More than is needed, but the precious Art That both creates and fixes, in despite Of Death and Time, the marvels it hath wrought. Strange contrasts have we in this world of ours! Thinking of past and gone, with what is left In visible quest of immortality, Stretched forth with trembling hope?-In every realm. From high Gibraltar to Siberian plains, Thousands, in each variety of tongue That Europe knows, would echo this appeal; In the magnific Convent built of yore To sanctify the Escurial palace. He- A British Painter (eminent for truth In character,* and depth of feeling, shown By labours that have touched the hearts of kings, Came, in that service, to a glorious work,1 Our Lord's Last Supper, beautiful as when first 1 1837. Left not unvisited a glorious work, Wilkie. See the Fenwick note.-ED. 1835. The appropriate Picture, fresh from Titian's hand, They are in truth the Substance, we the Shadows." So spake the mild Jeronymite, his griefs Which by the visitation was disturbed. -But why this stealing tear? Companion mute, 1 1837. That 1835. The pile of buildings, composing the palace and convent of San Lorenzo, has, in common usage, lost its proper name in that of the Escurial, a village at the foot of the hill upon which the splendid edifice, built by Philip the Second, stands. It need scarcely be added, that Wilkie is the painter alluded to.-W. W., 1835. THE FOREGOING SUBJECT RESUMED. Comp. 1834. Pub. 1835. AMONG a grave fraternity of Monks, For One, but surely not for One alone, Triumphs, in that great work, the Painter's skill, And breathing life of flesh, as if already Assigned to it in future worlds. Thou, too, With thy memorial flower, meek Portraiture! From whose serene companionship I passed Pursued by thoughts that haunt me still; thou also Though but a simple object, into light Called forth by those affections that endear The private hearth; though keeping thy sole seat Or sacred wonder, growing with the power In faithful scales, things and their opposites, A household small and sensitive,-whose love, Dependent as in part its blessings are On earth, will be revived, we trust, in heaven.* [This quatrain was extempore on observing this image, as I had often done, on the lawn of Rydal Mount. It was first written down in the Album of my God-daughter, Rotha Quillinan.] SMALL service is true service while it lasts. Of humblest Friends, bright Creature! scorn not one;2 LINES WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF THE COUNTESS OF LONSDALE, NOV. 5, 1834. [This is a faithful picture of that amiable Lady, as she then was. The youthfulness of figure and demeanour and habits, which she 1 The original title was 'Written in an Album.' 2 1835. 1835. * In the class entitled "Musing," in Mr Southey's Minor Poems, is one upon his own miniature Picture, taken in childhood, and another upon a landscape painted by Gaspar Poussin. It is possible that every word of the above verses, though similar in subject, might have been written had the author been unacquainted with those beautiful effusions of poetic sentiment. But, for his own satisfaction, he must be allowed thus publicly to acknowledge the pleasure those two Poems of his Friend have given him, and the grateful influence they have upon his mind as often as he reads them, or thinks of them.-W. W., 1835. + Compare the lines, written in 1845, beginning "So fair, so sweet, withal so sensitive." -ED. retained in almost unprecedented degree, departed a very few years after, and she died without violent disease by gradual decay before she reached the period of old age.] LADY a Pen (perhaps with thy regard, Among the Favoured, favoured not the least) And feeling, suited to the place and time That gave them birth-months passed, and still this hand, Words which the virtues of thy Lord inspired, Whether he shine on them or not; and some, Congenial with thy mind and character, High-born Augusta! Witness Towers, and Groves! And Thou, wild Stream, that giv'st the honoured name* Of Lowther to this ancient Line, bear witness1 From thy most secret haunts; and ye Parterres, 1 1837. Towers, and stately Groves, Bear witness for me; thou, too, Mountain-stream! 1835. * The Lowther stream passes the Castle, and joins the Eamont below Brougham Hall, near Penrith.-ED. |