Classic Poem

The painters may pursue a clearer line
Unless, like Vien, they deserve to shine
As ‘body-snatchers’ of the buried Past—
Those viewless vagrants as ‘historic’ clast,
Who walk with careless eyes and journey wide,
Blind to the beauty budding at their side;
Not seeing beauty where their feet are set,
Convinced that distance beauty can beget;
As Tadema, who paints, sans shame or fear,
‘Greek’ maidens of a Piccadilly leer.