* Yet some there are who indiscreetly stray, Where purblind practice only points the way; Who every theoretick truth disdain, And blunder on mechanically vain. Some too there are, within whose languid breasts A lifeless heap of embryo knowledge rests, 86 When nor the pencil feels their drowzy art, Nor the skill'd hand explains the meaning heart. In chains of sloth such talents droop confin'd: 'Twas not by words Apelles charm'd mankind. 90 Hear then the Muse; tho' perfect beauty towers Above the reach of her descriptive powers, 55 Utque manus grandi nil nomine practica dignum Assequitur, primum arcanæ quam deficit artis Lumen, et in præceps abitura ut cæća vagatur; Sic nihil ars operâ manuum privata supremum Exequitur, sed languet iners uti vincta lacertos. Dispositumque typum non linguâ pinxit Apelles. Ergo licet totâ normam haud possimus in arte Ponere, (cum nequeant quæ sunt pulcherrima dici,) * II. Of Theory and Prac tice. 60 a II. De Speculatione et Praxi. 34 Yet will she strive some leading rules to draw From sovereign Nature's universal law ; Stretch her wide view o'er ancient Art's do main, Again establish Reason's legal reign, Genius again correct with science sage, 95 Right ever reigns its stated bounds between, "And taste, like morals, loves the golden e Some lofty theme let judgment first supply, Supremely fraught with grace and majesty ; For fancy copious, free to every charm That lines can circumscribe or colours warm ; Nitimur hæc paucis, scrutati summa magistræ III. Of the Subject, III. De Argumento.. Still happier, if that artful theme dispense os A poignant moral and instructive sense. Then let the virgin canvas smooth expand, ` To claim the sketch and tempt the Artist's hand: Then, bold INVENTION, all thy powers diffuse, Of all thy sisters thou the noblest Muse: Thee every art, thee every grace inspires, Thee Phœbus fills with all his brightest fires. h Choose such judicious force of shade and light As suits the theme, and satisfies the sight; 110 Quodque venustatum, circa formam atque co lorem, Sponte capax, amplam emeritæ mox præbeat Arti Materiam, retegens aliquid salis et documenti. i 75 Tandem opus aggredior; primoq; occurrit in albo Disponenda typi, concepta potente Minervâ, Machina, quæ nostris INVENTIO dicitur oris. Illa quidem priùs ingenuis instructa sororum Artibus Aonidum, et Phoebi sublimior æstu. Quærendasque inter posituras, luminis, umbræ, k Weigh part with part, and with prophetick eye 115 The future power of all thy tints descry; And those, those only on the canvas placé, Whose hues are social, whose effect is grace. 1 Vivid and faithful to the historick page, Express the customs, manners, forms, and age; 120 m Nor paint conspicuous on the foremost plain Atque futurorum jam præsentire colorum nustum. 80 "Sit thematis genuina ac viva expressio, juxtà Textum antiquorum, propriis cum tempore formis. Nec quod inane, nihil facit ad rem, sive videtur Improprium, miniméque urgens, potiora tenebit Ornamenta operis; Tragicæ sed lege sororis, Summa ubi res agitur, vis summa requiritur Artis. 85 V. Fidelitas Argumenti. • VI. Inane rejiciendum. This rare, this arduous task no rules can teach, 125 No skill'd preceptor point, no practice reach; 'Tis taste, 'tis genius, 'tis the heav'nly ray Prometheus ravish'd from the car of day. In Egypt first the infant art appear'd, Rude and unform'd; but when to Greece she steer'd 139 Her prosperous course, fair Fancy met the Maid Wit, Reason, Judgment, lent their powerful aid; Till all complete the gradual wonder shone, And vanquish'd Nature own'd herself outdone. Ista labore gravi, studio, monitisque magistri Ægypto informis quondam pictura reperta, 90 |