When little Gian, my father’s latest born,

Was carried for chrism to the baptistery;

And standing, all unaware, beside the font,

I looked across the dim and crowded church

And saw a face—a dazzling, youthful face!

A face that smote my vision like a star;

With golden locks, and eyes divinely bright

Like San Michele in the picture there—

Fixed upon mine.

Had any whispered then