Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/A Fable in Art
A FABLE IN ART
Long years ago, in some forgotten reign,There lived a limner wedded to his art,With but one purpose burning in his heart;That by his brush, the dreamland in his brainMight find a place in galleries of Spain.And with this purpose glowing in his heartBefore his easel sat he years apart,Until at last his strength began to wane.But with the years a wondrous landscape grewBeneath his brush, so subtle was its hueOf crimson clouds, no artist could declareFrom whence it came, until one morn they foundThe hand grown cold, above his heart a woundFrom whence there flowed the crimson rich and rare.