
are accounted false and untrue, so the visions of the night doe often
change contrary. And to dream of weeping, beating, and killing, is a
token of good luck and prosperous change. Whereas contrary to dreame of
laughing, carnal dalliance, and good cheere, is a signe of sadnesse,
sicknesse, loss of substance, and displeasure. But I will tell thee a
pleasant tale, to put away all thy sorrow, and to revive thy spirits.
And so shee began in this manner.
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THE MARRIAGE OF CUPID AND PSYCHES
THE TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER
Martin Van Maele
The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of Cupid and
Psyches.
There was sometimes a certaine King, inhabiting in the West parts,
who had to wife a noble Dame, by whom he had three daughters exceeding
fair,: of whom the two elder were of such comly shape and beauty, as
they did excell and pass all other women living, whereby they were
thought worthily to deserve the praise and commendation of every person,
and deservedly to be preferred above the residue of the common sort. Yet
the singular passing beauty and maidenly majesty of the youngest
daughter did so farre surmount and excell then two, as no earthly
creature could by any meanes sufficiently expresse or set out the same.
By reason wherof, after the fame of this excellent maiden was spread
about in every part of the City, the Citisens and strangers there beeing
inwardly pricked by the zealous affection to behold her famous person,
came daily by thousands, hundreths, and scores, to her fathers palace,
who was astonied with admiration of her incomparable beauty, did no less
worship and reverence her with crosses, signes, and tokens, and other
divine adorations, according to the custome of the old used rites and
ceremonies, than if she were the Lady Venus indeed, and shortly after
the fame was spread into the next cities and bordering regions, that the
goddess whom the deep seas had born and brought forth, and the froth of
the waves had nourished, to the intent to show her high magnificencie
and divine power on earth, to such as erst did honour and worship her,
was now conversant among mortall men, or else that the earth and not the
sea, by a new concourse and influence of the celestiall planets, had
budded and yeelded forth a new Venus, endued with the floure of
virginity.
So daily more and more encreased this opinion, and now is her flying
fame dispersed into the next Island, and well nigh unto every part and
province of the whole world. Wherupon innumerable strangers resorted
from farre Countries, adventuring themselves by long journies on land
and by great perils on water, to behold this glorious virgin. By
occasion wherof such a contempt grew towards the goddesse Venus, that no
person travelled unto the Towne Paphos, nor to the Isle Gyndos, nor to
Cythera to worship her. Her ornaments were throwne out, her temples
defaced, her pillowes and cushions torne, her ceremonies neglected, her
images and Statues uncrowned, and her bare altars unswept, and fowl with
the ashes of old burnt sacrifice. For why, every person honoured and
worshipped this maiden in stead of Venus, and in the morning at her
first comming abroad offered unto her oblations, provided banquets,
called her by the name of Venus, which was not Venus indeed, and in her
honour presented floures and garlands in most reverend fashion.
This sudden change and alteration of celestiall honour, did greatly
inflame and kindle the love of very Venus, who unable to temper her
selfe from indignation, shaking her head in raging sort, reasoned with
her selfe in this manner, Behold the originall parent of all these
elements, behold the Lady Venus renowned throughout all the world, with
whome a mortall maiden is joyned now partaker of honour: my name
registred in the city of heaven is prophaned and made vile by terrene
absurdities. If I shall suffer any mortall creature to present my
Majesty on earth, or that any shall beare about a false surmised shape
of her person, then in vaine did Paris the sheepheard (in whose
judgement and competence the great Jupiter had affiance) preferre me
above the residue of the goddesses, for the excellency of my beauty: but
she, whatever she be that hath usurped myne honour, shal shortly repent
her of her unlawful estate. And by and by she called her winged sonne
Cupid, rash enough and hardy, who by his evill manners contemning all
publique justice and law, armed with fire and arrowes, running up and
down in the nights from house to house, and corrupting the lawfull
marriages of every person, doth nothing but that which is evill, who
although that hee were of his owne proper nature sufficiently prone to
worke mischiefe, yet she egged him forward with words and brought him to
the city, and shewed him Psyches (for so the maid was called) and having
told the cause of her anger, not without great rage, I pray thee (quoth
she) my dear childe, by motherly bond of love, by the sweet wounds of
thy piercing darts, by the pleasant heate of thy fire, revenge the
injury which is done to thy mother by the false and disobedient beauty
of a mortall maiden, and I pray thee, that without delay shee may fall
in love with the most miserablest creature living, the most poore, the
most crooked, and the most vile, that there may bee none found in all
the world of like wretchednesse. When she had spoken these words she
embraced and kissed her sonne, and took her voyage toward the sea.
When she came upon the sea she began to cal the gods and goddesses,
who were obedient at her voyce. For incontinent came the daughters of
Nereus, singing with tunes melodiously: Portunus with his bristled and
rough beard, Salita with her bosome full of fish, Palemon the driver of
the Dolphine, the Trumpetters of Tryton, leaping hither and thither, and
blowing with heavenly noyse: such was the company which followed Venus,
marching towards the ocean sea.
In the meane season Psyches with all her beauty received no fruit of
honor. She was wondred at of all, she was praised of all, but she
perceived that no King nor Prince, nor any one of the superiour sort did
repaire to wooe her. Every one marvelled at her divine beauty, as it
were some Image well painted and set out. Her other two sisters, which
were nothing so greatly exalted by the people, were royally married to
two Kings: but the virgin Psyches, sitting alone at home. lamented her
solitary life, and being disquieted both in mind and body, although she
pleased all the world, yet hated shee in her selfe her owne beauty.
Whereupon the miserable father of this unfortunate daughter, suspecting
that the gods and powers of heaven did envy her estate, went to the town
called Milet to receive the Oracle of Apollo, where he made his prayers
and offered sacrifice, and desired a husband for his daughter: but
Apollo though he were a Grecian, and of the country of Ionia, because of
the foundation of Milet, yet hee gave answer in Latine verse, the sence
whereof was this:-
Let Psyches corps be clad in mourning weed,
And set on rock of yonder hill aloft:
Her husband is no wight of humane seed,
But Serpent dire and fierce as might be thought.
Who flies with wings above in starry skies,
And doth subdue each thing with firie flight.
The gods themselves, and powers that seem so wise,
With mighty Jove, be subject to his might,
The rivers blacke, and deadly flouds of paine
And darkness eke, as thrall to him remaine.
The King, sometimes happy when he heard the prophesie of Apollo,
returned home sad and sorrowful, and declared to his wife the miserable
and unhappy fate of his daughter. Then they began to lament and weep,
and passed over many dayes in great sorrow. But now the time approached
of Psyches marriage, preparation was made, blacke torches were lighted,
the pleasant songs were turned into pittifull cries, the melody of
Hymeneus was ended with deadly howling, the maid that should be married
did wipe her eyes with her vaile. All the family and people of the city
weeped likewise, and with great lamentation was ordained a remisse time
for that day, but necessity compelled that Psyches should be brought to
her appointed place, according to the divine appointment.
Martin Van Maele
And when the solemnity was ended, they went to bring the sorrowful
spowse, not to her marriage, but to her final end and burial. And while
the father and mother of Psyches did go forward weeping and crying unto
this enterprise, Psyches spake unto them in this sort: Why torment your
unhappy age with continuall dolour? Why trouble you your spirits, which
are more rather mine than yours? Why soyle ye your faces with teares,
which I ought to adore and worship? Why teare you my eyes in yours? why
pull you your hory haires? Why knocke ye your breasts for me? Now you
see the reward of my excellent beauty: now, now you perceive, but too
late, the plague of envy. When the people did honour me, and call me new
Venus, then yee should have wept, then you should have sorrowed as
though I had been dead: for now I see and perceive that I am come to
this misery by the only name of Venus, bring mee, and as fortune has
appointed, place me on the top of the rocke, I greatly desire to end my
marriage, I greatly covet to see my husband. Why doe I delay? why should
I refuse him that is appointed to destroy all the world.
Thus ended she her words, and thrust her selfe among the people that
followed. Then they brought her to the appointed rocke of the high hill,
and set [her] hereon, and so departed. The Torches and lights were put
out with the teares of the people, and every man gone home, the
miserable Parents well nigh consumed with sorrow, gave themselves to
everlasting darknes.
Thus poore Psyches being left alone, weeping and trembling on the
toppe of the rocke, was blowne by the gentle aire and of shrilling
Zephyrus, and carried from the hill with a meek winde, which retained
her garments up,, and by little and little bought her downe into a deepe
valley, where she was laid in a bed of most sweet and fragrant flowers.
Thus faire Psyches being sweetly couched among the soft and tender
hearbs, as in a bed of sweet and fragrant floures, and having qualified
the thoughts and troubles of her restlesse minde, was now well reposed.
And when she had refreshed her selfe sufficiently with sleepe, she rose
with a more quiet and pacified minde, and fortuned to espy a pleasant
wood invironed with great and mighty trees. Shee espied likewise a
running river as cleare as crystall: in the midst of the wood well nigh
at the fall of the river was a princely Edifice, wrought and builded not
by the art or hand of man, but by the mighty power of God: and you would
judge at the first entry therin, that it were some pleasant and worthy
mansion for the powers of heaven. For the embowings above were of Citron
and Ivory, propped and undermined with pillars of gold, the walls
covered and seeled with silver, divers sorts of beasts were graven and
carved, that seemed to encounter with such as entered in. All things
were so curiously and finely wrought, that it seemed either to be the
worke of some Demy god, or of God himselfe. The pavement was all of
pretious stones, divided and cut one from another, whereon was carved
divers kindes of pictures, in such sort that blessed and thrice blessed
were they that might goe upon such a pavement: Every part and angle of
the house was so well adorned, that by reason of the pretious stones and
inestimable treasure there, it glittered and shone in such sort, that
the chambers, porches, and doores gave light as it had beene the Sunne.
Neither otherwise did the other treasure of the house disagree unto so
great a majesty, that verily it seemed in every point an heavenly
Palace, fabricate and built for Jupiter himselfe.
Then Psyches moved with delectation approched nigh and taking a bold
heart entred into the house, and beheld every thing there with great
affection, she saw storehouses wrought exceedingly fine, and replenished
with aboundance of riches. Finally, there could nothing be devised which
lacked there: but among such great store of treasure this was most
marvellous, that there was no closure, bolt, nor locke to keepe the
same. And when with great pleasure shee had viewed all these things, she
heard a voyce without any body, that sayd, Why doe you marvell Madame at
so great riches? behold, all that you see is at your commandement,
wherefore goe you into the chamber, and repose your selfe upon the bed,
and desire what bath you will have, and wee whose voyces you heare bee
your servants, and ready to minister unto you according to your desire.
In the meane season, royall meats and dainty dishes shall be prepared
for you.
Then Psyches perceived the felicity of divine providence, and
according to the advertisement of the incorporeall voyces she first
reposed her selfe upon the bed, and then refreshed her body in the
baines. This done, shee saw the table garnished with meats, and a chaire
to sit downe.
Martin Van Maele
When Psyches was set downe, all sorts of divine meats and wines were
brought in, not by any body, but as it were with a winde, for she saw no
person before her, but only heard voyces on every side. After that all
the services were brought to the table, one came in and sung invisibly,
another played on the harpe, but she saw no man. The harmony of the
Instruments did so greatly shrill in her eares, that though there were
no manner of person, yet seemed she in the midst of a multitude of
people.
All these pleasures finished, when night aproched Psyches went to
bed, and when she was layd, that the sweet sleep came upon her, she
greatly feared her virginity, because shee was alone. Then came her
unknowne husband and lay with her: and after that hee had made a perfect
consummation of the marriage, he rose in the morning before day, and
departed. Soone after came her invisible servants, and presented to her
such things as were necessary for her defloration. And thus she passed
forth a great while, and as it happeneth, the novelty of the things by
continuall custome did encrease her pleasure, but especially the sound
of the instruments was a comfort to her being alone.
During this time that Psyches was in this place of pleasures, her
father and mother did nothing but weepe and lament, and her two sisters
hearing of her most miserable fortune, came with great dolour and sorrow
to comfort and speake with her parents.
The night following, Psyches husband spake unto her (for she might
feele his eyes, his hands, and his ears) and sayd, O my sweet Spowse and
dear wife, fortune doth menace unto thee imminent danger, wherof I wish
thee greatly to beware: for know that thy sisters, thinking that thou
art dead, bee greatly troubled, and are coming to the mountain by thy
steps. Whose lamentations if thou fortune to heare, beware that thou doe
in no wise make answer, or looke up towards them, for if thou doe thou
shalt purchase to mee great sorrow, and to thyself utter destruction.
Psyches hearing her Husband, was contented to doe all things as hee had
commanded.
After that hee was departed and the night passed away, Psyches
lamented and lamented all the day following, thinking that now shee was
past all hopes of comfort, in that shee was closed within the walls of a
prison, deprived of humane conversation, and commaunded not to aid her
sorrowful Sisters, no nor once to see them. Thus she passed all the day
in weeping, and went to bed at night, without any refection of meat or
baine.
Incontinently after came her husband, who when he had embraced her
sweetly, began to say, Is it thus that I find you perform your promise,
my sweet wife? What do I finde heere? Passe you all the day and the
night in weeping? And wil you not cease in your husbands armes? Goe too,
doe what ye will, purchase your owne destruction, and when you find it
so, then remember my words, and repent but too late. Then she desired
her husband more and more, assuring him that shee should die, unlesse he
would grant that she might see her sisters, wherby she might speak with
them and comfort them, wherat at length he was contented, and moreover
hee willed that shee should give them as much gold and jewels as she
would. But he gave her a further charge saying, Beware that ye covet not
(being mooved by the pernicious counsell of you sisters) to see the
shape of my person, lest by your curiosity you deprive your selfe of so
great and worthy estate. Psyches being glad herewith, rendered unto him
most entire thankes, and said, Sweet husband, I had rather die than to
bee separated from you, for whosoever you bee, I love and retaine you
within my heart, as if you were myne owne spirit or Cupid himselfe: but
I pray you grant this likewise, that you would commaund your servant
Zephyrus to bring my sisters downe into the valley as he brought mee.
Martin Van Maele
Wherewithall shee kissed him sweetly, and desired him gently to grant
her request, calling him her spowse, her sweetheart, her Joy and her
Solace. Wherby she enforced him to agree to her mind, and when morning
came he departed away.
After long search made, the sisters of Psyches came unto the hill
where she was set on the rocke, and cried with a loud voyce in such sort
that the stones answered againe. And when they called their sister by
her name, that their lamentable cries came unto her eares, shee came
forth and said, Behold, heere is shee for whom you weepe, I pray you
torment your selves no more, cease your weeping. And by and by she
commaunded Zephyrus by the appointment of her husband to bring them
downe. Neither did he delay, for with gentle blasts he retained them up
and laid them softly in the valley. I am not able to expresse the often
embracing, kissing and greeting which was between them three, all
sorrows and tears were then layd apart.
Come in (quoth Psyches) into our house, and refresh your afflicted
mindes with your sister.
After this she shewed them the storehouses of treasure, shee caused
them to hear the voyces which served her, the bain was ready, the meats
were brought in, and when they had filled themselves with divine
delecates, they conceived great envy within their hearts, and one of
them being curious, did demand what her husband was, of what estate, and
who was Lord of so pretious a house? But Psyches remembring the promise
which she had made to her husband, feigned that hee was a young man, of
comely stature, with a flaxen beard, and had great delight in hunting
the dales and hills by. And lest by her long talke she should be found
to trip or faile in her words, she filled their laps with gold, silver,
and Jewels, and commanded Zephyrus to carry them away.
When they were brought up to the mountain, they made their wayes
homeward to their owne houses, and murmured with envy that they bare
against Psyches, saying, behold cruell and contrary fortune, behold how
we, borne all of one Parent, have divers destinies: but especially we
that are the elder two bee married to strange husbands, made as
handmaidens, and as it were banished from our Countrey and friends.
Whereas our younger sister hath great abundance of treasure, and hath
gotten a god to her husband, although shee hath no skill how to use such
great plenty of riches. Saw you not sister what was in the house, what
great store of jewels, what glittering robes, what Gemmes, what gold we
trod on? That if shee hath a husband according as shee affirmeth, there
is none that liveth this day more happy in all the world than she. And
so it may come to passe, at length for the great affection which hee may
beare unto her that hee may make her a goddesse, for by Hercules, such
was her countenance, so she behaved her self, that as a goddesse she had
voices to serve her, and the windes did obey her.
Martin Van Maele
But I poore wretch have first married an husband elder than my
father, more bald than a Coot, more weake than a childe, and that
locketh me up all day in the house.
Then said the other sister, And in faith I am married to a husband
that hath the gout, twyfold, crooked, nor couragious in paying my debt,
I am faine to rub and mollifie his stony fingers with divers sorts of
oyles, and to wrap them in playsters and salves, so that I soyle my
white and dainty hands with the corruption of filthy clouts, not using
my self like a wife, but more like a servant. And you my sister seem
likewise to be in bondage and servitude, wherefore I cannot abide to see
our younger sister in such felicity; saw you not I pray you how proudly
and arrogantly she handled us even now? And how in vaunting her selfe
she uttered her presumptuous minde, how she cast a little gold into our
laps, and being weary of our company, commanded that we should be borne
and blown away?
Verily I live not, nor am a woman, but I will deprive her of all her
blisse. And if you my sister bee so far bent as I, let us consult
together, and not to utter our minde to any person, no not to our
parents, nor tell that ever we saw her. For it sufficeth that we have
seene her, whom it repenteth to have seene. Neither let us declare her
good fortune to our father, nor to any other, since as they seeme not
happy whose riches are unknowne: so shall she know that she hath sisters
no Abjects, but worthier than she.
But now let us goe home to our husbands and poore houses, and when we
are better instructed, let us return to suppresse her pride. So this
evill counsell pleased these two evil women, and they hid the treasure
which Psyches gave them, and tare their haire, renewing their false and
forged teares. When their father and mother beheld them weep and lament
still, they doubled their sorrowes and griefes, but full of yre and
forced with Envy, they tooke their voyage homeward, devising the
slaughter and destruction of their sister.
Martin Van Maele
In the meane season the husband of Psyches did warne her againe in
the night with these words: Seest thou not (quoth he) what perill and
danger evill fortune doth threaten unto thee, whereof if thou take not
good heed it will shortly come upon thee. For the unfaithfull harlots
doe greatly endeavor to set their snares to catch thee, and their
purpose is to make and perswade thee to behold my face, which if thou
once fortune to see, as I have often told, thou shalt see no more.
Wherfore if these naughty hagges, armed with wicked minds, doe chance to
againe (as I think no otherwise but that they will) take heed that thou
talk not with them but simply suffer them to speake what they will,
howbeit if thou canst not refraine thy selfe, beware that thou have no
communication of thy husband, nor answer a word if they fortune to
question of me, so will we encrease our stocke, and this young and
tender childe, couched in this young and tender belly of thine, shall be
made an immortall god, otherwise a mortal creature. Then Psyches was
very glad that she should bring forth a divine babe, and very joyfull in
that she should be honored as a mother. She reckened and numbered
carefully the days and months that passed, and beeing never with child
before, did marvel greatly that in so short a time her belly should swel
so big. But those pestilent and wicked furies breathing out their
Serpentine poyson, took shipping to bring their enterprise to passe. The
Psyches was warned again by her husband in this sort: Behold the last
day, the extream case, and the enemies of thy blood, hath armed
themselves against us, pitched their campe, set their host in array, and
are marching towards us, for now thy two sisters have drawn their swords
and are ready to slay thee. O with what force are we assailed on this
day! O sweet Psyches I pray thee to take pitty on thy selfe, of me, and
deliver thy husband and this infant within thy belly from so great
danger, and see not, neither heare these cursed women, which are not
worthy to be called thy sisters, for their great hatred and breach of
sisterly amity, for they wil come like Syrens to the mountains, and
yeeld out their pittious and lamentable cries. When Psyches had heard
these words she sighed sorrowfully and said, O deare husband this long
time have you had experience and triall of my faith, and doubt you not
that I will persever in the same, wherefore command your winde Zephyrus,
that hee may doe as hee hath done before, to the intent that where you
have charged me not to behold your venerable face, yet that I may
comfort myself with the sight of my sisters. I pray you by these
beautifull haires, by these round cheekes delicate and tender, by your
pleasant hot breast, whose shape and face I shall learn at length by the
childe in my belly, grant the fruit of my desire, refresh your deare
Spowse Psyches with joy, who is bound and linked unto you for ever. I
little esteeme to see your visage and figure, little doe I regard the
night and darknesse thereof, for you are my only light.
Her husband being as it were inchanted with these words and compelled
by violence of her often embracing, wiping away her teares with his
haire, did yeeld unto his wife. And when morning came, departed as hee
was accustomed to doe.
Now her sisters arrived on land, and never rested til they came to
the rock, without visiting their parents, and leapt down rashly from the
hill themselves. Then Zephyrus according to the divine commandment
brought them down, although it were against his wil, and laid them in
the vally without any harm: by and by they went into the palace to their
sister without leave, and when they had eftsoone embraced their prey,
and thanked her with flattering words for the treasure which she gave
them, they said, O deare sister Psyches, know you that you are now no
more a child, but a mother: O what great joy beare you unto us in your
belly? What a comfort will it be unto all the house? How happy shall we
be, that shall see this Infant nourished amongst so great plenty of
Treasure? That if he be like his parents, as it is necessary he should,
there is no doubt but a new cupid shall be borne. By this kinde of
measures they went about to winne Psyches by little and little, but
because they were wearie with travell, they sate them downe in chaires,
and after that they had washed their bodies in baines they went into a
parlour, where all kinde of meats were ready prepared. Psyches commanded
one to play with his harpe, it was done. Then immediately others sung,
others tuned their instruments, but no person was seene, by whose sweet
harmony and modulation the sisters of Psyches were greatly delighted.
Howbeit the wickednesse of these cursed women was nothing suppressed
by the sweet noyse of these instruments, but they settled themselves to
work their treasons against Psyches, demanding who was her husband, and
of what Parentage. Then shee having forgotten by too much simplicity,
what shee had spoken before of her husband, invented a new answer, and
said that her husband was of a great province, a merchant, and a man of
middle age, having his beard intersparsed with grey haires. Which when
shee had spoken (because shee would have no further talke) she filled
their laps with Gold and Silver, and bid Zephyrus to bear them away.
In their returne homeward they murmured within themselves, saying,
How say you sister to so apparent a lye of Psyches? First she sayd that
her husband was a young man of flourishing yeares, and had a flaxen
beard, and now she sayth that he is halfe grey with age. What is he that
in so short a space can become so old? You shall finde it no otherwise
my sister, but that either this cursed queane hath invented a great lie,
or else that she never saw the shape of her husband. And if it be so
that she never saw him, then verily she is married to some god, and hath
a young god in her belly. But if it be a divine babe, and fortune to
come to the eares of my mother (as God forbid it should) then may I go
and hang my selfe: wherfore let us go to our parents, and with forged
lies let us colour the matter.
After they were thus inflamed, and had visited their Parents, they
returned againe to the mountaine, and by the aid of the winde Zephyrus
were carried down into the valley, and after they had streined their eye
lids, to enforce themselves to weepe, they called unto Psyches in this
sort, Thou (ignorant of so great evill) thinkest thy selfe sure and
happy, and sittest at home nothing regarding thy peril, whereas wee goe
about thy affaires and are carefull lest any harme should happen unto
you: for we are credibly informed, neither can we but utter it unto you,
that there is a great serpent full of deadly poyson, with a ravenous
gaping throat, that lieth with thee every night Remember the Oracle of
Apollo, who pronounced that thou shouldest he married to a dire and
fierce Serpent, and many of the Inhabitants hereby, and such as hunt
about in the countrey, affirme that thev saw him yesternight returning
from pasture and swimming over the River, whereby they doe undoubtedly
say, that hee will not pamper thee long with delicate meats, but when
the time of delivery shall approach he will devoure both thee and thy
child: wherefore advise thy selfe whether thou wilt agree unto us that
are carefull of thy safety, and so avoid the perill of death, bee
contented to live with thy sisters, or whether thou remaine with the
Serpent arid in the end be swallowed into the gulfe of his body. And ff
it be so that thy solitary life, thy conversation with voices, this
servile and dangerous pleasure, and the love of the Serpent doe more
delight thee, say not but that we have played the parts of naturall
sisters in warning thee.
Then the poore and simple miser Psyches was mooved with the feare of
so dreadful words, and being amazed in her mind, did cleane forget the
admonitions of her husband, and her owne promises made unto him, and
throwing her selfe headlong into extreame misery, with a wanne and
sallow countenance, scantly uttering a third word, at length gan say in
this sort: O my most deare sisters, I heartily thanke you for your great
kindnesse toward me, and I am now verily perswaded that they which have
informed you hereof hath informed you of nothing but truth, for I never
saw the shape of my husband, neither know I from whence he came, only I
heare his voice in the night, insomuch that I have an uncertaine
husband, and one that loveth not the light of the day: which causeth me
to suspect that he is a beast, as you affirme. Moreover, I doe greatly
feare to see him, for he doth menace and threaten great evill unto mee,
if I should goe about to spy and behold his shape wherefore my loving
sisters if you have any wholeome remedy for your sister in danger, give
it now presently. Then they opened the gates of their subtill mindes,
and did put away all privy guile, and egged her forward in her fearefull
thoughts, perswading her to doe as they would have her whereupon one of
them began and sayd, Because that wee little esteeme any perill or
danger, to save your life we intend to shew you the best way and meane
as we may possibly do. Take a sharpe razor and put it under the pillow
of your bed; and see that you have ready a privy burning lampe with
oyle, hid under some part of the hanging of the chamber, and finely
dissembling the matter when according to his custome he commeth to bed
and sleepeth soundly, arise you secretly, and with your bare feet goe
and take the lampe, with the Razor in your right hand and with valiant
force cut off the head of the poysonous serpent, wherein we will aid and
assist you: and when by the death of him you shall be made safe, we wil
marry you to some comely man.
After they had thus inflamed the heart of their sister fearing lest
some danger might happen unto them by reason of their evill counsell,
they were carried by the wind Zephyrus to the top of the mountaine, and
so they ran away and tooke shipping.
When Psyches was left alone (saving that she seemed not to be alone,
being stirred by so many furies) she was in a tossing minde like the
waves of the sea, and although her wil was obstinate, and resisted to
put in execution the counsell of her Sisters, yet she was in doubtfull
and divers opinions touching her calamity. Sometime she would, sometime
she would not, sometime she is bold, sometime she feareth, sometime shee
mistrusteth, somtime she is mooved, somtime she hateth the beast,
somtime she loveth her husband: but at length night came, when as she
prepared for her wicked intent.
Soon after her husband Came, and when he had kissed and embraced her
he fell asleep. Then Psyches (somwhat feeble in body and mind, yet
mooved by cruelty of fate) received boldnes and brought forth the lampe,
and tooke the razor, so by her audacity she changed her mind: but when
she took the lamp and came to the bed side, she saw the most meeke and
sweetest beast of all beasts, even faire Cupid couched fairly, at whose
sight the very lampe encreased his light for joy, and the razor turned
his edge.
But when Psyches saw so glorious a body shee greatly feared, and
amazed in mind, with a pale countenance all trembling fel on her knees
and thought to hide the razor, yea verily in her owne heart, which
doubtlesse she had done, had it not through feare of so great an
enterprise fallen out of her hand. And when she saw and beheld the
beauty of the divine visage shee was well recreated in her mind, she saw
his haires of gold, that yeelded out a sweet savor, his neck more white
than milk, his purple cheeks, his haire hanging comely behinde and
before, the brightnesse whereof did darken the light of the lamp, his
tender plume feathers, dispersed upon his sholders like shining flours,
and trembling hither and thither, and his other parts of his body so
smooth and so soft, that it did not repent Venus to beare such a childe.
At the beds feet lay his bow,
quiver, and arrowes, that be the weapons of so great a god: which
when Psyches did curiously behold, she marvelling at her husbands
weapons, took one of the arrows out of the quiver, and pricked her selfe
withall, wherwith she was so grievously wounded that the blood followed,
and thereby of her owne accord shee added love upon love; then more
broyling in the love of Cupid shee embraced him and kissed him and
kissed him a thousand times, fearing the measure of his sleepe But alas
while shee was in this great joy, whether it were for envy for desire to
touch this amiable body likewise, there fell out a droppe of burning
oyle from the lampe upon the right shoulder of the god. O rash and bold
lampe, the vile ministery of love, how darest thou bee so bold as to
burne the god of all fire? When as he invented thee, to the intent that
all lovers might with more joy passe the nights in pleasure.
Martin Van Maele
The god beeing burned in this sort, and perceiving that promise and
faith was broken, bee fled away without utterance of any word, from the
eves and hands of his most unhappy wife. But Psyches fortuned to catch
him as hee was rising by the right thigh, and held him fast as hee flew
above in the aire, until such time as constrained by wearinesse shee let
goe arid fell downe upon the ground. But Cupid followed her downe, and
lighted upon the top of a Cypresse tree, and angerly spake unto her in
this manner: O simple Psyches, consider with thy selfe how I, little
regarding the commandement of my mother (who willed mee that thou
shouldst bee married to a man of base and miserable condition) did come
my selfe from heaven to love thee, and wounded myne owne body with my
proper weapons, to have thee to my Spowse: And did I seeme a beast unto
thee, that thou shouldst go about to cut off my head with a razor, who
loved thee so well? Did not I alwayes give thee a charge? Did not I
gently will thee to beware? But those cursed aides and Counsellors of
thine shall be worthily rewarded for their pains. As for thee thou shalt
be sufficiently punished by my absence. When hee had spoken these words
he tooke his flight into the aire. Then Psyches fell flat on the ground,
and as long as she could see her husband she cast her eyes after him
into the aire, weeping and lamenting pitteously: but when hee was gone
out of her sight shee threw her selfe into the next running river, for
the great anguish and dolour that shee was in for the lack of her
husband, howbeit the water would not suffer her to be drowned, but tooke
pity upon her, in the honour of Cupid which accustomed to broyle and
burne the river, and threw her upon the bank amongst the herbs.
Then Pan the rusticall god sitting on the river side, embracing and
[instructing] the goddesse Canna to tune her songs and pipes, by whom
were feeding the young and tender Goats, after that he perceived Psyches
in sorrowful case, not ignorant (I know not by what meanes) of her
miserable estate, endeavored to pacific her in this sort: O faire maid,
I am a rusticke and rude heardsman, howbeit by reason of my old age
expert in many things, for as farre as I can learnt by conjecture (which
according as wise men doe terme is called divination) I perceive by your
uncertaine gate, your pale hew, your sobbing sighes, and your watery
eyes, that you are greatly in love. Wherefore hearken to me, and goe not
about to slay your selfe, nor weepe not at all, but rather adore and
worship the great god Cupid, and winne him unto you by your gentle
promise of service.
When the god of Shepherds had spoken these words, she gave no answer,
but made reverence to him as to a god, and so departed.
After that Psyches had gone a little way, she fortuned unawares to
come to a city where the husband of one of her Sisters did dwell. Which
when Psyches did understand, shee caused that her sister had knowledge
of her comming, and so they met together, and after great embracing and
salutation, the sister of Psyches demaunded the cause of her travell
thither. Marry (quoth she) doe you not remember the counsell you gave
me, whereby you would that I should kill the beast which under colour of
my husband did lie with mee every night i You shall understand, that as
soone as I brought forth the lampe to see and behold his shape, I
perceived that he was the sonne of Venus, even Cupid himselfe that lay
with mee. Then I being stricken with great pleasure, and desirous to
embrace him, could not thoroughly asswage my delight, but alas by evill
ill chance the oyle of the lampe fortuned to fall on his shoulder which
caused him to awake, and seeing me armed with fire and weapons, gan say,
How darest thou be so bold to doe so great a mischiefe? Depart from me
and take such things as thou didst bring: for I will have thy sister
(and named you) to my wife, and she shall be placed in thy felicity, and
by and by hee commaunded Zephyrus to carry me away from the bounds of
his house.
Psyches had scantly finished her tale but her sister pierced with the
pricke of carnall desire and wicked envy ran home, and feigning to her
husband that she had heard word of the death of her parents tooke
shipping and came to the mountaine. And although there blew a contrary
winde, yet being brought in a vaine hope shee cried O Cupid take me a
more worthy wife, and thou Zephyrus beare downe thy mistresse, and so
she cast her selfe headlong from the mountaine: but shee fell not into
the valley neither alive nor dead, for all the members and parts of her
body were torne amongst the rockes, wherby she was made prey unto the
birds and wild beasts, as she worthily deserved.
Neither was the vengeance of the other delayed, for Psyches
travelling in that country, fortuned to come to another city where her
other sister did dwel; to whom when shee had declared all such things as
she told to her other sister shee ran likewise unto the rock and was
slaine in like sort Then Psyches travelled about in the countrey to
seeke her husband Cupid, hut he was gotten into his mothers chamber and
there bewailed the sorrowful wound which he caught by the oyle of a
burning lamp.
Then the white bird the Gull, which swims on the waves of the water,
flew toward the Ocean sea, where he found Venus washing and bathing her
selfe: to whom she declared that her son was burned and in danger of
death, and moreover that it was a common brute in the mouth of every
person (who spake evill of all the family of Venus) that her son doth
nothing but haunt harlots in the mountain, and she her self lasciviously
use to ryot in the sea: wherby they say that they are flow become no
more gratious, pleasant nor gentle, but incivile, monstrous and
horrible. Moreover, that marriages are not for any amity, or for love of
procreation, but full of envy, discord, and debate. This the curious Gul
did clatter in the ears of Venus, reprehending her son. But Venus began
to cry and sayd, What hath my sonne gotten any Love? I pray thee gentle
bird that doest serve me so faithfully, tell me what she is, and what is
her name that hath troubled my son in such sort? whether shee be any of
the Nymphs, of the number of the goddesses, of the company of the Muses,
or of the mistery of the Graces? To whom the bird answered, Madam I know
not what shee is, but this I know that she is called Psyches. Then Venus
with indignation cried out, What is it she? the usurper of my beauty,
the Vicar of my name? What did he think that I was a bawd, by whose shew
he fell acquainted with the maid? And immediately she departed and went
to her chamber, where she found her son wounded as it was told unto her,
whom when she beheld she cries out in this sort.
Is this an honest thing, is this honourable to thy parents? is this
reason, that thou hast violated and broken the commandement of thy
mother and soveraign mistresse: and whereas thou shouldst have vexed my
enemy with loathsom love, thou hast done otherwise?
For being of tender and unripe yeares, thou hast with too licentious
appetite embraced my most mortall Foe, to whome I shall bee made a
mother, and she a Daughter.
Martin Van Maele
Thou presumest and thinkest, thou trifling boy, thou Varlet, and
without all reverence, that thou art most worthy and excellent, and that
I am not able by reason of myne age to have another son, which if I
should have, thou shouldst well understand that I would beare a more
worthier than thou. But to worke thee a greater despight, I do determine
to adopt one of my servants, and to give him these wings, this fire,
this bow, and these Arrowes, and all other furniture which I gave to
thee, not to this purpose, neither is any thing given thee of thy father
for this intent: but first thou hast been evill brought up and
instructed in thy youth thou hast thy hands ready and sharpe. Thou hast
often offended thy antients, and especially me that am thy mother, thou
hast pierced mee with thy darts thou contemnest me as a widow, neither
dost t thou regard thy valiant and invincible father, and to anger me
more, thou art amorous of harlots and wenches: hot I will cause that
thou shalt shortly repent thee, and that this marriage shal be dearely
bought. To what a point am I now driven? What shall I do? Whither shall
I goe? How shall I represse this beast? Shall I aske ayd of myne enemy
Sobriety, whom I have often offended to engender thee? Or shall I seeke
for counsel of every poore rusticall woman? No, no, yet had I rather
dye, howbeit I will not cease my vengeance, to her must I have recourse
for helpe, and to none other (I meane to Sobriety), who may correct thee
sharpely, take away thy quiver, deprive thee of thy arrowes, unbend thy
bow, quench thy fire, and which is more subdue thy body with punishment:
and when that l have rased and cut off this thy haire, which I have
dressed with myne owne hands, and made to glitter like gold, and when I
have clipped thy wings, which I my selfe have caused to burgen, then
shall I thinke to have revenged my selfe sufficiently upon thee for the
injury which thou hast done. When shee had spoken these words shee
departed in a great rage out of her chamber.
Immediatelie as she was going away came Juno and Ceres, demaunding
the cause of her anger. Then Venus answered, Verily you are come to
comfort my sorrow, but I pray you with all diligence to seeke out one
whose name is Psyches, who is a vagabond, and runneth about the
Countries, and (as I thinke) you are not ignorant of the brute of my son
Cupid, and of his demeanour, which I am ashamed to declare. Then they
understanding the whole matter, endeavoured to mitigate the ire of Venus
in this sort: What is the cause Madam, or how hath your son so offended,
that you shold so greatly accuse his love, and blame him by reason that
he is amorous? and why should you seeke the death of her, whom he doth
fancie? We most humbly intreat you to pardon his fault if he have
accorded to the mind of any maiden: what do you not know that he is a
young man? Or have you forgotten of what yeares he is? Doth he seeme
alwayes unto you to be a childe? You are his mother, and a kind woman,
will you continually search out his dalliance? Will you blame his
luxury? Will you bridle his love? and will you reprehend your owne art
and delights in him? What God or man is hee, that can endure that you
should sowe or disperse your seed of love in every place, and to make
restraint thereof within your owne doores? certes you will be the cause
of the suppression of the publike paces of young Dames. In this sort
this goddesse endeavoured to pacifie her mind, and to excuse Cupid with
al their power (although he were absent) for feare of his darts and
shafts of love. But Venus would in no wise asswage her heat, but
(thinking that they did rather trifle and taunt at her injuries) she
departed from them, and tooke her voiage towards the sea in all haste.
In the meane season Psyches hurled her selfe hither and thither, to
seeke her husband, the rather because she thought that if he would not
be appeased with the sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would take mercy
on her at her servile and continuall prayers. And (espying a Church on
the top of a high hill) she said, What can I tell whether my husband and
master be there or no? wherefore she went thitherward, and with great
paine and travell, moved by hope, after that she climbed to the top of
the mountaine, she came to the temple, and went in, wheras behold she
espied sheffes of corn lying on a heap, blades withered with garlands,
and reeds of barly, moreover she saw hooks, sithes, sickles, and other
instruments, to reape, but every thing lay out of order, and as it were
cast in by the hands of laborers which when Psyches saw she gathered up
and put everything in order, thinking that she would not despise or
contemne the temples of any of the Gods, but rather get the favour and
benevolence of them all: by and by Ceres came in, and beholding her
busie and curious in her chapell, cried out a far off, and said, O
Psyches needfull of mercy, Venus searcheth for thee in every place to
revenge her selfe and to punish thee grievously, but thou hast more mind
to be heere, and carest for nothing lesse, then for thy safety. Then
Psyches fell on her knees before her, watring her feet with her teares,
wiping the ground with her haire, and with great weeping and lamentation
desired pardon, saying, O great and holy Goddesse, l pray thee by thy
plenteous and liberall right hand, by the joyfull ceremonies of thy
harvest, by the secrets of thy Sacrifice, by the flying chariots of thy
dragons, by the tillage of the ground of Sicilie, which thou hast
invented, by the marriage of Proserpin, by the diligent inquisition of
thy daughter, and by the other secrets which are within the temple of
Eleusis in the land of Athens, take pitty on me thy servant Psyches, and
let me hide my selfe a few dayes amongst these sheffes of corne, untill
the ire of so great a Goddesse be past, or until that I be refreshed of
my great labour and travell. Then answered Ceres, Verely Psyches, I am
greatly moved by thy prayers and teares, and desire with all my heart to
aide thee, but if I should suffer thee to be hidden here, I should
increase the displeasure of my Cosin, with whom I have made a treatie of
peace, and an ancient promise of amity: wherefore I advise thee to
depart hence and take it not in evil part in that I will not suffer thee
to abide and remaine here within my temple. Then Psyches driven away
contrary to her hope, was double afflicted with sorrow and so she
returned back againe. And behold she perceived a far off in a vally a
Temple standing within a Forest, faire and curiously wrought, and
minding to over-passe no place whither better hope did direct her, and
to the intent she would desire pardon of every God, she approached nigh
unto the sacred doore, whereas she saw pretious riches and vestiments
ingraven with letters of gold, hanging upon branches of trees, and the
posts of the temple testifying the name of the goddesse Juno, to whom
they were dedicate, then she kneeled downe upon her knees, and imbraced
the Alter with her hands, and wiping her teares, gan pray in this sort:
O deere spouse and sister of the great God Jupiter which art adored and
worshipped amongst the great temples of Samos, called upon by women with
child, worshipped at high Carthage, because thou wast brought from
heaven by the lyon, the rivers of the floud Inachus do celebrate thee:
and know that thou art the wife of the great god, and the goddesse of
goddesses; all the east part of the world have thee in veneration, all
the world calleth thee Lucina: I pray thee to be my advocate in my
tribulations, deliver me from the great danger which pursueth me, and
save me that am weary with so long labours and sorrow, for I know that
it is thou that succorest and helpest such women as are with child and
in danger. Then Juno hearing the prayers of Psyches, appeared unto her
in all her royalty, saying, Certes Psyches I would gladly help thee, but
I am ashamed to do any thing contrary to the will of my daughter in law
Venus, whom alwaies I have loved as mine owne child, moreover I shall
incurre the danger of the law, intituled, De servo corrupto, whereby am
forbidden to retaine any servant fugitive, against the will of his
Master. Then Psyches cast off likewise by Juno, as without all hope of
the recovery of her husband, reasoned with her selfe in this sort: Now
what comfort or remedy is left to my afflictions, when as my prayers
will nothing availe with the goddesses? what shall I do? whither shall I
go? In what cave or darknesse shall I hide my selfe, to avoid the furor
of Venus? Why do I not take a good heart, and offer my selfe with
humilitie unto her, whose anger I have wrought? What do I know whether
he (whom I seeke for) be in his mothers house or no? Thus being in
doubt, poore Psyches prepared her selfe to her owne danger, and devised
how she might make her orison and prayer unto Venus. After that Venus
was weary with searching by Sea and Land for Psyches, shee returned
toward heaven, and commanded that one should prepare her Chariot, which
her husband Vulcanus gave unto her by reason of marriage, so finely
wrought that neither gold nor silver could be compared to the
brightnesse therof. Four white pigeons guided the chariot with great
diligence, and when Venus was entred in a number of sparrowes flew
chirping about, making signe of joy, and all other kind of birds sang
sweetly, foreshewing the comming of the great goddesse: the clouds gave
place, the heavens opened, and received her joyfully, the birds that
followed nothing feared the Eagle, Hawkes, or other ravenous foules of
the aire. Incontinently she went unto the royall Pallace of God Jupiter,
and with a proud and bold petition demanded the service of Mercury, in
certaine of her affaires, whereunto Jupiter consented: then with much
joy shee descended from Heaven with Mercury, and gave him an earnest
charge to put in execution her words, saying: O my Brother, borne in
Arcadia, thou knowest well, that I (who am thy sister) did never
enterprise to doe any thing without thy presence, thou knowest also how
long I have sought for a girle and cannot finde her, wherefore there
resteth nothing else save that thou with thy trumpet doe pronounce the
reward to such as take her: see thou put in execution my commandment,
and declare that whatsoever he be that retaineth her wittingly, against
my will shall not defend himselfe by any meane or excusation: which when
she had spoken, she delivered unto him a libell, wherein was contained
the name of Psyches, and the residue of his publication, which done, she
departed away to her lodging. By and by, Mercurius (not delaying the
matter) proclaimed throughout all the world, that whatsoever hee were
that could tell any tydings of a Kings fugitive Daughter, the servant of
Venus, named Psyches, should bring word to Mercury, and for reward of
his paines, he should receive. seaven sweet kisses of Venus After that
Mercury had pronounced. these things, every man was enflamed with desire
to search out Psyches.
Martin Van Maele
This proclamation was the cause that put all doubt from Psyches, who
was scantly come in the sight of the house of Venus, but one of her
servants called Custome came out, who espying Psyches, cried with a loud
voyce, saying: O wicked harlot as thou art, now at length thou shalt
know that thou hast a mistresse above thee. What, dost thou make thy
selfe ignorant, as though thou didst not understand what travell wee
have taken in searching for thee? I am glad that thou art come into my
hands, thou art now in the golfe of hell, and shalt abide the paine and
punishment of thy great contumacy, and therewithall she tooke her by the
haire, and brought her in, before the presence of the goddesse Venus.
When Venus spied her, shee began to laugh, and as angry persons
accustome to doe, she shaked her head, and scratched her right eare
saying, O goddesse, goddesse, you are now come at length to visit your
husband that is in danger of death, by your meanes: bee you assured, I
will handle you like a daughter: where be my maidens, Sorrow and
Sadnesse? To whom (when they came) she delivered Psyches to be cruelly
tormented; then they fulfilled the commandement of their Mistresse, and
after they had piteously scourged her with rods and whips, they
presented her againe before Venus; then she began to laugh againe,
saying: Behold she thinketh (that by reason of her great belly, which
she hath gotten by playing the whore) to move me to pitty, and to make
me a grandmother to her childe. Am not I happy, that in the flourishing
time of al mine age, shall be called a grandmother, and the sonne of a
vile harlot shall bee accounted the nephew of Venus: howbeit I am a
foole to tearm him by the name of my son, since as the marriage was made
betweene unequall persons, in the field without witnesses, and not by
the consent of parents, wherefore the marriage is illegitimate, and the
childe (that shall be borne) a bastard; if we fortune to suffer thee to
live so long till thou be delivered. When Venus had spoken these words
she leaped upon the face of poore Psyches, and (tearing her apparell)
tooke her by the haire, and dashed her head upon the ground. Then she
tooke a great quantity of wheat, of barly, poppy seede, peason, lintles,
and beanes, and mingled them altogether on a heape saying: Thou evil
favoured girle, thou seemest unable to get the grace of thy lover, by no
other meanes, but only by diligent and painefull service, wherefore I
will prove what thou canst doe: see that thou separate all these graines
one from another, disposing them orderly in their quantity, and let it
be done before night. When she had appointed this taske unto Psyches,
she departed to a great banket that was prepared that day. But Psyches
went not about to dissever the graine, (as being a thing impossible to
be brought to passe by reason it lay so confusedly scattered) but being
astonyed at the cruell commandement of Venus, sate still and said
nothing. Then the little pismire the emote, taking pitty of her great
difficulty and labour, cursing the cruellnesse of the daughter of
Jupiter, and of so evill a mother, ran about, hither and thither, and
called to all her friends, Yee quick sons of the ground, the mother of
all things, take mercy on this poore maid, espouse to Cupid, who is in
great danger of her person, I pray you helpe her with all diligence.
Incontinently one came after another, dissevering and dividing the
graine, and after that they had put each kinde of corne in order, they
ranne away againe in all haste. When night came, Venus returned home
from the banket wel tippled with wine, smelling of balme, and crowned
with garlands of roses, who when shee had espied what Psyches had done,
gan say, This is not the labour of thy hands, but rather of his that is
amorous of thee: then she gave her a morsel of brown bread, and went to
sleep. In the mean season, Cupid was closed fast in the surest chamber
of the house, partly because he should not hurt himself with wanton
dalliance, and partly because he should not speake with his love: so
these two lovers were divided one from another. When night was passed
Venus called Psyches, and said, Seest thou yonder Forest that extendeth
out in length with the river? there be great sheepe shining like gold,
and kept by no manner of person. I command thee that thou go thither and
bring me home some of the wooll of their fleeces. Psyches arose
willingly not to do her commandement, but to throw her selfe headlong
into water to end her sorrows. Then a green reed inspired by divine
inspiration, with a gratious tune and melody gan say, O Psyches I pray
thee not to trouble or pollute my water by the death of thee, and yet
beware that thou goe not towards the terrible sheepe of this coast,
untill such time as the heat of the sunne be past, for when the sunne is
in his force, then seeme they most dreadfull and furious, with their
sharpe hornes, their stony foreheads and their gaping throats, wherewith
they arme themselves to the destruction of mankinde. But untill they
have refreshed themselves in the river, thou must hide thy selfe here by
me, under this great plaine tree, and as soone as their great fury is
past, thou maist goe among the thickets and bushes under the wood side
and gather the lockes their golden Fleeces, which thou shalt finde
hanging upon the briers. Then spake the gentle and benigne reed, shewing
a mean to Psyches to save her life, which she bore well in memory, and
with all diligence went and gathered up such lockes as shee found, and
put them in her apron, and carried them home to Venus. Howbeit the
danger of this second labour did not please her, nor give her sufficient
witnesse of the good service of Psyches, but with a sower resemblance of
laughter, did say: Of a certaine I know that this is not thy fact, but I
will prove if that thou bee of so stout, so good a courage, and singular
prudency as thou seemest to bee. Then Venus spake unto Psyches againe
saying: Seest thou the toppe of yonder great Hill, from whence there
runneth downe waters of blacke and deadly colour, which nourisheth the
floods of Stix, Cocytus? I charge thee to goe thither, and bring me a
vessell of that water: wherewithall she gave her a bottle of Christall,
menacing and threatening her rigorously. Then poor Psyches went in all
haste to the top of the mountaine, rather to end her life, then to fetch
any water, and when she was come up to the ridge of the hill, she
perceived that it was impossible to bring it to passe: for she saw a
great rocke gushing out most horrible fountaines of waters, which ran
downe and fell by many stops and passages into the valley beneath: on
each side shee did see great Dragons, which were stretching out their
long and bloody Neckes, that did never sleepe, but appointed to keepe
the river there: the waters seemed to themselves likewise saying, Away;
away, what wilt thou doe? flie, flie, or else thou wilt be slaine. Then
Psyches (seeing the impossibility of this affaire) stood still as though
she were transformed into a stone and although she was present in body,
yet was she absent in spirit and sense, by reason of the great perill
which she saw, insomuch that she could not comfort her self with
weeping, such was the present danger that she was in. But the royall
bird of great Jupiter, the Eagle remembring his old service which he had
done, when as by the pricke of Cupid he brought up the boy Ganimedes, to
the heavens, to be made butler of Jupiter, and minding to shew the like
service in the person of the wife of Cupid, came from the high-house of
the Skies, and said unto Psyches, O simple woman without all experience,
doest thou thinke to get or dip up any drop of this dreadfull water? No,
no, assure thy selfe thou art never able to come nigh it, for the Gods
themselves do greatly feare at the sight thereof. What, have you not
heard, that it is a custome among men to sweare by the puissance of the
Gods, and the Gods do sweare by the majesty of the river Stix? but give
me thy bottle, and sodainly he tooke it, and filled it with the water of
the river, and taking his flight through those cruell and horrible
dragons, brought it unto Psyches: who being very joyfull thereof,
presented it to Venus, who would not yet be appeased, but menacing more
and more said, What, thou seemest unto me a very witch and
enchauntresse, that bringest these things to passe, howbeit thou shalt
do nothing more. Take this box and to Hell to Proserpina, and desire her
to send me a little of her beauty, as much as will serve me the space of
one day, and say that such as I had is consumed away since my sonne fell
sicke, but returne againe quickly, for I must dresse my selfe
therewithall, and goe to the Theatre of the Gods: then poore Psyches
perceived the end of all fortune, thinking verely that she should never
returne, and not without cause, when as she was compelled to go to the
gulfe and furies of hell. Wherefore without any further delay, she went
up to an high tower to throw her selfe downe headlong (thinking that it
was the next and readiest way to hell) but the tower (as inspired) spake
unto her saying, O poore miser, why goest thou about to slay thy selfe?
Why dost thou rashly yeeld unto thy last perill and danger? know thou
that if thy spirit be once separated from thy body, thou shalt surely go
to hell, but never to returne againe, wherefore harken to me; Lacedemon
a Citie in Greece is not farre hence: go thou thither and enquire for
the hill Tenarus, whereas thou shalt find a hold leading to hell, even
to the Pallace of Pluto, but take heede thou go not with emptie hands to
that place of darknesse: but Carrie two sops sodden in the flour of
barley and Honney in thy hands, and two halfepence in thy mouth. And
when thou hast passed a good part of that way, thou shalt see a lame
Asse carrying of wood, and a lame fellow driving him, who will desire
thee to give him up the sticks that fall downe, but passe thou on and do
nothing; by and by thou shalt come unto a river of hell, whereas Charon
is ferriman, who will first have his fare paied him, before he will
carry the soules over the river in his boat, whereby you may see that
avarice raigneth amongst the dead, neither Charon nor Pluto will do any
thing for nought: for if it be a poore man that would passe over and
lacketh money, he shal be compelled to die in his journey before they
will shew him any reliefe, wherefore deliver to carraine Charon one of
the halfpence (which thou bearest for thy passage) and let him receive
it out of thy mouth. And it shall come to passe as thou sittest in the
boat thou shalt see an old man swimming on the top of the river, holding
up his deadly hands, and desiring thee to receive him into the barke,
but have no regard to his piteous cry; when thou art passed over the
floud, thou shalt espie old women spinning, who will desire thee to
helpe them, hut beware thou do not consent unto them in any case, for
these and like baits and traps will Venus set to make thee let fall one
of thy sops, and thinke not that the keeping of thy sops is a light
matter, for if thou leese one of them thou shalt be assured never to
returne againe to this world. Then shalt thou see a great and marvailous
dogge, with three heads, barking continually at the soules of such as
enter in, but he can do them no other harme, he lieth day and night
before the gate of Proserpina, and keepeth the house of Pluto with great
diligence, to whom if thou cast one of thy sops, thou maist have accesse
to Proserpina without all danger: shee will make thee good cheere, and
entertaine thee with delicate meate and drinke, but sit thou upon the
ground, and desire browne bread, and then declare thy message unto her,
and when thou hast received such beauty as she giveth, in thy returne
appease the rage of the dogge with thy other sop, and give thy other
halfe penny to covetous Charon, and come the same way againe into the
world as thou wentest: but above all things have a regard that thou
looke not in the boxe, neither be not too curious about the treasure of
the divine beauty. In this manner tire tower spake unto Psyches, and
advertised her what she should do: and immediately she tooke two halfe
pence, two sops, and all things necessary, and went to the mountaine
Tenarus to go towards hell. After that Psyches had passed by the lame
Asse, paid her halfe pennie for passage, neglected the old man in the
river, denyed to helpe the woman spinning, and filled the ravenous month
of the dogge with a sop, shee came to the chamber of Proserpina. There
Psyches would not sit in any royall seate, nor eate any delicate meates,
but kneeled at the feete of Proserpina, onely contented with course
bread, declared her message, and after she had received a mysticall
secret in a boxe, she departed, and stopped the mouth of the dogge with
the other sop, and paied the boatman the other halfe penny. When Psyches
was returned from hell, to the light of the world, shee was ravished
with great desire, saying, Am not I a foole, that knowing that I carrie
here the divine beauty, will not take a little thereof to garnish my
face, to please my love withall? And by and by shee opened the boxe
where she could perceive no beauty nor any thing else, save onely an
infernall and deadly sleepe, which immediatly invaded all her members as
soone as the boxe was uncovered, in such sort that she fell downe upon
the ground, and lay there as a sleeping corps.
Martin Van Maele
But Cupid being now healed of his wound and Maladie, not able to
endure the absence of Psyches, got him secretly out at a window of the
chamber where hee was enclosed, and (receiving his wings,) tooke his
flight towards his loving wife, whom when he had found, hee wiped away
the sleepe from her face, and put it againe into the boxe, and awaked
her with the tip of one of his arrows, saying: O wretched Caitife,
behold thou wert well-nigh perished againe, with the overmuch
curiositie: well, goe thou, and do thy message to my Mother, and in the
meane season, I will provide for all things accordingly: wherewithall he
tooke his flight into the aire, and Psyches brought her present to
Venus.
Cupid being more and more in love with Psyches, and fearing the
displeasure of his Mother, did pearce into the heavens, and arrived
before Jupiter to declare his cause: then Jupiter after that hee had
eftsoone embraced him, gan say in this manner: O my well beloved sonne,
although thou haste not given due reverence and honour unto me as thou
oughtest to doe, but haste rather spoiled and wounded this my brest
(whereby the laws and order of the Elements and Planets be disposed)
with continuall assaults, of Terren luxury and against all laws, and the
discipline Julia, and the utility of the publike weale, in transforming
my divine beauty into serpents, fire, savage beasts, birds, and into
Bulles: howbeit remembring my modesty, and that I have nourished thee
with mine owne proper hands, I will doe and accomplish all thy desire,
so that thou canst beware of spitefull and envious persons. And if there
be any excellent Maiden of comely beauty in the world, remember yet the
benefit which I shall shew unto thee by recompence of her love towards
me againe. When lie had spoken these words he commanded Mercury to call
all the gods to counsell, and if any of the celestiall powers did faile
of appearance he would be condemned in ten thousand pounds: which
sentence was such a terrour to all the goddesses, that the high Theatre
was replenished, and Jupiter began to speake in this sort: O yee gods,
registred in the bookes of the Muses, you all know this young man Cupid
whom I have nourished with mine owne hands, whose raging flames of his
first youth, I thought best to bridle and restraine. It sufficeth that
hee is defamed in every place for his adulterous living, wherefore all
occasion ought to bee taken away by meane of marriage: he hath chosen a
Maiden that fancieth him well, and hath bereaved her of her virginity,
let him have her still, and possesse her according to his owne pleasure:
then he returned to Venus, and said, And you my daughter, take you no
care, neither feare the dishonour of your progeny and estate, neither
have regard in that it is a mortall marriage, for it seemeth unto me
just, lawfull, and legitimate by the law civill. Incontinently after
Jupiter commanded Mercury to bring up Psyches, the spouse of Cupid, into
the Pallace of heaven. And then he tooke a pot of immortality, and said,
Hold Psyches, and drinke, to the end thou maist be immortall, and that
Cupid may be thine everlasting husband. By and by the great banket and
marriage feast was sumptuously prepared, Cupid sate downe with his deare
spouse between his armes: Juno likewise with Jupiter, and all the other
gods in order, Ganimedes filled the pot of Jupiter, and Bacchus served
the rest. Their drinke was Nectar the wine of the gods, Vulcanus
prepared supper, the howers decked up the house with roses and other
sweet smells, the graces threw about blame, the Muses sang with sweet
harmony, Apollo tuned pleasantly to the Harpe, Venus danced finely:
Satirus and Paniscus plaid on their pipes; and thus Psyches was married
to Cupid, and after she was delivered of a child whom we call Pleasure.
This the trifling old woman declared unto the captive maiden: but I
poore Asse, not standing farre of, was not a little sorry in that I
lacked pen and inke to write so worthy a tale.
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