Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 46 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 46: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 28: Poetic Narrative Text This is a page of running prose—specifically, romantic verse from what appears to be a narrative poem. The text depicts an exchange between two lovers, with a male figure addressing a woman (identified as "Psyche" in her response) with promises of future joy and a child, assuring her of supernatural freedom through attendant spirits. Psyche replies with declarations of devotion. The passage concludes with narrative verse describing Psyche falling asleep in contentment, followed by a moralizing reflection on how mortals foolishly abandon peaceful retirement in pursuit of fleeting pleasures, thereby losing the lasting bliss heaven intended for them.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
28 “ Solace thy mind with hopes of future joy! “In a dear infant thou shalt see my face ; 4 i ‘ Blest mother soon of an immortal boy, In him his father’s features thou shalt trace! “Yet go! for thou art free, the bounds of space “ Arve none for thee : attendant Zephyrs stay, “Speak but thy will, and to the wished for place Their lovely mistress swift they shall convey : “Yet hither, ah ! return, ere fades the festive day.” CN . “Light of my soul, far dearer than the ay His (Exulting Psyche cries in grateful joy) “ Me all the bliss of earth could ill repay ‘‘ For thy most sweet, divine ‘society ; : | ra ve “To thee again with rapture will I fly, ‘Nor with less pleasure hail the star of eve ‘¢Than when in tedious solitude I sigh; “My vows of silent confidence believe, “Nor think thyPsyche’s faith will e’er thy love deceive. ae . ~ apes ioe" Oe : - - 7 % ’ ” . - s y oni é td | Her suit obtained, in full contentment rio Her eyes at length in placid slumbers closed Sleep, hapless fair! sleep on thy lover’ cs Ah, not again to taste such pure repose! Till thy sad heart by long experience kn ow How much they err, who to their interest blind, | Slight the calm peace which from retirement flows And while they think their fleeting joys to bind, ~ Banish the tranquil bliss which heaven for man designed ! Comichooks.com)