Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 97 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 97: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# CANTO IV This page presents running poetic verse—the fourth canto of a longer narrative poem. The text explores the tension between Ambition and Love as competing human motivations. It argues that while some pursue public glory and worldly advancement, true happiness lies in love and domestic contentment rather than vanity and fame. The poem concludes by condemning those who reject love in pursuit of glory's "empty name." The page number "H 2" appears at the bottom, indicating this is part of a bound or serialized work.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CANTO IV. | FULL gladsome was my heart ere while to tell How proud Ambition owned superior Love ; For ah! too oft his sterner power could quell | The mild affections which more gently move, _ And rather silent fled than with him strove: © AN For Love content and tranquil saw with dread The. busy scenes Ambition’ 's schemes approve, - And, by the hand of Peace obscurely led, From pride of public life disgusted ever fled. There are who know not the delicious charm ¢ Of sympathising heart; let such employ r. Their active minds; the trumpet’s loud alarm a Shall yield them hope of honourable joy, | And courts may lure them with each splendid toy : But ne’er may vanity or thirst of fame The dearer bliss of loving life destroy ! Qh.! blind to man’s chief good who Love disclaim, And barter pure delicht for gry s empty name! H 2 Connicloooks.comn a