28.10.2007, 11:00
ON A REMEMBERED PICTURE OF CHRIST.
AN ECCE HOMO BY LEONARDO DA VINCI.
I MET that image on a mirthful day
Of youth ; and sinking with a stilled surprise,
The pride of life, before those holy eyes,
In my quick heart died thoughtfully away,
Abashed to mute confession of a sway
Awful though meek ; and now that from the strings
Of my soul's lyre the tempest's mighty wings
Have struck forth tones which then unwakened lay;
Now that around the deep life of my mind
Affections deathless as itself have twined,
Oft does the pale bright vision still float by ;
But more divinely sweet, and speaking now
Of One whose pity, throned on that sad brow,
Sounded all depths of love, grief, death, humanity.
AN ECCE HOMO BY LEONARDO DA VINCI.
I MET that image on a mirthful day
Of youth ; and sinking with a stilled surprise,
The pride of life, before those holy eyes,
In my quick heart died thoughtfully away,
Abashed to mute confession of a sway
Awful though meek ; and now that from the strings
Of my soul's lyre the tempest's mighty wings
Have struck forth tones which then unwakened lay;
Now that around the deep life of my mind
Affections deathless as itself have twined,
Oft does the pale bright vision still float by ;
But more divinely sweet, and speaking now
Of One whose pity, throned on that sad brow,
Sounded all depths of love, grief, death, humanity.