Black as the devil painteth — текст песни (Theatre Of Tragedy)

An artist is what is call`d the self the brush holdeth -
Though hath it then caringly caress`d the Canvas of tomorrow?
O 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`neath the High Heaven`s rich emblazonry
The flowery meadow, embrac`d by the horizon -
snowflaked and aery mountains,
In which the barebreasted maidens dance to the lay o`midsummer,
Aloft the distant lazy flapping of the doves in vaingfore.

O Canvas! wherefore canst thou these images not allow? -
I deem a projection of my Theatre they sould be! -
Then, I challenge thee the wisdom of naysaying the yearns o`mine -
What is this unforeseen that not enjoyneth light
shades to be skillfully painted?

The raven sky prey`d on by the snowfill`d, blustery clouds
Unadorned the meadow - hunger driveth the wolf out of the wood,
The maidens chained and whipped within a dreary dungeon -
And, fo! `twixt the wizen roses a mossy grave;
The Devil is as Black as He Painteth -
O Canvas! wherefore?...