O’er blooms that mock’d our hope, o’er idols that forsook!

ON A REMEMBERED PICTURE OF CHRIST.

AN ECCE HOMO, BY LEONARDO DA VINCI.

I met that image on a mirthful day

Of youth; and, sinking with a still’d surprise,

The pride of life, before those holy eyes,

In my quick heart died thoughtfully away,

Abash’d to mute confession of a sway

Awful, though meek. And now that, from the strings

Of my soul’s lyre, the tempest’s mighty wings