Page:The Atlantic Monthly Volume 2.djvu/846

838  not what it should be, but it will give me a living, and I am thankful for any employment. I loathe idleness. I die, if I haven't something to do."

"Mere uneasiness, my youthful friend! Be tranquil, and you will find that laziness has its comforts. However, to-morrow let me see your pictures. You lack a firmness and certainty of touch that nothing but practice will give. But your forms are faithfully drawn, your eye for color is sharp and true, and, what is more than all, you have the poetry which informs, harmonizes, and crowns all."

"I am grateful for your friendly criticism," said Greenleaf, with a sudden flush. "You know that people call you blunt, and that most of the artists think you almost malicious in your severity; but you are the only man who ever talks sincerely to me."

Easelmann noticed the emotion, and spoke abruptly,—

"Depend upon it, if I see anything faulty, you will know it; if you think that friendly, I am your friend. But look over there, where the sunset clouds are reflected in the Back Bay. Now, if I should put those tints of gold and salmon and crimson and purple, with those delicate shades of apple-green, into a picture, the mob would say, 'What an absurd fellow this painter is! Where did he find all that Joseph's coat of colors?' The mob is a drove of asses, Greenleaf."

"Come, let us take our evening stroll."

"Have you seen Charbon, to-day?"

"No. But I should like to."

"We'll call for him."

"Yes, I rather like his brilliant silence."

"Next week, let us go to Nahant. I want you to try your hand on a coast view. But what, what are you about? At that trumpery daguerreotype again? Let me see the beauty,—that's a good boy!"

"No!"

"Then put it up. If you won't show it, don't aggravate a fellow in that way."

, who, prisoned in these festive rooms,

Lean at the windows for a breath of air,

Staring upon the darkness that o'erglooms

The heavens, and waiting for the stars to bare

Their glittering glories, veiled all night in cloud,

I know ye scorn the gas-lights and the feast!

I saw you leave the music and the crowd,

And turn unto the windows opening east;

I heard you sigh,—"When will the dawn's dull ashes

Kindle their fires behind yon fir-fringed height?

When will the prophet clouds with golden flashes

Unroll their mystic scrolls of crimson light?"

Fain would I come and sit beside you here,

And silent press your hands, and with you lean

Into the midnight, mingling hope and fear,

Or pining for the days that might have been!