“‘Yes, this is a very pleasant place,’ they exclaimed, ’but you know what the oracle said, Psyche.  You are married to a monster!  That is the reason why he will not let you see his face.’

“In the night, when they had departed, Psyche lighted a lamp and looked at her bedfellow.  Oh, joy!  It was Cupid, the radiant young god of love, reposing in his beauty.  In her excitement Psyche let a drop of burning oil fall from the lamp upon his right shoulder.  The god leaped up and spread out his wings, and flew away, saying: 

“’Instead of marrying you to a monster, in obedience to my mother’s commands, I wedded you myself.  And this is how you serve me!  Farewell, Psyche!  Farewell!’

“But Psyche set out to follow him, and after a long and toilsome journey she reached the court of Venus, where Cupid was now imprisoned.  Venus seized her and beat her, and then set her on dangerous tasks, and tried to bring about her death.  But Psyche was so lovely and gentle that every living creature wished to help her and save her.  Then Venus, fearing that Cupid would escape and rescue his wife, said: 

“’Psyche, take this casket to Proserpine, in the Kingdom of the Dead, and ask her to fill it with beauty.’

“Psyche was in despair.  No mortal had ever returned from the Kingdom of the Dead.  She climbed a high tower, and prepared to throw herself down, and die.  But the very stones took pity upon her.

“‘Go to Taenarus,’ they said, ’and there you will find a way to the Underworld.  Take two copper coins in your mouth, and two honey-cakes in your hands.’

“Psyche travelled to Taenarus, near Lacedaemon, and there she found a hole leading to the Underworld.  A ghostly ferryman rowed her over the River of Death, and took one of her copper coins.  Then a monstrous dog with three heads sprang out, but Psyche fed him with one of her honey-cakes, and entered the hall of Proserpine, the queen of the dead.  Proserpine filled the casket, and by means of the last honey-cake and the last copper coin, Psyche returned to the green, bright earth.

“But, alas! she was over-curious, and opened the casket to see the divine beauty it contained.  A deadly vapour came out and overpowered her, and she fell to the ground.  But Cupid, who had now escaped from his prison, found her lying on the grass, and wiped the vapour from her face.  Taking her in his arms, he spread out his wings, and carried her to Olympus; and there they live together in unending bliss, with their little child, whose name is Joy.”

V.—­The Further Strange Adventures of the Ass

While the old woman was entertaining the beautiful captive with this charming tale, a tall, fierce young man in ragged clothes stalked boldly in among the robbers.

“Long life to you, brave comrades!” he said.  “Don’t judge me by these rags, my boys.  They’re a disguise.  Have you heard of Haemus, the famous Thracian brigand?  If so, you’ve heard of me.  My band has been cut up, but I’m bringing what men I still have to you.  Shall we join forces?”