Cupid and Psyche - entire translation

at Psyche relicta sola, nisi quod infestis Furiis agitata sola non est,

But Psyche, left alone, unless she is not alone because she is harried by hostile Furies,

aestu pelagi simile maerendo fluctuat et,

she wavers in her grieving like the swell of the sea

quamvis statuto consilio et obstinato animo,

even though plan has been decided on and her mind made up,

iam tamen facinori manus admovens adhuc incerta consilii titubat

already moving her hands to the deed nevertheless, still uncertain of her plan, she was wavering

multisque calamitatis suae distrahitur affectibus.

and she is torn apart by the many emotions of her calamity.

festinat differt, audet trepidat, diffidit irascitur

She hurries, she delays, she dares, she is fearful, she despairs, she is angry.

et, quod est ultimum, in eodem corpore odit bestiam, diligit maritum.

And, what is worst, in the same body she hates the beast, she loves her husband.

vespera tamen iam noctem trahente praecipiti festinatione

However, with the evening already dragging along the night, with headlong haste,

nefarii sceleris instruit apparatum.

she prepares the tools for her wicked crime.

nox aderat et maritus aderat

Night has come and her husband has arrived

priusque Veneris proeliis velitatus in altum soporem descenderat.

and having first skirmished in the battles of love, he had fallen into a deep sleep.

tunc Psyche, et corporis et animis alioquin infirma,

Then Psyche, although in general weak in both body and mind,

fati tamen saevitia subministrante viribus robaratur,

with the cruelty of Fate giving her strength, she increases in her strength,

et prolata lucerna et arrepia novacula sexum audacia mutavit.

and, bringing forwards the lamp and snatching up the knife, in her boldness she changed sex.

sed cum primum luminis oblatione tori secreta claruerunt,

But as soon as the secrets of the bed became clear with the offering of the light,

videt omnium ferarum mitissimam dulcissimamque bestiam,

she saw of all creatures, the most gentle and most sweet monster,

ipsum illum Cupidinem formosum deum formonse cubantem,

Cupid his very self, a handsome god sleeping handsomely.

cuius aspectu lucernae quoque lumen hilaratum increbruit

at the sight of whom even the light of the lamp was gladdened and increased,

et acuminis sacrilegi novaculam paenitebat.

and the knife regretted its sacriligeous sharpness.

at vero Psyche tanto aspectu deferita et impos animi,

But Psyche, however, truly terrified by such a great sight and out of control in her mind,

marcido pallore defecta tremensque desedit in imos poplites

exhausted with weak pallor and trembling, sank right down on her knees

et ferrum quaerit abscondere, sed in suo pectore.

and sought to hide the knife, but in her own chest.

quod profecto fecisset,

She would have certainly done this,

nisi ferrum timore tanti flagitii manibus temerariis delapsum evolasset.

had not the knife, in fear of so a great crime, slipped from her reckless hands and flown away.

iamque lassa, salute defecta, dum saepius divini vultus intuetur pulchritudinem, recreatur animi.

And now, exhausted, and with salvation removed, as she gazed more and more at the beauty of the divine face, she is revived in spirit.

videt capitis aurei genialem caesariem ambrosia temulenta, cervices lacteas genasque purpureas pererrantes crinium globos decoriter impeditos,

She sees rich hair on his golden head steeped in ambrosia, and a milky white neck and tufts of hair, straying over his rosy cheeks, gracefully tangled

alios antependulos, alios retropendulos, quorum splendore nimio fulgurante iam et ipsum lumen lucernae vacillabat.

some hanging in front, others hanging behind: in their extreme dazzling splendour, even the very light of the lamp began to flicker.

per umeros volatilis dei pinnae roscidae micanti flore candicant et quamvis alis quiescentibus

Over the shoulders of the winged god, dewy feathers shine white with a glistening sheen and although his wings were at rest,

extimae plumulae tenellae ac delicatae tremule resultantes inquieta lasciviunt.

the outermost feathers, soft and delicate, tremble and quiver and continually play.

ceterum corpus glabellum atque luculentum et quale peperisse Venerem non paeniteret.

The rest of his body was shining and bright and such as Venus would not have regretted giving birth to.

ante lectuli pedes iacebat arcus et pharetra et sagittae, magni dei propitia tela.

Before the foot of the bed lay his bow, quiver and arrows, the gracious weapons of the mighty god.

23. quae dum insatiabili animo Psyche, satis et curiosa, rimatur atque pertrectat et mariti sui miratur arma

While Psyche, with an insatiable mind, and curious enough, examines and handles and admires the weapons of her husband,

23. depromit unam de pharetra sagittam et punctu pollicis extremam aciem periclitabunda trementis etiam nunc articuli nisu fortiore pupugit altius,

she takes out one arrow from the quiver and testing the very edge (of the arrow) with a pricking of her thumb, because of the effort of her hand which was trembling at this time was too strong, she pierced it too deeply,

23. ut per summam cutem roraverint parvulae sanguinis rosei guttae.

so that tiny drops of rosy-coloured blood trickled through the top of her skin.

23. sic ignara Psyche sponte in Amoris incidit amorem.

In this way Psyche, unaware, of her own accord, fell in love with Love.

23. tunc magis magisque cupidine flagrans Cupidinis, prona in eum efflictim inhians,

Then, burning more and more with love for Cupid, bending forward and gazing at him desperately,

23. patulis ac petulantibus saviis festinanter ingestis, de somni mensura metuebat.

hurriedly having planted (on him) open-mouthed and wanton kisses, she feared about his capacity for sleep.

23. sed dum bono tanto percita saucia mente fluctuat,

But while she wavers in her wounded mind, excited by so great a blessing,

23. lucerna illa sive perfidia pessima sive invidia noxia

that lamp, whether with the worst treachery or with harmful envy

23. sive quod tale corpus contingere et quasi basiare et ipsa gestiebat,

or because it too was eager to touch such a body and even to kiss it,

23. evomuit de summa luminis sui stillam ferventis olei super umerum dei dexterum.

it spewed forth from the top of its light a drop of burning oil onto the right shoulder of the god,

23. hem audax et temeraria lucerna et amoris vile ministerium, ipsum ignis totius deum aduris,

What? The bold and rash lamp and vile servant of love, you are burning the very god of all fire,

23. cum te scilicet amator aliquis, ut diutius cupitis etiam nocte potiretur, primus invenerit.

since without doubt some lover, in order to possess his heart's desire for longer at night also, first discovered you.

23. sic inustus exsiluit deus visaque detectae fidei colluvie protinus ex osculis et manibus infelicissimae coniugis tacitus avolavit.

So, the scorched god jumped up and, having seen the filth of his betrayed loyalty, immediately flew away in silence from the kisses and the hands of his very unlucky wife.

24. at Psyche statim resurgentis eius crure dextero manibus ambabus adrepto

But having seized his right leg with both hands as he immediately rose, Psyche,

24. sublimis evectionis adpendix miseranda et per nubilas plagas penduli comitatus extrema consequia tandem fessa delabitur solo.

a pitiable attachment of the lofty/high flight, and the last retinue of the hanging companion through the cloudy regions, finally slipped to the ground, tired out.

24. nec deus amator humi iacentem deserens involavit proximam cupressum deque eius alto cacumine sic eam, graviter commotus, adfatur:

Nor did the god her lover desert her as she lay on the ground (but) flew into the nearest cypress tree and from its lofty summit, seriously disturbed/affected, he spoke to her in this way:

24. "ego quidem, simplicissima Psyche, parentis meae Veneris praeceptorum immemor,

'Indeed, most naïve Psyche, (I am) forgetful of the orders of my mother Venus,

24. quae te, miseri extremique hominis devinctam cupidine, infimo matrimonio addici iusserat, ipse potius amator advolavi tibi."

who had ordered you, bound by a desire for a wretched man and lowest of the low, to be joined to a very low marriage, I myself, your lover, have flown to you instead.'

24. sed hoc feci leviter, scio, et praeclarus ille sagittarius ipse me telo meo percussi teque coniugem meam feci,

But I did this light-heartedly, I know, and I, the outstanding archer himself, struck me myself with my own weapon and made you my wife,

24. ut bestia scilicet tibi viderer et ferro caput excideres meum quod istos amatores tuos oculos gerit.

so that doubtless I might seem a beast to you and (so that) with your knife you might cut off my head, which bears those eyes which are your lovers.

24. haec tibi identidem semper cavenda censebam, haec benivole remonebam.

Repeatedly I urged you to always guard against these things, with good intent I warned you about these things.

24. sed illae quidem consiliatrices egregiae tuae tam perniciosi magisterii dabunt actutum mihi poenas;

But indeed those marvellous counsellors/advisers of yours will immediately pay me the penalty for such pernicious/ruinous teaching;

24. te vero tantum fuga mea punivero." Et cum termino sermonis pinnis in altum se proripuit.

but you only will I punish with my flight.' And with the end of his lecture, he hurled himself into the heights on his wings.

25. Psyche vero humi prostrata et quantum visu poterat volatus mariti prospiciens,

But Psyche, prostrate on the ground and watching the flight of her husband as far as she could (keep him) in sight,

25. extremis affligebat lamentationibus animum.

distressed her mind with the most intense lamentations/sobbing/weeping.

25. sed ubi remigio plumae raptum maritum proceritas spatii fecerat alienum,

But when the length of space had made her husband a stranger/no longer hers, carried away by the beating of his wings,

25. per proximi fluminis marginem praecipitem sese dedit.

she rushed headlong through the edge of the nearest river.

25. sed mitis fluvius, in honorem dei scilicet, qui et ipsas aquas urere consuevit,

But the gentle river, in honour of the god of course, who has become accustomed to set fire to the water itself,

25. metuens sibi, confestim eam innoxio volumine super ripam florentem herbis exposuit.

fearing for itself, a harmless eddy immediately placed her on top of a riverbank abundant with grass.

26. sic locuto deo pastore nulloque sermone reddito,

When the shepherd god had spoken in this way and no speech was given back,

26. sed adorato tantum numine salutari, Psyche pergit ire.

but having merely worshipped the deity who saved her, Psyche proceeded to go.

26. sed cum aliquam multum viae laboranti vestigio pererrasset,

But when she had wandered a considerable part of the road with labouring feet,

26. inscio quodam tramite iam die labente

unknowingly, by a certain path, as the day was now slipping away

26. accedit quandam civitatem, in qua regnum maritus unius sororis eius optinebat.

she came to a certain town, in which the husband of one of her sisters held the kingdom.

26. qua re cognita Psyche nuntiari praesentiam suam sorori desiderat;

When she found this out, Psyche had wanted her presence to be announced to her sister;

26. mox inducta mutuis amplexibus alternae salutationis expletis, percontanti causas adventus sui sic incipit:

Soon, having been led in, with the mutual embraces of each other's greeting completed, to (the sister) asking the reason of her arrival, she spoke thus:

26. 'meministi consilium vestrum scilicet quo mihi suasistis

'You remember your advice of course, by which you advised me

26. ut bestiam, quae mariti mentito nomine mecum quiescebat, priusquam ingluvie voraci me misellam hauriret, ancipiti novacula peremerem.

to kill with a two-edged knife the beast, which under the false name of a husband was sleeping with me, before it swallowed poor little me down its ravenous throat.

26. sed cum primum, ut aeque placuerat, conscio lumine vultus eius aspexi,

But as equally it was agreed, as soon as I caught sight of his face with the light as an accomplice,

26. video mirum divinumque prorsus spectaculum, ipsum illum deae Veneris filium, ipsum inquam Cupidinem, leni quiete sopitum.

I saw a wonderful and absolutely divine sight, the very son himself of the goddess Venus, I am saying Cupid himself, asleep in calm repose.

26. ac dum tanti boni spectaculo percita et nimia voluptatis copia turbata fruendi laborarem inopia,

And while excited at the sight of such a great blessing and agitated by an excessive supply of desire, I was struggling with the lack of enjoyment,

26. casu scilicet pessimo lucerna fervens oleum rebullivit in eius umerum.

by the worst luck of course the burning lamp bubbled over oil onto his shoulder.

26. quo dolore statim somno recussus, ubi me ferro et igni conspexit armatam,

Immediately aroused from sleep with such pain, when he caught sight of me armed with a knife and a flame,

26. ʻtu quidem,' inquit, 'ob istud tam dirum facinus confestim toro meo divorte tibique res tuas habeto.

he said: "You indeed, because of that crime so dreadful, get off my bed immediately and take your things with you.

26. ego vero sororem tuam"—et nomen quo tu censeris aiebat—

but I will join your sister" - and he said the name by which you are registered -

26. "iam mihi confarreatis nuptiis coniugabo." et statim Zephyro praecipit ultra terminos me domus eius efflaret.

"now in official marriage to myself." And he immediately ordered the West Wind to blow me away beyond the boundaries of that house.'

27. necdum sermonem Psyche finierat, et illa vesanae libidinis et invidiae noxiae stimulis agitata,

Psyche had not yet finished her conversation and harassed by the goads of mad lust and harmful jealousy,

27. e re concinnato mendacio fallens maritum,

deceiving her husband with a lie produced to suit the occasion,

27. quasi de morte parentum aliquid conperisset, statim navem ascendit et ad illum scopulum protinus pergit.

as if she had found out something about the death of a parent, she immediately boarded a ship and proceeded directly to that rock.

27. et quamvis alio flante vento, caeca spe tamen inhians,

And although an adverse wind was blowing, however gazing at him with blind hope,

27. 'accipe me,' dicens, 'Cupido, dignam te coniugem et tu, Zephyre, suscipe dominam,' saltu se maximo praecipitem dedit.

saying: 'Take me, Cupid, a wife worthy of you and you, Zephyr, receive your mistress' with a mighty leap she hurled herself headlong (from the rock).

27. nec tamen ad illum locum vel saltem mortua pervenire potuit.

However, she could not reach that place, not even when dead.

27. nam per saxa cautium membris iactatis atque dissipatis et, proinde ut merebatur, laceratis visceribus suis alitibus bestiisque obvium ferens pabulum interiit.

For with her limbs tossed and scattered over the rocks of the crags, and with her innards accordingly torn apart, as she deserved, she died, providing ready food for the birds and the beasts.

27. nec vindictae sequentis poena tardavit.

Nor was the punishment of the succeeding revenge slow.

27. nam Psyche rursus errabundo gradu pervenit ad civitatem aliam, in qua pari modo soror morabatur alia.

For Psyche again with wandering step came to another town, in which the other sister was staying in a similar manner.

27. nec setius et ipsa fallacie germanitatis inducta et in sororis sceleratas nuptias aemula festinavit ad scopulum inque simile mortis exitium cecidit.

And she herself was taken in by the deceit of sisterhood and rivalling the wicked marriage of her sister, she hurried to the rocks and fell in a similar cause of death.