TO BACON.
The Poet informeth Mr. Bacon of his Progress in the Art of Sculpture—Adviseth him to be expeditious in his Improvements, on account of the rapid Strides of an elderly Gentleman called Time—He lamenteth the Want of Patronage to Sculpture—and sigheth for the Return of Athenian Days.
Bacon, I think thou dost improve:
But, prithee, somewhat faster move:—
These works display more fire and spirit in ye:
Time flies—accelerate thy pace,
Although thou catch not in the race
Phidias, Praxiteles, or ev'n Bernini!—
Shame!—that in this our wealthy isle,
Poor Sculpture is not seen to smile;
Forc'd, nearly forc'd to beg her humble bread—
While ev'ry face-maker can feast—
Quaff with his lordship wines the best,
Whose art can scarce pourtray a poor calf's head!
Oh, when will ancient Greece revive,
Where Sculpture taught her forms to live?—
(Poor dame, in Britain, put upon the shelf)—
Where hero, demi-god, and god,
Full often, as the streets they trod,
Scarce knew th' ingenious marble from himself.
