Cupid and Psyche

ailure, and now she was trying to save th

nd say farewell, or else the force of evil shall devour their kingdo

at you're not meant for a mortal man. You're to be the bride of one who lives o

ds and understood. She went to her sa

ears. "Don't weary your life's breath with lamentation. I

golden head and

om the arrival of your departure? My beautiful daughter is

is wife as she

to obey," he sighed. "Woe is me who relishes in

her and she didn't want them to rack th

said. "Escort me and set me on the sacrificial altar. I have accepte

ilent, and with resolute steps, she det

white silk and hung with precious jewels. Then they led her to the appointed rock set on a lofty mountain. With the ma

ok on her face. She walked along the escorting process

bent heads, her parents went to hold her for the last time. The m

ir way homeward. After the last sound of their voice

sed themselves in the gloom of their chamber, surren

d her fair form. Her hair came loose. The kindly breeze with its soft stirring wafted the hem of her dress like a flag and made its folds billow out. Psyche felt the wind around her, and she did not und

gradually drew her aloft, and Psyche felt herself being lifted off the soft and grassy arbor of the moun

thing she remembered was crying on that altar. Now, she was floating and flying. If people

aden fields and another ring of hills, the wind took her. She

rough the failing light, through purple clumps of dusk,

y on the couch of the dew-filled turf. The great upheaval oppressing h

up with a lighter heart. Before her eyes was a grove planted with

, no maids, nothing but shadows, and the moon-pale stones of a majestic palace, the work not of human hands but of

and passed the crested fountains. She saw no one, but the great doors opened. The maiden ginger

wood and ivory. Huge golden columns supported the grand hall. The entire walls ha

one of the brilliant walls and ran he

imal-forms was certainly a genius," she mur

ice blessed indeed, and more than twice blessed, imagine those whose feet walk on gems and gol

he walked towards it, still believing that she was dreaming. All the walls shimmered with their g

rilliantly. The windows displayed the views of the splendor place. It

rew nearer, and as her bravery grew, she crossed the threshold of the

th great rapture, a disembodi

d at this parade of wealth?" the voice

that?" s

cally, "and we will diligently attend to your every need. All these things are yours. So

I not s

ordered,

Where is he?"

ice said. "After you have completed your washing, a

stions of the disembodied voice. Her funeral had become so