I beg you'll acquire, or we ne'er shall agree, The air, the _tournure, de la bonne compagnie_, "[d] This soon among people of fash'on you'll catch, "If careful you are, their behav'our to watch; "Observe their address, and pray likewise contrive, "Deep into the springs of their actions, to dive: "'Bove all things, have art to discover each failing, "Their merit particular, weakness prevailing; "This accomplish'd, advantage you'll infinite reap, "And may safe of their heads, and their hearts, take a peep." Form friendships, but let it be only with those On whose fond credulity you may impose; Their confidence gain'd, unsuspected you'll soon, Discover their secrets, and make them your own; 'Tis of honor no breach, to betray thus a friend, If you find, to your int'rest, 'twill visibly tend: These maxims, thro' life, I wou'd have you pursue, I practis'd them once, and now hand them to you; Successful they were, they brought honors and fame, For still I had art to preserve my good name; "[e] 'Twere wrong to suppose, what the polish'd world say; "That in manners, and carr'age, you're horrid _outré_;" "Your air [2]Pollissôn, and the taste of your cloaths, "Makes you pass for a Bourgeois that nobody knows; "In short, that you want, since the truth I must own, "[3]_Tous ces petits riens qui donnent le bon ton_." "[f] I happen'd, by chance, to step in tother day, "To a print-shop, that luckily, stood in my way, "Where a print, for your use, I took pains to select, "And hope to my taste, you will pay due respect; "'Tis of drawing the school, from a famous design "Of Carlo Marratti, who stood first in the line "Of eminent painters, in Europe that drew," Admir'd, by all lovers of taste, and Virtu: "In the grey-headed sage the great master you see, "His scholars he points to, in this you'll agree. "Their several studies, on which he must speak, "Are Perspective, Geometry, and statues antique:" Of each, you a specimen fair will behold.-- But matters, so obvious, you scarce need be told. [d] Page 53. second volume. [e] Page 17. second volume. [f] Page 101. second volume. "On the two former subjects, be pleas'd to observe, "That quantum sufficit, of either, will serve; "With regard to the latter, he clearly hath shewn, "That never enough on that head can be known:" But now to my favourite, much admir'd theme, For which, I the Artist, immortal esteem To you, with instruction divine it is fraught, Not Apelles could more have excell'd in the thought. "At top of the piece, in the clouds you will see, "With dignity seated, the Graces All Three; "And over them written this sentence quite plain,-- "Without us, depend on't, all labour is vain."