Psyche, and other poems — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

136 Wondering she gazed around, and where he points, An idiot child in golden chains she spies, Rich cumbrous gems load all his feeble joints, A gaudy bandage seals his stupid eyes, And foul Desire his short-lived torch supplies: By the capricious hand of Fashion led, Her sudden starts with tottering step he tries Submissive to attend: him had she bred, And Selfishness himself the nursling ever fed. ? With lustre false his tinsel arms todeck — yy Ungraceful ornaments around him shone, Gifts of his sportive guide; she round his neck A glittering cord insultingly had thrown, Loading its pendent purse with many a stone And worthless dross, and ever as he went, His leaden darts, with wanton aim unknown, Now here, now there, in careless chance she sent, That oft their blunted force in empty air was spent. ‘Shocked, from the gross imposture Psyche turned With horror and disgust her fearful eye ; Her fate forlorn’in silent anguish mourned, And called her knight with many a hopeless sigh. But see, the crowds in sudden tumult fly ! The doors, fast closing to exclude some foe, .: Proclaim to Psyche’s hopes her hero nigh = | Escaping from her guard she flies, when lo! —_, His form the bursting gates in awful beauty shew. <> q COMMG OOS: com i