Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 77 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 77: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 59: Running Prose from a Narrative Poem This is a page of continuous poetic verse (page 59 of an apparently serialized work). The text describes Psyche and a knight traveling at dusk along a river's bank; the knight's mount crosses the river, alarming Psyche until he signals safely from the other side. They are then greeted by a "joyous goodly train" of youths and maidens who escort them across a grand illuminated bridge to an inviting bower described as "the bower of loose Delight"—the language suggesting temptation or moral danger ahead. The narrative appears to draw on the classical myth of Psyche, though the exact title and author are not visible on this page.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
; 39 Now from his crystal urn, with chilling hand Vesper had sprinkled all the earth with dew, A misty veil obscured the neighbouring land, And shut the fading landscape from their view; A beaten path they eagerly pursue, (For now refreshment and repose they need As Psyche weary of long travel grew) Where by a river’s bank it seemed to lead, “Along its sinuous course they heedlessly proceed. At length the lordly beast that bore the knight Explored the river’s depth with sudden bound: Psyche, who heard the plunge with strange affright, Her champion re-assured with welcome sound, That he the other bank had safely found ; And, while he spoke, emerging from the shade, A joyous goodly train appear around, Of many 2 gailant youth and white robed maid, fee Who grateful welcome gave, and courteous greeting paid. Quick through the trees a thousand torches blazed The gloom to banish, and the scene disclose To Psyche all irresolute, amazed: . A bridge with stately arch at distance rose, Thither at once the gay assembly goes, Not unattended by the charmed knight, Inviting Psyche to partake repose, Pointing where shone their bower illumined bright, — Their bower so passing fair, the bower of loose Delight. ‘ wi cConnicloooks.comn