A Potter thumping his wet claydetails

“XXXVI
think the Vessel, that with fugitive
Articulation answer’d, once did live,
And drink; and Ah! the passive Lip I kiss’d,
How many Kisses might it take—and give!

XXXVII

For I remember stopping by the way
To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay:
And with its all-obliterated Tongue
It murmur’d—“Gently, Brother, gently, pray!”

XXXVIII

And has not such a Story from of Old
Down Man’s successive generations roll’d
Of such a clod of saturated Earth
Cast by the Maker into Human mould?”

In the picture, a boy or young man sits on the floor with a pot or vase balanced on his left knee. He wears only a yellow cloth wrapped round his waist, leaving his back, arms, legs and feet bare.