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unto you according to your desire。 In the meane season; royall meats and dainty dishes shall be prepared for you。
Then Psyches perceived the felicity of divine providence; and according to the advertisement of the incorporeall voyces she first reposed her selfe upon the bed; and then refreshed her body in the baines。 This done; shee saw the table garnished with meats; and a chaire to sit downe。
When Psyches was set downe; all sorts of divine meats and wines were brought in; not by any body; but as it were with a winde; for she saw no person before her; but only heard voyces on every side。 After that all the services were brought to the table; one came in and sung invisibly; another played on the harpe; but she saw no man。 The harmony of the Instruments did so greatly shrill in her eares; that though there were no manner of person; yet seemed she in the midst of a multitude of people。
All these pleasures finished; when night aproched Psyches went to bed; and when she was layd; that the sweet sleep came upon her; she greatly feared her virginity; because shee was alone。 Then came her unknowne husband and lay with her : and after that hee had made a perfect consummation of the marriage; he rose in the morning before day; and departed。 Soone after came her invisible servants; and presented to her such things as were necessary for her defloration。 And thus she passed forth a great while; and as it happeneth; the novelty of the things by continuall custome did encrease her pleasure; but especially the sound of the instruments was a comfort to her being alone。
During this time that Psyches was in this place of pleasures; her father and mother did nothing but weepe and lament; and her two sisters hearing of her most miserable fortune; came with great dolour and sorrow to comfort and speake with her parents。
The night following ; Psyches husband spake unto her (for she might feele his eyes; his hands; and his ears) and sayd; O my sweet Spowse and dear wife; fortune doth menace unto thee imminent danger; wherof I wish thee greatly to beware : for know that thy sisters; thinking that thou art dead; bee greatly troubled; and are coming to the mountain by thy steps。 Whose lamentations if thou fortune to heare; beware that thou doe in no wise make answer; or looke up towards them; for if thou doe thou shalt purchase to mee great sorrow; and to thyself utter destruction。 Psyches hearing her Husband; was contented to doe all things as hee had commanded。
After that hee was departed and the night passed away; Psyches lamented and lamented all the day following; thinking that now shee was past all hopes of comfort; in that shee was closed within the walls of a prison; deprived of humane conversation; and commaunded not to aid her sorrowful Sisters; no nor once to see them。 Thus she passed all the day in weeping; and went to bed at night; without any refection of meat or baine。
Incontinently after came her husband; who when he had embraced her sweetly; began to say; Is it thus that I find you perform your promise; my sweet wife? What do I finde heere? Passe you all the day and the night in weeping? And wil you not cease in your husbands armes? Goe too; doe what ye will; purchase your owne destruction; and when you find it so; then remember my words; and repent but too late。 Then she desired her husband more and more; assuring him that shee should die; unlesse he would grant that she might see her sisters; wherby she might speak with them and comfort them; wherat at length he was contented; and moreover hee willed that shee should give them as much gold and jewels as she would。 But he gave her a further charge saying; Beware that ye covet not (being mooved by the pernicious counsell of you sisters) to see the shape of my person; lest by your curiosity you deprive your selfe of so great and worthy estate。 Psyches being glad herewith; rendered unto him most entire thankes; and said; Sweet husband; I had rather die than to bee separated from you; for whosoever you bee; I love and retaine you within my heart; as if you were myne owne spirit or Cupid himselfe : but I pray you grant this likewise; that you would commaund your servant Zephyrus to bring my sisters downe into the valley as he brought mee。
Wherewithall shee kissed him sweetly; and desired him gently to grant her request; calling him her spowse; her sweetheart; her Joy and her Solace。 Wherby she enforced him to agree to her mind; and when morning came he departed away。
After long search made; the sisters of Psyches came unto the hill where she was set on the rocke; and cried with a loud voyce in such sort that the stones answered againe。 And when they called their sister by her name; that their lamentable cries came unto her eares; shee came forth and said; Behold; heere is shee for whom you weepe; I pray you torment your selves no more; cease your weeping。 And by and by she commaunded Zephyrus by the appointment of her husband to bring them downe。 Neither did he delay; for with gentle blasts he retained them up and laid them softly in the valley。 I am not able to expresse the often embracing; kissing and greeting which was between them three; all sorrows and tears were then layd apart。
Come in (quoth Psyches) into our house; and refresh your afflicted mindes with your sister。
After this she shewed them the storehouses of treasure; shee caused them to hear the voyces which served her; the bain was ready; the meats were brought in; and when they had filled themselves with divine delecates; they conceived great envy within their hearts; and one of them being curious; did demand what her husband was; of what estate; and who was Lord of so pretious a house? But Psyches remembring the promise which she had made to her husband; feigned that hee was a young man; of comely stature; with a flaxen beard; and had great delight in hunting the dales and hills by。 And lest by her long talke she should be found to trip or faile in her words; she filled their laps with gold; silver; and Jewels; and commanded Zephyrus to carry them away。
When they were brought up to the mountain; they made their wayes homeward to their owne houses; and murmured with envy that they bare against Psyches; saying; behold cruell and contrary fortune; behold how we; borne all of one Parent; have divers destinies : but especially we that are the elder two bee married to strange husbands; made as handmaidens; and as it were banished from our Countrey and friends。 Whereas our younger sister hath great abundance of treasure; and hath gotten a god to her husband; although shee hath no skill how to use such great plenty of riches。 Saw you not sister what was in the house; what great store of jewels; what glittering robes; what Gemmes; what gold we trod on? That if shee hath a husband according as shee affirmeth; there is none that liveth this day more happy in all the world than she。 And so it may come to passe; at length for the great affection which hee may beare unto her that hee may make her a goddesse; for by Hercules; such was her countenance; so she behaved her self; that as a goddesse she had voices to serve her; and the windes did obey her。
But I poore wretch have fi