AN ODE.

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 fhines in For'fter's face.

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

With

* Who was afterwards Colonel Forefter, and known in the literary world as the author of an elegant tract, intitled, "The "Polite Philofopher;" the purpose of which is to fhew, that no bad man can be truly polite.

With glowing colours thou canft show
Th' embroider'd coat, and nice toupee ;
Draw him a first-rate blazing beau,

Eafy 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 fprightly humour, folid sense,
And-but here further 'tis not meet,

I fhould his noted worth advance,
Left I be deem'd a parasite:

Yet, this let little would-be's know,
That are but apes of fo 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;

Thefe oft our joy and health repair,

Acceptable, perform'd with ease.

True,

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

ELEGIA C.