O SILENT form of beauty! O divine Body of woman given to mortal gaze, Round which the ever-moving sculptural line Meanders motionless, and clasps the ways Of all men's longing in its pure embrace, Moulding the marble vesture of desire -- What deep power hast thou to exalt our race, And lovers' thoughts ennoble and inspire! This is the form of her who ruled supreme The master-lovers of antiquity; Great spirits they were who could so fairly dream, And in a woman's form divinely see The loveliness unto the world unknown Flow into being in the breathless stone. |