Apuleius, Metamorphoses 5.11-13 Kline
Chencilla Applewhite /
- Created on 2018-10-11 01:50:41
- Modified on 2018-10-12 16:31:53
- Aligned by Chencilla Applewhite
Latin
English
[ 11 ] Placet pro bono duabus malis malum consilium totisque illis tam pretiosis muneribus absconditis comam trahentes et proinde ut merebantur ora lacerantes simulatos redintegrant fletus . Ac sic parentes quoque redulcerato prorsum dolore raptim deterrentes vesania turgidae domus suas contendunt dolum scelestum immo vero parricidium struentes contra sororem insontem .
Interea Psychen maritus ille quem nescit rursum suis illis nocturnis sermonibus sic commonet : " Videsne quantum tibi periculum ? Velitatur Fortuna eminus , ac nisi longe firmiter praecaves mox comminus congredietur . Perfidae lupulae magnis conatibus nefarias insidias tibi comparant , quarum summa est ut te suadeant meos explorare vultus , quos , ut tibi saepe praedixi , non videbis si videris . Ergo igitur si posthac pessimae illae lamiae noxiis animis armatae venerint — venient autem , scio — neque omnino sermonem conferas , et si id tolerare pro genuina simplicitate proque animi tui teneritudine non potueris , certe de marito nil quicquam vel audias vel respondeas . Nam et familiam nostram iam propagabimus et hic adhuc infantilis uterus gestat nobis infantem alium , si texeris nostra secreta silentio , divinum , si profanaveris , mortalem . "
[ 12 ] Nuntio Psyche laeta florebat et divinae subolis solacio plaudebat et futuri pignoris gloria gestiebat et materni nominis dignitate gaudebat . Crescentes dies et menses exeuntes anxia numerat et sarcinae nesciae rudimento miratur de brevi punctulo tantum incrementulum locupletis uteri . Sed iam pestes illae taeterrimaeque Furiae anhelantes vipereum virus et festinantes impia celeritate navigabant . Tunc sic iterum momentarius maritus suam Psychen admonet : " En dies ultima et casus extremus et ! Sexus infestus et sanguis inimicus iam sumpsit arma et castra commovit et aciem direxit et classicum personavit ; iam mucrone destricto iugulum tuum nefariae tuae sorores petunt . Heu quantis urguemur cladibus , Psyche dulcissima ! Tui nostrique misere religiosaque continentia domum maritum teque et istum parvulum nostrum imminentis ruinae infortunio libera . Nec illas scelestas feminas , quas tibi post internecivum odium et calcata sanguinis foedera sorores appellare non licet , vel videas vel audias , cum in morem Sirenum scopulo prominentes funestis vocibus saxa personabunt . "
[ 13 ] Suscipit Psyche singultu lacrimoso sermonem incertans : " Iam dudum , quod sciam , fidei atque parciloquio meo perpendisti documenta , nec eo setius adprobabitur tibi nunc etiam firmitas animi mei . Tu modo Zephyro nostro rursum praecipe fungatur obsequio , et in vicem denegatae sacrosanctae imaginis tuae redde saltem conspectum sororum . Per istos cinnameos et undique pendulos crines tuos per teneras et teretis et mei similes genas per pectus nescio quo calore fervidum sic in hoc saltem parvulo cognoscam faciem tuam : supplicis anxiae piis precibus erogatus germani complexus indulge fructum et tibi devotae dicataeque Psychae animam gaudio recrea . Nec quicquam amplius in tuo vultu requiro , iam nil officiunt mihi nec ipsae nocturnae tenebrae : teneo te , meum lumen . "
His verbis et amplexibus mollibus decantatus maritus lacrimasque eius suis crinibus detergens facturum spopondit et praevertit statim lumen nascentis diei .
Interea Psychen maritus ille quem nescit rursum suis illis nocturnis sermonibus sic commonet : " Videsne quantum tibi periculum ? Velitatur Fortuna eminus , ac nisi longe firmiter praecaves mox comminus congredietur . Perfidae lupulae magnis conatibus nefarias insidias tibi comparant , quarum summa est ut te suadeant meos explorare vultus , quos , ut tibi saepe praedixi , non videbis si videris . Ergo igitur si posthac pessimae illae lamiae noxiis animis armatae venerint — venient autem , scio — neque omnino sermonem conferas , et si id tolerare pro genuina simplicitate proque animi tui teneritudine non potueris , certe de marito nil quicquam vel audias vel respondeas . Nam et familiam nostram iam propagabimus et hic adhuc infantilis uterus gestat nobis infantem alium , si texeris nostra secreta silentio , divinum , si profanaveris , mortalem . "
[ 12 ] Nuntio Psyche laeta florebat et divinae subolis solacio plaudebat et futuri pignoris gloria gestiebat et materni nominis dignitate gaudebat . Crescentes dies et menses exeuntes anxia numerat et sarcinae nesciae rudimento miratur de brevi punctulo tantum incrementulum locupletis uteri . Sed iam pestes illae taeterrimaeque Furiae anhelantes vipereum virus et festinantes impia celeritate navigabant . Tunc sic iterum momentarius maritus suam Psychen admonet : " En dies ultima et casus extremus et ! Sexus infestus et sanguis inimicus iam sumpsit arma et castra commovit et aciem direxit et classicum personavit ; iam mucrone destricto iugulum tuum nefariae tuae sorores petunt . Heu quantis urguemur cladibus , Psyche dulcissima ! Tui nostrique misere religiosaque continentia domum maritum teque et istum parvulum nostrum imminentis ruinae infortunio libera . Nec illas scelestas feminas , quas tibi post internecivum odium et calcata sanguinis foedera sorores appellare non licet , vel videas vel audias , cum in morem Sirenum scopulo prominentes funestis vocibus saxa personabunt . "
[ 13 ] Suscipit Psyche singultu lacrimoso sermonem incertans : " Iam dudum , quod sciam , fidei atque parciloquio meo perpendisti documenta , nec eo setius adprobabitur tibi nunc etiam firmitas animi mei . Tu modo Zephyro nostro rursum praecipe fungatur obsequio , et in vicem denegatae sacrosanctae imaginis tuae redde saltem conspectum sororum . Per istos cinnameos et undique pendulos crines tuos per teneras et teretis et mei similes genas per pectus nescio quo calore fervidum sic in hoc saltem parvulo cognoscam faciem tuam : supplicis anxiae piis precibus erogatus germani complexus indulge fructum et tibi devotae dicataeque Psychae animam gaudio recrea . Nec quicquam amplius in tuo vultu requiro , iam nil officiunt mihi nec ipsae nocturnae tenebrae : teneo te , meum lumen . "
His verbis et amplexibus mollibus decantatus maritus lacrimasque eius suis crinibus detergens facturum spopondit et praevertit statim lumen nascentis diei .
This
wicked
scheme
greatly
pleased
the
two
wicked
sisters
.
They
hid
all
the
costly
gifts
,
and
tearing
their
hair
and
lacerating
their
cheeks
,
as
they
deserved
to
do
,
falsely
renewed
their
lamentations
.
They
soon
frightened
their
parents
into
reopening
the
wound
of
their
sorrow
also
.
Then
swollen
with
venom
,
they
hastened
home
to
plan
their
crime
against
an
innocent
sister
,
even
to
murder
.
Meanwhile her unseen husband , on his nightly visit , warned Psyche once more : " See how much danger you’re in . Fortune is plotting at a distance , but soon , unless you take firm precautions , she’ll be attacking you face to face . Those treacherous she-wolves are working hard to execute some evil act against you , by tempting you to examine my features . But do so and , as I’ve told you , you’ll never see me again . So if those foul harpies armed with their noxious thoughts return , as I know they will , you must hold no conversation with them . And if in your true innocence and tender-heartedness you can’t bear that , then at least , if they speak of me , don’t listen , or if you must don’t answer . You see our family will increase , and your womb , a child’s , must bear another child , who if you keep our secret silently will be divine , though if you profane it , mortal . "
Psyche blossomed with joy at the news , hailing the solace of a divine child , exulting in the glory of the one to be born , and rejoicing in the name of mother . She counted the swelling days , and the vanishing months , and as a beginner knowing nothing of the burden she bore was amazed at the growth of her seething womb from a tiny pinprick .
But those foul and pestilential Furies , her sisters , breathing viperous venom , were sailing towards her with impious speed . Now for a second time her husband warned Psyche in passing : " The fatal day , the final peril , the malice of your sex and hostile blood have taken arms against you , struck camp , prepared for battle , and sounded the attack . Those wicked sisters of yours with drawn swords are at your throat . What disaster threatens , sweet Psyche ! Take pity on yourself and me . With resolution and restraint you can free your home and husband , yourself , and our child from the imminent danger that threatens . Don’t look at or listen to those evil women , who with their murderous hostility , their disregard of the bonds of blood , you should not call sisters , as they lean from the cliff-top like Sirens and make the rocks echo with that fatal singing . "
Her answer almost lost in tearful sobbing , Psyche replied : " Once before you asked for proof of my loyalty and discretion , now too you will find me just as resolute . Give your servant Zephyr his orders one more : let him perform his task , and if I am not to see your sacred face , grant me at least a glimpse of my sisters . By those cinnamon perfumed locks that adorn your head , by those softly rounded cheeks like my own , by your breast so warm , so wonderfully aflame ; as I hope to find your looks in my unborn child’s , at least , I beg you , yield to the loving prayers of a yearning suppliant and allow me the pleasure of sisterly embraces . Fill your dedicated and devoted Psyche’s spirit with joy once more . I’ll ask no more regarding your appearance . Clasping you in my arms , not even the darkness of the night can hurt me now , my light . "
Bewitched by her words and her sweet caresses , her husband wiped away her tears with his hair and gave her his agreement , vanishing swiftly before the light of the new-born day .
Meanwhile her unseen husband , on his nightly visit , warned Psyche once more : " See how much danger you’re in . Fortune is plotting at a distance , but soon , unless you take firm precautions , she’ll be attacking you face to face . Those treacherous she-wolves are working hard to execute some evil act against you , by tempting you to examine my features . But do so and , as I’ve told you , you’ll never see me again . So if those foul harpies armed with their noxious thoughts return , as I know they will , you must hold no conversation with them . And if in your true innocence and tender-heartedness you can’t bear that , then at least , if they speak of me , don’t listen , or if you must don’t answer . You see our family will increase , and your womb , a child’s , must bear another child , who if you keep our secret silently will be divine , though if you profane it , mortal . "
Psyche blossomed with joy at the news , hailing the solace of a divine child , exulting in the glory of the one to be born , and rejoicing in the name of mother . She counted the swelling days , and the vanishing months , and as a beginner knowing nothing of the burden she bore was amazed at the growth of her seething womb from a tiny pinprick .
But those foul and pestilential Furies , her sisters , breathing viperous venom , were sailing towards her with impious speed . Now for a second time her husband warned Psyche in passing : " The fatal day , the final peril , the malice of your sex and hostile blood have taken arms against you , struck camp , prepared for battle , and sounded the attack . Those wicked sisters of yours with drawn swords are at your throat . What disaster threatens , sweet Psyche ! Take pity on yourself and me . With resolution and restraint you can free your home and husband , yourself , and our child from the imminent danger that threatens . Don’t look at or listen to those evil women , who with their murderous hostility , their disregard of the bonds of blood , you should not call sisters , as they lean from the cliff-top like Sirens and make the rocks echo with that fatal singing . "
Her answer almost lost in tearful sobbing , Psyche replied : " Once before you asked for proof of my loyalty and discretion , now too you will find me just as resolute . Give your servant Zephyr his orders one more : let him perform his task , and if I am not to see your sacred face , grant me at least a glimpse of my sisters . By those cinnamon perfumed locks that adorn your head , by those softly rounded cheeks like my own , by your breast so warm , so wonderfully aflame ; as I hope to find your looks in my unborn child’s , at least , I beg you , yield to the loving prayers of a yearning suppliant and allow me the pleasure of sisterly embraces . Fill your dedicated and devoted Psyche’s spirit with joy once more . I’ll ask no more regarding your appearance . Clasping you in my arms , not even the darkness of the night can hurt me now , my light . "
Bewitched by her words and her sweet caresses , her husband wiped away her tears with his hair and gave her his agreement , vanishing swiftly before the light of the new-born day .