ines of waters, which ran
downe and fell by many stops and passages into the valley beneath: on
each side shee did see great Dragons, which were stretching out their
long and bloody Neckes, that did never sleepe, but appointed to keepe
the river there: the waters seemed to themselves likewise saying, Away;
away, what wilt thou doe? flie, flie, or else thou wilt be slaine. Then
Psyches (seeing the impossibility of this affaire) stood still as though
she were transformed into a stone and although she was present in body,
yet was she absent in spirit and sense, by reason of the great perill
which she saw, insomuch that she could not comfort her self with
weeping, such was the present danger that she was in. But the royall
bird of great Jupiter, the Eagle remembring his old service which he had
done, when as by the pricke of Cupid he brought up the boy Ganimedes, to
the heavens, to be made butler of Jupiter, and minding to shew the like
service in the person of the wife of Cupid, came from the high-house of
the Skies, and said unto Psyches, O simple woman without all experience,
doest thou thinke to get or dip up any drop of this dreadfull water? No,
no, assure thy selfe thou art never able to come nigh it, for the Gods
themselves do greatly feare at the sight thereof. What, have you not
heard, that it is a custome among men to sweare by the puissance of the
Gods, and the Gods do sweare by the majesty of the river Stix? but give
me thy bottle, and sodainly he tooke it, and filled it with the water
of the river, and taking his flight through those cruell and horrible
dragons, brought it unto Psyches: who being very joyfull thereof,
presented it to Venus, who would not yet be appeased, but menacing
more and more said, What, thou seemest unto me a very witch and
enchauntresse, that bringest these things to passe, howbeit thou shalt
do nothing more. Take this box and to Hell to Proserpina, and desire her
to send me a little of her beauty, as much as will serve me the space of
one day, and say that such as I had is consumed away since my sonne
fell sicke, but returne againe quickly, for I must dresse my selfe
therewithall, and goe to the Theatre of the Gods: then poore Psyches
perceived the end of all fortune, thinking verely that she should never
returne, and not without cause, when as she was compelled to go to the
gulfe and furies of hell. Wherefore without any further delay, she went
up to an high tower to throw her selfe down