CUPID AND PSYCHE. 
151 
herself, for he soon learnt that her abode was unknown 
; 
to the shepherds, who had but caught a passing 
glimpse of her beauty. Over many a pasture and 
many a plain did Love wander in search of Psyche, 
through long avenues of mighty oaks, and fragrant 
arbors of Acacia, parting the trailing tendrils of the 
vetches with his pointed arrow as he forced his way 
between them, until at length he came to where a wide 
field of Marigolds stood, with their heads all turned 
toward a green bower, formed by Acacias, and 
mantled over with the flowers of the Everlast¬ 
ing Pea. 
Noiseless as a blossom which just moves before the j 
gentle breath of a bird, did Love approach that flowery j 
arbor; and he dropped his bow and arrows in mute 
amazement, as he gazed breathless upon the vision of ; 
beauty which slept in the green shadow of the em- ! 
bowering leaves. Neither the Graces, nor the Hours, 
nor the loveliest forms which hovered around the sum¬ 
mit of Olympus, and waited upon the dreaded divin- 
i 
ities,—not Hebe, in whose countenance all the beauty 
of youth was centered, came near to the indescribable 
loveliness of that sleeping nymph of Arcadia. And as 
Love gazed upon her, he knew that he had discovered 
