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1859–1907

BENEATH A PHOTOGRAPH.

Francis Thompson

Phoebus, who taught me art divine, Here tried his hand where I did mine; And his white fingers in this face Set my Fair's sigh-suggesting grace.

O sweetness past profaning guess, Grievous with its own exquisiteness! Vesper-like face, its shadows bright With meanings of sequestered light;

Drooped with shamefast sanctities She purely fears eyes cannot miss, Yet would blush to know she IS. Ah, who can view with passionless glance

This tear-compelling countenance! He has cozened it to tell Almost its own miracle. Yet I, all-viewing though he be,

Methinks saw further here than he; And, Master gay! I swear I drew Something the better of the two!

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