Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/230

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" Ye virgins meek, that wear the palmy crown

" Of patient faith, and yet so fiercely frown ;

" Ye angels, that from clonds 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."

Wakton.

This encaustic staining of glass, or mode of fix- ing the vivid and finely graduating colours upon that transparent material, was brought to its pre- sent state of perfection, after vast expence and in- finite 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:

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