ARGUMENT

OF THE FIRST EPISTLE.

Fervent wishes for the fafety of the Sculptor, returning from Rome.—A Sketch of the ftudies and fituation of the Author and his friend.—The aim of the former in the prefent compofition.

EPISTLE I.

INFURIATE WAR! whofe gory flags unfurl'd,

Waft dire contagion round the madd’ning world,
Spare, in thy rage, or in thy pride defend,

Art's hallow'd pilgrim, Virtue's gifted friend,

The travell❜d Sculptor, after years of toil,

Nobly purfu'd on many a foreign foil,

Haft'ning, with deep-ftor'd mind and practis'd hand,

To prize and decorate his native land!

Fierce as thou art, thofe fhadowy forms revere,

By Science hoarded, and to Fancy dear;

ΙΟ

Which in the plastic foul of Genius rest,
Folded, like future gems, in Nature's breast!
To peaceful Sculpture's unarm'd fon accord
Safety and honour for no mean reward:
He can requite thy favour―he can give
Thy dear loft heroes yet again to live;
And faithful still to thee, with martial fire
To speak in marble, e'en till War expire.

Thus, ardent Flaxman! while you now review

Rome's fculptur'd glories in a fond adieu,
Now hafte, admonish'd by inftructive Time,
With filial pride to England's rougher clime.
The ftudious hermit, who, in that dear ifle,
You left depriv'd of Health's infpiring fmile,
To profper your return, with votive lays
Refumes the lyre of friendship and of praise.

Dear Student! active as the Greeks of old,

In toil as steady, as in fancy bold;
Blending of difcipline each feparate part,
Diffusive knowledge with concenter'd art ;

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