Giotto, Da Vinci, Titian. Poem by Bessie Rayner Parkes

THRON'D high above these restless towns are three
Great elder spirits, calm-brow'd and beautiful,
As much inhabitants as any be
Who walk the streets to-day; their hearts are full
Of ever-blessing kindness, and I see
Their pictur'd thoughts and smiles benignant shine
From all the walls around with love divine,
And their past words declare a prophecy.
Time was when these great spirits walk'd the earth,
And time shall be when such again be born;
The shining constellation of their birth
Shall open to a wider glow of morn;
And all the pious thoughts these ancient works declare
Be by our children sung and painted everywhere.