Pictures & poems/The Portrait

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Pictures & poems
by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
The Portait
1232936Pictures & poems — The PortaitDante Gabriel Rossetti



The Portrait




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 enthroning 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.