PROPERZIA ROSSI. Properzia Rossi, a celebrated female sculptor of Bologna, possessed also of talents for poetry and music, died in consequence of an unrequited attachment.—A painting by Ducis, represents her showing her last work, a basso-relievo of Ariadne, to a Roman Knight, the object of her affection, who regards it with indifference. 51 PROPERZIA ROSSI. Tell me no more, no more Of my soul's lofty gifts! Are they not vain I. ONE dream of passion and of beauty more! And in its bright fulfilment let me pour Of that which lit my being, tho' its race Might have been loftier far.-Yet one more dream! From my deep spirit one victorious gleam Ere I depart! For thee alone, for thee! May this last work, this farewell triumph be, Thou, lov'd so vainly! I would leave enshrined While thou-Awake! not yet within me die, Of this vain tenderness,-my spirit, wake! Ev'n for thy sorrowful affection's sake, Live! in thy work breathe out !—that he may yet, Feeling sad mastery there, perchance regret Thine unrequited gift. II. It comes, the power Within me born, flows back; my fruitless dower Of glorious images :-they throng--they press-- I shall not perish all! The bright work grows Beneath my hand, unfolding, as a rose, I fix my thought, heart, soul, to burn, to shine, I give my own life's history to thy brow, Forsaken Ariadne! thou shalt wear My form, my lineaments; but oh! more fair, Which in me dwells, as by the summer-light All things are glorified. From thee my wo Shall yet look beautiful to meet his sight, |