The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1897-06-10
THE PICTURE.

Waiting, somewhat removed, to make
his plea
And though he kneIt, his mien was
proud
His brow, with tender pencllings of blue,
Was crowned with aureale Of hair
| That CLEANED like bronze, dashed DER
with golden hue
Like that we fad in paintings rare.
"What wilt thou have" the kindly
monarch said
THE gift thou Seekest of me. name!"
The youth, with brave uplifting of his
AnsW cred: 'My sovereign give me,
Fameo
So like the wandering of distraight
mind
| Or like the butfoon'S ili-timed Jest
! The monarch fr0wned, then half inclined
Towards him, who made the strange
request.
az am not leagued with Fame, and have
no art
To WOO her smiles to shine on thee.
Powerless am to win her tickle heart.
And give to thee, though, King be-"
! "Nay, my lord; ] would b. brave en-
deayor,
Paint thee. picture for thy walls
God gave the Art. and my brush is
clever,
Ipledge thee, twill; adorn thy halls"
Hope. ambushed in cheeks, that pale and
flush,
Prid9 flashed exultant in dark eyes
Over the great court, fell sudden hush,
The King, With mocking langn replies.
is Fame, then to thee, such a paltry
thing
That It's valued by thee no more
Is it but idle praise that I0blcs sing9
Or the light that shines from palace
door!
But paint, if thou wilt, for this classic
wall
A picture, from thy life. thy heart
The theme, me thinks, Is fair enough
to cali
For exercise of all thy art"
The King half jestel, but the artist
Adown the noisy court. and smiled,
AS if some happy thought of conscious
And victory, his soul beguiled.
Il shall paint a picture of Love-" he said
"Of Love, purer than angels eyes,"
In maiden's smile, and lips ruby red,
The artists inspiration lies.
He held her close, cncircled in strong
arms,
And kissed her eyes, her lips, her check
And whispered, ''Could | portray half
thy charms
My picture, would of Heaven speak"
The light poured in the window and fell |
Like sudden glimpse of glory
Where the artist worked, striving to |
tell
On canvass, the old, old story.
Twas joy.dashed gem; cen the shadows
Impasted. with glelms of bright gold,
The light of Jasper walls, and dawn of
day,
The shining canvass seemed to hold.
iethinks, of ali Life's wonderful stories,
The story of Lore is the best,
we wOrhily picture It's 2tOries
We can live, without all the rest.
III! who has not painted Loves sweet
picture
Where the gold, is unmixed with grayg
Where the light is a reflex of Heaven,
And the blue skies, are copied from
May7
year had come and gone, with smiles
auI signs
Emptied its store of bitter SWEET |;
But just another day." the artist cries
"And my picture will be complete !" f;
But one more day; then will show the I
King"
"Oh haste thee, to the palace now.
y lover the maiden plead, and haste to
bring
Fame's laurels bound about thou
brow"
Wait, my own, and on tho glad to-mor-
row,
Great JOY shall chase away thy fears,
ut the dawn-alas! brought sldden
sorrow
Aud filed his happy heart with tears
llfllment near at hand eludes his grasp
And through joys Golden netting
slips.
g mp held only dregs, and Hopes fair
fruit
Quick turned to ashes on his lips.
me was the tender love, the sunny ewes,
That beamed upon his life, ere this.
s inspiration fair, his embrace flies,
Forsakes him, for aaOthcr's kiss.
s picture stood and Knocked him with II
it's light, es
So beautiful was pictured here, ad
e story of his love life "Oh, so bright Jc
The world had been, and now so drear.
questioned: Had Love been SO fair NJ