Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79.
Albert Dürer’s Studio
By Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–1881)I
Still is seen the studio
Where the pretty Nurembergers
(Cheeks of rose and necks of snow)
Sat to have their portraits painted,
Thrice a hundred years ago.
Where Frau Dürer’s jealous care
Watched the artist at his labor,
And the sitter in her chair,
To observe each word and motion
That should pass between the pair.
Was as circumspect and true
As the most correct of husbands,
When the dear, delightful shrew
Has him and his sweet companions
Every moment under view.
Had within his heart a spot
Where he sat and painted pictures
That gave beauty to his lot,
And the sharp intrusive vision
Of Frau Dürer entered not.
And Frau Dürer could have seen
All the pictures that his fancy
Hung upon their walls within,
How minute had been her watching,
And how good he would have been!