But be this mental picture grac’d

With all th’ adornings fancy can bestow,

30 How is it’s beauty now effac’d,

How fast all it’s splendor declines,

Out-dazzled by those brighter lines

Which on yonder canvas glow----

V.

Where---by th’ Historick pencil’s aid

Whose ages are at once display’d---

Some great event of Rome or Greece

Fills perhaps each high wrought piece---

There---some triumphal pomp proceeds---

There---th’ impetuous battle bleeds---

Mark! while they engage

40 What ardor what rage,

How shields are clash’d with shields---

And with what force up-rais’d in air,

Each warrior brawny arm stript bare,

Darts th’ keen spear, or glittering faulchion wields,

And while it aims the stroke, or while repels,

How justly each inflated muscle swells----