Psyche

The face which is considered the loveliest in antique sculpture is that of Psyche at Naples.

The touching story of Psyche and Cupid is an allegory taken from the "Golden Ass" of Apuleius.

It forms the subject of a celebrated wall-painting by Raphael, in the Farnese Palace in Rome.

Psyche, so the story runs, was the daughter of a king, and very beautiful. The fame of her beauty awoke the jealousy of Venus, who charged her son, Cupid, to inspire Psyche with love for some mortal.

Cupid obeyed, so far as to visit Psyche; but, being himself struck with her beauty, he carried her off to a fairy palace, where they spent many happy hours together, with only this drawback, that she was never to look with her mortal eyes upon her lover. Her curiosity, however, led her to look upon him as he lay asleep, when a drop of oil from her lamp awoke him, and he immediately took flight.

She wandered about from place to place seeking him, subject to severe persecution at the hands of Venus, and enduring great suffering.

Cupid at last came to her rescue, the anger of Venus was appeased, and the marriage of Cupid and Psyche was celebrated with great rejoicing in the presence of the higher gods.

This allegory is thought by some to indicate that castles in the air are exquisite until we look at them as realities, when they instantly vanish, and leave only disappointment and vexation behind. By others it is thought to illustrate the three stages in the existence of a soul,--its pre-existence in a blessed state, its existence on earth with its trials and anguish, and its future state of happy immortality.