V. St Luke Painting The Virgin

(By Van der Weyden)

It was Luke’s will; and she, the mother-maid, Would not gainsay; to please him pleased her best; See, here she sits with dovelike heart at rest Brooding, and smoothest brow; the babe is laid On lap and arm, glad for the unarrayed And swatheless limbs he stretches; lightly pressed By soft maternal fingers the full breast Seeks him, while half a sidelong glance is stayed By her own bosom and half passes down To reach the boy. Through doors and window-frame Bright airs flow in; a river tranquilly Washes the small, glad Netherlandish town. Innocent calm! no token here of shame, A pierced heart, sunless heaven, and Calvary.