| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | VIII. Correggio’s Cupolas at Parma | | By Aubrey Thomas de Vere (1814–1902) |
| | | CREATURES all eyes and brows, and tresses streaming | |
| By speed divine blown back; within, all fire | |
| Of wondering zeal, and storm of bright desire;— | |
| Round the broad dome the immortal throngs are beaming: | |
| With elemental powers the vault is teeming. | 5 |
| We gaze, and, gazing, join the fervid choir, | |
| In spirit launched on wings that ne’er can tire, | |
| Like those that buoy the breasts of children dreaming. | |
| The exquisitest hand that e’er in light | |
| Revealed the subtlest smile of new-born pleasure | 10 |
| The depth here fathoms, and attains the height; | |
| Is strong the strength of heavenly hosts to measure; | |
| Draws back the azure curtain of the skies, | |
| And antedates our promised Paradise. | | | | |
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