Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 151 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 151: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 133: Running Prose This page contains numbered verse (line 133) from what appears to be a narrative poem. It depicts a mysterious, cloaked figure—described as shapeless, concealed in furs—addressing someone named Psyche. The figure persuades Psyche to accept isolation and abandonment of compassion, promising her peace, independence, and untroubled pleasure in exchange for withdrawing from the suffering of others. The figure withholds a true name (Glacella's) while using a false philosophical title to deceive. The tone is clearly sinister, presenting temptation disguised as benevolence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
i ahs Nought of his shapeless form to sight appears, Impenetrable furs conceal each part; Harsh and u: npl easing sounds in Psy shes S ears That voice which had subdued full many a heart ; _ While he, exerting every specious art, Persuades her to adore their queen’s control ; ~ Yet would he not Glacella’s name impart, But with false title, which she artful stole From fair Philosophy, deludes the erring soul. ¢ . z ‘Rest, happy fair !” he cries, “who here hast found “From all the storms of life a safe retreat, “Sorrow thy breast henceforth no more shall wound *‘ Nor care invade thee in this quiet seat : “The voice of the distressed no more shall meet “The sympathising year; another’s woes *‘ Shall never interrupt the stillness sweet, “Which here shall hush thee to serene repose, Nor damp the constant joys these scenes for thee dis- close. ‘Fatigue no more thy soft and lovely frame — s‘ With vain benevolence and fruitless care ; “No deep heaved sigh shall here thy pity claim, “ Nor hateful want demand thy wealth to share ; ** For thee shall Independence still prepare Pleasur es ‘unmingled, and forever sure ; ‘* His lips our sovereign’s peaceful laws declare, “Centre existence in thyself secure, “Nor let an alien shade thy sunshine e’er obscure.’ connicloooks.comn