X THE PORTRAIT

X

THE PORTRAIT

O Lord of all compassionate control,

     O Love! let this my lady’s picture glow

     Under my hand to praise her name, and show

Even of her inner self the perfect whole:

That he who seeks her beauty’s furthest goal,

     Beyond the light that the sweet glances throw

     And refluent wave of the sweet smile, may know

The very sky and sea-line of her soul.

Lo! it is done. Above the long lithe throat

     The mouth’s mould testifies of voice and kiss,

         The shadowed eyes remember and foresee.

Her face is made her shrine. Let all men note

     That in all years (O Love, thy gift is this!)

         They that would look on her must come to me.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti JANE MORRIS (THE BLUE SILK DRESS) Oil on canvas. 1868 The Society of Antiquaries, Kelmscott Manor Collection, London

Данте Габриэль Россетти ДЖЕЙН МОРРИС (СИНЕЕ ШЕЛКОВОЕ ПЛАТЬЕ) Холст, масло. 1868 Общество любителей старины, Собрание Келмскотт-Мэнор, Лондон