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State Tracts

Containing Many Necessary Observations and Reflections on the State of our Affairs at Home and Abroad; With some Secret Memoirs. By the Author of the Examiner [i.e. William Oldisworth]

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An Ode composed for St. Luke's Day, 1712. in praise of Painting.
  
  
  
  
  
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An Ode composed for St. Luke's Day, 1712. in praise of Painting.

I

Descend Apollo with thy sacred lays,
Strike the tuneful Lyre,
Harmonious Accents raise,
That Musick may conspire,
To mount our Souls up high'r,
And Celebrate the wond'rous Painters Praise.

II

Sounds with thy Colours blend,
And ev'ry Passion please;
Ravish the Ear, the Eye surprise,
Whilst Musick's Strain
Thrills thro' each Vein,
And Pleasure thro' the Fancy flies.

III

Paint Mirth and Joy
On the Idalian Boy,

118

Whilst Smiles adorn Face,
A free and wanton Air
Let Venus share,
And Pallas a Majestick Grace.

IV

Imperial Greatness bolder Strokes Command
from the great Painters Hand,
For 'tis that Noble Art
That touches most the Heart;
His Pencil seems to make the Monarch know,
Seraphick Bliss and melancholy Woe.

V

Oh Sacred Patron of this Art Divine
Of heavenly Origine,
Whence Things inanimate arise
With Life and Action fill'd,
So beauteous they surprise
And scarce to Nature yield.