132 



If the general brilliancy and dazzling 

 effects of that splendid painter, may just- 

 ly be opposed to the more mild diffusion 



smiles of a beautiful countenance ; yet they have some- 

 times a striking mixture of an other character. Of this 

 kind are those smiles which break out suddenly from a se- 

 rious, sometimes from almost a severe countenance, and 

 •which, when that gleam is over, leave no trace of it be- 

 hind — 



Brief as the lightning in the collied night, 

 That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth; 

 And e'er a man has time to say, behold ! 

 The jaws of darkness do devour it up. 



This sudden effect is often hinted at by the Italian 

 poets, as appears by their allusion to the most sudden and 

 dazzling of lights ; — gli scintilla un riso — -lampeggia un 

 riso — il balenar d'un riso. 



There is another smile, which seems in the same degree 

 to accord with the ideas of beauty only. It is that smile 

 which proceeds from a mind full of sweetness and sensi- 

 bility, and which, when it is over, still leaves on the coun- 

 tenance its mild and amiable impression ; as after the sun 

 is set, the mild glow of his rays is still diffused over every 

 object. This smile, with the glow that accompanies it, 

 is beautifully painted by Milton, as most becoming an 

 inhabitant of heaven . 



To whom the angel, with a smile that glow'd 

 Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue, 

 Thus answer' d. 



