Cupid and Psyche

In Greece there lived a princess
so graceful and so fair
that to her glowing beauty
no other could compare.

The maiden's name was Psyche,
and it was known by all,
including jealous Venus
who plotted Psyche's fall.

For Venus was a goddess
and thought it was her right
to be the greatest beauty:
the world's fairest sight.

So Venus turned to Cupid,
her arrow-shooting son
who thought that causing people
to fall in love was fun.

If Cupid aimed his arrow
directly at your heart,
you'd fall in love no matter
how tough you were or smart.

"My son," exclaimed the goddess,
"please save me from my shame.
There is a mortal princess,
and Psyche is her name.

No woman is more lovely —
at least that's what they say.
And from your mother's beauty
they all have turned away.

I want your stealthy arrow
to make her choose a mate
as horrible and monstrous
as nature can create.

This punishment is worthy
of Psyche's wicked crime.
So fly to her, my Cupid,
and waste no precious time."

But Venus failed to reckon
that even her own son
by Psyche's lovely features
would easily be won.

When Cupid saw the maiden,
he shot his loving dart,
but this misguided arrow
went back and stung his heart.

And yet his second arrow
its target did not miss.
In love with Cupid, Psyche
gave him a burning kiss.

When Venus saw what happened,
she took her son away.
But Psyche followed closely,
and Venus heard her say:

"Please bring him back, oh goddess,
or I will cease to live.
And anything you fancy
for Cupid I will give."

"All right," responded Venus,
"three things of you I ask.
He's yours if you accomplish
precisely every task."

And so, the tricky goddess
got sacks of different seed.
She mixed them up completely
and said: "Here's what I need.

You have to sort the millet,
the barley and the rye
in neat and separate measures —
by morning.  Can you try?"

Poor Psyche was discouraged.
She muttered: "No I can't."
But suddenly she noticed
a tiny, wriggly ant.

And then she spied another
and still ten million more.
They sorted seeds and put them
in portions on the floor.

When no seed was left over,
she thanked them one and all.
And then she slept till morning
when Venus came to call.

The goddess had been certain
that Psyche was to fail.
But Venus kept on scheming
and thought she would prevail.

She said: 'You have to bring me
a bucketful of fleece
from sheep that I will show you —
the finest in all Greece.

But do take care, my darling:
they will put up a fight.
They are as fierce as lions
and will be sure to bite."

When Psyche came up closer
and saw the grazing sheep,
she knew that they would kill her:
their wool they meant to keep.

A reed in nearby water
exclaimed: "Do not despair.
When they walk through those bushes,
the sheep leave clumps of hair."

So Psyche sat and waited
until the sheep indeed
left fleece on all the bushes,
as promised by the reed.

Then Psyche filled her bucket 
with wool right to the brim.
When Venus saw her coming,
the goddess looked quite grim.

"Oh, you are swift, my pretty,"
the cruel Venus said.
"Fulfill the final mission
and Cupid you can wed.

Not far from here there rumbles
a giant waterfall.
A cupful of its water
I want to have — that's all."

The waterfall was roaring
with all its flowing might.
The slippery rocks around it
were such a scary sight.

So Psyche started sobbing
until her cries were heard
by yet another helper.
This one — a friendly bird.

"Give me the cup; don't worry.
I know just what to do,"
the birdie chirped and quickly
up to the water flew.

It filled the cup and brought it
back to the grateful maid.
And Psyche said: 'Oh, thank you
for this much needed aid!"

The cup made Venus livid!
But now she had no choice.
She said: "I give you Cupid"
with fury in her voice.

At once the happy Psyche
had Cupid in her arms.
What can be more enticing
than love's eternal charms?

Since then they've been together —
forever in their bliss —
united by two arrows,
a goddess and a kiss.

НБ.  Пересказ мифа о Купидоне и Психее по мотивам Апулея.