A Pindarick Ode on Painting Part 4
When erst APELLEs friend enquird, Why touchd so oft in every part With repeated strokes of art, The picture which already they admird, The Artist, with becoming pride, "Im Painting for Eternity," replied.
x.x.xII.
But vain, great Genius! was thy boast; Long since th eternal piece is lost---- Thy VENUS now no more expresses, Rising from her watery bed, 300 The moisture from her twisted tresses Oer her dazzling bosom spread--- No more thy colours bloom, effacd by age, But in the poets or th historians page.
x.x.xIII.
Oh then---reject not with disdain, Great Artist, this unpolishd strain---- Though happy while it may intend Thy shining merits to display, It may serve only in the end My own weak genius to betray, 310 May shew with what presumption I aspire To build the rhyme And tower sublime With PINDARs vanity without his fire.
x.x.xIV.
Yet----confide----(for every triflers breast) And by this influence I presage In the long course of rolling years, When all thy labour disappears, Yet shall this verse descend from age to age, And, breaking from oblivions shade, 320 Go on, to flourish while thy paintings fade.
x.x.xV.
If so---at present though thy hand May glory of itself command, Nor can the muses laurels now, Though wove with nicer skill than mine, Help to adorn it, while they twine Round thy already loaden brow--- Yes---if my presage is not vain--- Yes---if this verse hereafter should remain--- 330 (Though now indeed as needless quite As at noons blaze the tapers light) It may then serve to aggrandize thy name, And add some splendor to thy future fame.
FINIS.