Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1822.pdf/81

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Literary Gazette, 16th November, 1822, Pages 728

III - Outlines for a Portrait. ‘Tis a dark and flashing eye, Shadows, too, that tenderly, With almost female softness, come O'er its glance of flame and gloom. His cheek is pale: or toil or care, Or midnight study, has been there, Making its young colours dull, Yet leaving it most beautiful. Such a lie! Oh, poured from thence, Lava floods of eloquence Come with fiery energy, Like those words that cannot die; Words the Grecian Warrior spoke When the Persian's chain he broke; And that low and honey tone, Making woman's heart his own, Such as should be heard at night In the dim and sweet starlight: Sounds that haunt a beauty's sleep, Treasures for her heart to keep, Suited for the citron shade, Or the soft voiced serenade. Raven curls their shadows throw O'er a high and haughty brow, Lighted by a smile, whose spell Words are powerless to tell.— Such the image in my heart,— Painter, try thy glorious art! L. E. L.