Weigh part with part, and with prophetic eye 115 But like the Tragic Muse, thy lustre throw, This rare, this arduous task no rules can teach, No skill'd preceptor point, no practice reach; 126 Atque futurorum jam præsentire colorum nustum. 80 Sit thematis genuina ac viva expressio, juxtà Textum antiquorum, propriis cum tempore formis. § Nec quod inane, nihil facit ad rem, sive videtur Improprium, miniméque urgens, potiora tenebit Ornamenta operis; Tragicæ sed lege sororis, 85 Summa ubi res agitur, vis summa requiritur Artis. Ista labore gravi, studio, monitisque magistri * V. The Subject to be treated faithfully. + VI. Every foreign ornament to be rejected. ‡ V. Fidelitas Argumenti. § VI. Inane rejiciendum. 'Tis taste, 'tis genius, 'tis the heav'nly ray Prometheus ravish'd from the car of day. In Egypt first the infant art appear'd, Rude and unform'd; but when to Greece she steer'd 130 Her prosperous course, fair Fancy met the Maid; 90 Ardua pars nequit addisci: rarissima namque, Quos inter, Graphidos Gymnasia prima fuêre Portus Athenarum, Sicyon, Rhodes, atque Corinthus, Her various votaries various talents crown'd; Looks dazzled up, and, as their glories spread,} * Learn then from Greece, ye youths, Proportion's law, Inform'd by her, each just position draw; 145 Disparia inter se modicùm ratione laboris : 105 * VII. Design or Position, the second part of Painting. VII. Graphis seu Positura secunda Picturæ pars. Full in the front the nobler limbs to place, 150 But chief from her that flowing outline take, Which floats in wavy windings, like the snake, Or lambent flame; which, ample, broad, and long, Reliev'd, not swell'd, at once both light and strong, Glides through the graceful whole. Her art divine Cuts not, in parts minute, the tame design, But by a few bold strokes, distinct and free, Calls forth the charms of perfect symmetry. True to anatomy, more true to grace, 156 She bids each muscle know its native place; 160 Membrorumque sinus ignis flammantis ad instar, Serpenti undantes flexu ; sed lævi, plana, Magnaque signa, quasi sine tubere subdita tactu, Ex longo deducta fluant, non secta minutim. 110 Insertisque toris sint nota ligamina, juxta Compagem anatomes, et membrificatio Græco Deformata modo, paucisque expressa lacertis, Qualis, apud veteres ; totoque Eurythmia partes Componat; genitumque suo generante sequenti 115 Sit minus, et puncto videantur cuncta sub uno. Yet deem not, youths, that perspective can give Those charms complete by which your works shall live: 166 What though her rules may to your hand impart 170 * Man's changeful race, the sport of chance and time, Varies no less in aspect than in clime; Mark well the difference, and let each be seen Regula certa licet nequeat prospectica dici, Aut complimentum graphidos; sed in arte juvamen, Et modus accelerans operandi: at corpora falso Sub visu in multis referens, mendosa labascit: 120 Nam Geometralem nunquam sunt corpora juxtà Mensuram depicta oculis, sed qualia visa. + Non eadem formæ species, non omnibus ætas Equalis, similesque color, crinesque figuris : Nam, variis velut orta plagis, gens dispare vultu est. 125 * VIII. Variety in the Figures. + VIII. Varietas in Figuris. |