Poems and Songs by Thomas Flatman. The Fourth Edition with many Additions and Amendments |
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TO MY Ingenious Friend Mr. WILLIAM FAITHORN
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 | Poems and Songs |  |
149
TO MY Ingenious Friend Mr. WILLIAM FAITHORN
On his Book of Drawing, Etching, and Graving.
Should I attempt an Elogy, or FrameA Paper-structure to secure thy name,
The lightning of one Censure, one stern frown
Might quickly hazard that, and thy renown,
But this thy Book prevents that fruitless pain.
One line speaks purelier Thee, than my best strain.
Those Mysteries (once like the spiteful mold,
Which bars the greedy Spaniard from his Gold.)
Thou dost unfold in every friendly Page,
Kind to the present, and succeeding age.
That Hand, whose curious Art prolongs the date
Of frail Mortality, and baffles Fate
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To rear a lasting Monument for thee:
For my part I prefer (to guard the Dead)
A Copper-Plate beyond a Sheet of Lead.
So long as Brass, so long as Books endure,
So long as neat-wrought Pieces, Thou 'rt secure.
A [Faithorn sculpsit] is a charm can save
From dull oblivion, and a gaping grave.
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