Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 206 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 206: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 188 - Running Prose/Poetry This page contains verse (numbered page 188) depicting contrasting experiences of illness and care. The speaker describes someone who receives loving attention during sleep without awareness of the sacrifices made, then contrasts this with their own suffering—enduring pain and ineffective medicine despite yearning for health. The poem shifts to gratitude, celebrating how a compassionate friend's watchful presence alleviates suffering and renews hope. It concludes with the speaker resolving not to complain about their "mild" lot, given the comfort of such devoted friendship and care. The tone moves from anguished complaint to resigned thankfulness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
188 For him no wakeful eye of love Resists the slumbers health wouid shed, With kind assistance prompt to move, And gently prop the aching head: | With delicate attention paid In hope to minister relief, He sees no sacrifices made ; He sees no Mother’s anxious grief! But I, poor staffer er, doomed in vain To woo the health which Heaven denied, - Though nights of horror, days of pain The baffled opiate’s force deride, Yet well L know, and grateful feel, - How much can lenient kindness do, From anguish half its darts to steal, And faded hope’s sick smile renew: Oh! how consoling is the eye Of the dear friend that shares our woes! Oh ! what relief those cares supply, | Which watchful, active love bestows ! And these are mine !—Shall I then dare To murmur at so mild a lot? Nor dwell on comforts still my share With thankful and contented thought? | - cGomicbooks.;com