"_Here_ by fall'n columns and disjoin'd arcades, On mouldering stones, beneath deciduous shades, Sits HUMANKIND in hieroglyphic state, Serious, and pondering on their changeful state; 325 While with inverted torch, and swimming eyes, Sinks the fair shade of MORTAL LIFE, and dies. _There_ the pale GHOST through Death's wide portal bends His timid feet, the dusky steep descends; With smiles assuasive LOVE DIVINE invites, 330 Guides on broad wing, with torch uplifted lights; IMMORTAL LIFE, her hand extending, courts The lingering form, his tottering step supports; Leads on to Pluto's realms the dreary way, And gives him trembling to Elysian day. 335 _Beneath_ in sacred robes the PRIESTESS dress'd, The coif close-hooded, and the fluttering vest, With pointing finger guides the initiate youth, Unweaves the many-colour'd veil of Truth, Drives the profane from Mystery's bolted door, 340 And Silence guards the Eleusinian lore.-- [Illustration: _The Portland Vase_] [Illustration: _The first Compartment_, London Published Dec'r 1st 1791 by J. Johnson, St. Paul's Church Yard.] [Transcriber's note: 2nd line with date very small and nearly illegible] [Illustration: _The second Compartment_] [Illustration: _The Handles & Bottom of the Vase._ London Published Dec'r 1st 1791 by J. Johnson, St. Paul's Church Yard.] "Whether, O Friend of Art! your gems derive Fine forms from Greece, and fabled Gods revive; Or bid from modern life the Portrait breathe, And bind round Honour's brow the laurel wreath; 345 Buoyant shall sail, with Fame's historic page, Each fair medallion o'er the wrecks of age; Nor Time shall mar; nor steel, nor fire, nor rust Touch the hard polish of the immortal bust. [_Fine forms from Greece_. l. 342. In real stones, or in paste or soft coloured glass, many pieces of exquisite workmanship were produced by the antients. Basso-relievos of various sizes were made in coarse brown earth of one colour; but of the improved kind of two or more colours, and of a true porcelain texture, none were made by the antients, nor attempted I believe by the moderns, before those of Mr. Wedgwood's manufactory.] 2. "HENCE sable COAL his massy couch extends, 350 And stars of gold the sparkling Pyrite blends; Hence dull-eyed Naphtha pours his pitchy streams, And Jet uncolour'd drinks the solar beams, Bright Amber shines on his electric throne, And adds ethereal lustres to his own. 355 --Led by the phosphor-light, with daring tread Immortal FRANKLIN sought the fiery bed; Where, nursed in night, incumbent Tempest shrouds The seeds of Thunder in circumfluent clouds, Besieged with iron points his airy cell, 360 And pierced the monster slumbering in the shell. [_Hence sable Coal_. l. 349. See additional notes, No. XXIII. on coal.]