Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 133 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 133: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 115: Running Prose from a Victorian Poem This is a page of running verse (numbered page 115) from what appears to be a narrative poem. The text depicts a dramatic scene where a speaker (likely a supernatural or allegorical figure) entrusts a young woman named Psyche to a knight's care, instructing him to bear her safely to her lover's arms and providing a magical vessel for their journey. The passage then shifts to describe how "Peace" personified prepares comfortable rest for the travelers, with an attendant named Cheerfulness greeting them the next morning before they pay homage at someone's (Castabella's) feet. The tone is romantic and melodramatic, featuring classical/mythological references.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
115 “My lovely servant still defend from harms, « And stem with her yon strong opposing tide: — | “* Haste, bear her safely to her lover’s arms! “Be it thy care with steady course to guide The light-winged bark I will myself provide. “Depart in peace ! thou chosen of my heart! “‘Leave not thy faithful knight’s protecting side. ‘Dear to me both, oh may no treacherous art Your kindred souls divide, your fair alliance part! “*Here rest to-night! to-morrow shall prepare «The vessel which your destined course shall speed, “Lo! I consign my Psyche to thy care, “Oh gallant youth! for so hath Fate decreed, «€ And Love himself shall pay the generous meed.” She said, and joined their unreluctant hands. The grateful knight, from fear and sorrow freed, Receives with hope revived the dear commands, And Psyche’s modest eye no other law demands, Now Peace with downy step and silent hand Prepares for each the couch of soft repose : Fairest attendant! she with whispers bland Bids the obedient eye in slumbers close ; She too the first at early morning goes With light-foot Cheerfulness the guests to greet, VW ho soothed by quict dreams refreshed arose, . Ready the labours of the day to meet ; Bat first due homage pay at Castabella’s feet. 2 connicloooks.comn