University of Virginia Library


98

KATE AT THE WINDOW, “GRIFFITH GAUNT.”

A most sweet picture! Kate—the fire—the moon—
The ivy-tree—with Griffith Gaunt below,
All softened by the tender light of snow,
And set by Love to a dim delicious tune
That swelled into a stronger symphony soon,
Into a fiercer more ecstatic glow—
Such painting we have not been let to know
Of late; the age is waking from the swoon
Of artificiality that since
The great wide human grand Shakespearian time
Has given us jingles for melodious rhyme
And made poor nature's delicate features wince;
Approach us, rouse us, keen-eyed Fairy Prince,
And kiss us out of centuries of crime.