Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 153 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 153: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 135: Narrative Poetry This is a page of running verse—numbered page 135 from what appears to be a longer narrative poem. The text describes a guided tour through a castle where personified vices (Dissipation, Pride, Folly) hold sway. A character named Psyche is led around by a guide who shows her the pleasures available, though her heart remains unmoved, answering only "Love!" to his enticements. The passage concludes with the guide's mocking revelation that even Cupid himself has been conquered and now serves the castle's sovereign. The verse employs allegorical figures common to moral or philosophical literature.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
135 Psyche with languid step he leads around, And bids her all the castle’s splendour see. Here Dissipation’s constant sports abound, While her loose hand in seeming bounty free, - Her scentless roses, painted mimicry, Profusely sheds ; here Pride unheeded tells To nodding crowds his ancient pedigree ; And Folly with reiterated spells To count her spotted cards the yawning group compels. S " ** See how, attentive to her subjects ease,” To their reluctant prey exclaims her guide, ** Each fleeting joy of life she bids them seize, «* Anxious for each gay pastime to provide ; ** See her fast spreading power increasing wide, «* Adored and worshipped in each splendid dome! To! Beauty glows for ever at her side, ** She bids her cheek the unvarying rose assume ; And Bacchus sees for her his votive ivy bloom. “ Ts aught then wanting in this fairy bower ? §* Or is there aught which yet thy heart can move 2” That heart, unyielding to their sovereign’s power, in gentle whispers sighing answers, “ Love |” While scornful smiles the fond reply reprove, “‘Lo!” he exclaims, “thy vanquished Cupid view ; ‘¢ He oft with powerful arms had vainly strove ** Our sovereign’s rocky fortress to subdue, “ Now, subject to her reign, he yields obedience due.” N connicloooks.conn