Paul Veronese: (Three Sonnets)

III

They err who say this long-withdrawing line

Of palace-fronts Palladian, this brocade

From looms of Genoa, this gold-inlaid

Resplendent plate of Milan, that combine

To spread soft lustre through the grand design,

Show but in fond factitious masquerade

The actual feast by leper Simon made

For that great Guest, of old, in Palestine.

Christ walks amongst us still; at liberal table

Scorns not to sit: no sorrowing Magdalene

But of these dear feet kindly gets her kiss

Now, even as then; and thou, be honorable,

Who, by the might of thy majestic scene,

Bringest down that age and minglest it with this.