Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-07-04
VOLUME V.
Mona l.iS,l's Picture.

st,ssS-.
iona OF the masterpieces of Leonardo ta vinci, the
portrait OF the beautiful wife Of francesca del Gloc
0nd0. after being under hts hund for several years
Was stu declared by him unfinished. This III tst, she
azkae ~ architect, engineer, and scholar, than af
70 How, Messer leonardo! dswd!ng still
Over that canvass? Pray, how many seasons
Have the black olives dropped in yondcr garden
Since you put brush to it?"
"I calendar not
My hours by olive-harvcsts but II true work
1e rcckoncr, Ser Francesc", count tho sum,
TsS Sa church
You came with Mona Lisa first !; but since
Why, there's valdarno bridge, and the great min
Nign 70 Elcecchto and the wide canal = .;'.':3
That noatcd oft my thoughts; aud then that trouble
OF tho Duke Sfotza's bronze. and tho lies. .6ns 4
For the old anatpnist, and those cartoons
The Flanders g msscnans. harr'ea . me- s soogt;
.''Bestdes.' indeed There's half hundred moro
Unrcckencd undertakings. II TIM. you count,
In yoar bo'iega-well, some dozen years;
Aud yet verify think vis barely four.
But, look YOU an this time the panel waits. :,
'ris done-aow grant It so-the pictures done!"
I" Done. Nothing that my pencil ever touches
u ever done! There's some intangible beauty
beyond. beysnd. which sttll fail to reach,
Your Mona Iilah ehaneeful loseHness.
why, think of tt,ny lord Here's natures self :.
Has totled and wrought these two and twenty years
with s0b&lesk tEAnsmutations, making her -, :
Your p idc, the pride Of Florence, and my despair
Her native sky, Salerno's violet sky,
Gave TO bcgin> that half Greek dover Of hers,
And every atmosphere that she has breathed
Slnce--all the potent essences that light,
Air, color, perfume, set Of mellowing sums,
Crisp morns rich Moons aud frnited evening times,
All llagencies that happiness and love
COnlminp1p6 hriNO all v,nvS
OF passionate hfe with her exalted calm, >,. ...,
All interfuse Of high intelligence,
All entertainment Of divinest thought
That cause Saint GATHERINGS ccstacies seem pale
Why. these, say: have been 80 many masters,
VI her pure face, With silent elisellng,
Natures uasktlled Disciple"
= "Pray thee, draw breath!
.Un:Mued Why, man, you dig too many channels
Dividing thus your overmastered powers
To your own discontent: that's al. Iwould
Your skin were portioned midst dozen men,
TO make their fortunes wherewithsl; and then
Less time would serve my lady's face" -.
II what thou xouldst thou canst not. then content
thoo
To strive for that thou canst.' So sang once.
strive for what can. But you-you tire,
You jeer, because through brief season or two"
{" Four mortal years since he began tho picture!7
q I've not attained unto the capture yet
OF that elusive beauty. You've often watched
The wonder of her smilc7 Now, see you here,
'1is only just half caught-not half, you mark.
Next time that Mona Lisa sits III work
It TO a aner grace: III trap the charm
Somehow. You'll Sec"
:. : = :"I tell you, Leonardo,
The panel waits; I'm tired Of seeing the arras
Hang blankly over it. San Marcos fiesta
Falls two days hence, and on its eve hold
banquet; and the portrait must be placed
Ere thcn."
"Fer Bacca! Have It, and YOU will!
Your guests with half-shut eye, betwixt their cups,
Will sum up its shortcomings. marvel you fail
To sec It ID not done. This rosy flesh
Would palpitate else this lash betray = trcmor
Under fnll gaze; These pearls would rise aud full
With every pulsing ripple of tided breath
Astrand on the white beaching of her throat.
But let the panel be 61ed ay, have it home!
And barter for one night of short-lved triumph
An immortality of lovedness
For Mona Lisa since, once carried hence,
My brush shall never touch tho picture more."