Albert Durer's Studio

In the house of albert durer
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.

Still is seen the little loop-hole
Where Frau Durer'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,

Handsome, hapless Albert Durer
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.

But I trow that Albert Durer
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 Durer entered not.

Ah! if brains and hearts had loop-holes,
And Frau Durer 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!