Psyche, and other poems — page 152: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

, r h, He spoke, and lo! unnumbered doors unfold, | | And various scenes of reyelry display ; itlivehals Here Grandeur sunk beneath the massive gold; | Here discontented Beauty pined away, iis > a And vainly conscious asked her promised sway | Here Luxury prepared his sumptuous feast, ae. While lurking Apathy behind him lay ai vt To poison all the insipid food he drest, - And shake his poppy crown o’er every sated guest. — The hireling minstrels strike their weary lyre, And slumber o’er the oft repeated strain; « No listless youth to active grace they fire: Here Eloquence herself might plead in vain, Nor one of all the heartless crowd could gain: And thou, oh! sweeter than the Muses song, Affection’s voice divine! with cold disdain Even thou art heard, while mid the insulting throng Thy daunted, shivering form moves timidly along! |. Thus o’er the oiled surface softly slides The unadmitted stream, rapid it flows, | a And from the impervious plain pellucid glides; _. Repulsed with gentle murmurs thus it goes, ‘Tillin the porous earth it finds repose, Concealed and sheltered in its parents breast: Oh! man’s best treasure in this vale of woes! Still cheer the sad, and comfort the distrest, Nor ever be thy voice by selfishness opprest! == ° 2 "comicbooks;com