Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 131 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 131: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 113: Running Verse Text This is a page of running verse poetry (page 113 of a larger work), printed in standard Victorian typeface on aged paper. The text comprises three stanzas discussing female virtue and chastity, referencing classical figures like Lucretia and Virginia, praising British women's moral character, and depicting a character named Psyche listening to music while aspiring toward spiritual purity and divine joy. The verse celebrates virginity and modest matronhood as virtuous ideals, with Love unable to inspire earthly desires in the spiritually devoted listener.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
| 113 @’er het soft cheek how arch the dimples play, While pleased the goddess hears Sinope’s wiles! How oft she mocked the changeful lord of day, And many a silvan god who sought her smiles : But chief when Jove her innocence beguiles; ‘‘ Grant me a boon,” the blushing maid replies, Urged by his suit : hope o’er his amorous toils _ Exulting dawns :—* thine oath is past,” she cries ; c Unalterably pure thy spotless virgin dies!” Rome shall for ages boast Lucretia’s name! And while its temples moulder into dust Still triumph in Virginia’s rescued fame, And Scipio’s victory over baffled lust :— Even now the strain prophetically just, In unborn servants bids their queen rejoice, And in her British beauties firmly trust ; Thrice happy fair! who still adore her voice, — The blushing virgin’s law, the modest matron’s choice ! Psyche with ravished ear the strain attends, Enraptured hangs upon the heaven-strung lyre ; Her kindling soul from sensual earth ascends ; To joys divine her purer thoughts aspire ; She longs to join the white robed spotless choir, And there for ever dwell a hallowed guest: Even Love himself no longer can inspire The wishes of the soft enthusiast’s breast, Who, filled with sacred zeal, would there for ever rest; COMIC DOOxS.COM »