At Minas Basin and Other Poems — Renewal

RENEWAL.

In the old days Vannucci, color-dowered, Lit up young eyes with vision large and pure, That gathered in its iris-glow the lure Of sea and sky, and beauty earth-embowered;

And Rafael Santi on the master showered The rich-hued passion of his soul, secure In art that should for evermore endure,-- But as he wrought his vision was defloured.

For sake of art divine a seer bright-stoled, Whose eyes had drunk the steadfast splendors true Of sacred gems, this precious secret told: "Oft sight of these doth color-sense renew!"

_Ah thus, true soul assoiled of life, thou ey'st, Mid thy enduring work, the quickening Christ!

_