THE PORTRAIT PAINTER

[ZaunköniG]

THE PORTRAIT PAINTER.

No feeble glow of intellectual flame
Inform'd that Painter's heart ; to none more due
Than him, the honours of domestic fame ;
What hand, but his, so excellently knew
The shadow of our lineaments ? In vain
The glance of Beauty dared his subtle skill,
Touch'd into all its sympathies again,
Kindled anew with all its power to kill ;
Age smiled, portray'd in all its sober calm,
Unvext, of grandsire aspect, pale and meek ;
And babyhood, with hands too small for harm ;
And youth, with full and health-ensanguined cheek,
Show'd life-like on his chart, and boyhood sleek
Still wore his dimpled chin, and merry charm.