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 Of absent forms the features to define, ; 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. 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, 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 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: 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, "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, Ornamenta modo, sæclorum et monstra malorum : $45 |