Impressions: A Book of Verse/Allston's Picture of Lorenzo and Jessica

by Lilla Cabot Perry

 

ALLSTON'S PICTURE OF LORENZO AND JESSICA

TWO silent lovers sitting side by side
In the still twilight of a summer eve,
They pensive seem, yet not as those who grieve,
But on the waves of Fancy softly glide,
Conscious of love and beauty, naught beside:
Finding from life's hot struggle blest reprieve
In this blest moment when the world they leave,
Which stretches out behind them fair and wide
'Neath tender fading light, yet fairer far
The world they see as hand-in-hand they dream.
While on the breeze floats soft, melodious swell
Of faint-heard music, that to them might seem
As if it came from yon clear-shining star,
And was at once Love's greeting and farewell!