When fixed his gaze upon the stone, br The artist saw a nymph inside, br And fire ran through vein his own - br He flew to her in all his heart. br br But though full of strong desire, br He's now overcome the spell: br The chisel, piecemeal and unhurried, br From his high goddess, sanctified, br Removes a shell after a shell. br br In the sweet and vague preoccupation br More than a day or a year will pass; br But from the goddess of his passion, br The fallen veil will not be last, br br Until, perceiving his desire, br Under the chisel's gentle caress, br And answering by a gaze of fire, br Sweat Galatea brings entire br The sage into a first embrace.