any maiden: what do you not know that he is a young man? Or
have you forgotten of what yeares he is? Doth he seeme alwayes unto
you to be a childe? You are his mother, and a kind woman, will you
continually search out his dalliance? Will you blame his luxury? Will
you bridle his love? and will you reprehend your owne art and delights
in him? What God or man is hee, that can endure that you should sowe or
disperse your seed of love in every place, and to make restraint thereof
within your owne doores? certes you will be the cause of the suppression
of the publike paces of young Dames. In this sort this goddesse
endeavoured to pacifie her mind, and to excuse Cupid with al their power
(although he were absent) for feare of his darts and shafts of love.
But Venus would in no wise asswage her heat, but (thinking that they
did rather trifle and taunt at her injuries) she departed from them,
and tooke her voiage towards the sea in all haste. In the meane season
Psyches hurled her selfe hither and thither, to seeke her husband, the
rather because she thought that if he would not be appeased with the
sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would take mercy on her at her
servile and continuall prayers. And (espying a Church on the top of a
high hill) she said, What can I tell whether my husband and master be
there or no? wherefore she went thitherward, and with great paine
and travell, moved by hope, after that she climbed to the top of the
mountaine, she came to the temple, and went in, wheras behold she espied
sheffes of corn lying on a heap, blades withered with garlands, and
reeds of barly, moreover she saw hooks, sithes, sickles, and other
instruments, to reape, but every thing lay out of order, and as it were
cast in by the hands of laborers which when Psyches saw she gathered
up and put everything in order, thinking that she would not despise or
contemne the temples of any of the Gods, but rather get the favour and
benevolence of them all: by and by Ceres came in, and beholding her
busie and curious in her chapell, cried out a far off, and said, O
Psyches needfull of mercy, Venus searcheth for thee in every place to
revenge her selfe and to punish thee grievously, but thou hast more mind
to be heere, and carest for nothing lesse, then for thy safety. Then
Psyches fell on her knees before her, watring her feet with her teares,
wiping the ground with her haire, and with great weeping and lamentation
desired pardon, saying, O great