Relief etching printed in brown ink, with watercolor and pen and black ink on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Sheet: 7 1/2 x 5 3/8 inches (19.1 x 13.7 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered inside image: "Night | The sun descending in the west, | The evening star does shine, | The birds are silent in their nest, | And I must seek for mine, | The moon like a flower. | In heavens high bower; | With silent delight; | Sits and smiles on the night. | Farewell green fields and happy groves, | Where flocks have took delight; | Where lambs have nibbled, silent moves | The feet of angels bright; | Unseen they pour blessing, | And joy without ceasing, | On each bud and blossom, | And each sleeping bosom. | They look in every thoughtless nest, | Where birds are coverd warm; | They visit caves of every beast, | To keep them all from harm; | If they see any weeping. | That should have been sleeping | They pour sleep on their head | And sit down by their bed."; Lettered on verso, inside image: "When wolves and tygers howl for prey | They pitying stand and weep; | Seeking to drive their thirst away, | And keep them from the sheep. | But if they rush dreadful; | The angels most heedful, | Receive each mild spirit. | New worlds to inherit. | And there the lions ruddy eyes, | Shall flow with tears of gold: | And pitying the tender cries. | And walking around the fold: | Saying: wrath by his meekness | And by his health. sickness. | Is driven away, | From our immortal day. | And now beside thee bleating lamb. | I can lie down and sleep; | Or think on him who bore thy name. | [Graze] after thee and weep. | For wash'd in lifes river. | My bright mane for ever. | Shall shine like the gold. | As I guard o'er the fold."
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1992.8.12(10)
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
garden | gowns | women | text | hills | tree | vegetation | shrubberies | vines | wings | branches | leaf | angels | literary theme