Browning's Cupid and Psyche

Elizabeth Barrett Browning-such an important name in literary history. We have discussed the many people influenced by Apuleius's "The Golden Ass," but Browning's name was never mentioned. I was searching the interent for some interesting blog material and struck gold when I came across another blog by a women whom is in love with English. She was giving a speech of some sort and planned on reading Browning's beautiful translation of Cupid and Psyche in a small cemetary. Apparantely Browning translated the story into poem form in the original Latin, but I was able to find it in English as well. She did this while good old Robert was courting her. this is her translation of the part where psyche first sees cupid:

Then Psyche, weak in body and soul, put on
The cruelty of Fate, in place of strength:
She raised the lamp to see what should be done,
And seized the steel, and was a man at length In courage, though a woman!
Yes, but when
The light fell on the bed whereby she stood
To view the ‘beast’ that lay there, - certes, then,
She saw the gentlest, sweetest beast in wood –
Even Cupid’s self, the beauteous god! More beauteous
For that sweet sleep across his eyelids dim.
The light, the lady carried as she viewed,
Did blush for pleasure as it lighted him,
The dagger trembled from its aim unduteous;
And she . . . oh, she – amazed and soul-distraught
And fainting in her whiteness like a veil,
Slid down upon her knees, and, shuddering, thought
To hide – though in her heart – the dagger pale!
She would have done it, but her hands did fail
To hold the guilty steel, they shivered so, -
And feeble, exhausted, unawares she took
To gazing on the god, - till, look by look,
Her eyes with larger life did fill and glow.

Very beautiful indeed, i have always loved her poetry. if you would like to read more of her amazing translation, check out this website; http://www.florin.ms/apuleius.html#english
i know you will enjoy it.