Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 73 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 73: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 55: Running Verse Narrative This is a page of running verse from what appears to be a serialized narrative poem (numbered page 55). The text describes a young knight in armor approaching a lonely woman to offer his protection. The woman is uncertain how to respond, torn between suspicion and attraction, as she observes his graceful form and hears his gentle voice beneath his helmet. The verse concludes with detailed description of the knight's appearance—his shining armor, shield bearing a bleeding heart, azure plumes, and a wounded dragon emblem. The romantic, chivalric tone and elaborate descriptive language suggest this is likely a sensation or adventure narrative written in verse form.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
55 Gently approaching then with fairest speech He proffered service to the lonely dame, And prayed her that she might not so impeach The honour of his youth’s yet spotless fame, As aught to fear which might his knighthood shame ; But if her unprotected steps to guard, The glory of her champion he might claim, He asked no other guerdon or reward, Than what bright honour’s self might to his deeds award. * %y : Doubting, and musing much within her mind, With half suspicious, half confiding eye, Awhile she stood; her thoughts bewildered find No utterance, unwilling to deny Such proffered aid, yet bashful to reply With quick assent, since though concealed his face Beneath his helm, yet might she well espy And in each fair proportion plainly trace The symmetry of form, and perfect youthful grace. Hard were it to describe the nameless charm That o’er each limb, in every action played, The softness of that voice, which could disarm The hand of fury of its deadly blade : In shining armour was the youth arrayed, And on his shield a bleeding heart he bore, His lofty crest light plumes of azure shade, There shone a wounded dragon bathed in gore, And eget with silver beamed the silken scarf he wore. By By - Connicloooks.comn)