242 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 
until he made its tameless life to be all his own, and at last, 
by this strange spell in his eye, called down the tyrant in the 
strength of its unconquerable wings," and fixed it move- 
less on the canvas, but alive in all the joy of fierceness and 
glister of its golden plumes, amidst the clouds, the rocks, the 
shadows and the sunshine of that native scene ! 
Ah, does it not seem a weird gift the Artist has, this power 
"to do strange deeds upon the clouds?" this power to bring 
in to our firesides, as a familiar guest, the solemn presence 
of a Primeval earth, the cool dews of her fresh strength yet 
glistening on her green unshaken hair, with her wild crea- 
tures stilled upon her bosom in their passionate freedom, like 
silent images of beauty and of action within the brooding 
thought of " Eldest Saturn !" 
Does it not seem very marvellous that these things should 
be ; that this humble Artist, this poor worm of the dust 
should perform such transcendent deeds with his own unas- 
sisted hand ? 
It must be that he is inspired, that some noble and holy 
promptings exalt him thus above his fellows ; for concerning 
his relations to this sublunary planet and all things therein 
contained, has not the Artist, of necessity, a creed and faith 
of his own ? As it comes to him spontaneously, it has never 
troubled him to inquire in what manner the black letter learn- 
ing classifies this faith of his — whether as primitive or mod- 
ern, common or peculiar — though it has seemed so natural 
to him, and suffices so entirely to his own pleasures and 
peace, that he has, in a manner, taken it for granted, as com- 
mon to all men. His faith requires no mystical or pompous 
name to make its meaning more clear to vulgar apprehen- 
sion, since it is simply the faith of love ! universal love ! For 
as it is defined in his litany, 
" Common as light is Love, 
And its familiar voice wearies not ever ; 
Like the wide heaven, the all-sustaining air, 
It makes the reptile equal to the God !" 
