MICHAEL ANGELO TO VITTORIA COLONNA.
When of some form and face, Art, pure, divine,
Has caught th' expressive mien, the features' play,
A model next it forms of humble clay
Then the idea and the first birth combine;
But next in marble fair those features shine,
If truthful genius prompt the artist's care;
And thus renascent, beautiful and fair,
Its glories neither Place nor Time confine.
Lady, both great and good, in me is still
That first imperfect model; thanks to thee,
Remodeled, born anew, 'tis mine to be,
If my defects thy pious aid can fill
And the redundant smooth, what shall excuse
My vain dark mind should it such aid refuse !