University of Virginia Library

BALLET OF CUPID AND PSYCHE.

Venus appears upon her neglected altar, and invokes
the vengeance of Cupid upon Psyche, to whom the
Nymphs have transferred the homage due to the Queen
of Beauty. Cupid promises to destroy Psyche, and prepares
his most deadly shaft for her destruction. Psyche enters,
surrounded by the Nymphs, who place her on the pedestal

of Venus, and pay her the same adoration they formerly
paid to the Goddess. Cupid advances to avenge his
mother, but is struck by the beauty of Psyche, becomes
enamoured of her, and breaks his arrow. The Nymphs
depart with Psyche in triumph. Cupid summons Zephyr,
and commands him to bear off Psyche from her companions.
He then hastens the approach of Night—Zephyr returns,
bearing Psyche, asleep. She wakes, and wonders whither
she has been transported. Starts at the whispered words of
Cupid—listens timidly to the declarations of his passion,
and gradually acknowledges the influence of Love.
Tableau—The well-known group of Cupid and Psyche.
Psyche expresses a wish to behold her lover, but Cupid
intimates that it would cause her destruction, and
warns her not to attempt it. He departs, and it becomes
light. Psyche deplores the absence of her lover.
Her sisters enter, to whom she narrates her adventure.
They question her as to the person who has obtained
her affection. She declares her ignorance of his
name or features. They insinuate that he is a monster,
who will devour her; one brings her a lamp, the other a
dagger, and counsel her to watch till he sleeps, and then
kill him. Night returns, and with it Cupid. Awaiting
Psyche, he reclines on a couch of roses, and slumber steals
upon him. Psyche enters cautiously, shading the lamp with
her hand; she approaches the couch, and draws her dagger
to strike the monster. The vessel reveals to her the God of
Love. Astonished and enraptured, she holds the lamp over
him, gazing on his features, when a drop of oil is supposed
to fall on the shoulder of Cupid, and he awakes and discovers
Psyche with a dagger in her grasp. He upbraids her
with the neglect of his warning. She implores his forgiveness.
He is obdurate and flies from her. Thunder and
lightning. Psyche, abandoned by Cupid, falls prostrate in
despair. Venus enters with her repentant votaries, and
ascends her pedestal. The Nymphs kneel awe-stricken
around her. Cupid appears deprecating the anger of Venus,
who triumphantly points to the insensible form of Psyche.

Tableau.