TO
Mr. MASON,
On his sending the Author his Translation of
DuFresnoy, with Notes by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
1783.
I
Dear Brother of the tuneful art,
To whom I justly bend,
I prize, with a fraternal heart,
The pleasing gift you send.
II
With pride, by envy undebas'd,
My English spirit views
How far your elegance of taste
Improves a Gallic Muse.
III
I thought that Muse but meanly drest
When her stiff gown was Latin;
But you have turn'd her grogram vest
Into fine folds of sattin.
IV
Mild Reynolds looks with liberal favour
On your adopted girl;
And to the graceful robe you gave her,
Adds rich festoons of pearl.
