Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Italy: Vols. XI–XIII. 1876–79. | | | | Milan | | The Last Supper | | William Wordsworth (1770–1850) |
| | | | By Leonardo da Vinci, in the refectory of the Convent of Maria della Grazia, Milan. |
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THOUGH searching damps and many an envious flaw | |
| Have marred this work, the calm, ethereal grace, | |
| The love, deep-seated in the Saviour’s face, | |
| The mercy, goodness, have not failed to awe | |
| The elements; as they do melt and thaw | 5 |
| The heart of the beholder, and erase | |
| (At least for one rapt moment) every trace | |
| Of disobedience to the primal law. | |
| The annunciation of the dreadful truth | |
| Made to the Twelve survives: lip, forehead, cheek, | 10 |
| And hand reposing on the board in ruth | |
| Of what it utters, while the unguilty seek | |
| Unquestionable meanings, still bespeak | |
| A labor worthy of eternal youth! | | | |
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