Many a year has fled away Since this old palette was new, As may be seen by the spots of green And yellow and red and blue. Many a picture was painted from this, While many were only dreamed; And shadow and light like the black and white Across my life have streamed. Accept, my friend, this plain old board All plastered and imbrowned, Where the pleasure and strife of a painter's life Have left a mosaic ground. The color that went to the picture's soul Has left but its body behind; Yet strive to trace on its cloudy face Some gleam of the artist's mind. And think of the friend upon whose thumb This brown old tablet hung, And the baffled aim, where visions came Unpainted and unsung. Mine be the records all obscure Upon the surface blent; Be yours the love that seeks to prove My deed by my intent. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PROPER NEW BALLAD [ENTITLED THE FAIRIES' FAREWELL] by RICHARD CORBET THE NIGHT-PIECE: TO JULIA by ROBERT HERRICK THE LEPER (2) by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS QUATRAIN: HERRICK by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH IMITATIONS OF SHAKESPEARE by JOHN ARMSTRONG UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN by AGNES H. BEGBIE THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD: AGLAIA. A PASTORAL by NICHOLAS BRETON |