Buchanan, William: Memoirs of painting: with a chronological history of the importation of pictures by the great masters into England since the French Revolution (Band 1) (London: Ackermann, 1824)

50

ORLEANS COLLECTION

Learn how at Julio’s birth the Muses smiled,
And in their mystic caverns nursed the child;
How by th’ Aonian powers their smile bestow’d,
His pencil with poetic fervour glow’d ;
When faintly verse Apollo’s charms convey’d,
He oped the shrine, and all the god display’d:
His triumphs more than mortal pomp adorns,
With more than mortal rage his battle burns:
His heroes, happy heirs of fav’ring fame,
More from his art than from their actions claim *.

1. Birth of Jupiter—valued at 200 guineas.
2. The nursing of Hercules—the Duke of
Bridgewater at SOO guineas. A po-
etical composition in his best manner.
3. The Birth of Bacchus—valued at 200
guineas

* Julius a puero Musarum eductis in antris,
Aonias reseravit opes, graphicaque poesi,
Quae non visa prius, sed tantum audita poetis,
Ante oculos spectanda dabit sacraria Phoebi;
Quaeque coronatis complevit bella triumphis
Heroum fortuna potens, casusque decoros,
Nobilius re ipsa antiqua pinaeisse videtur.