Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 86 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 86: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Description This is running verse text (page 68) from what appears to be a narrative poem. The passage describes two female figures approaching: one, seemingly a queen, rides in a car drawn by panthers, while the other—a nymph in white with a green scarf—sits at her feet singing beautifully. The text focuses on the seated figure's character: though Psyche listens with wonder to the nymph's music, the mistress sits with disapproving demeanor, instead gazing at herself in a mirror. The verse elaborates on the mistress's vanity, describing her ever-changing, ornately decorated robes adorned with treasures, yet notes that her bare arms and bosom shine with "painted pride."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘ 68 And hark, soft music steals upon the ear! *Tis woman’s voice most exquisitely sweet! Behold two female forms approaching near Arrest with wonder Psyche’s timid feet ; Ora gay car, by speckled panthers fleet , is drawn in gallant state a seeming queen, And. at her foot on low but graceful : seat y A gentle nymph of lovely form is seen, i 14 in robe of fairest white, with scarf of pleasant green. {n strains of most bewitching harmony, And still adapted to her sovereign’s praise, She filled the groves with such sweet melody, That, quite o’ercome with rapture and amaze, Psyche stood listening to the warbled lays ; Yet with a sullen, scarce approving ear Her mistress sits, but with attentive gaze, Her eyes she fixes on a mirror clear Where still by fancy’s spell unrivalled charms appear. a And, as she looked with aspect ever new, She seemed on change and novel grace intent, Wer robe was formed of ever varying hue, And whimsically placed each ornament ; On her attire, with rich lixuriance spent, The treasures of the earth, the sea, the air, Are yainly heaped her wishes to content ; Yet were her arms and snowy bosom bare, nd both in painted pride shone exquisitely fair. Comichbookssheom