SEEING THE DUKE of ORMOND's PICTURE, AT Sir GODFREY KNELLER's.
18th Century Matthew Prior EnglishSEEING THE DUKE of ORMOND's PICTURE, AT Sir GODFREY KNELLER's.
Out from the injur'd Canvas, Kneller, strike These Lines too faint: the Picture is not like. Exalt thy Thought, and try thy Toil again: Dreadful in Arms, on Landen's glorious Plain Place Ormond's Duke: impendent in the Air Let His keen Sabre, Comet-like, appear, Where-e'er it points, denouncing Death: below Draw routed Squadrons, and the num'rous Foe Falling beneath, or flying from His Blow: 'Till weak with Wounds, and cover'd o'er with Blood, Which from the Patriot's Breast in Torrents flowed, He faints: His Steed no longer hears the Rein; But stumbles o'er the Heap, His Hand had slain. And now exhausted, bleeding, pale He lyes; Lovely, sad Object! in His half-clos' Eyes Stern Vengeance yet, and Hostile Terror stand: His Front yet threatens; and His Frowns command: The Gallick Chiefs their Troops around Him call; Fear to approach Him, tho' they see Him fall. —
O Kneller, could Thy Shades and Lights express The perfect Hero in that glorious Dress; Ages to come might Ormond's Picture know; And Palms for Thee beneath His Lawrels grow: In spight of Time Thy Work might ever shine; Nor Homer's Colors last so long as Thine.