Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 105 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 105: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 87 of Victorian Penny Dreadful This is a page of running verse narrative (poetry) from what appears to be a serialized Gothic or romantic melodrama. The text describes messengers bringing news to a woman (apparently named Visfida) that her knight has abandoned her for another woman. After hearing that he has been "lured by a wanton fair" and now prefers this new lady's love, Visfida stands shocked, then bursts into angry indignation, blaming "that wicked brood" for his betrayal through their "ensnaring arts." The passage combines romantic betrayal with supernatural or Gothic undertones typical of penny dreadful sensationalism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
87 At length the cruel messengers return, Their trampling steeds sound welcome in her ear ; Her rapid feet the ground impatient spurn, As eagerly she flies their news to hear. Alas! they bring no tidings which may cheer © Her sorrowing soul opprest, disconsolate ! “‘ Dismiss,” they cry, “each idly timid fear! ** No dangers now thy faithless knight await, “ Lured by a wanton fair to bowers of peaceful state. “¢ We saw him blithely follow where she led, ** And urged him to return to thee in vain : “‘ Some other knight, insultingly he said, * Thy charms might soon for thy protection gain; ff still resolved to tread with weary pain “ The tedious road to that uncertain land ; * But he shouid there contentedly remain ; ** No other-bliss could now his heart demand * Than that new lady’s loye and kindly proffered hand.” A while she stood in silent wonder lost, And scarce believes the strange abandonment ; No fears like this her heart had ever crost, Nor could she think his mind so lightly bent Could swerve so quickly from its first intent ; Till sudden bursting forth in angry mood Visfida gave her indignation vent, © Ah, well Tknow,” she cried, “that wicked brood ‘Whose cursed ensnaring artsin vain my cares withstood. I & Connicloooks.comnn