There are those who have seen it at nightfall, coming back from its feeding.

In no long time, they say, it will end its blandishments.

It but waits for the babe to be formed in thee, that it may devour thee by so much the richer.

If indeed the solitude of this musical place, or it may be the loathsome commerce of a hidden love, delight thee, we at least in sisterly piety have done our part." And at last the unhappy Psyche, simple and frail of soul, carried away by the terror of their words, losing memory of her husband's precepts and her own promise, brought upon herself a great calamity.

Trembling and turning pale, she answers them, "And they who tell those things, it may be, speak the truth.