A thousand lamentable objects there, In scorn of Nature, Art gave lifeless life: Many a dry drop seemed a weeping tear, Shed for the slaughtered husband by the wife; The red blood reeked, to show the painter’s strife. And dying eyes gleamed forth their ashy lights, Like dying coals burnt out in tedious nights. 3. There might you see the labouring pioneer Begrimed with sweat, and smeared all with dust; And, from the towers of Troy there would appear The very eyes of men through loopholes thrust, Gazing upon the Greeks with little lust: Such sweet observance in this work was had, That one might see those far-off eyes look sad. 4. In great commanders, grace and majesty You might behold, triumphing in their faces; In youth, quick bearing and dexterity; And here and there the painter interlaces Pale cowards, marching on with trembling paces, Which heartless peasants did so well resemble, That one would swear he saw them quake and tremble. 5. In Ajax and Ulysses, O what art Of physiognomy might one behold! The face of either ciphered either’s heart; Their face their manners most expressly told: In Ajax’ eyes blunt rage and rigour rolled; But the mild glance that sly Ulysses lent Showed deep regard, and smiling government. 6. There pleading might you see grave Nestor stand, As ‘twere encouraging the Greeks to fight; Making such sober action with his hand, That it beguiled attention, charmed the sight; In speech, it seemed his beard, all silver-white, Wagged up and down, and from his lips did fly Thin winding breath, which purled up to the sky. 7. About him were a press of gaping faces, Which seemed to swallow up his sound advice; All jointly listening, but with several graces, As if some mermaid did their ears entice; Some high, some low, the painter was so nice. The scalps of many, almost hid behind, To jump up higher seemed, to mock the mind. 8. Here one man’s hand leaned on another’s head, His nose being shadowed by his neighbour’s ear; Here one, being thronged, bears back, all bollen and red; Another, smothered, seems to pelt and swear; And in their rage such signs of rage they bear, As, but for loss of Nestor’s golden words, It seemed they would debate with angry swords. 9. For much imaginary work was there; Conceit deceitful, so compact, so kind, That for Achilles’ image stood his spear, Griped in an armed hand; himself behind Was left unseen, save to the eye of mind: A hand, a foot, a face, a leg, a head, Stood for the whole to be imagined. 10.