* When small the space, or pure the ambient air, Each form is seen in bright precision clear; But if thick clouds that purity deface, If far extend that intervening space, There all confus'd the objects faintly rise, As if prepar'd to vanish from our eyes. 475 + Give then each foremost part a touch so bright, That o'er the rest its domineering light May much prevail; yet, relative in all, 480 ‡ Qua minus est spatii aërei, aut quâ purior aër, Cuncta magis distincta patent, speciesque reser vant : 350 Quâque magis densus nebulis, aut plurimus aër § Amplum inter fuerit spatium porrectus, in auras Confundet rerum species, et perdet inanes. Anteriora magis semper finita, remotis Incertis dominentur et abscedentibus, idque More relativo, ut majora minoribus extent. 355 * XXXVIII. Of the Interposition of Air. + XXXIX. The Relation of Distances, + XXXVIIL Aër interpo situs. § XXXIX. Distantiarum Relatio. * Minuter forms, when distantly we trace, + Let each contiguous part be firm allied, 485 And win with middle tints their union sweet; 490 § Cuncta minuta procul massam densantur in unam; Ut folia arboribus sylvarum, et in æquore fluctus. Contigua inter se coëant, sed dissita distent, Distabuntque tamen grato, et discrimine parvo. 360 ¶ Extrema extremis contraria jungere noli; Sed medio sint usque gradu sociata coloris. * XL. Of Bodies which are distanced. + XLI. Of contiguous and separated Bodies. + XLII. Colours very opposite to each other never to be joined. f XL. Corpora procul distantia. || XLI. Contigua et Dissita. ¶ XLII. Contraria extrema fugienda. Yet varying all thý tones, let some aspire *Fiercely in front, some tenderly retire. 495 + Vain is the hope by colouring to display The bright effulgence of the noon-tide ray, Or paint the full-orb'd Ruler of the skies With pencils dipp'd in dull terrestrial dyes : But when mild Evening sheds her golden light; When Morn appears array'd in modest white; When soft suffusion of the vernal shower Dims the pale sun; or, at the thund'ring hour, 500 When wrapt in crimson clouds, he hides his head, Then catch the glow, and on the canvass spread. Corporum erit tonus atque color variatus ubique ; Quærat amicitiam retro; ferus emicet ante. § Supremum in tabulis lumen captare diei, 365 Insanus labor artificum; cùm attingere tantum Non pigmenta queant: auream sed vespere lucem, Seu modicum mane albentem; sive ætheris actam Post hyemem nimbis transfuso sole caducam; Seu nebulis fultam accipient, tonitruque rubentem, 370 * XLIII. Diversity of Tints and Colours. + XLIV. The Choice of Light. XLIII. Tonus et Color varii. § XLIV. Luminis delectus. Bodies of polish'd or transparent tone, Of metal, crystal, iv'ry, wood, or stone; And all whose rough unequal parts are rear'd, 505 510 The well-comb'd locks that wave with glossy dye; 516 Lævia quæ lucent, veluti crystalla, metalla, Ligna, ossa, et lapides; villosa, ut vellera, pelles, Barbæ, aqueique oculi, crines, holoserica, plumæ ; Et liquida, ut stagnans aqua, reflexæque sub undis Corporeæ species, et aquis contermina cuncta, 375 Subter ad extremum liquidè sint picta, superque Luminibus percussa suis, signisque repostis. * XLV. Of certain Things relating to the practical part. VOL. III. F + XLV. Quædam circa Praxim *By mellowing skill thy ground at distance cast, Free as the air and transient as its blast; 520 + The hand that colours well must colour bright; Hope not that praise to gain by sickly white; + But amply heap in front each splendid dye, Then thin and light withdraw them from the eye, 525 380 § Area, vel campus tabulæ vagus esto, levisque Abscedat latus, liquidèque bene unctus amicis Tota ex mole coloribus, unâ sive patellâ ; Quæque cadunt retro in campum, confinia campo. || Vividus esto color, nimio non pallidus albo ; Adversisque locis ingestus plurimus, ardens: Sed levitèr parcèque datus vergentibus oris. Cuncta labore simul coëant, velut umbrâ in eâdem, 385 * XLVI. The Field of the Picture. + XLVII. Of the Vivacity of Colours. # XLVIII. Of Shadows. § XLVI. Campus Tabulæ. || XLVII. Colour vividus, non tamen pallidus. ¶ XLVIII. Umbra. |