Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 114 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 114: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 96 of a Victorian Penny Dreadful This is a page of running verse narrative, not a title page or illustration. It depicts a romantic quarrel between a knight and a woman named Psyche. The knight, wounded from rescuing Psyche from "a fell beast," withdraws in silence after she appears coldly indifferent to his sacrifice. A character named Constance intervenes, urging Psyche not to wound her faithful knight's heart. As Psyche realizes her error and wishes to apologize, the knight has already departed—leaving her unable to prevent his flight. The passage emphasizes melodramatic emotional conflict and misunderstanding between the lovers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
96 Now in his turn offended and surprised, The knight in silence from her side withdrew; With pain she marked it, but her pain disguised, And heedless seemed her journey to pursue, Nor backward deigned to turn one anxious view As oft she wished; till mindful of his lord, Constance alarmed affectionately flew, Eager to see their mutual peace restored, And blamed her cold reserve in many a soft breathed word. “O Psyche ! wound not thus thy faithful knight, “Who fondly sought thee many an anxious hour, “Though bleeding yet from that inglorious fight, | ‘“ Where thou wert rescued from the savage power | ‘‘ Of that fell beast who would thy charms devour : | ‘Still faint with wounds, he ceased not to pursue ‘‘Thy heedless course : let not displeasure lower | ‘Thus on thy brow: think not his heart untrue ! 4 ‘¢Think not that e’er from thee he willingly withdrew ” ‘ | With self-reproach and sweet returning trust, ) While yet he spoke, her generous heart replies, Soft melting pity bids her now be just | And own the error which deceived her eyes ; Her little pride she longs to sacrifice, ” | And ask forgiveness of her suffering knight; | Her suffering knight, alas! no more she spies, He has withdrawn offended from her sight, | Nor can that gentle voice now hope to stay his flight, Comichdooksneom