Psyche, and other poems — page 74: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

56 iis milk-white steed with glittering trappings blazed, Whose reins a beauteous boy attendant held, On the fair squire with wonder Psyche razed, For scarce he seemed of age to bear the shield, Far less a ponderous lance, or sword to wield ; Yet well this little page his lord had served, His youthful arm had many a foe repelled, His watchful eye from many a snare preserved, Nor ever from his steps in any danger swerved. Graced with the gift of a perpetual youth, - No lapse of years had power his form to change; Constance was named the boy, whose matchless truth Though oft inticed with other lords to range Nor fraud, nor force could from that knight estrange ; His mantle of celestial blue was made, — And its bright texture wrought with art so strange That the fresh brilliant gloss could never fade, And lustre yet unknown to Psyche’s eyes displayed. ‘Thus while she gazed, behold with horrid roar A lion from the neighbouring forest rushed, A golden chain around his neck he bore, Which richly glowing with carbuncles blushed, While his fierce eye-balls fiery rage had flushed : Forth steps the youth before the affrighted fair, Who in his mighty paw already crushed Seems in the terrors of her wild despair, = And her mute quivering lips a death-like palenesg wear. od ’ Comichbooksseom 5