Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

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

To diff'rent ranks adapt their proper robe; 285 With ample pall let monarchs sweep the globe; In garb succinct and coarse array the swain'; In light and silken veils the virgin train.

290

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 classick Sages use, To mark a virtue, or adorn a Muse,

210

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 quâ massa requirit, Latius extendat, sublatisque aggreget umbris. 'Nobilia armajuvant Virtutum ornantque figuras,15

• XXIII. Of Picturesque b XXIII. Tabulæ Orna

Ornament.

mentum.

Ensigns of war, of peace, or Rites divine, 295
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.

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

[ocr errors]

;

300

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

f And emulous alone of genuine fame, Be Grace, be Majesty thy constant aim,

Qualia Musarum, Belli, cultusque Deorum.
• 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.

305

220

* Conveniat locus, atque habitus; ritusque decusque "Servetur: Sit nobilitas, Charitumque venustas,

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

That Majesty, that Grace so rarely given To mortal man, nor taught by art but Heaven. 1 In all to sagé propriety attend,

Nor sink the clouds, nor bid the waves

ascend;

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

310

Thy last, thy noblest task remains untold, Passion to paint, and sentiment unfold;

316

Yet how these motions of the mind display! Can colours catch them, or can lines portray?

225

(Rarum homini munus, Cœlo, non arte petendum.) 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.

Hæc præter, motus animorum, et corde re

[blocks in formation]

Who shall our pigmy pencils arm with might To seize the Soul, and force her into sight? 320 Jove, Jove alone; his highly-favour'd few Alone can call such miracles to view.

But this to rhetʼrick and the schools I leave, Content from ancient lore one rule to give:

[ocr errors]

325

By tedious toil no passions are exprest, "His hand who feels them strongest paints

them best."

P Yet shall the Muse with all her force proscribe

Of base and barbarous forms that Gothick tribe,

Exprimere affectus, paucisque coloribus ipsam Pingere posse animam, atque oculis præbere videndam,

"Hoc opus, hic labor est. Pauci, quos æquus amavit Jupiter, aut ardens avexit ad æthera virtus,

[ocr errors]

"Dis similes potuere" manu miracula tanta.

Hos ego rhetoribus tractandos desero; tantùm Egregii antiquum memorabo sophisma magistri : "Verius affectus animi vigor exprimit ardens, "Solliciti nimiùm quam sedula cura laboris."

q

Denique nil sapiat Gothorum barbara trito

P XXX. Gothick Ornament to be avoided,

235

240

9 XXX. Gothorum Or

namenta fugienda.

Which sprang to birth, what time, thro' lust

of sway,

Imperial Latium bade the world obey:

330

Fierce from the north the headlong demons

flew,

The wreaths of Science wither'd at their view; Plagues were their harbingers, and war accurst, And luxury, of every fiend the worst:

Then did each Muse behold her triumphs fade, Then pensive Painting droop'd the languish'd head;

336

And sorrowing Sculpture, while the ruthless

flame

Involv'd each trophy of her sister's fame,
Fled to sepulchral cells her own to save,
And lurk'd a patient inmate of the grave. 340

Ornamenta modo, sæclorum et monstra malorum :
Queis ubi bella, famem, et pestem, discordia, luxus,
Et Romanorum res grandior intulit orbi,
Ingenuæ periere artes, periere suberbæ
Artificum moles; sua tunc miracula vidit
Ignibus absumi Pictura, latere coacta
Fornicibus, sortem et reliquam confidere cryptis ;
Marmoribusque diu Sculptura jacere sepultis,

$45

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »