AN ODE. ALLAN RAMSAY TO HIS SON, ON HIS PAINTING CAPTAIN JAMES FORESTER YOUNG painter, thy attempt is fair; So far thy labour, well defign'd, 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 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 fprightly humour, folid sense, I fhould his noted worth advance, Yet, this let little would-be's know, 'Tis the philosopher, not beau, Trifle (why not?) with clothes and air, Thefe oft our joy and health repair, Acceptable, perform'd with ease. True, |