Poems (Rice)/A Request
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A REQUEST.
ADD to my household idols, one precious treasure bring;
It will o'er all the others a pleasing radiance fling;
Transfer upon the canvas his magic lip and eye,
Vividly as portraiture can with my wish comply;
Faithfully each lineament, no trait would I forego,
His counterpart, his image, the gem on me bestow;
The massive brow and temples expanding with rich thought,
The noblest the Creator has in His image wrought.
It will o'er all the others a pleasing radiance fling;
Transfer upon the canvas his magic lip and eye,
Vividly as portraiture can with my wish comply;
Faithfully each lineament, no trait would I forego,
His counterpart, his image, the gem on me bestow;
The massive brow and temples expanding with rich thought,
The noblest the Creator has in His image wrought.
And tell the gifted painter, whoe'er he chance to be,
To shadow forth the sweetness which won my heart from me;
The intellectual vigor, so dauntless and serene,
The self-absorbed expression, the marked and lofty mien;
The soft, sad, unrevealing dark eye when in repose,
Which flashes forth such brightness, that with such beauty glows;
To catch the grace of motion, the pride, and, too, the scorn;
Enchantment round the wonder throw, a dignity inborn.
To shadow forth the sweetness which won my heart from me;
The intellectual vigor, so dauntless and serene,
The self-absorbed expression, the marked and lofty mien;
The soft, sad, unrevealing dark eye when in repose,
Which flashes forth such brightness, that with such beauty glows;
To catch the grace of motion, the pride, and, too, the scorn;
Enchantment round the wonder throw, a dignity inborn.
Inflexible, yet yielding to mild affection's voice,
Have all his virtues blended, a combination choice;
Weave his name of diamonds, within a jasper frame,
Mine with rubies, also weave, just opposite the same.
When find for me the artist who will to this reply?
For such I'll twine a laurel crown, heroes can't outvie;
And there above my altar, neath where the angels bend,
Let me this priceless picture with golden cord suspend.
Have all his virtues blended, a combination choice;
Weave his name of diamonds, within a jasper frame,
Mine with rubies, also weave, just opposite the same.
When find for me the artist who will to this reply?
For such I'll twine a laurel crown, heroes can't outvie;
And there above my altar, neath where the angels bend,
Let me this priceless picture with golden cord suspend.