Art

Herman Melville: Art

Timoleon

In placid hours well-pleased we dreamOf many a brave unbodied scheme.But form to lend, pulsed life create,What unlike things must meet and mate:A flame to melt- a wind to freeze;Sad patience- joyous energies;Humility- yet pride and scorn;Instinct and study; love and hate;Audacity- reverence. These must mate,And fuse with Jacob’s mystic heart,To wrestle with the angel- Art.

ll. 10-11. See Genesis 32: 24-30, where Jacob wrestles with and angel and wins its blessing.