Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 75 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 75: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 57 of a Victorian Penny Dreadful This is a page of running verse poetry (page 57), printed in standard typographic text. The narrative describes a knight encountering a submissive beast, then receiving the homage of a character named Psyche, who mounts his steed. As they travel, Psyche recounts an oracle's decree and her difficult journey through wild lands. The courteous knight responds with eloquent counsel, revealing he is bound by a solemn vow to find "the bower of happiness" before removing his helmet. The verse employs romantic and melodramatic language typical of sensation fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
7 57 But scarce the kingly beast the knight beheld, srouching low, submissive at his feet, rath extinguished, and his valour quelied, He seemed with reverence and obeisance sweet Him as his long acknowledged lord to greet. While, in acceptance of the new command, Well pleased the youth received the homage meet, Then seized the splendid chain with steady hand Full confident to rule, and every foe withstand. And, when at length recovered from her fear The timid Psyche mounts his docile steed, Much prayed, she tells to his attentive ear (As on her purposed journey they proceed) The doubtful course the oracle decreed : And how observant of her friendly guide, She still pursued its flight, with all-the speed Her fainting strength had hitherto supplied : What pathless wilds she crossed! What forests darkling wide ! Which having heard, the courteous knight began With counsel sweet to sooth her wounded heart ; Divinely eloquent, persuasion ran The herald of his words ere they depart His lips, which well might confidence impart - As he revealed how he himself was bound By solemn vow, that neither force nor art His helmet should unloose, till he had found The bower of happiness, that lone sought fairy ground. , COMNICOOOLKS COHN