Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 147 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 147: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is page 129 of running prose poetry from a Victorian narrative work. The text describes a knight's departure by ship, blessed by his hostess Psyche with a protective talisman. The passage depicts an ideal sea voyage: favorable winds fill the sails, sailors shout in joy, and the ship glides smoothly across calm waters under clear skies. The scene emphasizes peaceful conditions—serene seas, brilliant azure sky, and untroubled passage—as mariners rest idle and the pilot neglects his helm. The language is elevated and romantic, using classical allusions (Neptune, Cynthia) typical of Victorian verse fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
129 But lo! the joyous sun, the soft-breathed gales By zephyrs sent to kiss the placid seas, . Curl the green wave, and fill the swelling sails ; ‘The seamten’s' shouts, which jocund hail the breeze, Call the glad knight the favouring hour to seize. Her gentle hostess Psyche oft embraced, Who still solicitous her guest to please On her fair breast a talisman had placed, - And with the valued gem her parting blessing graced. How gaily now the bark pursues its way Urged by the steady gale! while round the kee} The bubbling currents in sweet whispers play, Their force repulsive now no more they feel ; No clouds the unsullied face of heaven conceal, But the clear azure one pure dome displays, Whether it bids the star of day reveal His potent beams, or Cynthia’s milder rays On deep cerulean skies invite the eye to gaze. Almost unconscious they their course pursue, So smooth the vessel cuts the watery plain; The wide horizon to their boundless view Gives but the sky, and Neptune’s ample reign : Still the unruffled bosom of the main Smiles undiver ‘sified by varying wind ; Wo toil the idle mariners sustain, - While, listless, slumbering o’er his charge reclined, The pilot cares no more the unerring helm to min@. connicloooks.comn