 | Valentine Verses |  |
211
THE ARTIST.
Work for a name! Go study nature well,Each line each feature of expression tell;
Consider gesture, posture, gait, and mien,
And see how faithfully thy God is seen.—
Seen in those works where nature marks the hand
Of spirit masterly,—the world's command!
See how majestic, grand, beyond conceit,
Is nature's innocence; 'tis love complete.
The sky, the air, the sun, the stars, the day,
The clouds, the seasons, all their God display;
But man, most visibly in virtue's hour,
Displays the working of that mighty pow'r.
Go, study woman! thou wilt find in her,
Some vanity, yet virtue to prefer
The deeds of piety, more pure than man;
Thou'lt find her mind will compass what it can
With full as much facility as thine,
With full as much as ever pocts line
Could run with ease, and tell in simple measure,
How woman's worth is man's delightful treasure.
Mark thou the outline of her graceful form,
Mark and remember man is but a worm.—
212
The softly pencil'd features sure to please,
The eye of innocence, the smile of grace,
The lips of virtue in a lovely face?
Sure thou hast wondered at the silver brow,
The smooth and placid surface, nature's glow
In colours varying, yet always clear,
To man of honor, man of virtue dear.
Go study rocks, woods, hills, and shady dales,
Rivers and meads, glens, lakes, and pleasant vales,
Go study cattle, birds, beasts wild and tame,
House, castle, palace, anything with name;
Then conjure phantoms visionary schemes,
Days bold events, or nights attractive dreams:—
O study all! when perfect in their trace,
Return again, and study woman's face;—
For sure I am, there's nothing in the world,
Has so much beauty pleasantly unfurl'd.
Be brave at heart! be generous, be kind,
Learn to love virtue, Providence, and mind;
Thyself respect, and Woman soon will be,
Dear as thyself, aye, ever dear to thee!
Her spirit too, transcendant as thine own,
Will rise with thine, at coming day unknown.
Work for a name! thy pencil guide in truth,
Let wisdom prompt thee fearlessly in youth.—
Who studies nature, and improves his heart,
Will be an Artist of the noblest art.
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