But twilight ushers in the night; and at length in haste she makes ready for the terrible deed.

Darkness came, and the bridegroom; and he first, after some faint essay of love, falls into a deep sleep.
And she, erewhile of no strength, the hard purpose of destiny assisting her, is confirmed in force.

With lamp plucked forth, knife in hand, she put by her sex; and lo! as the secrets of the bed became manifest, the sweetest and most gentle of all creatures, Love himself, reclined [75] there, in his own proper loveliness! At sight of him the very flame of the lamp kindled more gladly! But Psyche was afraid at the vision, and, faint of soul, trembled back upon her knees, and would have hidden the steel in her own bosom.

But the knife slipped from her hand; and now, undone, yet ofttimes looking upon the beauty of that divine countenance, she lives again.

She sees the locks of that golden head, pleasant with the unction of the gods, shed down in graceful entanglement behind and before, about the ruddy cheeks and white throat.