Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO A FLORENTINE BUST, by VICTOR GUSTAVE PLARR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A FLORENTINE BUST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Perfect, as 'twere through very lack of art
Last Line: Remainest undefiled.
Subject(s): Art & Artists; Honor


Perfect, as 'twere through very lack of art,
So seeming simple both in poise and line,
Familiar to the sight as wild flower's heart,
Yet rare as rose divine.

Thou, little witness to the grave old truth
That Art is slow-evolving as the soil,
And that thou shalt not carve immortal youth
Save with immortal Toil;

Thou, in this quiet hall, endur'st among
The vext distinguished faces of the dead,
Thy kinsmen, whom th' envenomed jewels stung
Or poison-posset sped.

At sight of these whatever thoughts take shape
Only sweet thoughts are ours who mark the low
Curls on thy slim neck's inward-curving nape
And thy young candid brow!

Outside, thy charm forgotten, at the gates
Clamour the 'Moderns,' loud with maniac themes,
Art is a thing outside of jostling hates,
Uncandours, and sick dreams.

The Way of Desolation lies without,
Soaked with salt tears, but thou, O deathless child,
Unstirred by crooked thought or blatant shout,
Remainest undefiled.





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