SYMBOLS OF PSYCHE. 167 



And toward him still the blossomed fruit-trees leant, 

 And after him the wind crept murmuring, 

 And on the boughs the birds forgot to sing." * 



But when he saw Psyche, he fell in love with her. 



In the mean time her father, fearing — since, in spite of 

 her renowned and glorious beauty, she remained unasked 

 in marriage — that she had in some way incurred the dis- 

 pleasure of the gods, consulted the oracle of Apollo, and 

 was directed to prepare his daughter for deadly nuptials : 

 clothed in mourning garments, she must be led to a 

 rock, there to become the bride of a dragon. Words 

 fail to describe the anguish of her parents, who, clay 

 after day, delay the execution of the sentence ; the 

 whole city laments ; but at last the sad procession sets 

 out, and Psyche is left alone, weeping and trembling 

 on the destined spot. Each moment may see the arrival 

 of the monster ; but lo ! sfentle breezes raise her, and 

 waft her to valley, leaving her softly reclining on a bank 

 of dewy grass. 



When she opens her eyes, she espies a royal palace, 

 full in every part of gold and silver and gems, precious 

 beyond all price— a very abode for a god. Here she 

 resides, waited upon by invisible servants ; she has but 

 to wish for refreshment and instantly banquets appear 

 before her ; a singer sings to her, but is unseen ; an 

 invisible musician plays ; and she has a husband, who 



* W. Morris, " Earthly Paradise." 



