Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 125 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 125: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 107: Allegorical Verse This is a page of running prose—specifically, poetry. The text presents an allegorical passage describing a female figure (likely representing Virtue or Chastity) who wears a magical white robe and luminous girdle. Fate entrusts two handmaidens, Prudence and Purity, to guard her. The verse details how her glowing cestus (belt) protects her in battle and, when concealed beneath a silken scarf by Modesty during peaceful hours, allows a "blushing maid" to hide her charms. The passage concludes with Courage standing foremost, inspired by Truth and holding a crystal lamp. The allegorical personification of virtues suggests this excerpt appears from a longer didactic or moral narrative poem.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
107 The hand of Fate, which wove of spotless white Her wondrous robe, bade it unchangeable Preserve unsullied its first lustre bright, Nor eter might bé renewed that sacred spell If once destroyed ; wherefore to guard it well Two hand-maids she entrusts with special care, Prudence and Purity, who both excel, The first in matron dignity of air, | | é The last in blooming youth unalterably fair. ~ Favourite’of heaven! she at her birth received With it the brilliant zone that bound her waist, Which, were the earth of sun and stars bereaved, By its own light beneficently cast ‘ Could cheer the innocent, and guide the chaste : Nor armour ever had the virgin bore, Vhough oft in warlike scenes her youth she past, For while her breast this dazzling cestus wore, | The foe who dared _to gaze beheld the light no more. “But when her placid hours in peace are spent, Concealed she bids its latent terrors lie, Sheathed in a silken scarf, with kind intent Wove by the gentle hand of Modesty ; And see, the blushing maid with down-cast eye Behind her mistress hides her charms retired ! While, foremost of the group, of stature high, _ Firm Courage lifts her brow by Truth inspired, Who holds a crystal lamp in flames celestial fired. COMME|IOOkKS.COnn