Cupid and Psyche.
While Cupid lies sleeping in the darkness, Psyche takes her dagger, lights her lamp, and bends over the unconscious god:
* * * There before her lay The very Love brighter than dawn of day;
* * * * *
O then, indeed, her faint heart swelled for love, And she began to sob, and tears fell fast Upon the bed.—But as she turned at last To quench the lamp, there happed a little thing, That quenched her new delight, for flickering The treacherous flame cast on his shoulder fair A burning drop; he woke, and seeing her there, The meaning of that sad sight knew too well, Nor was there need the piteous tale to tell.
William Morris: The Earthly Paradise.
