Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/101

 This glorious building was not only the residence of royalty, but might properly be called the Temple of the Muses. In his hours of relaxation from business the King here conversed with Reynolds, that great genius, who united the elegance of Mason and the genius of Shakespear: with Young, whose comedies far exceeded those of the celebrated Symonds: with Pine, who, to the inventive imagination of Milton, added the correctness and harmony of Pope. What a memorable epocha was it in history, when a George VI. conversed with three great poets, in a palace built by Gilbert, and painted by Nicholson.

But an event happened that, for a while, turned off the attention of the King from these sublime employments.