EPISTLE

THE FIRST.

B

ARGUMENT

OF THE FIRST EPISTLE.

Introduction-The flourishing state of Art in this country— Difadvantages attending the modern Painter of Portraits -Short encomium on this branch of Art, with the account of its origin in the ftary of the Maid of Corinth—Superiority of Hiftorical Painting-Some account of the Greeks who excelled in it—Its deftruction and revival in Italy—Short account of the most eminent Italian and Spanish Painters— Thofe of Flanders and France-The corruption of Art among the latter.

ΤΟ

то

MR. GEORGE ROMNEY.

EPISTLE I.

B

LEST be the hour, when fav'ring gales restore
The travell'd artift to his native fhore!

His mind enlighten'd, and his fancy fraught
With finest forms by ancient genius wrought;
Whose magic beauty charm'd, with spell fublime,
The scythe of Ruin from the hand of Time,
And mov’d the mighty leveller to spare
Models of grace fo exquifitely fair.

While you, whom Painting thus inspir'd to roam,
Bring these rich stores of ripen'd judgment home;
While now, attending my accomplish'd friend,

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Science and Tafte his foften'd colours blend;

Let the fond Mufe, tho' with a tranfient view,

The progrefs of her fifter art pursue;

Eager in tracing from remotest time

The fteps of Painting through each favour'd clime,
To praise her deareft fons, whofe daring aim

Gain'd their bright ftations on the heights of fame,
And mark the paths by which her partial hand
Conducts her ROMNEY to this radiant band.

Her vot❜ries profper, and her glories rise.
Yet tho', my friend, thy art is thus careft,
And with the homage of the public blest,
And flourishes with growing beauty fair,
The child of Majefty's adoptive care,
The youthful artift ftill is doom'd to feel
Obstruction's chilling hand, that damps his zeal :
Th' imperious voice of Vanity and Pride
Bids him from Fancy's region turn aside,
And quit the magic of her fcene, to trace
The vacant lines of fome unmeaning face:
E'en in this work his wifhes ftill are croft,
And all the efforts of his art are loft;

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Painting, sweet Nymph! now leaves in lifeless trance

Exhaufted Italy, and tinfel France,

And fees in Britain, with exulting eyes,

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