Psyche teneris et herbosis locis in ipso toro roscidi graminis suave recubans , tanta mentis perturbatione sedata , dulce conquievit . Iamque sufficienti recreata somno placido resurgit animo : videt lucum proceris et vastis arboribus consitum , videt fontem vitreo latice perlucidum medio luci meditullio . Prope fontis allapsum domus regia est , aedificata non humanis manibus sed divinis artibus : iam scies ab introitu primo dei cuiuspiam luculentum et amoenum videre te diversorium . Nam summa laquearia , citro et ebore curiose cavata , subeunt aureae columnae , parietes omnes argenteo caelamine conteguntur , bestiis et id genus pecudibus occurrentibus ob os introeuntium . Mirus prorsum homo , immo semideus vel certe deus , qui magnae artis subtilitate tantum efferavit argentum : enimvero pavimenta ipsa lapide pretioso caesim deminuto in varia picturae genera discriminantur : vehementer iterum ac saepius beatos illos qui super gemmas et monilia calcant ! Iam ceterae partes longelateque dispositae domus sine pretio pretiosae totique parietes solidati massis aureis splendore proprio coruscant , ut diem suum sibi domus faciat licet sole nolente ; sic cubicula , sic porticus , sic ipsae valvae fulgurant . Nec setius opes ceterae maiestati domui respondent , ut equidem illud recte videatur ad conversationem humanam magno Iovi fabricatum caeleste palatium .

Invitata Psyche talium locorum oblectatione propius accessit et paulo fidentior intra limen sese facit , mox prolectante studio pulcherrimae visionis rimatur singula et altrinsecus aedium horrea sublimi fabrica perfecta magnisque congesta gazis conspicit ; nec est quicquam quod ibi non est : sed praeter ceteram tantarum divitiarum admirationem hoc erat praecipue mirificum , quod nullo vinculo , nullo claustro nullo custode totius orbis thesaurus ille muniebatur Haec ei summa cum voluptate visenti offert sese vox quaedam corporis sui nuda , et ‘Quid , ’ inquit ‘ Domina , tantis obstupescis opibus ? Tua sunt haec omnia . prohinc cubiculo te refer , et lectulo lassitudinem refove , et ex arbitrio lavacrum pete . Nos quarum voces accipis , tuae famulae ; sedulo tibi praeministrabimus nec corporis curatae tibi regales epulae morabuntur . ’

Sensit Psyche divinae providentiae beatitudinem monitusque , voces informes audiens , et prius somno et mox lavacro fatigationem sui diluit , visoque statim proximo semirotundo suggestu , propter instrumentum [ p . 204 ] cenatorium rata refectui suo commodum , libens accumbit . Et illico vini nectarei eduliumque variorum fercula copiosa , nullo serviente sed tantum spiritui quodam impulsa , subministrantur : nec quemquam tamen illa videre poterat , sed verba tantum audiebat excidentia et solas voces famulas habebat . Post opimas dapes quidam introcessit et cantavit invisus et alius citharam pulsavit , quae videbatur nec ipsa : tunc . modulatae multitudinis conferta vox aures eius affertur , ut , quamvis hominum nemo pareret , chorus tamen esse pateret .

Psyche , pleasantly reclining in that grassy place on a bed of dew-wet grass , free of her mental perturbation , fell peacefully asleep , and when she was sufficiently refreshed by slumber , rose , feeling calm . She saw a grove planted with great , tall trees ; she saw a glittering fount of crystal water .

At the very centre of the grove beside the flowing stream was a regal palace , not made by human hands , but built by divine art . You knew from the moment you entered you were viewing the splendid shining residence of a god . There were coffered ceilings , exquisitely carved from ivory and citron-wood supported on golden pillars ; the walls were covered with relief-work in silver , wild beasts in savage herds met your gaze as you reached the doorway . They were the work of some eminent master , or a demigod or god perhaps , who with the subtlety of great art had made creatures all of silver . Even the floors were of mosaic , pictures patterned from precious stones cut into tiny tiles . Blessed twice over or more are those who tread on shining jewels and gems ! The length and breadth of the rest of the house was equally beyond price , the walls constructed of solid gold gleaming with their own brilliance , so that even without the sun’s rays the house shone like day . The rooms , the colonnades , the very doorposts glowed . And every other feature matched the house in magnificence , so you would have thought , rightly , that this was a heavenly palace made for Jove to use on his visits to the world .

Seduced by the attractions of this lovely place Psyche moved closer and , gaining confidence , dared to cross the threshold . Now her desire to gaze on all these beautiful things led her to examine every object closely . On the far side of the palace she found storerooms made with noble skill , heaped to the roof with mounds of treasure . All that existed was there . And beyond her amazement at the vast quantities of riches , she was especially startled to find not a lock , or bolt or chain to defend this treasure-house of all the world . As she looked around her , in rapturous delight , a bodiless voice spoke to her : " Lady , why are you so surprised at all this vast wealth ? All that is here is yours . So retire to your room , and ease your weariness on the bed , and when you wish you can bathe . The voices you may hear are those of your servants , we who wait on you willingly , and when your body is refreshed we will be ready with a feast . "

Psyche felt blessed by divine providence , and obeying the guidance of the disembodied voice , eased her weariness with sleep and then a bath . Nearby she found a semi-circular table , and judging from the dinner setting that it was meant for her , she promptly sat down to wait . Instantly trays loaded with food and cups of nectar appeared , without trace of servants , they were wafted and set before her as though by a breath of air . No one was visible , but words could be heard from somewhere , her waiters were merely voices . And after a sumptuous meal , someone invisible came and sang , and someone played a lyre , invisible too . And there came to her ears the interweaving melodies of some large throng , some invisible choir .

In this soft grassy spot Psyche lay pleasantly reclining on her bed of dewy turf and , her great disquiet of mind soothed , fell sweetly asleep . Presently , refreshed by a good rest , she rose with her mind at ease . What she now saw was a park planted with big tall trees and a spring of crystal-clear water . In the very centre of the garden , by the outflow of the spring , a palace had been built , not by human hands but by a divine craftsman . Directly you entered you knew that you were looking at the pleasure-house of some god–so splendid and delightful it was . For the coffering of the ceiling was of citron-wood and ivory artfully carved , and the columns supporting it were of gold ; all the walls were covered in embossed silver , with wild beasts and other animals confronting the visitor on entering . Truly , whoever had so skilfully imparted animal life to all that silver was a miracle-worker or a demigod or indeed a god ! Furthermore , the very floors were divided up into different kinds of pictures in mosaic of precious stones : twice indeed and more than twice marvellously happy those who walk on gems and jewellery ! As far and wide as the house extended , every part of it was likewise of inestimable price . All the walls , which were built of solid blocks of gold , shone with their own brilliance , so that the house furnished its own daylight , sun or no sun ; such was the radiance of the rooms , the colonnades , the very doors . The rest of the furnishings matched the magnificence of the building , so that it would seem fair to say that great Jove had built himself a heavenly palace to dwell among mortals .

Drawn on by the delights of this place , Psyche approached and , becoming a little bolder , crossed the threshold ; then , allured by her joy in the beautiful spectacle , she examined all the details . On the far side of the palace she discovered lofty storehouses crammed with rich treasure ; there is nothing that was not there . But in addition to the
wonder that such wealth could exist , what was most astonishing was that this vast treasure of the entire world was not secured by a single lock , bolt , or guard . As she gazed at all this with much pleasure there came to her a disembodied voice : ‘Mistress , you need not be amazed at this great wealth . All of it is yours . Enter then your bedchamber , sleep off your fatigue , and go to your bath when you are minded . We whose voices you hear are your attendants who will diligently wait on you ; and when you have refreshed yourself .

a royal banquet will not be slow to appear for you . ’ Psyche recognized her happy estate as sent by divine Providence , and obeying the instructions of the bodiless voice she dispelled her weariness first with sleep and then with a bath . There immediately appeared before her a semicircular seat ; seeing the table laid she understood that this provision was for her entertainment and gladly took her place . Instantly course after course of wine like nectar and of different kinds of food was placed before her , with no servant to be seen but everything wafted as it were on the wind . She could see no one but merely heard the words that were uttered , and her waiting maids were nothing but voices to her . When the rich feast was over , there entered an invisible singer , and another performed on a lyre , itself invisible . This was succeeded by singing in concert , and though not a soul was to be seen , there was evidently a whole choir present .