Phillipps, Evelyn March: The frescoes in the Sixtine chapel (London: John Murray, 1901)

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THE ROOF

importance; the head and the whole of the
arm have been replastered and repainted,
and we cannot guess what was the original
effect. The other prophet on this side is
one of the most perfect. Is there anything
in art more true and subtle than the ex-
pression in the head and hand of Isaiah ?
Behind him, the young boy-angel throws
back his arm with a gesture which compels
attention, full of energetic assurance and
confident indication, and Isaiah closes his
book, turns his head half aside, and listens,
spell - bound — listens to the far-off, faint
strain, the first whisper of the immense hope
for the human race, the first revelation to a
great soul of the Divine purpose; a promise
almost too exquisite for belief, yet growing
on the ear to certainty. So may we have
heard in some dim cathedral aisle, the thin,
silver note stealing on the silence:—
Isa. xl. 1, 2. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith
your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto
her, that her warfare is accomplished, and her iniquity
is pardoned; for she hath received at the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.