Most Read... John McAuliffeBill Manhire in Conversation with John McAuliffe
(PN Review 259)
Patricia CraigVal Warner: A Reminiscence
(PN Review 259)
Joshua WeinerAn Exchange with Daniel Tiffany/Fall 2020
(PN Review 259)
Eavan BolandA Lyric Voice at Bay
(PN Review 121)
Vahni CapildeoOn Judging Prizes, & Reading More than Six Really Good Books
(PN Review 237)
Christopher MiddletonNotes on a Viking Prow
(PN Review 10)
Next Issue Sinead Morrissey 'The Lightbox' Philip Terry 'What is Poetry' Ned Denny 'Nine Poems after Verlaine' Sasha Dugdale 'On learning that Russian mothers buy their soldier sons lucky belts inscribed with Psalm 90 to wear into battle' Rod Mengham 'Cold War Hot Air'
Poems Articles Interviews Reports Reviews Contributors
Reader Survey
PN Review Substack

This poem is taken from PN Review 8, Volume 5 Number 4, July - September 1979.

Three Poems Michael Vince

"It is sweet and cleanly to use, and it is a thing apart from all other painting or drawing." Nicholas Hilliard

Your own face on a few inches of vellum;
The elaboration of lovers and personal dynasties,
Kings, merchants, all who endow themselves
From another's eyes and by the skill of a hand;
You touch posterity, the minute and accurate;
Queens and children of queens, fastidious jewellery;
The costume of state and the gravity of possession;
Court ceremony, a chain at a favourite's neck,
A sword will fall there, your tiny images
Sail before to outpower time's armada.

You wrote of it: an exact art for gentlemen
With due precepts, and the first is cleanliness;
In act, the avoidance of anger in any wise,
The exclusion of questioners or busy fingers;
Welcome are discreet talk and quiet mirth,
...


Searching, please wait... animated waiting image