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Raphael Sanzio (Italian, 1483-1520)
The Sistine Madonna, 1513-1514
The Sistine Chapel
Vatican City
Rome

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ON FIRST SEEING THE SISTINE MADONNA
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As gentle rain that has been long delayed
Blesses with priestly hands the sickly earth,
Giving to tree and flower the new birth
For which a pious peasantry had prayed;
While in ourselves an evil dust is laid,
And on the heart that suffers drought and dearth
A shower falls, and life regains its worth,
As all vexations of the spirit fade:
So, Virgin with the vision in your eyes
And all of human kindness in your arms,
At sight of you my worldly worry dies
And vain imaginings are my alarms.
You come to me with healing in your wings,
And I too dream unutterable things.

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Donald Parson (American)
Glass Flowers
Boston, John W. Luce, 1936
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For more information on the Sistine Chapel:

http://mv.vatican.va/

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