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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,

But well reliev'd by gentle light and shade.
Where'er a flat vacuity is seen,

There let some shadowy bending intervene,
Above, below, to lead its varied line,

275

As best may teach the distant folds to join; 280 And as the limbs by few bold strokes exprest Excel in beauty, so the liberal vest

200

Membra sequens, subter latitantia lumine et umbra
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 luinine servet et umbris:
Quæque intermissis passim sunt dissita vanis,
Copulet, inductis subtérve, supérve lacernis.
Et membra, ut magnis, paucisque expressa lacertis,
Majestate aliis præstant, forma, atque decore:
Haud secus in pannis, quos supra optavimus amplos,

205

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. * 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 tu-
mescet,

Lumen ut excipiens, operis quâ massa requirit,
Latius extendat, sublatisque aggreget umbris.

b

Nobilia armajuvant Virtutum ornantque figuras,"

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:

C

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;

с

300

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

£ 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

1 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,

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That Majesty, that Grace so rarely given To mortal-man, nor taught by art but Heaven. 1 In all to sage 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?

(Rarum homini munus, Coelo, non arte petendum.) Naturæ sit ubique tenor, ratioque sequenda..

n

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.

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225

Hæc præter, motus animorum, et corde re

postos

XXVIII. Every thing in

its proper place.

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n XXVIII. Res quæque locum suum teneat.

"XXIX. Affectus.

Who shall our pigmy pencils arm with might To seize the Soul, and force her into sight? 329 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: By tedious toil no passions are exprest, "His hand who feels them strongest paints

them best."

325

? Yet shall the Muse with all her force pro

scribe

Of base and barbarous forms that Gothick tribe,

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

66

"Hoc opus, hic labor est. Pauci, quos æquus amavit
Jupiler, 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."

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235

240

9 XXX. Gothorum Or

namenta fugienda.

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