Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 45 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 27: Running Prose This page contains poetic dialogue in running text, appearing to be from a narrative about classical mythology. Cupid addresses Psyche with passionate declarations of love, praising her beauty and hair, then reluctantly grants her request despite his fears. He warns her of danger and speaks of the torment they will both suffer if their relationship is discovered, concluding that he must remain unseen to protect her, or lose her forever. The passage emphasizes themes of forbidden love, sacrifice, and tragic separation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
20 “Oh, by those beauties I must ne’er behold ! “The spicy-scented ringlets of thine hair: «By that soft neck my loving arms enfold, _ * Crown with a kind consent thy Psyche’s prayer ! “Their dear embrace, their blessing let me share ; “So shall I stain our couch with tears no more : ‘But, blest in thee, resign each other care, “Nor seek again thy secret to explore, _ ** Which yet, denied thy sight, I ever must deplore.” Unable to resist her fond request, Reluctant Cupid thus at last complied, ; And sighing clasped her closer to his breast. “Go then, my Psyche! go, my lovely bride ! ‘But let me in thy faith at least confide, “That by no subtle, impious arts betrayed, “© Which, ah! too well I know will all be tried, “Thy simply trusting heart shall e’er be swayed * The secret veil to rend which fate thy screen hath made. For danger hovers o’er thy smiling days, “ One only way to shield thee yet I know; *“Unseen, I may securely guard thy ways «And save thee from the threatened storm of woe; ‘But forced, if known, my Psyche to forego, “Thou never, never must again be mine! “What mutual sorrows hence must ceaseless flow ! “Compelled thy dear embraces to resign, © While thou to anguish doomed for lost delight shalt pine. | ’ ‘ Connicloooks.comn)