Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

I am indebted to your Lordship
for the commission in respect of the works
of M. Canal of his Venice
which I will have despatched this week
with the Venture, bound for Southampton Water,
in trust of your safe receipt.

There being two works –
some three feet six inches in height
by four feet and one inch –
fine views of the Grand Canal and the square of Saint Mark.
Very like the sketches you have already.
Also the width of the lagoon itself
is displayed to effect in the second work.

And if your Grace could agree to the thirty guineas
to be that for the two times twenty sequeens
and the carriage of said paintings to England,
then I remain,

                      Your humble & obedient servant.

I should add that your Lordship might observe
that M. Canal does not shirk the actual life
of the place and that in the previous work despatched,
to which you expressed something by way of a reservation,
there is, I recall, a number of barges
of trade and employment arranged
in the right foreground of the Rialto view.
Bargemen and the like busy themselves
and cook beneath their canvas shelters.

The light is an afternoon and shews, I think,
the ancient buildings to best effect.
There is even a woman beating carpets
hung from her balcony; note – another holds a rose.
Beneath, in a corner of her building a man,
it would seem, is passing water – though
this is not to the detriment of the work
and is, I trust, barely discernable.
However, I can well appreciate your Lordship’s
sensibilities regarding the latter,
and pray that these new works will not offend.

These two at twenty sequeens will prove of worth,
I vouch. The fellow is whimsical
and varies his prices every day.
And he that has a mind to have any of his work
must not seem to be too fond of it.

My Lord, the light in this city is almost magical
and this painter – Canaletto so characterised –
delivers that truth above all others.
Besides, he is in high reputation here
and people will clamber for his pieces whatever.
Thus, I continue to recommend him, and remain,

Sir, your servant.