Black As The Devil Painteth lyrics

An artist is what is call'd the self the brush holdeth -
Though hath it then caringly caress'd the Canvas of tomorrow?
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-hued arch'neath the High Heaven's rich emblazonry
The flowery meadow, embrac'd by the horizon -
Snowflaked and aery mountains,
In which the barebreasted maidens dance to the lay o'midsummer,
Aloft the distant lazy flapping of the doves in vaingfore.

O Canvas! wherefore canst thou these images not allow? -
I deem a projection of my Theatre they sould be! -
Then, I challenge thee the wisdom of naysaying the yearns o'mine -
What is this unforeseen that not enjoyneth light
Shades to be skillfully painted?

The raven sky prey'd on by the snowfill'd, blustery clouds
Unadorned the meadow - hunger driveth the wolf out of the wood,
The maidens chained and whipped within a dreary dungeon -
And, fo! 'twixt the wizen roses a mossy grave;
"The Devil is as Black as He Painteth" -
O Canvas! wherefore?...