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WORDSWORTH'S POETICAL WORKS.

1834.

LINES.

SUGGESTED BY A PORTRAIT FROM THE PENCIL OF F. STONE.

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[This Portrait has hung for many years in our principal sittingroom, and represents J. Q.* as she was when a girl. The picture, though it is somewhat thinly painted, has much merit in tone and general effect: it is chiefly valuable, however, from the sentiment that pervades it. The anecdote of the saying of the monk in sight of Titian's picture was told in this house by Mr Wilkie, and was, I believe, first communicated to the public in this poem, the former portion of which I was composing at the time. Southey heard the story from Miss Hutchinson, and transferred it to the "Doctor"; but it is not easy to explain how my friend Mr Rogers, in a note subsequently added to his "Italy," was led to speak of the same remarkable words having many years before been spoken in his hearing by a monk or priest in front of a picture of the Last Supper, placed over a Refectory-table in a convent at Padua.]

BEGUILED into forgetfulness of care

Due to the day's unfinished task; of pen
Or book regardless, and of that fair scene
In Nature's prodigality displayed

Before my window, oftentimes and long

I

gaze upon a Portrait whose mild gleam

Of beauty never ceases to enrich

The common light; whose stillness charms the air,

Or seems to charm it, into like repose;

Whose silence, for the pleasure of the ear,
Surpasses sweetest music. There she sits

* See Note A in the Appendix to this volume. --ED.
VIII.
A

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