Beauty like hers is genius. Not the call br Of Homer's or of Dante's heart sublime, -- br Not Michael's hand furrowing the zones of time, -- br Is more with compassed mysteries musical; br Nay, not in Spring's Summer's sweet footfall br More gathered gifts exuberant Life bequeaths br Than doth this sovereign face, whose love-spell breathes br Even from its shadowed contour on the wall. br br As many men are poets in their youth, br But for one sweet-strung soul the wires prolong br Even through all change the indomitable song; br So in likewise the envenomed years, whose tooth br Rends shallower grace with ruin void of truth, br Upon this beauty's power shall wreak no wrong.