Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 76 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 76: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 58: Running Prose from a Romantic Narrative This is a page of running prose—likely from the middle of a serialized story. It contains two distinct quoted passages: first, a man's declaration that he is separated from his love and vows to search for her through any hardship; second, his address to "Psyche," pledging eternal loyalty and protection as her "champion and friend." The page then shifts to narrative prose describing how the two characters proceed together, with Psyche finding hope in his earnest declarations and devoted manner. The tone is romantic melodrama with classical allusions (Venus, Psyche).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
58 - “TI too (he said) divided from my love, ‘‘ The offended power of Venus deprecate, “ Like thee, through paths untrodden, sadly rove “In search of that fair spot prescribed by fate, ** The blessed term of my afflicted state, ' © Where I the mistress of my soul shall find, “‘ For whose dear sake no toil to me seems great, ‘** Nor any dangers to my search assigned, ** Can from its purpose fright my ardent longing mind. . Tote. 0 Pe — aw i at ee ek ‘“ Psyche! thy soft and sympathising heart ** Shall share the rapture of thy loyal knight ; “‘ He too, in thy content shall bear a part, ** Blest witness of thy new restored delight ; ** My vows of true allegiance here I plight, ‘*« Ne’er to forsake thee till thy perils end, “« Thy steps to guard, in thy protection fight, ‘** By counsel aid, and by my arm defend, ‘* And prove myself in all, thy champion and thy friend.” So on they went, her cheerless heart revived — By promised succour in her doubttul way ; And much of hope she to herself derived, From the warm eagerness his lips display In their pursuit to suffer no delay : “‘ And sure, (she softly sighed) my dearest Lord, “Thy watchful love still guides me as I stray, ‘‘ Not chance alone could such an aid afford, “Tio! beasts of prey confess the heaven-assisted sword.” aaa COMUCIOOKSSCOML)