Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 72 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 72: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 54: Narrative Poetry This is a page of running verse (numbered 54), likely from a serialized narrative poem. The text depicts Psyche, a mythological figure, struggling against magical adversaries sent by Inconstancy, then falling asleep in despair. She awakens to discover an armed knight appearing mysteriously beside her; though initially terrified, his courteous manner gradually calms her fear, and her color returns as "pale terror" gives way to composure. The ornate, sentimental language and classical subject matter suggest this penny dreadful adaptation romanticizes familiar mythological material for popular Victorian audiences.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
54: ; This chief Inconstancy his power destroys ; To mock his lovely form, an idle train With magic skill she dressed in transient toys, By these the selfish votaries she can gain Whom Love’s more simple bands could ne’er detain. Ah! how shall Psyche through such mortal foes The fated end of all her toils attain? Sadly she ponders o’er her hopeless woes, ° Till on the pillowy turf she sinks to short repose. ‘ ~ — = > ae i, Pamala % But, as the careless lamb whom playful chance Thoughtless of danger has enticed to rove, Amidst her gambols casts a sudden glance Where lurks her wily foe within the grove, © Anxious to fly, but still afraid to move, All hopeless of escape—so looks the maid, Such dread her half-awakened senses prove, When roused from sleep before her eyes dismayed i knight all armed appears close mid the embowering shade. Trembling she gazed, until the stranger knight Tempering with mildest courtesy, the awe Which majesty inspired, low in her sight Obeisance made; nor would he nearer draw, Till, half subdued surprise and fear, he saw Pale terror yielding to the rosy grace, The pure congealed blood begin to thaw, And flowing through her crystal veins apace Suffuse with mantling bulsh her mild celestial face. d * Connie DOO KSa(eOmn)