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[Psyche] Canto VI.

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ARGUMENT.

Introduction — The power of Love to soften adversity — Exhortation to guard Love from the attacks of Ill-temper, which conduct to Indifference and Disgust — Psyche becalmed — Psyche surprised and carried to the Island of Indifference — Pursued and rescued by her Knight — The Voyage concluded — Psyche brought home beholds again the Temple of Love — Is reunited to her Lover, and invited by Venus to receive in Heaven her Apotheosis — Conclusion.

[Page [179]]

CANTO VI.

1 WHEN pleasure sparkles in the cup of youth,
2 And the gay hours on downy wing advance,
3 Oh! then 'tis sweet to hear the lip of truth
4 Breathe the soft vows of love, sweet to entrance
5 The raptured soul by intermingling glance
6 Of mutual bliss; sweet amid roseate bowers,
7 Led by the hand of Love, to weave the dance,
8 Or unmolested crop life's fairy flowers,
9 Or bask in joy's bright sun through calm unclouded hours.
[Page 180]
10 Yet they, who light of heart in may-day pride
11 Meet love with smiles and gaily amorous song,
12 (Though he their softest pleasures may provide,
13 Even then when pleasures in full concert throng)
14 They cannot know with what enchantment strong
15 He steals upon the tender suffering soul,
16 What gently soothing charms to him belong,
17 How melting sorrow owns his soft control,
18 Subsiding passions hushed in milder waves to roll.
19 When vexed by cares and harassed by distress,
20 The storms of fortune chill thy soul with dread,
21 Let Love, consoling Love! still sweetly bless,
22 And his assuasive balm benignly shed:
23 His downy plumage o'er thy pillow spread
24 Shall lull thy weeping sorrows to repose;
25 To Love the tender heart hath ever fled,
26 As on its mother's breast the infant throws
27 Its sobbing face, and there in sleep forgets its woes.
[Page 181]
28 Oh! fondly cherish then the lovely plant,
29 Which lenient Heaven hath given thy pains to ease;
30 Its lustre shall thy summer hours enchant,
31 And load with fragrance every prosperous breeze,
32 And when rude winter shall thy roses seize,
33 When nought through all thy bowers but thorns remain,
34 This still with undeciduous charms shall please,
35 Screen from the blast and shelter from the rain,
36 And still with verdure, cheer the desolated plain.
37 Through the hard season Love with plaintive note
38 Like the kind red-breast tenderly shall sing,
39 Which swells mid dreary snows its tuneful throat,
40 Brushing the cold dews from its shivering wing,
41 With cheerful promise of returning spring
42 To the mute tenants of the leafless grove.
43 Guard thy best treasure from the venomed sting
44 Of baneful peevishness; oh! never prove
45 How soon ill-temper's power can banish gentle Love!
[Page 182]
46 Repentance may the storms of passion chase,
47 And Love, who shrunk affrighted from the blast,
48 May hush his just complaints in soft embrace,
49 And smiling wipe his tearful eye at last:
50 Yet when the wind's rude violence is past,
51 Look what a wreck the scattered fields display!
52 See on the ground the withering blossoms cast!
53 And hear sad Philomel with piteous lay
54 Deplore the tempest's rage that swept her young away.
55 The tears capricious beauty loves to shed,
56 The pouting lip, the sullen silent tongue,
57 May wake the impassioned lovers tender dread,
58 And touch the spring that clasps his soul so strong;
59 But ah, beware! the gentle power too long
60 Will not endure the frown of angry strife;
61 He shuns contention, and the gloomy throng
62 Who blast the joys of calm domestic life,
63 And flies when discord shakes her brand with quarrels rife.
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64 Oh! he will tell you that these quarrels bring
65 The ruin, not renewal of his flame:
66 If oft repeated, lo! on rapid wing
67 He flies to hide his fair but tender frame;
68 From violence, reproach, or peevish blame
69 Irrevocably flies. Lament in vain!
70 Indifference comes the abandoned heart to claim,
71 Asserts for ever her repulsive reign,
72 Close followed by disgust and all her chilling train.
73 Indifference, dreaded power! what art shall save
74 The good so cherished from thy grasping hand?
75 How shall young Love escape the untimely grave
76 Thy treacherous arts prepare? or how withstand
77 The insidious foe, who with her leaden band
78 Enchains the thoughtless, slumbering deity?
79 Ah, never more to wake! or e'er expand
80 His golden pinions to the breezy sky,
81 Or open to the sun his dim and languid eye.
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82 Who can describe the hopeless, silent pang
83 With which the gentle heart first marks her sway?
84 Eyes the sure progress of her icy fang
85 Resistless, slowly fastening on her prey;
86 Sees rapture's brilliant colours fade away,
87 And all the glow of beaming sympathy;
88 Anxious to watch the cold averted ray
89 That speaks no more to the fond meeting eye
90 Enchanting tales of love, and tenderness, and joy.
91 Too faithful heart! thou never canst retrieve
92 Thy withered hopes: conceal the cruel pain!
93 O'er thy lost treasure still in silence grieve;
94 But never to the unfeeling ear complain:
95 From fruitless struggles dearly bought refrain!
96 Submit at once — the bitter task resign,
97 Nor watch and fan the expiring flame in vain;
98 Patience consoling maid, may yet be thine,
99 Go seek her quiet cell, and hear her voice divine!
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100 But lo! the joyous sun, the soft-breathed gales
101 By zephyrs sent to kiss the placid seas,
102 Curl the green wave, and fill the swelling sails;
103 The seamen's shouts, which jocund hail the breeze,
104 Call the glad knight the favouring hour to seize.
105 Her gentle hostess Psyche oft embraced,
106 Who still solicitous her guest to please
107 On her fair breast a talisman had placed,
108 And with the valued gem her parting blessing graced.
109 How gaily now the bark pursues its way
110 Urged by the steady gale! while round the keel
111 The bubbling currents in sweet whispers play,
112 Their force repulsive now no more they feel;
113 No clouds the unsullied face of heaven conceal,
114 But the clear azure one pure dome displays,
115 Whether it bids the star of day reveal
116 His potent beams, or Cynthia's milder rays
117 On deep cerulean skies invite the eye to gaze.
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118 Almost unconscious they their course pursue,
119 So smooth the vessel cuts the watery plain;
120 The wide horizon to their boundless view
121 Gives but the sky, and Neptune's ample reign:
122 Still the unruffled bosom of the main
123 Smiles undiversified by varying wind;
124 No toil the idle mariners sustain,
125 While, listless, slumbering o'er his charge reclined,
126 The pilot cares no more the unerring helm to mind.
127 With light exulting heart glad Psyche sees
128 Their rapid progress as they quit the shore:
129 Yet weary languor steals by slow degrees
130 Upon her tranquil mind; she joys no more
131 The never changing scene to wander o'er
132 With still admiring eye; the enchanting song
133 Yields not that lively charm it knew before,
134 When first enraptured by his tuneful tongue
135 She bad her vocal knight the heavenly strain prolong.
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136 A damp chill mist now deadens all the air,
137 A drowsy dullness seems o'er all to creep,
138 No more the heavens their smile of brightness wear,
139 The winds are hushed, while the dim glassy deep
140 Oppressed by sluggish vapours seems to sleep;
141 See his light scarf the knight o'er Psyche throws,
142 Solicitous his lovely charge to keep
143 From still increasing cold; while deep repose
144 Benumbs each torpid sense and bids her eye-lids close.
145 Now as with languid stroke they ply the oars,
146 While the dense fog obscures their gloomy way;
147 Hymen, well used to coast these dangerous shores,
148 Roused from the dreaming trance in which he lay,
149 Cries to the knight in voice of dread dismay,
150 "Steer hence thy bark, oh! yet in time beware;
151 Here lies Petrea, which with baneful sway
152 Glacella rules, I feel the dank cold air,
153 I hear her chilling voice, methinks it speaks despair!"
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154 Even while he speaks, behold the vessel stands
155 Immoveable! in vain the pilot tries
156 The helm to turn; fixed in the shallow strands,
157 No more obedient to his hand, it lies,
158 The disappointed oar no aid supplies
159 While sweeping o'er the sand it mocks their force.
160 The anxious knight to Constance now applies,
161 To his oft tried assistance has recourse,
162 And bids his active mind design some swift resource.
163 Debating doubtfully awhile they stood,
164 At length on their united strength rely,
165 To force the bark on the supporting flood;
166 They rouse the seamen, who half slumbering lie,
167 Subdued and loaded by the oppressive sky.
168 Then wading mid the fog, with care explore
169 What side the deepest waters may supply,
170 And where the shallows least protect the shore,
171 While through their darksome search the star sheds light before.
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172 Mean time deep slumbers of the vaporous mist
173 Hang on the heavy eye-lids of the fair;
174 And Hymen too, unable to resist
175 The drowsy force of the o'erwhelming air,
176 Laid at her feet at length forgets his care.
177 When lo! Glacella's treacherous slaves advance,
178 Deep wrapt in thickest gloom; the sleeping fair
179 They seize, and bear away in heedless trance,
180 Long ere her guardian knight suspects the bitter chance.
181 Thus the lorn traveller imprudent sleeps
182 Where his high glaciers proud Locendro shews;
183 Thus o'er his limbs resistless torpor creeps,
184 As yielding to the fatal deep repose
185 He sinks benumbed upon the Alpine snows,
186 And sleeps no more to wake; no more to view
187 The blooming scenes his native vales disclose,
188 Or ever more the craggy path pursue,
189 Or o'er the lichened steep the chamois chase renew.
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190 Lo! to their queen they bear their sleeping prey,
191 Deep in her ice-built castle's gloomy state,
192 There on a pompous couch they gently lay
193 Psyche, as yet unconscious of her fate,
194 And when her heavy eyes half opening late
195 Dimly observe the strange and unknown scenes,
196 As in a dream she views her changed estate,
197 Gazing around with doubtful, troubled mien
198 Now on the stupid crowd, now on their dull proud queen
199 With vacant smile, and words but half exprest,
200 In one ungracious, never-varying tone,
201 Glacella welcomes her bewildered guest,
202 And bids the chief supporter of her throne
203 Approach and make their mighty mistress known,
204 Proud Selfishness, her dark ill-favoured lord!
205 Her gorgeous seat, which still he shared alone,
206 He slowly leaves obedient to her word,
207 And ever as he moved the cringing train adored.
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208 Nought of his shapeless form to sight appears,
209 Impenetrable furs conceal each part;
210 Harsh and unpleasing sounds in Psyche's ears
211 That voice which had subdued full many a heart;
212 While he, exerting every specious art,
213 Persuades her to adore their queen's control;
214 Yet would he not Glacella's name impart,
215 But with false title, which she artful stole
216 From fair Philosophy, deludes the erring soul.
217 "Rest, happy fair!" he cries, "who here hast found
218 From all the storms of life a safe retreat,
219 Sorrow thy breast henceforth no more shall wound
220 Nor care invade thee in this quiet seat:
221 The voice of the distressed no more shall meet
222 The sympathising ear; another's woes
223 Shall never interrupt the stillness sweet,
224 Which here shall hush thee to serene repose,
225 Nor damp the constant joys these scenes for thee disclose.
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226 "Fatigue no more thy soft and lovely frame
227 With vain benevolence and fruitless care;
228 No deep heaved sigh shall here thy pity claim,
229 Nor hateful want demand thy wealth to share;
230 For thee shall Independence still prepare
231 Pleasures unmingled, and for ever sure;
232 His lips our sovereign's peaceful laws declare,
233 Centre existence in thyself secure,
234 Nor let an alien shade thy sunshine e'er obscure."
235 He spoke, and lo! unnumbered doors unfold,
236 And various scenes of revelry display;
237 Here Grandeur sunk beneath the massive gold;
238 Here discontented Beauty pined away,
239 And vainly conscious asked her promised sway;
240 Here Luxury prepared his sumptuous feast,
241 While lurking Apathy behind him lay
242 To poison all the insipid food he drest,
243 And shake his poppy crown o'er every sated guest.
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244 The hireling minstrels strike their weary lyre,
245 And slumber o'er the oft repeated strain;
246 No listless youth to active grace they fire:
247 Here Eloquence herself might plead in vain,
248 Nor one of all the heartless crowd could gain:
249 And thou, oh! sweeter than the Muses song,
250 Affection's voice divine! with cold disdain
251 Even thou art heard, while mid the insulting throng
252 Thy daunted, shivering form moves timidly along!
253 Thus o'er the oiled surface softly slides
254 The unadmitted stream, rapid it flows,
255 And from the impervious plain pellucid glides;
256 Repulsed with gentle murmurs thus it goes,
257 Till in the porous earth it finds repose,
258 Concealed and sheltered in its parents breast: —
259 Oh! man's best treasure in this vale of woes!
260 Still cheer the sad, and comfort the distrest,
261 Nor ever be thy voice by selfishness opprest!
[Page 194]
262 Psyche with languid step he leads around,
263 And bids her all the castle's splendour see.
264 Here Dissipation's constant sports abound,
265 While her loose hand in seeming bounty free,
266 Her scentless roses, painted mimicry,
267 Profusely sheds; here Pride unheeded tells
268 To nodding crowds his ancient pedigree;
269 And Folly with reiterated spells
270 To count her spotted cards the yawning group compels.
271 "See how, attentive to her subjects ease,"
272 To their reluctant prey exclaims her guide,
273 Each fleeting joy of life she bids them seize,
274 Anxious for each gay pastime to provide;
275 See her fast spreading power increasing wide,
276 Adored and worshipped in each splendid dome!
277 Lo! Beauty glows for ever at her side,
278 She bids her cheek the unvarying rose assume;
279 And Bacchus sees for her his votive ivy bloom.
[Page 195]
280 "Is aught then wanting in this fairy bower?
281 Or is there aught which yet thy heart can move?"
282 That heart, unyielding to their sovereign's power,
283 In gentle whispers sighing answers, "Love!"
284 While scornful smiles the fond reply reprove,
285 "Lo!" he exclaims, "thy vanquished Cupid view;
286 He oft with powerful arms had vainly strove
287 Our sovereign's rocky fortress to subdue,
288 Now, subject to her reign, he yields obedience due."
289 Wondering she gazed around, and where he points,
290 An idiot child in golden chains she spies,
291 Rich cumbrous gems load all his feeble joints,
292 A gaudy bandage seels his stupid eyes,
293 And foul Desire his short-lived torch supplies:
294 By the capricious hand of Fashion led,
295 Her sudden starts with tottering step he tries
296 Submissive to attend: him had she bred,
297 And Selfishness himself the nursling ever fed.
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298 With lustre false his tinsel arms to deck
299 Ungraceful ornaments around him shone,
300 Gifts of his sportive guide; she round his neck
301 A glittering cord insultingly had thrown,
302 Loading its pendent purse with many a stone
303 And worthless dross, and ever as he went,
304 His leaden darts, with wanton aim unknown,
305 Now here, now there, in careless chance she sent,
306 That oft their blunted force in empty air was spent.
307 Shocked, from the gross imposture Psyche turned
308 With horror and disgust her fearful eye;
309 Her fate forlorn in silent anguish mourned,
310 And called her knight with many a hopeless sigh.
311 But see, the crowds in sudden tumult fly!
312 The doors, fast closing to exclude some foe,
313 Proclaim to Psyche's hopes her hero nigh:
314 Escaping from her guard she flies, when lo!
315 His form the bursting gates in awful beauty shew.
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316 "Fly from these dangerous walls," his page exclaims;
317 "Swift let us haste our floating bark to gain!
318 See thy knight's wondrous dart in terror flames;
319 Soon shall these ice-built walls no shape retain!
320 Nor can their Queen his dreaded sight sustain."
321 Scarcely she heard while rapidly she fled,
322 Even as a bird, escaped the wily train
323 The fowler with destructive art had spread,
324 Nor panting stays its flight, nor yet foregoes its dread.
325 See how astonished now the crowd supine,
326 Roused by his potent voice, confused arise;
327 In tottering masses o'er their heads decline
328 Dissolving walls; they gaze with wild surprise,
329 And each affrighted from the ruin flies: —
330 Pitying he views the vain unfeeling band
331 Beneath his care, a vile and worthless prize,
332 Their Queen alone his vengeful arms demand,
333 But unknown force was hers his terrors to withstand.
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334 A shield she had of more than Gorgon power,
335 And whom she would she could transform to stone,
336 Nor ever had it failed her till that hour:
337 She proves his form invincible alone,
338 And calls its force petrific on her own.
339 Amazed he sees the indurated train,
340 The callous tenants of the silent throne,
341 And all the marble subjects of their reign,
342 Inviolably hard, their breathless shape retain.
343 The magic shield he thence in triumph bore,
344 Resolved, in pity to the human race,
345 Her noxious hands its might should guide no more,
346 And bade the seas conceal its Hydra face:
347 Oh! kindly meant, though much defeated grace!
348 For though the o'erwhelming weight of sounding waves
349 Conceal its rugged orb a little space,
350 Snatched by Glacella from the dark deep caves,
351 Once more the arm of Love with potent spell it braves.
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352 But Psyche, rescued from their cruel scorn,
353 Urges her knight to hasten from the shore:
354 The buoyant vessel on the billows borne
355 Rides proudly o'er the mounting surge once more;
356 Again they spread the sails, the feathered oar
357 Skims with impatient stroke the sparkling tide;
358 The blushing Hymen now their smiles restore
359 Again to frolic gaily at their side,
360 Though still their 'playful taunts reproach their slumbering guide.
361 Psyche looks back with horror on the coast;
362 Black, drear, and desolate is all the scene:
363 The rocky cliffs still human shape may boast;
364 There the sad victims of the cruel Queen,
365 Memorials of her baneful power, are seen:
366 No vine crowned hills, no glowing vales appear,
367 Nor the white cottage laughs upon the green;
368 The black and leafless thorn alone is there,
369 And the chill mountains lift their summits wild and bare.
[Page 200]
370 Her spirits lighten as they leave behind
371 The dreary prospect of Glacella's isle;
372 She blest with gladdened heart the light-winged wind
373 That bears her swiftly from a scene so vile;
374 With glistening eye, and hope's prophetic smile,
375 She hears her knight foretel their dangers o'er,
376 That sure success shall crown their fated toil,
377 And soon arriving at that happy shore,
378 Love shall again be found, and leave his bride no more.
379 Now, from light slumbers and delicious dreams,
380 The jocund cry of joy aroused the fair;
381 The morn that kissed her eyes with golden beams,
382 Bade her the universal transport share;
383 Divinely breathed the aromatic air,
384 And Psyche's heart, half fainting with delight,
385 In the peculiar odour wafted there
386 Recalled the breezes which, o'er scenes most bright,
387 Their wings of perfume shook, and lingering stayed their flight.
[Page 201]
388 The lovely shore the mariners descry,
389 And many a gladsome cheer the prospect hails;
390 Its graceful hills rise full before the eye,
391 While eagerly expanding all their sails
392 They woo the freshness of the morning gales:
393 The approaching scenes new opening charms display,
394 And Psyche's palpitating courage fails,
395 She sees arrived at length the important day,
396 Uncertain yet of power the mandate to obey.
397 But one dear object every wish confines,
398 Her spouse is promised in that bower of rest;
399 And shall the sun, that now so cheerful shines,
400 Indeed behold her to his bosom prest,
401 And in his heavenly smiles of fondness blest?
402 Oh! 'tis too much! — exhausted life she fears
403 Will struggling leave her agitated breast,
404 Ere to her longing eyes his form appears,
405 Or the soft hand of Love shall wipe away her tears.
[Page 202]
406 !Oh how impatience gains upon the soul
407 When the long promised hour of joy draws near!
408 How slow the tardy moments seem to roll!
409 What spectres rise of inconsistent fear!
410 To the fond doubting heart its hopes appear
411 Too brightly fair, too sweet to realize;
412 All seem but day-dreams of delight too dear!
413 Strange hopes and fears in painful contest rise,
414 While the scarce trusted bliss seems but to cheat the eyes.
415 But safely anchored in the happy port,
416 Led by her knight the golden sands she prest:
417 His heart beat high, his panting breath heaved short,
418 And sighs proclaim his agitated breast
419 By some important secret thought opprest:
420 "At length," he cries, "behold the fated spring!
421 Yon rugged cliff conceals the fountain blest,
422 (Dark rocks its crystal source o'ershadowing,)
423 And Constance swift for thee the destined urn shall bring."
[Page 203]
424 He speaks, but scarce she hears, her soul intent
425 Surveys as in a dream each well known scene:
426 Now from the pointed hills her eye she bent
427 Inquisitive o'er all the sloping green;
428 The graceful temple meet for Beauty's queen,
429 The orange groves that ever blooming glow,
430 The silvery flood, the ambrosial air screne,
431 The matchless trees that fragrant shade bestow,
432 All speak to Psyche's soul, all seem their queen to know.
433 Let the vain rover, who his youth hath past
434 Misled in idle search of happiness,
435 Declare, by late experience taught at last,
436 In all his toils he gained but weariness,
437 Wooed the coy goddess but to find that less
438 She ever grants where dearest she is bought;
439 She loves the sheltering bowers of home to bless,
440 Marks with her peaceful hand the favourite spot,
441 And smiles to see that Love has home his Psyche brought.
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442 On the dear earth she kneels the turf to press,
443 With grateful lips and fondly streaming eyes,
444 "Are these the unknown bowers of Happiness?
445 Oh! justly called, and gained at last!" she cries,
446 As eagerly to seize the urn she flies.
447 But lo! while yet she gazed with wondering eye
448 Constance ascends the steep to gain the prize,
449 The eagle's eyry is not built so high
450 As soon she sees his star bright blazing to the sky.
451 With light and nimble foot the boy descends,
452 And lifts the urn triumphant in his hand;
453 Low at the turf-raised altar Psyche bends,
454 While her fond eyes her promised Love demand;
455 Close at her side her faithful guardians stand,
456 As thus with timid voice she pays her vows,
457 "Venus, fulfilled is thine adored command,
458 Thy voice divine the suppliant's claim allows,
459 The smile of favour grant, restore her heavenly spouse."
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460 Scarce on the altar had she placed the urn,
461 When lo! in whispers to her ravished ear
462 Speaks the soft voice of Love! "Turn, Psyche, turn!
463 And see at last, released from every fear,
464 Thy spouse, thy faithful knight, thy lover here!"
465 From his celestial brow the helmet fell,
466 In joy's full glow, unveiled his charms appear,
467 Beaming delight and love unspeakable,
468 While in one rapturous glance their mingling souls they tell.
469 Two tapers thus, with pure converging rays,
470 In momentary flash their beams unite,
471 Shedding but one inseparable blaze
472 Of blended radiance and effulgence bright,
473 Self-lost in mutual intermingling light;
474 Thus, in her lover's circling arms embraced,
475 The fainting Psyche's soul, by sudden flight,
476 With his its subtlest essence interlaced;
477 Oh! bliss too vast for thought! by words how poorly traced!
[Page 206]
478 Fond youth! whom Fate hath summoned to depart,
479 And quit the object of thy tenderest love,
480 How oft in absence shall thy pensive heart
481 Count the sad hours which must in exile move,
482 And still their irksome weariness reprove;
483 Distance with cruel weight but loads thy chain
484 With every step which bids thee farther rove,
485 While thy reverted eye, with fruitless pain,
486 Shall seek the trodden path its treasure to regain.
487 For thee what rapturous moments are prepared!
488 For thee shall dawn the long expected day!
489 And he who ne'er thy tender woes hath shared,
490 Hath never known the transport they shall pay,
491 To wash the memory of those woes away:
492 The bitter tears of absence thou must shed,
493 To know the bliss which tears of joy convey,
494 When the long hours of sad regret are fled,
495 And in one dear embrace thy pains compensated!
[Page 207]
496 Even from afar beheld, how eagerly
497 With rapture thou shalt hail the loved abode!
498 Perhaps already, with impatient eye,
499 From the dear casement she hath marked thy road,
500 And many a sigh for thy return bestowed:
501 Even there she meets thy fond enamoured glance:
502 Thy soul with grateful tenderness o'erflowed,
503 Which firmly bore the hand of hard mischance,
504 Faints in the stronger power of joy's o'er whelming trance.
505 With Psyche thou alone canst sympathise,
506 Thy heart benevolently shares her joy!
507 See her unclose her rapture beaming eyes,
508 And catch that softly pleasurable sigh,
509 That tells unutterable ecstasy!
510 While hark melodious numbers through the air,
511 On clouds of fragrance wafted from the sky,
512 Their ravished souls to pious awe prepare,
513 And lo! the herald doves the Queen of Love declare.
[Page 208]
514 With fond embrace she clasped her long lost son,
515 And gracefully received his lovely bride,
516 "Psyche! thou hardly hast my favour won!"
517 With roseate smile her heavenly parent cried,
518 "Yet hence thy charms immortal, deified,
519 With the young Joys, thy future offspring fair,
520 Shall bloom for ever at thy lover's side;
521 All ruling Jove's high mandate I declare,
522 Blest denizen of Heaven! arise its joys to share."
523 She ceased, and lo! a thousand voices, joined
524 In sweetest chorus, Love's high triumph sing;
525 There, with the Graces and the Hours entwined,
526 His fairy train their rosy garlands bring,
527 Or round their mistress sport on halcyon wing;
528 While she enraptured lives in his dear eye,
529 And drinks immortal love from that pure spring
530 Of never-failing full felicity,
531 Bathed in ambrosial showers of bliss eternally!
[Page 209]
532 Dreams of Delight farewel! your charms no more
533 Shall gild the hours of solitary gloom!
534 The page remains — but can the page restore
535 The vanished bowers which Fancy taught to bloom?
536 All, no! her smiles no longer can illume
537 The path my Psyche treads no more for me;
538 Consigned to dark oblivion's silent tomb
539 The visionary scenes no more I see,
540 Fast from the fading lines the vivid colours flee!
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Title (in Source Edition): [Psyche] Canto VI.
Author: Mary Tighe (née Blachford)
Themes:
Genres: narrative verse

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Tighe, Mary, 1772-1810. Psyche, With Other Poems. London: Printed for LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW, 1811, pp. [177]-215. 314p. (Page images digitized from a copy at University of California Libraries.)

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Typography, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been cautiously modernized. The source of the text is given and all significant editorial interventions have been recorded in textual notes. This ECPA text has been edited to conform to the recommendations found in Level 5 of the Best Practices for TEI in Libraries version 4.0.0.