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"Ye virgins meek, that wear the palmy crown
"Of patient faith, and yet so fiercely frown;
"Ye angels, that from clouds of gold recline,
"But boast no semblance to a race divine;
"Ye tragic tales of legendary lore,
"That draw devotion's ready tear no more;
"Shapes that with one broad glare the gazer strike,
"Kings, Bishops, Nuns, Apostles, all alike!
"Ye columns that the unwary sight amaze,
"And only dazzle in the noontide blaze!
"No more the sacred window's round disgrace,
"But yield to Grecian groupes the shining space.
"Lo, from the canvas beauty shifts her throne!
"Lo, picture's powers a new formation own!
"Behold, she prints upon the crystal plain
"With her own energy th' expressive stain!
"The mighty master spreads his mimic toil
"More wide, nor only blends the breathing oil;
"But calls the lineaments of life compleat
"From genial alchemy's creative heat;
"Obedient forms to the bright fusion gives,
"While in the warm enamel nature lives."
Warton.
"Of patient faith, and yet so fiercely frown;
"Ye angels, that from clouds of gold recline,
"But boast no semblance to a race divine;
"Ye tragic tales of legendary lore,
"That draw devotion's ready tear no more;
"Shapes that with one broad glare the gazer strike,
"Kings, Bishops, Nuns, Apostles, all alike!
"Ye columns that the unwary sight amaze,
"And only dazzle in the noontide blaze!
"No more the sacred window's round disgrace,
"But yield to Grecian groupes the shining space.
"Lo, from the canvas beauty shifts her throne!
"Lo, picture's powers a new formation own!
"Behold, she prints upon the crystal plain
"With her own energy th' expressive stain!
"The mighty master spreads his mimic toil
"More wide, nor only blends the breathing oil;
"But calls the lineaments of life compleat
"From genial alchemy's creative heat;
"Obedient forms to the bright fusion gives,
"While in the warm enamel nature lives."
Warton.
This encaustic staining of glass, or mode of fixing the vivid and finely graduating colours upon that transparent material, was brought to its present state of perfection, after vast expence and infinite trials, by Mr. Eginton in 1784; since which period he has executed many very magnificent pieces of work in that line; the following are the most elaborate and excellent:—
