An artist is what is called the self that the brush holdeth Though hath it then caringly caressed the canvas of tomorrow? Oh, canvas, for thee I hold my tool, still passionless it quivereth Minding not that my hands are more than apt My muse Where is hidden the blue-hued arch beneath the high heaven's rich emblazonry The flowery meadow embraced by the horizon, snowflaked and aery mountains In which the bare-breasted maidens dance to the lay o' midsummer Aloft the distant lazy flapping of the doves in vainglore ♪ Oh, canvas, wherefore canst thou these images not allow? I deem a projection of my theatre they should be Then I challenge thee the wisdom of naysaying the yearns o' mine What is this unforeseen that not enjoineth light shades To be skillfully painted? ♪ I thought that love would last forever I was wrong The raven sky preyed on by the snow-filled, blustery clouds Unadorned the meadow, hunger driveth the wolf out of the wood The maidens chained and whipped within a dreary dungeon And lo, 'twixt the wizen roses a mossy grave The devil is as black as he painteth Oh, oh, canvas, wherefore? The devil is as black as he painteth Oh, oh, canvas, wherefore?