xciii
A Pretty Epigram for the encourage-
ment of those Who have paid great
sums in the Venetian and Flemish
ooze
Nature and Art in this together suit:
What is Most Grand is always most Minute.
Rubens thinks Tables, Chairs and Stools are Grand,
But Rafael thinks a Head, a foot, a hand.
MS. Book, p. 38, where the original title (del.) read 'a Pretty Epigram
for those who have given high Prices for Bad Pictures.' WMR prints this,
xcv and xcvi, as a single poem with the title ' Raphael and Rubens ' (' Epig.'
xii), EY i. 220, omitting ' paid ' in 1. 2 of title.
xciv
1These are the Idiots' chiefest arts:
To blend and not define the parts.
The Swallow sings, in Courts of Kings,
That Fools have their high finishings.
MS. Book, p. 38. The correct position of the lines is indicated by prefixed
arable numerals, 11. 7, 8 being a marginal addition. Only in EY i. 221, who
arrange as two stanzas made up of 11. i, 2, 7, 8, and 3. 4, 5, 6. Cp. Descriptive
Catalogue (1809), pp. 26, 27 : ' The character and expression in this picture
[Blake's 'Canterbury Pilgrims'] could never have been produced with
Rubens' light and shadow, or with Rembrandt's, or any thing Venetian or
Flemish. The Venetian and Flemish practice is broken lines, broken masses,
and broken colours. Mr. B.'s practice is unbroken lines, unbroken masses,
and unbroken colours. Their art is to lose form : his art is to find form and
to keep it. His arts are opposite to theirs in all things.' Also Notes in
Blake's copy of Reynolds' Works, p. xcviii : ' To Generalize is to be an Idiot.
To Particularize is the Alone Distinction of Merit. General Knowledges
are those Knowledges that Idiots possess.'
I the] EY omit. 3 The Swallow sings] Let it be told MS. Book
1st rdg. del. ; EY read ' known ' for 'told.' 4 That . . . finishings]
