Light as the fugitive cloud, or the bird, Cupid swiftly divides the air, his bow in his hand! So rapid is his flight, that the long tresses of his hair are thrown back behind. Woody hills, smiling valies, rivers with limpid course, are spread in panoramic view beneath him, without obtaining a single glance, any more than Psyche, who without taking time to throw on any clothing, has not ceased to follɔw him. In vain kneeling down, with upraised arms, and tearing her hair in despair, does she exhaust herself in supplications and entreaties; the fugitive is already even out of sight, and Psyche casts herself in the river head foremost, to put an end to her anguish. But the tide rejecting the life of the young girl, deposes her in safety, upon the bank. There, the goat-footed God, Pan, with hairy body, with forehead armed with horns, and beard thick and bushy, invites her to sit near him; he even forgot for some moments both his seven reeded pipe, and his skipping flock, which constitute his riches, and his joy, to say, by way of consolation to the unfortunate one, that between Cupid, and a pretty woman like her, matters could only finish by being arranged. Besides the little God had already done so much; and now, for the first time Psyche learnt, what were the orders Venus had intimated to her son, and the manner in which he had transgressed them.