EPISTLE XIII. TO THE HON. MISS YORKE, [Afterwards Lady Anson.] ON HER COPYING CLOVIO'S PORTRAIT OF DANTE. FROM THE HON. CHARLES YORKE. FAIR Artist! well thy pencil has essay'd Picture and Poetry just kindred claim, Their birth, their genius, and pursuits the same; Daughters of Phoebus and Minerva, they From the same sources draw the heavenly ray. Whatever earth, or air, or ocean breeds, Whatever luxury or weakness needs; All forms of beauty Nature's scenes disclose, All images inventive arts compose; What ruder passions tear the troubled breast, On Letters and on Virtue Fame to build: Friendships like these from time receive no law, Contracted oft with those we never saw; In every art who court an endless fame Thou too, whom Nature and the Muse inspire, Listening the poet's lore hast caught his fire; With so much spirit every feature fraught, Clovio might own this imitated draught ; And Dante, were he conscious of the praise, Would sing thy labors in immortal lays ; His melancholy air to gladness turn'd, Nor longer his unthankful Florence mourn'd: Fair Beatrice's charms would lose their force, No more her steps o'er Heaven direct his course; To thee the Bard would grant the nobler place, And ask thy guidance through the paths of peace. Oh! could my eloquence, like his, persuade To leave the bounded walks by others made, Through Nature's wilds bid thy free genius rove, Copy the living race, or waving grove ; Or boldly rising with superior skill, The work with Heroes or with Poets fill; Then might I claim, deserv'd, the laurel crown, EPISTLE XIV. ON BUILDING AND PLANTING. ΤΟ SIR JAMES LOWTHER, BART. [Of Lowther-Hall.] BY JOHN DALTON, D.D. WHEN stately structures Lowther grace, Worthy the owner and the place, Fashion will not the works direct, Ready each beauteous order stands The Doric grave, where weight requires, These their abundant aid will lend To answer every structure's end. |