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, day 

 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 ! gentle 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." 



