Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 51 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 51: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a page of running verse poetry, numbered 33, from what appears to be a narrative poem about a character named Psyche. The text describes Psyche's parents hearing her story with joy and embracing her before she departs at twilight to rejoin her divine husband. The passage then shifts to reveal that Psyche's sisters are consumed with envy at her fortunate marriage and splendid fate, secretly plotting her ruin while maintaining a false, affectionate facade. The tone is melodramatic, with emphasis on hidden malice and impending danger—typical of Victorian popular literature's treatment of sibling rivalry and betrayal.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
¥ 33. The wondrous tale attentively they hear, Repeated oft in broken words of joy, She in their arms embraced, while every ear Hang's on their Psyche’s lips, and earnestly On her is fixed each wonder speaking eye ; Till the sad hour arrives which bids them part, And twilight darkens o’er the ruddy sky ; Divinely urged they let their child depart, Pressed with a fond embrace to each adoring heart. Trusting that wedded to a spouse divine Secure is now their daughter’s happiness, They half contentedly their child resign, Check the complaint, the rising sigh suppress, And wipe the silent drops of bitterness. Nor must she her departure more delay, foe But bids them now their weeping Psyche bless ; ie Then back to the pavilion bends her way Ere in the fading west quite sinks expiring day. , But, while her parents listen with delight, Her sisters hearts the Furies agitate: They look with envy on a lot so bright, And all the honours of her splendid fate, Scorning the meanness of their humbler state ; And how they Best her ruin may devise With hidden rancour much they meditate, Yet still they, bear themselves in artful guise, hile *mid ne mieigned caress, concealed the venom ltes Connicloookks.comn)