The Porch of Art--Entrance thereto--A Sight of the Pyramids--Statues at Memphis--Pompey’s Pillar--The Hanging Gardens of Babylon--Pompeii--Palmyra--The Temple of the Sun--Wall of China--The Eddystone--A more minute Survey of Art--The Gallery of Painting--Statuary--Distant Music--The great Masters of Science and Art pass in review, Raphael, &c., Milton, Newton--The Garden of Delight--Shakspeare--Leaving the Vale of Tempé, they are led to the Repository of Art, Armoury, &c.--Painted Glass--Models, &c.--Mechanical Objects--Steam Power--The Printing Press--The _Times_ Journal--Modern Improvements--Inventions--Progress of Art. CANTO III. XCVI. To this great end he did them straightway lead To yon fair other entrance, “Art” beknown, Adjoining that of Nature; found indeed A wild-formed way that we have rudely shown, A frowning mass ’neath shadowy trees o’ergrown, That formed a wild’rness and secluded spot; But here proud masonry did th’ archway crown With bust and bold device, time ne’er can blot, That uncorroded stands in pillared strength, I wot. XCVII. “Behold the porch,” the lofty bard exclaimed, “That leads to native art and works of man; His ingenuity thus matured and warmed ’Neath genius, working out each mighty plan That can engross, or fix the thought to scan Th’ undying lay, or music’s thrilling chord; Or painter’s skilful hand, that first began From nature draw; or sculptor’s bust record In Parian marble, starting into life restored.” XCVIII. The words scarce died upon his lips away, When they the threshold crossed with hasty tread, Each dwelling on what he, their guide, would say, And what new marvels did enforce him lead, And were they lovely things, or things of dread, That he did ponder deep to them unfold; Such thought came o’er them as they ’gan proceed, When on their startled sight, in outline bold, Arose a mighty pile, as seen in days of old. XCIX. There stood the wonder of the gazing earth, The lofty pyramid by Cheops raised; Three thousand years have vanished since its birth, Whose pristine form the swarth Egyptian gaz’d, As tow’ring high it met his sight amazed; The glorious sunshine hath illumed its head, And arrow’d lightning on its summit blazed, As raging tempests all its fury shed-- Unscathed by fiery-bolt of heav’n’s artillery dread. C.