by the Hon. Julia Augusta Maynard.
Originally published in Ainsworth's Magazine: A Miscellany of Romance (Chapman and Hall) vol.3 #14 (Mar 1843).
On the death of this great Painter, his body lay in state in the Pantheon, at Rome, and his last and noblest work, the "Transfiguration," was placed at his head.
The hand is cold which shadow'd forth
The spirit's soft creation;
One parting gift remains to earth—
That bright "Transfiguration!"
And who can view the sainted smile
Of yon Redeemer's eye,
Nor feel within his heart the while
Its calm divinity?
In thee the art, oh! Raphael, reign'd,
Eloquently to express
Seraphic forms, on earth detain'd,
Of perfect loveliness!