had shown me how. But I was afraid, lest, if I should happen to perform them, in imitation of human beings, without the aid of a master, most people would think that it portended sinister events, and that I, as a monster and prodigy, might have to part with my head, and be given as fat provender to the vultures. And now my renown was spread abroad in all directions, so that I rendered my master quite famous and illustrious, in consequence of my wonderful accomplishments. "This," said the people, "is the man who has an ass for his guest and companion; an ass that wrestles, an ass that dances, and understands the language of men, and expresses what he means by signs." It is proper, however, that I should now, at all events, inform you, though I ought to have done so in the beginning, who this Thyasus was, and whence he came; for such was the name of my master. The country which gave him birth was Corinth, a city which ranks as the chief of all the provinces of Achaia. And, as he had gradually attained all the honors which his pedigree and dignity demanded, he had now been nominated to the office of quinquennial magistrate. Accordingly, in order that he might act conformably to the splendor of that office, he had promised to exhibit a show of gladiators for the space of three days, thus extending his liberality to the greatest possible degree. In fact, it was his desire of receiving the public applause that had now brought him to Thessaly, in order to procure from thence the most noble wild beasts and some celebrated gladiators. And now, having made all his arrangements and completed all his purchases quite to his satisfaction, he was preparing to return home. Disdaining, however, his own splendid chariots, which, some covered and some open, were drawn along in the rear of the cavalcade; regardless also of his Thessalian horses, and his other beasts of Gallic breed, whose generous pedigree bore testimony to their rarity and value; despising and neglecting all these, he rode most lovingly on me, who was decked out with golden trappings, a colored saddle, purple cloths, a silver bit, an embroidered girth, and some little bells that tinkled as I went along, and sometimes he addressed me in the kindest of words. Among many other expressions too which he made use of, he declared how extremely delighted he was at possessing in me, at one and the same time, a companion and a bearer. And now, having finished our journey, partly by land and partly by sea, we arrived at Corinth, where vast numbers of the citizens came out to meet us, not so much as it seemed to me for the purpose of doing honor to Thyasus, as from a desire of seeing me. For so great a rumor had pervaded that city about me, that I was a source of no small emolument to my keeper. For perceiving that many were eagerly desirous to see my pastimes, he had the doors shut, and admitted them one by one, charging each a good price for admission. By this means he managed every day to pick up no small sums. CUPID AND PSYCHE. THE most beautiful part of the "Metamorphosis" is the story of Cupid and Psyche, which has been elegantly paraphrased in the poetical version of Mrs. Mary Tighe (1773-1810). Venus, finding her altars neglected on account of the charms of Psyche, sends Cupid to punish her, but he falls in love with the maid. Here Cupid tempers his unerring darts, And in the fount of bliss delights to play; His quiver, sparkling bright with gems and gold, Wafting the fragrance which his tresses flung: Wrapt in a cloud unseen by mortal eye, Of the impending mischief nought afraid, 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, The fatal drops he pours; nor yet he knows, Nor yet content, he from his quiver drew, Sharpened with skill divine, a shining dart: Just then awaking with a sudden start, The dart which in his hand now trembling stood, 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, The pining sorrows which her soul oppress, The secret grief she owns, for which she lingering sighed A dream of mingled terror and delight Still heavy hangs upon her troubled soul, The dream returns, she feels the fancied dole; But still she views the youth who all her sufferings eased. Of wondrous beauty did the vision seem, A graceful champion to her eyes appears; 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, Of Love's most radiant bright divinity; And still consumed with vain desire she pines; The threatened ills to learn by auguries and signs. THE FATAL LOOK COPD vaited Payche saly by night, warning her of the danger of beholding him. But her envious asters by magic at fill her mind with suspicions of evil, and induce her to incur the risk. On her coid, passive hand the ring they place, And hide the dagger in her fiding vest; In the mute agony that swells ber breast, Conscious that now their poor deluded prey While yet irresolute with sad surprise, 'Mid doubt and love she stands in strange suspense, While bathed in tears, her golden tresses flew, Illumined bright now shines the splendid dome, But not the torches' blaze can chase the gloom, While unknown terrors all her soul assail. And now, with softest whispers of delight, He thinks that tenderness excites the tear |