University of Virginia Library

THE MEDALLION

IN VILLA ALBINA &C

Since seriousness in many a face,
Open or latent, you may trace—
The ground-expression, wherein close
All smiles at last; and ever still
The revelation of repose;

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Which sums the life, and tells the mood
Of inmost self in solitude—
Then wherefore, World, of bards complain
Whose verse the years and fate imbue
With reveries where no glosings reign—
An even unelated strain
In candor grave, to nature due?