In each Griselda played conspicuous part—

part—

Pupil and patron, ay, and patron-saint

To no few poor who live by pens and paint.

The world admired and flattered as a friend,

And only wondered what would be the end.

And so the days went by. Griselda's face,

Calm in its outline of romantic grace,

Became a type even to the vulgar mind

Of all that beauty means when most refined,

19

The visible symbol of a soul within,

Conceived immaculate of human sin,

And only clothed in our humanity

That we may learn to praise and better be.

Where'er she went, instinctively the crowd

Made way before her, and ungrudging bowed

To one so fair as to a queen of earth,

Ruling by right of conquest and of birth.

And thus I first beheld her, standing calm

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