Psyche, with other poems

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Preface

TO THE

COPIES OF PSYCHE WHICH WERE PRINTED IN 1805.

The author, who dismisses to the public the darling object of his solitary cares, must be prepared to consider, with some degree of indifference, the various reception it may then meet. But from those who write only for the more interested eye of friendship, no such indifference can be expected. I may therefore be forgiven the egotism which makes me anxious to recommend to my readers the tale with which I present them, while I endeavour to excuse in it all other defects but that, which I fear cannot be excused — the deficiency of genius.

In making choice of the beautiful ancient allegory of Love and the Soul, I had some fears lest my subject might be condemned by the frown of severer moralists ; however, I hope that if such have the condescension to read through a poem which they may perhaps think too long, they will yet do me the justice to allow, that I have only pictured, innocent love, such love as the

XI purest bosom might confess. M Les jeunes femmes, qui ne veulent point paroitre coquettes, ne doivent jamais parler de Tamour comme d'une chose ou elles puissent avoir part/' says La Rochefoucault; but I believe it is only the false refinement of the most profligate court which could give birth to such a sentiment, and that love will always be found to have had the strongest influence where the morals have been the purest.

I much regret that I can have no hope of affording any pleasure to some, whose opinion I highly respect, whom I have heard profess themselves ever disgusted by the veiled form of allegory, and yet

Xll

Are not the choicest fables of the poets,

Who were the fountains and first springs of wisdom,

Wrapt in perplexed allegories ?

But if I have not been able to resist the seductions of the mysterious fair, who perhaps never appears captivating except in the eyes of her own poet, I have however remembered that my verse cannot be worth much consideration, and have therefore endeavoured to let my meaning be perfectly obvious. The same reason has deterred me from using the obsolete words which are to be found in Spenser and his imitators.

Although I cannot give up the excellence of my subject, I am yet ready to own that

Xlll the stanza which I have chosen has many disadvantages, and that it may, perhaps, be as tiresome to the reader as it was difficult to the author. The frequent recurrence of the same rhymes is by no means well adapted to the English language ; and I know not whether I have a right to offer as an apology the restraint which I had imposed upon myself of strictly adhering to the stanza which my partiality for Spenser first inclined me to adopt.

The loves of Cupid and Psyche have long been a favourite subject for poetical allusion, and are well known as related by Apuleius : to him I am indebted for the outline of my tale in the two first cantos ;

XIV but even there the model is not closely copied, and I have taken nothing from Moliere, LaFontaine,DuMoustier, or Marino. I have seen no imitations of Apuleius except by those authors ; nor do I know that the story of Psyche has any other original.

I should willingly acknowledge with gratitude those authors who have, perhaps, supplied me with many expressions and ideas; but if I have subjected myself to the charge of plagiarism, it has been by adopting the words or images which floated upon my mind, without accurately examining, or being indeed able to distinguish, whether I owed them to my memory or my imagination.

XV

Terentius.

And when I confess that all I have is but the fruit of a much indulged taste for that particular style of reading, let me be excused if I do not investigate and acknowledge more strictly each separate obligation.

m*t.

ADDRESSED

TO MY MOTHER.

Oh, thou ! whose tender smile most partially Hath ever blessed thy child : to thee belong The graces which adorn my first wild song,

If aught of grace it knows : nor thou deny

Thine ever prompt attention to supply. But let me lead thy willing ear along, Where virtuous love still bids the strain prolong

His innocent applause ; since from thine eye

The beams of love first charmed my infant breast,

And from thy lip Affection's soothing voice That eloquence of tenderness expressed,

Which still my grateful heart confessed divine :

Oh ! ever may its accents sweet rejoice

The soul which loves to own whate'er it has is thine !

Ariosto, Eleg. xii.

ARGUMENT.

Proem — Psyche introduced — Her royal origin — Envy of Venus — Her instructions to Cupid — The island of Pleasure — The fountains of Joy and of Sorrow — The appearance of Love — Psyche asleep — Mutually wounded — Psyche reveals her dream to her Mother — The Oracle consulted — Psyche abandoned on the Rock by its decree — Carried by Zephyrs to the island of Pleasure — The Palace of hove — Banquet of Love — Marriage of Cupid and Psyche — Psyche's daily solitude — Her request to her Lover — His reluctant consent.

•Lit not the rugged brow the rhymes accuse, Which speak of gentle knights and ladies fair, Nor scorn the lighter labours of the muse, Who yet, for cruel battles would not dare The low-strung chords of her weak lyre prepare ; But loves to court repose in slumbery lay, To tell of goodly bowers and gardens rare, Of gentle blandishments and amorous play, And all the lore of love, in courtly verse essay.

And ye whose gentle hearts in thraldom held The power of mighty Love already own, When you the pains and dangers have beheld, Which erst your lord hath for his Psyche known, For all your sorrows this may well atone, That he you serve the same hath suffered ; And sure, your fond applause the tale will crown In which your own distress is pictured, And all that weary way which you yourselves must tread.

Most sweet would to my soul the hope appear, That sorrow in my verse a charm might find, To smooth the brow long bent with bitter cheer, Some short distraction to the joyless mind Which grief, with heavy chain, hath fast confined To sad remembrance of its happier state ; For to myself I ask no boon more kind Than power another's woes to mitigate, And that soft soothing art which anguish can abate.

And thou, sweet sprite, whose sway doth far extend, Smile on the mean historian of thy fame ! My heart in each distress and fear befriend, Nor ever let it feel a fiercer flame Than innocence may cherish free from blame, And hope may nurse, and sympathy may own ; For, as thy rights I never would disclaim, But true allegiance offered to thy throne, So may I love but one, by one beloved alone.

That anxious torture may I never feel, Which, doubtful, watches o'er a wandering heart. Oh ! who that bitter torment can reveal, Or tell the pining anguish of that smart ! In those affections may I ne'er have part, Which easily transferred can learn to rove : No, dearest Cupid ! when I feel thy dart, For thy sweet Psyche's sake may no false love The tenderness I prize lightly from me remove !

Canto I

Much wearied with her long and dreary way, And now with toil and sorrow well nigh spent, Of sad regret and wasting grief the prey, Fair Psyche through untrodden forests went, To lone shades uttering oft a vain lament. And oft in hopeless silence sighing deep, As she her fatal error did repent, While dear remembrance bade her ever weep, And her pale cheek in ceaseless showers of sorrow steep.

'Mid the thick covert of that woodland shade, A flowery bank there lay undressed by art, But of the mossy turf spontaneous made ; Here the young branches shot their arms athwart, And wove the bower so thick in every part, That the fierce beams of Phoebus glancing strong Could never through the leaves their fury dart ; But the sweet creeping shrubs that round it throng, Their loving fragrance mix, and trail their flowers along.

And close beside a little fountain played, Which through the trembling leaves all joyous shone, And with the cheerful birds sweet music made, Kissing the surface of each polished stone As it flowed past : sure as her favourite throne Tranquillity might well esteem the bower, The fresh and cool retreat have called her own, A pleasant shelter in the sultry hour, A refuge from the blast, and angry tempest's power.

Wooed by the soothing silence of ne scene, Here Psyche stood, and looking round, lest aught Which threatened danger near her might have been, A while to rest her in that quiet spot She laid her down, and piteously bethought Herself on the sad changes of her fate, Which in so short a space so much had wrought, And now had raised her to such high estate, And now had plunged her low in sorrow desolate.

Oh ! how refreshing seemed the breathing wind To her faint limbs ! and while her snowy hands From her fair brow her golden hair unbind, And of her zone unloose the silken bands, More passing bright unveiled her beauty stands ; For faultless was her form as beauty's queen, And every winning grace that Love demands, With mild attempered dignity was seen Play o'er each lovely limb, and deck her angel mien.

Though solitary now, dismayed, forlorn, Without attendant through the forest rude, The peerless maid, of royal lineage born, By many a royal youth had oft been wooed ; Low at her feet full many a prince had sued, And homage paid unto her beauty rare ; But all their blandishments her heart withstood ; And well might mortal suitor sure despair, Since mortal charms were none which might with hers compare.

Yet nought of insolence or haughty pride Found ever in her gentle breast a place ; Though men her wondrous beauty deified, And rashly deeming such celestial grace Could never spring from any earthly race, Lo ! all forsaking Cytherea's shrine, Her sacred altars now no more embrace, But to fair Psyche pay those rites divine, Which, Goddess ! are thy due, and should be only thine.

But envy of her beauty's growing fame Poisoned her sisters' hearts with secret gall, And oft with seeming piety they blame The worship which they justly impious call ; And oft, lest evil should their sire befal, Besought him to forbid the erring crowd Which hourly thronged around the regal hall, With incense, gifts, and invocations loud, To her whose guiltless breast ne'er felt elation proud.

For she was timid as the wintry flower, That, whiter than the snow it blooms among, Droops its fair head submissive to the power Of every angry blast which sweeps along, Sparing the lovely trembler, while the strong Majestic tenants of the leafless wood It levels low. But, ah ! the pitying song Must tell how, than the tempest's self more rude, Fierce wrath and cruel hate their suppliant prey pursued.

Indignant quitting her deserted fanes, Now Cytherea sought her favourite isle, And there from every eye her secret pains 'Mid her thick myrtle bowers concealed a while ; Practised no more the glance, or witching smile, But nursed the pang she never felt before, Of mortified disdain ; then to beguile The hours which mortal flattery soothed no more, She various plans revolved her influence to restore.

She called her son with unaccustomed voice ; Not with those thrilling accents of delight Which bade so oft enchanted Love rejoice, Soft as the breezes of a summer's night : Now choked with rage its change could Love affright ; As all to sudden discontent a prey, Shunning the cheerful day's enlivening light, She felt the angry power's malignant sway, And bade her favourite boy her vengeful will obey.

Bathed in those tears which vanquish human hearts. " Oh, son beloved !" (the suppliant goddess cried,) " If e'er thy too indulgent mother's arts " Subdued for thee the potent deities " Who rule my native deep, or haunt the skies ; i( Or if to me the grateful praise be due, " That to thy sceptre bow the great and wise, " Now let thy fierce revenge my foe pursue, " And let my rival scorned her vain presumption jue.

u For what to me avaik my former boast

" That, fairer than the wife of Jove confest,

" I gained the prize thus basely to be lost ?

" With me the world's devotion to contest

" Behold a mortal dares ; though on my breast

" Still vainly brilliant shines the magic zone.

" Yet, yet I reign : by you my wrongs redrest,

66 The world with humbled Psyche soon shall own

That Venus, beauty's queen, shall be adored alone.

" Deep let her drink of that dark, bitter spring, " Which flows so near thy bright and crystal tide ; ie Deep let her heart thy sharpest arrow sting, " Its tempered barb in that black poison dyed. " Let her, for whom contending princes sighed, " Feel all the fury of thy fiercest flame " For some base wretch to foul disgrace allied, « Forgetful of her birth and her fair fame, " Her honours all defiled, and sacrificed to shame."

Then, with sweet pressure of her rosy lip, A kiss she gave bathed in ambrosial dew ; The thrilling joy he would for ever sip, And his moist eyes in ecstasy imbrue. But she whose soul still angry cares pursue, Snatched from the soft caress her glowing charms ; Her vengeful will she then enforced anew, As she in haste dismissed, him from her arms, The cruel draught to seek of anguish and alarms.

''Mid the blue waves by circling seas embraced A chosen spot of fairest land was seen ; For there with favouring hand had Nature placed All that could lovely make the varied scene : Eternal Spring there spread her mantle green ; There high surrounding hills deep- wooded rose O'er placid lakes ; while marble rocks between The fragrant shrubs their pointed heads disclose, And balmy breathes each gale which o'er the island blows.

Pleasure had called the fertile lawns her own, And thickly strewed them with her choicest flowers ; Amid the quiet glade her golden throne Bright shone with lustre through o'erarching bowers There her fair train, the ever-downy Hours, Sport on light wing with the young Joys entwined ; While Hope delighted from her full lap showers Blossoms, whose fragrance can the ravished mind Inebriate with dreams of rapture unconfined.

And in the grassy centre of the isle. Where the thick verdure spreads a damper shade. Amid their native rocks concealed a while, Then o'er the plains in devious streams displayed,, Two gushing fountains rise; and thence conveyed, Their waters through the woods and vallies play, Visit each green recess and secret glade, With still unmingled, still meandering way, Nor widely wandering far, can each from other stray.

But of strange contrast are their virtues found, And oft the lady of that isle has tried In rocky dens and caverns under ground, The black deformed stream in vain to hide; Bursting all bounds her labours it defied; Yet many a flowery sod its course conceals Through plains where deep its silent waters glide, Till secret ruin all corroding steals, And every treacherous arch the hideous gulph reveals.

Forbidding every kindly prosperous growth^ Where'er it ran, a channel bleak it wore ; The gaping banks receded, as though loth To touch the poison which disgraced their shore : There deadly anguish pours unmixed his store Of all the ills which sting the human breast, The hopeless tears which past delights deplore, Heart-gnawing jealousy which knows no rest, And self-upbraiding shame, by stern remorse opprest.

Oh, how unlike the pure transparent stream, Which near it bubbles o'er its golden sands I The impeding stones with pleasant music seem Its progress to detain from other lands ; And all its banks, inwreathed with flowery bands, Ambrosial fragrance shed in grateful dew : There young Desire enchanted ever stands, Breathing delight and fragrance ever new, And bathed in constant joys of fond aifection true.

But not to mortals is it e'er allowed To drink unmingled of that current bright ; Scarce can they taste the pleasurable flood, Defiled by angry Fortune's envious spite ; Who from the cup of amorous delight Dashes the sparkling draught of brilliant joy, Till, with dull sorrow's stream despoiled quite, No more it cheers the soul nor charms the eye, But 'mid the poisoned bowl distrust and anguish lie.

Here Cupid tempers his unerring darts, And in the fount of bliss delights to play ; Here mingles balmy sighs and pleasing smarts, And here the honied draught will oft allay With that black poison's all-polluting sway, For wretched man. Hither, as Venus willed, For Psyche's punishment he bent his way: From either stream his amber vase he filled, For her were meant the drops which grief alone distilled.

His quiver, sparkling bright with gems and gold, From his fair plumed shoulder graceful hung, And from its top in brilliant chords enrolled Each little vase resplendently was slung: Still as he flew, around him sportive clung His frolic train of winged Zephyrs light, Wafting the fragrance which his tresses flung : While odours dropped from every ringlet bright, And from his blue eyes beamed ineffable delight.

Wrapt in a cloud unseen by mortal eye, He sought the chamber of the royal maid ; There, lulled by careless soft security, Of the impending mischief nought afraid, Upon her purple couch was Psyche laid, Her radiant eyes a downy slumber sealed ; In light transparent veil alone arrayed, Her bosom's opening charms were half revealed, And scarce the lucid folds her polished limbs concealed.

A placid smile plays o'er each roseate lip, Sweet severed lips ! while thus your pearls disclose, That slumbering thus unconscious she may sip The cruel presage of her future woes ! Lightly, as fall the dews upon the rose, Upon the coral gates of that sweet cell The fatal drops he pours ; nor yet he knows, Nor, though a God, can he presaging tell How he himself shall mourn the ills of that sad spell !

Nor yet content, he from his quiver drew, Sharpened with skill divine, a shining dart : No need had he for bow, since thus too true His hand might wound her all-exposed heart ; Yet her fair side he touched with gentlest art, And half relenting on her beauties gazed ; Just then awaking with a sudden start Her opening eye in humid lustre blazed, Unseen he still remained, enchanted and amazed.

The dart which in his hand now trembling stood; As o'er the couch he bent with ravished eye, Drew with its daring point celestial blood From his smooth neck's unblemished ivory : Heedless of this, but with a pitying sigh The evil done now anxious to repair, He shed in haste the balmy drops of joy O'er all the silky ringlets of her hair ; Then stretched his plumes divine, and breathed celestial air.

Unhappy Psyche ! soon the latent wound The fading roses of her cheek confess, Her eyes' bright beams, in swimming sorrows drowned. Sparkle no more with life and happiness Her parents fond exulting heart to bless ; She shuns adoring crowds, and seeks to hide The pining sorrows which her soul oppress, Till to her mother's tears no more denied, The secret grief she owns, for which she lingering sighed.

A dream of mingled terror and delight Still heavy hangs upon her troubled soul, An angry form still swims before her sight, And still the vengeful thunders seem to roll ; Still crushed to earth she feels the stern control Of Venus unrelenting, unappeased : The dream returns, she feels the fancied dole ; Once more the furies on her heart have seized, But still she views the youth who all her sufferings eased.

Of wonderous beauty did the vision seem, And in the freshest prime of youthful years ; Such at the close of her distressful dream A graceful champion to her eyes appears ; Her loved deliverer from her foes and fears She seems in grateful transport still to press ; Still his soft voice sounds in her ravished ears ; Dissolved in fondest tears of tenderness His form she oft invokes her waking eyes to bless.

Nor was it quite a dream, for as she woke, Ere heavenly mists concealed him from her eye, One sudden transitory view she took Of Love's most radiant bright divinity ; From the fair image never can she fly, As still consumed with vain desire she pines ; While her fond parents heave the anxious sigh, And to avert her fate seek holy shrines The threatened ills to learn by auguries and signs.

And now, the royal sacrifice prepared, The milk-white bull they to the altar lead, Whose youth the galling yoke as yet had spared, Now destined by the sacred knife to bleed : When lo ! with sudden spring his horns he freed, And head-long rushed amid the frighted throng : While from the smoke-veiled shrine such sounds

proceed As well might strike with awe the soul most strong ; And thus divinely spoke the heaven-inspired tongue.

" On nuptial couch, in nuptial vest arrayed, " On a tall rock's high summit Psyche place : " Let all depart, and leave the fated maid " Who never must a mortal Hymen grace : " A winged monster of no earthly race " Thence soon shall bear his trembling bride away; " His power extends o'er all the bounds of space, " And Jove himself has owned his dreaded sway, " Whose flaming breath sheds fire, whom earth and heaven obey."

With terror, anguish, and astonishment The oracle her wretched father hears ; Now from his brow the regal honours rent, And now in frantic sorrow wild appears, Nor threatened plagues, nor punishment he fears, Refusing long the sentence to obey, Till Psyche, trembling with submissive tears, Bids them the sacrifice no more delay, Prepare the funeral couch, and leave the destined prey.

Pleased by the ambiguous doom the Fates promulge., The angry Goddess and enamoured Boy Alike content their various hopes indulge ; He, still exploring with an anxious eye *The future prospect of uncertain joy, Plans how the tender object of his care He may protect from threatened misery ; Ah, sanguine Love ! so oft deceived, forbear With flattering tints to paint illusive hope so fair.

But now what lamentations rend the skies ! In amaracine wreaths the virgin choir With Io Hymen mingle funeral cries : Lost in the sorrows of the Lydian lyre The breathing flutes' melodious notes expire ; In sad procession pass the mournful throng, Extinguishing with tears the torches' fire, While the mute victim weeping crowds among, By unknown fears oppressed, moves silently along.

But on such scenes of terror and dismay The mournful Muse delights not long to dwell ; She quits well pleased the melancholy lay, Nor vainly seeks the parents' woes to tell : But what to wondering Psyche then befel When thus abandoned, let her rather say, Who shuddering looks to see some monster fell Approach the desert rock to seize his prey, With cruel fangs devour, or tear her thence away.

When lo ! a gentle breeze began to rise, Breathed by obedient Zephyrs round the maid, Fanning her bosom with its softest sighs A while among her fluttering robes it strayed, And boldly sportive latent charms displayed : And then, as Cupid willed, with tenderest care From the tall rock, where weeping she was laid, With gliding motion through the yielding air To Pleasure's blooming isle their lovely charge they bear.

On the green bosom of the turf reclined, They lightly now the astonished virgin lay, To placid rest they sooth her troubled mind ; Around her still with watchful care they stay, Around her still in quiet whispers play; Till lulling slumbers bid her eyelids close, Veiling with silky fringe each brilliant ray, While soft tranquillity divinely flows O'er all her soul serene, in visions of repose.

Refreshed she rose, and all enchanted gazed On the rare beauties of the pleasant scene. Conspicuous far a lofty palace blazed Upon a sloping bank of softest green ; A fairer edifice was never seen ; The high-ranged columns own no mortal hand, But seem a temple meet for Beauty's queen. Like polished snow the marble pillars stand In grace-attempered majesty sublimely grand.

Gently ascending from a silvery flood, Above the palace rose the shaded hill, The lofty eminence was crowned with wood, And the rich lawns, adorned by Nature's skill, The passing breezes with their odours fill ; Here ever-blooming groves of orange glow, And here all flowers which from their leaves distil Ambrosial dew in sweet succession blow, And trees of matchless size a fragrant shade bestow.

The sun looks glorious 'mid a sky serene, And bids bright lustre sparkle o'er the tide ; The clear blue ocean at a distance seen Bounds the gay landscape on the western side, While closing round it with majestic pride, The lofty rocks 'mid citron groves arise ; " Sure some divinity must here reside," As tranced in some bright vision, Psyche cries, And scarce believes the bliss, or trusts her charmed eyes.

When lo ! a voice divinely sweet she hears, From unseen lips proceeds the heavenly sound ; " Psyche, approach, dismiss thy timid fears, " At length his bride thy longing spouse has found, " And bids for thee immortal joys abound; u For thee the palace rose at his command, " For thee his love a bridal banquet crowned ; " He bids attendant nymphs around thee stand " Prompt every wish to serve, a fond obedient band."

Increasing wonder filled her ravished soul, For now the pompous portals opened wide, There, pausing oft, with timid foot she stole Through halls high domed, enriched with sculptured

pride, While gay saloons appeared on either side, In splendid vista opening to her sight ; .And all with precious gems so beautified, And furnished with such exquisite delight, That scarce the beams of heaven emit such lustre bright.

The amethyst was there of violet hue, And there the topaz shed its golden ray, The chrysoberyl, and the sapphire blue As the clear azure of a sunny day, Or the mild eyes where amorous glances play; The snow-white jasper, and the opal's flame, The blushing ruby, and the agate grey, And there the gem which bears his luckless name Whose death by Phoebus mourned ensured him deathless fame.

There the green emerald, there cornelians glow, And rich carbuncles pour eternal light, With all that India and Peru can shew, Or Labrador can give so flaming bright To the charmed mariner's half-dazzled sight : The coral-paved baths with diamonds blaze : And all that can the female heart delight Of fair attire, the last recess displays, And all that Luxury can ask, her eye surveys.

Now through the hall melodious music stole, And self-prepared the splendid banquet stands, Self-poured the nectar sparkles in the bowl, The lute and viol touched by unseen hands Aid the soft voices of the choral bands ; O'er the full board a brighter lustre beams Than Persia's monarch at his feast commands : For sweet refreshment all inviting seems To taste celestial food, and pure ambrosial streams.

But when meek Eve hung out her dewy star, And gently veiled with gradual hand the sky, Lo ! the bright folding doors retiring far, Display to Psyche's captivated eye All that voluptuous ease could e'er supply To sooth the spirits in serene repose : Beneath the velvet's purple canopy Divinely formed a downy couch arose, While alabaster lamps a milky light disclose.

Once more she hears the hymeneal strain ; Far other voices now attune the lay ; The swelling sounds approach, a while remain, And then retiring faint dissolved away : The expiring lamps emit a feebler ray, And soon in fragrant death extinguished lie : Then virgin terrors Psyche's soul dismay, When through the obscuring gloom she nought can spy, But softly rustling sounds declare some Being nigh.

Oh, you for whom I write ! whose hearts can melt At the soft thrilling voice whose power you prove, You know what charm, unutterably felt, Attends the unexpected voice of Love : Above the lyre, the lute's soft notes above. With sweet enchantment to the soul it steals, And bears it to Elysium's happy grove ; You best can tell the rapture Psyche feels When Love's ambrosial lip the vows of Hymen seals.

" 'Tis he, 'tis my deliverer ! deep imprest " Upon my heart those sounds I well recal," The blushing maid exclaimed, and on his breast A tear of trembling ecstasy let fall. But, ere the breezes of the morning call Aurora from her purple, humid bed, Psyche in vain explores the vacant hall, Her tender lover from her arms is fled, While sleep his downy wings had o'er her eye-lids spread.

Again the band invisible attend, And female voices sooth the mournful bride ; Light hands to braid her hair assistance lend, By some she sees the glowing bracelet tied, Others officious hover at her side, And each bright gem for her acceptance bring, While some, the balmy air diffusing wide, Fan softer perfumes from each odorous wing Than the fresh bosom sheds of earliest, sweetest spring.