Vain wish, in Lethe's gulf, by Tafte abhorr'd, Of works his judgment knew fo well to prize, But here let gratitude your merit speak, Thou learned Roman, and thou faithful Greek ! To guide those fond advent'rers on their way The richest map of Nature's realms design'd, Nature and Truth may yet, in thee, commend Their lively eulogift, their liberal friend; U 420 And Tafte with grateful joy thy page explore For rich Antiquity's recover'd ftore." There her loft wonders seem again to live, ⠀ildo.. Like phantoms, rais'd in magic's ample bower, To one, less apt with warm applause to speak, And copious light with modeft care display'd! 'Twas thy brave aim to make its glories last; 430 * See NOTE XXII. And Time shall honour, as his years increase, And you, ye moderns! whofe fond toils difplay 440 With those fine Arts that boaft his lib'ral care. 450 With Erudition's ample aid, 'twas thine To form a portrait of antique defign, Bright as the image of elaborate skill, See NOTE XXIII. In thy vaft work rare proof of patient toil, soc Fee That glean'd from every age, its fpotlefs spoil, There breathes a warm benignity of soul, And moral beauty decorates the whole Of kindred spirit, in a later age, See gentle Guafco, in a friendly page, To touch a brother's heart with tender joy, On Sculpture's powers his penfive mind employ ! As April drops foon thicken to a shower, The sprightly comment of a vacant hour Grew a rich work, where truth and tafte have shown Where lovely Sculpture shines benignly bright 460 470 See NOTE XXIV. His injur❜d eyes in cruel quiet close, And fink from glorious toil to dark repose While Art deplor'd her fuffering friend's retreat, Griev'd to refign an eulogist so sweet, Her lofs fee Learning haften to repay With richer floods of intellectual day! She, potent guide of each aspiring mind That aims to please and benefit mankind And the fair triumph of thy mental force; Though Fortune blended thy rare lot to fill, As for the Grecian bard, extremes of good and ill. 480 490 See NOTE XXV. |