lx
Sir Joshua praises Michael Angelo. 1
'Tis Christian mildness when Knaves praise a foe ;
But 'twould be Madness, all the world would say,
Should Michael Angelo praise Sir Joshua —
Christ vis'd the Pharisees in a rougher way. 5
MS. Book, p. 28. DGR ('Epig.' 6), WMR ('Epig.' xiii), others omit. Cp. Blake's MS. note in Reynolds' Discourses, p. [ii] : 'I consider Reynolds' Discourses to the Royal Academy as the Simulations of the Hypocrite who Smiles particularly where he means to Betray. His Praise of Rafael is like the Hysteric Smile of Revenge. His Softness & Candour, the hidden trap, & the poisoned feast. He praises Michael Angelo for Qualities which Michael Angelo abhorr'd : & He blames Rafael for the only Qualities which Rafael Valued. Whether Reynolds knew what he was doing, is nothing to me : the Mischief is just the Same whether a Man does it Ignorantly or Knowingly. I alwaj's consider'd True Art & True Artists to be particularly Insulted & Degraded by the Reputation of these Discourses. As much as they were Degraded by the Reputation of Reynolds' Paintings, & that Such Artists as Reynolds are at all times Hired by the Satans for the Depression of Art.'
2 'Tis . . . foe] And counts it outrage thus to praise his foe MS. Book 1st rdg. del. mildness] meekness all edd. when Knaves] thus to DGR, WMR.
3 all . . . would] that we all must MS. Book 1st rdg. del.5 Christ . . . way] This line added later.
lxi
He's a Blockhead who wants a proof of what he can't
Perceive ;
And he 's a fool who tries to make such a Blockhead
believe.
lxii
Cr—— loves artists as he loves his Meat :
He loves the Art ; but 'tis the art to cheat.
MS. Book, p. 29. Gil. i. 208. EY i. 214 print first line only.1 Cr ] Cromek Gil. Meat] meal EY.
