C. J. Hamilton

“ Psyche is betrayed by Vanity and Flattery to Ambition; she has to go through the bower of Loose Delight, to encounter the attacks of Slander; to pass through the court of Spleen and the drear Island of indifference, till at last come her final triumph and apotheosis.
The writing of this poem was a never-failing joy to Mrs. Tighe. She calls it—
Delightful vision of my lonely hours,
Charm of my life, and solace of my care.
Sitting in a chestnut bower at Rosanna, which still may be seen, these thrilling scenes of an imaginary world passed before her mind's eye. ”

“ Tighe's face in Romney's portrait is a perfect oval, long dark brown tresses fall on her shoulders, and stray across her low but intellectual brow, the deep-blue eyes—very large and pellucid—are raised to heaven. The lower part of the face is exquisitely formed—the mouth a perfect Cupid's bow—the whole expression is sweet, innocent, and refined, though tinged with indescribable sadness. ”

“ Venus, jealous of the beauty of Psyche, sends her son, Cupid, to the earth, who straightaway falls in love with the nymph himself. There is the radiant isle of pleasure, the fatal curiosity, which sends Psyche, weeping and wandering, through the forests of her earthly penance, where she meets the mysterious knight, Constans. ”