Lyric Black as the Devil Painteth (remix)

An artist is what is call d the self that the brush holdeth -
Though hath it then caringly caress d the Canvas of to-morrow?,
O Canvas! for thee I hold my tool - still! passionless it quivereth,
Minding not that my hands are more than apt;
My Muse,

Where is hidden
The blue-huéd arch neath the High Heaven s rich emblazonry,
The flowery meadow, embrac d by the horizon - snowflakéd and aery mountains,
In which the barebreastéd maidens dance to the lay o midsummer,
Aloft the distant lazy flapping of the doves in vainglore.

O Canvas!, wherefore canst thou these images not allow? -
I deem a projection of my Theatre they should be! -
Then, I challenge thee the wisdom of naysaying the yearns o mine -
What is this unforseen that not enjoineth light shades to be skillfully paintéd?

The raven sky prey d on by the snowfill d, blustery clouds,
Unadornéd the meadow - hunger driveth the wolf out of the wood,
The maidens chainéd and whippéd within a dreary dungeon -
And, lo! twixt the wizen roses a mossy grave:
"The Devil is as Black as he Painteth" -
O Canvas! wherefore?...