If found her beauty, then have found my eyes: As painter's draw their muse, do mine of hers; That when in blink her lovely youths apprise Depicting truth as tho' by glass transfers; No dreaming brush omits the slightest curve Nor other light bestow that grace increase; That artistry does best by mind preserve So she through time bare not of time's decrease. Yet could the years by force of cruel age, Redraw by season's pen what I had drawed? No! Art's the soldier 'gainst what time can wage; Whilst skin may crease, by heart is none withdrawn!
But when her portrait's gaze outlasts my time This canvas shall replace her frame with rhyme.