A book of Bristol sonnets By H. D. Rawnsley |
THE THREE PICTURES OF ST. JOHN
BAPTIST, IN THE BILLIARD ROOM
AT LEIGH COURT. |
A book of Bristol sonnets | ||
143
THE THREE PICTURES OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, IN THE BILLIARD ROOM AT LEIGH COURT.
I saw how wrought by Santi's dark-eyed sonThe Boy forerunner of his playmate learned;
And near, that hand for which the Muses yearned,
Old Vinci's pride, had set the Man Saint John;
Lit in his wilderness communion.
How like a torch his arm uplifted burned;
That torch to ash, Murillo, thou hast turned!
Hard by, the charger, and the Head thereon!
“All flesh shall see”—the pale lips seem to say—
“Our God's salvation!” swum in blood and gold,
“It is not law, I tell thee as I told,
“My words shall hound thee to the judgment day.
“Christ, by the stroke in black Machærus' hold,
“Thy messenger has but prepared Thy way!”
A book of Bristol sonnets | ||