Whofe daring hand the dart of triumph hurl'd, Alas! how vain, in Afia's crumbling foil, And hold Semiramis herself a dream +.. But hafte, thou lovely goddess of my lays, Whose varying powers command my willing praise! Uncertain traces of thy long-paft feet, To fcenes of folid, though of gloomy truth, * See 90 Strangers to Freedom, gaiety, and grace, Time on that care beftows the wish'd effect, And guards thy massive monarchs with respect *. This praise of old and graceless art arraign : An ancient wrinkled dame of dingy hue, Big-bon'd and stiff, and muttering mangled verse, 130 Then should he say, with truth, "See Helen's nurse !" The swarthy beldam friendly hands would shake, And all would bless her for her nurfling's fake. See NOTE VII. Such Memphian art, to attic minds endear'd; For Greece, their Helen! was by Ægypt rear'd*. Ye first and faireft of ideal forms, Whom beauty decorates, and paffion warms! All Greece one temple, by your presence bright! 140 The paths of knowledge, truth, and fame are yours †. Your aid a vital charm to toil imparts, The deathlefs foul of transmigrating arts. Offspring of Freedom and of Feeling! you 150 Exalt my country with your kindest smile, My daring verfe avows the patriot aim To quicken Britain's love for boundless fame; To raise her pitch of emulation high, With Grecian Sculpture's perfect fons to vie. When foreign pride would British minds enchain, Perish the doubt, prepofterously vain, That mental tyrants arrogantly start To limit England in the sphere of art * ! Has she not borne, to men and angels dear, A poet who, beyond his Greek compeer, 160 In Fancy's field the disk of glory hurl'd The hallow'd Homer of the Chriftian world? 170 Affociate Arts alternate luftre lend; Each, in her hour, appears a fifter's friend. Say why in sculpture Greece has reign'd fupreme? * See NOTE X. |