EPISTLE, &c. vii 



But what, if Fafhion tempted POPE aftray ? 

 The Witch has fpells, and JERVAS knew a day 

 When mode-ftruck Belles and Beaux were proud to 



come 

 And buy of him a thoufand years of bloom, f 



Ev'n then I deem it but a venial crime : 

 Perifti alone that felfifh fordid rhyme, 

 Which flatters lawlefs Sway, or tinfel Pride ; 



Let black Oblivion plunge it in her tide. 



* 



From Fate like this my truth-fupported lays, 

 Ev'n if afpiring to thy Pencil's praife, 

 Would flow fecure ; but humbler Aims are mine ; 

 Know, when to thee I confecrate the line, 

 'Tis but to thank thy Genius for the ray 

 Which pours on FRESNOY'S rules a fuller day : 

 Thofe candid ftri&ures, thofe reflexions new, 

 Refin'd by Tafte, yet ftill as Nature true, 

 Which, blended here with his inftrudtive ftrains, 

 Shall bid thy Art inherit new domains ; 

 Give her in Albion as in Greece to rule, 

 And guide (what thou haft form'd) a Britifli School. 



And, 



f Alluding to another couplet in the fame Epiftle. 

 Beauty, frail Flower, that every Seafon fears, 

 Blooms in thy colours for a tkwfand ytart* 



