And, warp'd by Vanity, prefume to hold, Our northern Genius dark, confin'd, and cold: And freely gives to BRITAIN's eager view Those charms which once her fav'rite ATHENS knew. 20 25 Why Art on BRITAIN fhone with later ray. 30 When on this Ifle, the Gothic clouds withdrawn, The diftant light of Painting feem'd to dawn, Fierce HARRY reign'd, who, foon with pleasure cloy'd, * 35 * Ver. 33. See NOTE XLI. Now Now ftrove to fix, with liberal fupport, Thy darling RAPHAEL in his fumptuous Court; She fled in terror from the Tyrant's fight. The Virgin Queen, whom dazzled eyes admire, JAMES, both for Empire and for Arts unfit,, Ver. 45. See NOTE XLII. . 3 40. 45 50 55 With With fairer mind arofe his nobler Son, Seduc'd by Parafites, by Priefts undone : Unhappy CHARLES! oh! had thy feeling heart 65 But regal Pride, with vain Ambition blind, Thefe ftorms fubfiding, fee her once again, The Minions of a loose luxurious Court; From whence the modeft Graces turn their eyes, Where Genius fees, and o'er the prospect fighs, LELY's foft tints, and DRYDEN's nobler Lyre, Made the mean Slaves of diffolute Defire. 70 75 Once Once more, alarm'd by War's terrific roar, The peaceful Prince may rifing Art defend, To bind the laurel on the Artist's brow: The Bafe of Freedom, on which Art must stand. ⚫ Ver. 93. See NOTE XLIII. ↑ Ver. 97. See NOTE XLIV. F * Tho' in fucceeding years the Mufes taught, "How ANN Commanded, and how MARLBRO' fought;" 100 And THORNHILL's blaze of Allegory gilt* The piles, that WREN'S fuperior genius built; Contending Factions, in her closing reign, Like winds imprison'd, fhook fair Freedom's Fane. Painting, foft timid Nymph, ftill chose to roam, 105. And fear'd to fettle in this fhaking Dome.. f At length, the fury of each storm o'erblown, That threaten'd BRUNSWICK's race on BRITAIN's throne,. Rebellion vanquish'd on her native fhore, 1 Her clans extinguish'd, and her chiefs no more: The youthful Noble, on a princely Plan, † Encourag'd infant Art, and firft began Before the ftudious eye of Youth to place The ancient Models of ideal Grace.. When BRITAIN triumph'd, thro' her wide domain, 115 O'er France, fupported by imperious SPAIN, And, fated with her Laurels' large increase, Began to cultivate the plants of Peace; * Ver. 101. See NOTE XLV. |