And as the limbs by few bold strokes exprest Excel in beauty so the liberal vest 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; 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. 205 Et membra, ut magnis, paucisque expressa lacertis, mescet, Lumen ut excipiens, operis quâ massa requirit, Latius extendat, sublatisque aggreget umbris. 210 * Each nobler symbol classick Sages use, To mark a virtue, or adorn a Muse. 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; C 300 Each garb, each custom, with precision trace, Unite in strict decorum time with place; Nobilia arma juvant Virtutum ornantque figu ras, Qualia Musarum, Belli, cultusque Deorum. * Nec sit opus nimiùm gemmis auroque refertum; Rara etenim magno in pretio, sed plurima vili. £ Quæ deinde ex vero nequeant præsente videri, Prototypum prius illorum formare juvabit. 215 220 And emulous alone of genuine fame, Be Grace, be Majesty thy constant aim, 305 To mortal man, nor taught by art but Heaven. i In all to sage propriety attend, Nor sink the clouds, nor bid the waves ascend; Lift not the mansions drear of Hell or Night 310 *Servetur: Sit nobilitas, Charitumque venustas, 1 Non vicina pedum tabulata excelsa Tonantis 225 b XXVII. Grace and Ma jesty. i XXVIII. Every thing in its proper place. k XXVII. Charitas et Nobilitas. 1 XXVIII. Res quæque locum suum teneat. m 316 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? 320 Jove, Jove alone; his highly-favour'd few Alone can call such miracles to view. But this to rhet'rick and the schools I leave, Content from ancient lore one rule to give : 66. By tedious toil no passions are exprest, 325. "His hand who feels them strongest paints them best." n Hæc præter, motus animorum, et corde repostos 230 Exprimere affectus, paucisque coloribus ipsam Pingere posse animam, atqué oculis præbere videndam, "Hoc opus, hic labor est. Pauci, quos æquus amavit "Jupiter, aut ardens avexit ad æthera virtus, “Dis similes potuere” manu miracula tanta. Hos ego rhetoribus tractandos desero; tantùm Egregii antiquum memorabo sophisma magistri: "Verius affectus animi vigor exprimit ardens, "Soliciti nimiùm quàm sedula cura laboris.” 235 XXIX. The Passions. n XXIX. Affectus. Yet shall the Muse with all her force pro scribe Of base and barbarous forms that Gothick tribe, Which sprung 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 P Denique nil sapiat Gothorum barbara trito 240 245 • XXX. Gothick Ornament to be avoided. P XXX. Gothorum Ornamenta fugienda. |