TheWorksofCharlesandMaryLamb—Volume4LINESIII

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onthecelebratedpicturebylionardodavinci,calledthevirginoftherocks.

(?1805)

whileyoungjohnrunstogreet

thegreaterinfant'sfeet,

themotherstandingby,withtremblingpassion

ofdevoutadmiration,

beholdstheengagingmysticplay,andprettyadoration;

norknowsasyetthefullevent

ofthosesolowbeginnings,

fromwhencewedateourwinnings,

butwondersattheintent

ofthosenewrites,andwhatthatstrangechild-worshipmeant.

butatherside

anangeldothabide,

withsuchaperfectjoy

asnodimdoubtsalloy,

anintuition,

aglory,anamenity,

passingthedarkcondition

ofblindhumanity,

asifhesurelyknew

alltheblestwondersshouldensue,

orhehadlatelylefttheuppersphere,

andhadreadallthesovranschemesanddivineriddlesthere.