Mid curves, that vary in perpetual twine,

Truth owns but one direct and perfect line.

S

Spread then her genuine charms o'er all the piece, Sublime and perfect as they glow'd in Greece.

Those genuine charms to seize, with zeal explore 255
The vases, medals, statues, form'd of yore,

Relievos high that swell the column's stem,
Speak from the marble, sparkle from the gem;
Hence all-majestic on th' expanding soul,
In copious tide the bright ideas roll;
Fill it with radiant forms unknown before,
Forms such as demigods and heroes wore :
Here pause and pity our enervate days,
Hopeless to rival their transcendent praise.

260

Multiplicesque viæ, bene agendi terminus unus,
Linea recta velut sola ést, et mille recurvæ.

* Sed juxta antiquos naturam imitabere pulchram,
Qualem forma rei propria, objectumque requirit.
Non te igitur lateant antiqua numismata, gemmæ,
Vasa, typi, statuæ, cælataque marmora signis,
Quodque refert specie veterum post sæcula mentem ;
Splendidior quippe ex illis assurgit imago,
Magnaque se rerum facies aperit meditanti :
Tunc nostri tenuem sæcli miserebere sortem,
Cùm spes nulla siet redituræ æqualis in ævum.

'XX. The Antique the model to be copied.

185

190

XX. Signa antiqua Naturæ modum constituunt.

w Peculiar toil on single forms bestow, There let expression lend its finish'd glow;

There each variety of tint unite

With the full harmony of shade and light.

× Free o'er the limbs the flowing vesture cast,

265

The light broad folds with grace majestic placed; 270
And as each figure turns a different way,

Give the large plaits their corresponding play;
Yet devious oft and swelling from the part,

The flowing robe with ease should seem to start;
Not on the form in stiff adhesion laid,

275

But well reliev'd by gentle light and shade.

Where'er a flat vacuity is seen,

There let some shadowy bending intervene,

y Exquisita siet formâ, dum sola figura

Pingitur; et multis variata coloribus esto.

Ꮓ

Lati, amplique sinus pannorum, et nobilis ordo 195 Membra sequens, subter latitantia lumine et umbrâ Exprimet; ille licet transversus sæpe feratur, Et circumfusos pannorum porrigat extra Membra sinus, non contiguos, ipsisque figuræ Partibus impressos, quasi pannus adhæreat illis ; Sed modicè expressos cum lumine servet et umbris: Quæque intermissis passim sunt dissita vanis, Copulet, inductis subtérve, supérve lacernis.

XXI. How to paint a single

figure.

* XXII. Of Drapery.

200

y XXI. Sola Figura quomodo tractanda.

2 XXII. Quid in Pannis observandum.

Above, below, to lead its varied line,

As best may teach the distant folds to join ;

And as the limbs by few bold strokes exprest

280

Excel in beauty, so the liberal vest

In large, distinct, unwrinkled folds should fly,
Beauty's best handmaid is Simplicity.

To different ranks adapt their proper robe;
With ample pall let monarchs sweep the globe;
In garb succinct and coarse array the swain;
In light and silken veils the virgin train.

Where in black shade the deeper hollow lies,
Assisting art some midway fold supplies,
That gently meets the light, and gently spreads
To break the hardness of opposing shades.

a

Each nobler symbol classic sages use,

To mark a virtue, or adorn a Muse.

285

290

205

Et membra, ut magnis, paucisque expressa lacertis,
Majestate aliis præstant, forma, atque decore:
Haud secus in pannis, quos supra optavimus amplos,
Perpaucos sinuum flexus, rugasque, striasque,
Membra super, versu faciles, inducere præstat.
Naturæque rei proprius sit pannus, abundans
Patriciis; succinctus erit, crassusque bubulcis,
Mancipiisque; levis, teneris, gracilisque puellis.
Inque cavis maculisque umbrarum aliquando tumescet,
Lumen ut excipiens, operis quà massa requirit,
Latius extendat, sublatisque aggreget umbris.

210

b Nobilia arma juvant Virtutum ornantque figuras, 215

XXIII. Of Picturesque Or- b XXIII. Tabulæ Ornamen

nament.

tum.

Ensigns of war, of peace, or rites divine,
These in thy work with dignity may shine:

But sparingly thy earth-born stores unfold,
Nor load with gems, nor lace with tawdry gold;
Rare things alone are dear in Custom's eye,
They lose their value as they multiply.

d Of absent forms the features to define, Prepare a model to direct thy line;

Each garb, each custom, with precision trace, Unite in strict decorum time with place;

295

300

f And emulous alone of genuine fame,

305

Be Grace, be Majesty thy constant aim,

That Majesty, that Grace so rarely given

To mortal man, nor taught by art but Heaven.

Qualia Musarum, Belli, cultusque Deorum.
8 Nec sit opus nimiùm gemmis auroque refertum ;
Rara etenim magno in pretio, sed plurima vili.

h Quæ deinde ex vero nequeant præsente videri, Prototypum prius illorum formare juvabit.

220

i Conveniat locus, atque habitus; ritusque decusque * Servetur: Sit nobilitas, Charitumque venustas, (Rarum homini munus, Coelo, non arte petendum.)

c XXIV. Ornament of gold and jewels.

a XXV. Of the Model.

e XXVI. Union of the piece.

f XXVII. Grace and Majesty.

8 XXIV. Ornamentum auri et gemmarum.

h XXV. Prototypus.

i XXVI. Convenientia rerum cum scena.

* XXVII. Charitas et Nobilitas.

1 In all to sage propriety attend,

Nor sink the clouds, nor bid the waves ascend;

310

Lift not the mansions drear of Hell or Night

Above the Thunderer's lofty arch of light;
Nor build the column on an osier base;

But let each object know its native place.

m

Thy last, thy noblest task remains untold,
Passion to paint, and sentiment unfold;
Yet how these motions of the mind display!
Can colours catch them, or can lines pourtray?
Who shall our pigmy pencils arm with might
To seize the soul, and force her into sight?
Jove, Jove alone; his highly-favour'd few
Alone can call such miracles to view.

n

Naturæ sit ubique tenor, ratioque sequenda.
Non vicina pedum tabulata excelsa Tonantis
Astra domus depicta gerent, nubesque, notosque;
Nec mare depressum laquearia summa, vel Orcum;
Marmoreamque feret cannis vaga pergula molem :
Congrua sed propriâ semper statione locentur.

315

320

225

Hæc præter, motus animorum, et corde repostos 230 Exprimere affectus, paucisque coloribus ipsam

Pingere posse animam, atque oculis præbere videndam, "Hoc opus, hic labor est. Pauci, quos æquus amavit σε Jupiter, aut ardens evexit ad æthera virtus, "Dis similes potuere" manu miracula tanta.

1 XXVIII. Every thing in its

proper place.

XXIX. The Passions.

235

n XXVIII. Res quæque lo

cum suum teneat.

• XXIX. Affectus.