Classic Poem

ALLAN RAMSAY TO HIS SON,

ON HIS PAINTING CAPTAIN JAMES FORESTER

Young painter, thy attempt is fair;
And may'st thou finish, with a grace,
The happy smile, unmixt with care,
That ever shines in For'ster's face.

So far thy labour, well design'd,
May all the outward form display;
But pencils cannot paint the mind,
In this to me thou must give way.

With glowing colours thou canst show
Th' embroider'd coat, and nice toupee;
Draw him a first-rate blazing beau,
Easy and airy, gay and free.

But I can place him in a light,
That will his higher merits hit,
Display what makes him much more bright,
His courage, learning, and his wit;

His sprightly humour, solid sense,
And — but here further 'tis not meet,
I should his noted worth advance,
Lest I be deem'd a parasite:

Yet, this let little would-be's know,
That are but apes of so much fire,
'Tis the philosopher, not beau,
Whom we deservedly admire.

Trifle (why not?) with clothes and air,
Sing, dance, and joke, whene'er ye please;
These oft our joy and health repair,
Acceptable, perform'd with ease.

True, art and nature must combine,
To combat human cares so rife;
And rarely characters can shine
So fair, as Forester's in life.