such women as are with child and
in danger. Then Juno hearing the prayers of Psyches, appeared unto her
in all her royalty, saying, Certes Psyches I would gladly help thee, but
I am ashamed to do any thing contrary to the will of my daughter in law
Venus, whom alwaies I have loved as mine owne child, moreover I shall
incurre the danger of the law, intituled, De servo corrupto, whereby
am forbidden to retaine any servant fugitive, against the will of his
Master. Then Psyches cast off likewise by Juno, as without all hope of
the recovery of her husband, reasoned with her selfe in this sort: Now
what comfort or remedy is left to my afflictions, when as my prayers
will nothing availe with the goddesses? what shall I do? whither shall I
go? In what cave or darknesse shall I hide my selfe, to avoid the
furor of Venus? Why do I not take a good heart, and offer my selfe with
humilitie unto her, whose anger I have wrought? What do I know whether
he (whom I seeke for) be in his mothers house or no? Thus being in
doubt, poore Psyches prepared her selfe to her owne danger, and devised
how she might make her orison and prayer unto Venus. After that Venus
was weary with searching by Sea and Land for Psyches, shee returned
toward heaven, and commanded that one should prepare her Chariot, which
her husband Vulcanus gave unto her by reason of marriage, so finely
wrought that neither gold nor silver could be compared to the
brightnesse therof. Four white pigeons guided the chariot with great
diligence, and when Venus was entred in a number of sparrowes flew
chirping about, making signe of joy, and all other kind of birds sang
sweetly, foreshewing the comming of the great goddesse: the clouds gave
place, the heavens opened, and received her joyfully, the birds that
followed nothing feared the Eagle, Hawkes, or other ravenous foules of
the aire. Incontinently she went unto the royall Pallace of God Jupiter,
and with a proud and bold petition demanded the service of Mercury, in
certaine of her affaires, whereunto Jupiter consented: then with much
joy shee descended from Heaven with Mercury, and gave him an earnest
charge to put in execution her words, saying: O my Brother, borne
in Arcadia, thou knowest well, that I (who am thy sister) did never
enterprise to doe any thing without thy presence, thou knowest also how
long I have sought for a girle and cannot finde her, wherefore there
resteth nothing else save that thou with thy trumpet doe pr