Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 240 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 240: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 222 of a Victorian Penny Dreadful This is a text page containing poetry (numbered 222), not a title page or illustration. The verse appears to be an allegorical meditation on spring and renewal, personifying abstract concepts like Hope, Ignorance, and Faith. The poem celebrates the emergence of spring flowers from the earth and suggests that Faith should patiently watch over "humble Sorrow" with a hopeful eye. The language is ornate and sentimental, typical of Victorian popular verse, employing floral and natural imagery as metaphors for emotional and spiritual themes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
222 \" ny Oh! many a stormy night shall close. In gloom upon the barren earth, While still, in undisturbed repose, Uninjured lies the future birth : And Ignorance, with sceptic eye, Hope’s patient smile shall wondering view ; Or mock her fond credulity, As her soft tears the spot bedew. Sweet smile of hope, delicious tear ! The sun, the shower indeed shall come; The promised verdant shoot appear, And nature bid her blossoms bloom. And thou, O virgin Queen of Spring! Shalt, from thy dark and lowly bed, Bursting thy green sheath’s silken string, Unveil thy charms, and perfume shed ; Unfold thy robes of purest white, Unsullied from their darksome grave, And thy soft petals silvery light In the mild breeze unfettered wave. So Faith shall seek the lowly dust Where humble Sorrow loves to lie, And bid her thus her hopes entrust, And watch with patient, cheerful eye ; Connie DOO KSnCOmn)