CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| INTRODUCTORY NOTE | [9] |
| THE STORY OF EROS AND PSYCHE | [13] |
| ———— | |
| IN A CANOE | [55] |
| THE ARTIST TO HIS LADY | [58] |
| APHRODITE | [60] |
| SCHRECKHORN | [65] |
| THE VEILED ISIS | [67] |
| THE TIDE | [71] |
| SUMMER LIGHTNING | [72] |
| IN THE GRASS: BY A MONAD | [75] |
| THE WORLD-SPIRIT | [79] |
| TO A FRIEND | [83] |
| BY THE MOUTH OF THE ARNO | [86] |
| AS ROUND A LIGHTHOUSE | [87] |
| THE COMPLAINT OF JOB (CHAP. III) | [89] |
| THE EVERNEW | [93] |
| ON A CRUCIFIX | [94] |
| THE GREAT PEEPSHOW | [99] |
| THE FELLOWSHIP OF HUMANITY | [106] |
| THE FELLOWSHIP OF SUFFERING | [108] |
| THE ANGEL OF DEATH—AND LIFE | [110] |
| SONNETS: | |
| GENOA | [117] |
| BEETHOVEN | [118] |
| IN MORTEM. F. D. MAURICE | [119] |
| WILLIAM SMITH: AUTHOR OF “THORNDALE” | [120] |
| INSCRIBED ON A GRAVE | [121] |
| DEATH | [122] |
| SINCE, IN THINE HOUR OF SORROW | [123] |
| SEVERANCE | [124] |
| IT SHALL BE | [125] |
| WALDSTEIN SONATA. BEETHOVEN | [126] |
THE STORY OF EROS AND
PSYCHE
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Tho’ the story of Eros and Psyche is alluded to by various earlier writers, our only source for its details is, I believe, in that animated and amusing romance, the Golden Ass of Apuleius; where it occurs as an Episode, and where it is told at considerable length and with elaboration.
Apuleius was a Roman citizen of Madaura in N. Africa, and was born about 130 A.D. He inherited a large sum of money from his father, and after spending much of it in extensive travels, settled down ultimately to a literary life at Carthage, where he was held in great honor. He had an inquiring adventurous turn of mind and character, uniting a thorough enjoyment of life with a tendency to mysticism and oriental speculation (the theosophy of the time), which shows itself in his works. He is said to have been initiated in the ‘mysteries’ of various religious fraternities.
The story of Eros and Psyche (or Cupid and Psyche as he calls it) probably came to Apuleius thro’ Greek channels; but it seems to be one of those world-old fables to which it is difficult to assign a date or locality, and which owing to some hidden pregnancy of meaning are graciously received in all ages and places. In this respect Eros and Psyche may be compared with Cinderella and with the Sleeping Beauty, to both of which stories it shows considerable resemblance both in detail and meaning.