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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON A PORTRAIT, by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Blest art! What magic powers with thine may vie Last Line: Nor would it speak of comfort, but despair. Alternate Author Name(s): Aikin, Anna Letitia Subject(s): Portraits | |||
Blest art! What magic powers with thine may vie, That brings (too seldom seen) a Brother nigh? That gives, by colours into canvass wrought, The hue of sentiment, and tinge of thought? The lips, with soft affection's smile that glow, And the mild wisdom of the studious brow? I look, again I look, and still 'tis there; I catch, with varying lights, a happier air; Approach, step back, the favouring distance choose, And, line by line, the well known face peruse: Almost expect the opening lips to pour With usual flow the treasured mental store, And fondly dream our meeting glances prove The' accustomed beamings of fraternal love. But O! should fate in some disastrous day, -- Avert it Heaven! -- the living form decay; Hide, hide, ye pitying friends, the mimic light, Veil, veil the image from my tortured sight; The shadow of past joys I could not bear, Nor would it speak of comfort, but despair. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AQUATINT FRAMED IN GOLD by AMY LOWELL PORTRAIT OF X (III) by THOMAS LUX PORTRAIT OF THE GREAT WHITE HUNTER FOXHUNTING IN THE ABSENCE OF BIG... by CLARENCE MAJOR PORTRAIT OF A MAN by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER PORTRAITE DE L'ARTISTE by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER FAMILY PORTRAIT by KENNETH PATCHEN FEMALE PORTRAIT, 19TH CENTURY by TOMAS TRANSTROMER ODE TO SPRING by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |
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