He stood before his finished work; His heart beat warm and high; But they who gazed upon the youth Knew well that he must die. For many days a fever fierce Had burned into his life; But full of high impassioned art, He bore the fearful strife. And wrought in extacy and hope The image of his brain; He felt the death throes at his heart, But labored through the pain. The statue seemed to glow with life -- A costly work of art; For it he paid the fervent blood From his own eager heart. With kindling eye and flushing cheek But slowly laboring breath, He gazed upon his finished work, Then sought his couch of death. And when the plaudits of the crowd Came like the south wind's breath. The dreamy, gifted child of art Had closed his eyes in death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 4 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 49. WILLOWWOOD (1) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI AT LORD'S [CRICKET GROUND] by FRANCIS THOMPSON ADAM'S CURSE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS HAVE YOU PLANTED A TREE? by HENRY ABBEY EPITHALAMIUM by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LILIES: 27. THE WAVE-TOSSED VESSEL by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |