the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece still ruled, there lived in the palace of Eros, a beautiful and wise old woman called Psyche. The very same who had been pursued and demonised by the jealous Aphrodite and who now was married to Eros himself. But Psyche’s features had wizened, her adventures with Aphrodite had taken their toll, and she was no longer the beauty she once had been. With age, grew by degrees, her rancour and her bitterness. Finally in despair, for she was afraid that Eros no longer loved her, she approached Zeus on the summit of Mt Olympus and begged him for her looks to be restored to their former glories. Zeus, being wise and clever, replied, “My dear Psyche, you have not aged a single day in my estimation and are as lovely as you ever have been”. To prove his words, he granted Psyche possession of the nymph, Echo, resurrecting her accordingly, and said to Psyche: “Simply tell this nymph how much you love her, and how beautiful she is, and you will never forget how beautiful you yourself are”. Psyche was well pleased with her accomplishment, and descended Mt. Olympus, and returned to the palace of Eros. She doted on the nymph day and night, and constantly was she reminded of her own beauty. Soon however, her fortunes were once again to change. One night, Eros, returning home found Echo and Psyche playing in the garden. “How pretty you are”, said Eros upon seeing Echo “How pretty you are” replied Echo in turn and all of a sudden Psyche saw that Zeus had tricked her. Furious with rage she banished Echo from the Palace, vowing that if she ever saw Echo again, she would kill her. She was not a little afraid of the nymph’s power, for Eros could not himself understand her wrath and scolded her saying, “Psyche my love, when did you become so jealous ?”
Echo left the palace and wandered across the
elysian fields, until she found the entrance to the underworld, where Hades had emerged to grab Persephone. Descending, she was met by the Goddess Hecate, who watches over the travelling folk, and Hypnos, the god of sleep. Hecate and Hypnos delighted in torturing their new found friend, they teased and taunted, exploiting her affliction and all poor Echo could do was smile and reply in kind. Poor Echo! She was frustrated at having lost Narcissus and her mistress Psyche all due to the curse of the gods!
Now Psyche heard about Echo’s misfortune at
the hands of Hecate and Hypnos, and relenting, she descended into the underworld to retrieve Echo. Being wise, she asked her dutiful husband Eros to accompany her, with his bow and quiver.
Within the depths of the underworld, a banquet
was being held in honour of Hades himself, Hecate, Hypnos, Thanatos, and Persephone sat at a huge table at the head of the hall, and Echo, sat with Hypnos, who rarely spoke and thus gave her no cause for misery. Psyche approached the head table and demanded that the nymph be returned her at once, for she was a gift from Zeus, and her property. Her demands angered Hecate who flew into a vicious rage aiming for Psyche with murderous intent.
Before she could kill Psyche however, she was
struck by Eros’ calm and well delivered arrow, which pierced her heart, and struck her dumb with love for her victim.
She knelt before Psyche and wept, begging for
her forgiveness, with what little voice she had left.
Psyche looked upon her and took no pity,
saying: “Return to me the nymph, and I will not tell Zeus of this matter, in return I shall never again step foot in the underworld.”
But Hecate, once again seized by the power of
her jealousy and rage, turned at once upon Echo and said: “You are the cause of all this trouble”, and taking up her sword slew Echo with one fell stroke.
Seeing echo slain, Psyche broke down and wept,
and Hades, who had calmly observed the proceedings now spoke. In a grand and booming voice he declared: “ Psyche, you have brought shame upon yourself, not only are you vain, you are foolish, return from whence you came and never return to my kingdom”.
Eros, seeing his foolish wife in misery, took her
up in his arms and whispered: “My dear Psyche, now you must truly realise that beauty is only skin deep, but love endures even when youth has departed. Let us return to the palace and rebuild our love even after this tragedy, and you will see the truth in my words, for there is no love without understanding”.
With that Psyche and Eros returned to the
palace, and Hypnos and Thanatos, the god of death, buried Echo once more, in the realm of Hades.