I.—THE PAINTING.
“No earthly beauty shines in him,
To draw the carnal eye.”
'Twas in the painter's choice: he might have framed
A figure more commanding, and a face
Earthlier fairer and of finer grace,
And none that loves the Saviour would have blamed.
But wiser he: so should a form that aimed
At drawing all men to him take a place
No ways superior to the common race,
In proof he was not of their state ashamed.
And so—no hero, cased as if in mail
With adventitious halo of romance;
No strong-built athlete, never known to ail,
Proud of his strength, defiant in his glance;
But looking as if liable to fail,
With nothing to commend him or enhance.
