But though thy life became a ruffian's prey,
Nobly fecur'd from peril and decay

Thy well-earn'd fame shall Time's refpect command,
Thy merits live, engrav'd by friendship's hand ;
And grateful Art, where'er her powers may rise,
That fond historian of her charms shall prize
Who, with enlighten'd love, defcrib'd the whole,
Each changeful feature, and her inmost foul*.

If Art exults in his aspiring flight

Who as her champion rofe, in penury's defpite,
While gratitude her graceful bosom sways,
She owns a debt of no inferior praise

Due to her different friend, of Gallic name,

Who, high in rank, in fortune, and in fame,
To her dear fervice his rich purse affign'd,

With all the radiance of his richer mind,

Shining through clouds that thicken'd to o'erwhelm

500

His lov'd Antiquity's embellish'd realm;

See NOTE XXVI.

510

Whose treasures, bright'ning at his touch, commend

The piercing genius of their ftudious friend :

Thou, to whom idle nobles are a foil!

Thou model of munificence and toil!
Accomplish'd Caylus! if thy zeal fublime
Lavish'd on Art thy treasure and thy time,
Thine idol, blameless as the peaceful dove,
Paid thee with pleasure equal to thy love.
She footh'd thee in thy gasp of parting breath,

And charm'd thy spirit through the shades of death *.

Mild, lib'ral spirit! take (to thee not new!)

Tribute from English truth to merit due!

For once a Briton, who enjoy'd, with wealth,
Conceal'd munificence to charm by stealth,

Surpris'd thee with a splendid gift, design'd
A nameless homage to thy letter'd mind,
To both an honour!-O, inftructive Time,
Ripen the nations to that sense sublime,

See NOTE XXVII.

520

To own the folly of contention's rage,

That makes the globe a gladiator's ftage;

Till blood-ftain'd rivals boaft no other ftrife

530

But which may best befriend art, science, truth, and life.

* See NOTE XXVIII.

THE END OF THE FIFTH EPISTLE.

EPISTLE THE SIXTH.

Tu quoque magnam

Partem opere in tanto, fineret dolor, Icare, haberes.

X

VIRGIL.

ARGUMENT

OF THE SIXTH EPISTLE.

The Author laments with his friend the fate of his difciple, a promising young Sculptor, forced to quit his profeffion by a fevere loss of health.A character of that disciple, and the intereft he fill takes in the profperity and honour of his beloved Mafter, conclude the Poem.