The Poetical Works Of Robert Bridges Part 31

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And now it chanced that she had called her son Into her presence-chamber, to unfold Psyche's destruction, that her fate might stun What love remained by duty uncontrol'd; And he to hide his tears' rebellious storm Was fled; when in his place another form Rose 'neath the golden lintel; and behold

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Psyche herself, in slow and balanced strain, Poising the crystal bowl with fearful heed, Her eyes at watch upon the steadied plane, And whole soul gather'd in the single deed.

Onward she came, and stooping to the floor Set down the cup unspill'd and br.i.m.m.i.n.g o'er At Aphrodite's feet, and rose up freed.

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Surprise o'ercame the G.o.ddess, and she too Stood like a statue, but with pa.s.sion pale: Till, when her victim nothing spake, she threw Some kindness in her voice, and bade her hail; But in the smiling judge 'twas plain to see-- Saying 'What water bringst thou here to me?'-- That justice over hate should not prevail.

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Then Psyche said 'This is the biting flood Of black Cocytus, silver'd with the gleam Of souls, that guilty of another's blood Are pent therein, and as they swim they scream.

The horned snakes of h.e.l.l, upon the mount Enchain'd, for ever guard the livid fount: And but the Fates can grant to touch the stream.'

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'Wherefore,' the G.o.ddess cried, ''tis plain that none But one I wot of coud this thing have wrought.

That which another doth may well be done, Nor thou the nearer to my promise brought.

Thou buildest on a hope to be destroy'd, If thou accept conditions, and avoid Thy parcel, nor thyself accomplish aught.

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'Was it not kindness in me, being averse To all thy wish, to yield me thus to grant Thy heart's desire,--and nothing loathe I worse,-- If thou wouldst only work as well as want?

See, now I will not yet be all denial, But offer thee one last determining trial; And let it be a mutual covenant:

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'This box,' and in her hands she took a pyx Square-cut, of dark obsidian's rarest green, 'Take; and therewith beyond Tartarean Styx Go thou, and entering Hades' house obscene, Say to Persephone, _If 'tis thy will To shew me so much favour, prithee fill This little vase with beauty for Love's queen_.

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'_She begs but what shall well o'erlast a day; For of her own was much of late outspent In nursing of her son, in bed who lay Wounded by me, who for the gift am sent._ Then bring me what she gives, and with all speed; For truth to say I stand, thou seest, in need Of some such charm in my disparagement.

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'If thou return to me with that acquist, Having thyself the journey made, I swear That day to give thee whatsoe'er thou list, An be it my son. Now, Psyche, wilt thou dare?'

And Psyche said 'If this thou truly mean, I will go down to Tartarus obscene, And beg of Hades' queen thy beauty there.

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'Show me the way.' But Aphrodite said, 'That may'st thou find. Yet I will place thee whence A way there is: mortals have on it sped; Ay, and return'd thereby: so let us hence.'

Then swift to earth her willing prey she bore, And left her on the wide Laconian sh.o.r.e, Alone, at midnight, in the darkness dense.

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'Twas winter; and as shivering Psyche sat Waiting for morn, she question'd in her mind What place the G.o.ddess meant, arrived whereat She might descend to h.e.l.l, or how should find The way which G.o.ds to living men deny.

'No Orpheus, nay, nor Hercules am I,'

Said she, 'to loosen where the great G.o.ds bind.'

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And when at length the long-delaying dawn Broke on the peaks of huge Tagetus, And Psyche through the skirts of dark withdrawn Look'd on that promontory mountainous, And saw high-crested Taleton in snow, Her heart sank, and she wept with head bent low The malice of her foe dispiteous.

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And seeing near at hand an ancient tower, Deserted now, but once a hold of men, She came thereto, and, though 'twas all her power, Mounted its steep unbroken stair again.

'Surely,' she said, for now a second time She thought to die--'this little height I climb Will prove my shortest road to Pluto's den.

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'Hence must I come to Tartarus; once there Turn as I may,' and straight to death had sprung; When in the mossy tower the imprison'd air Was shaken, and the h.o.a.ry stones gave tongue, 'Stand firm! Stand firm!' that rugged voice outcried; 'Of such as choose despondency for guide Hast thou not heard what bitterest fate is sung?

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'Hearken; for I the road and means can teach How thou may'st come to h.e.l.l and yet escape.

And first must thou, that upper gate to reach, Along these seagirt hills thy journey shape, To where the land in sea dips furthest South At Taenarus and Hades' earthly mouth, Hard by Poseidon's temple at the cape.

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'Thereby may one descend: but they that make That pa.s.sage down must go provided well.

So take in either hand a honey-cake Of pearled barley mix'd with hydromel; And in thy mouth two doits, first having bound The pyx beneath thy robe enwrap'd around: Thus set thou forth; and mark what more I tell.

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'When thou hast gone alone some half thy road Thou wilt o'ertake a lame outwearied a.s.s; And one that beats him, tottering 'neath his load Of loosely bundl'd wood, will cry _Alas; Help me, kind friend, my f.a.ggots to adjust_!

But thou that silly cripple's words mistrust; 'Tis planted for thy death. Note it and pa.s.s.