Sir Joshua praised Rubens with a smile. On Art and Artists. William Blake. 1908. The Poetical Works

William Blake (1757–1827). The Poetical Works. 1908.

On Art and Artists

Sir Joshua praisèd Rubens with a smile


XV SIR JOSHUA praisèd Rubens with a smile,
By calling his the ornamental style;
And yet his praise of Flaxman was the smartest,
When he called him the ornamental artist.
But sure such ornaments we well may spare	5
As crooked limbs and lousy heads of hair. 1

Note 1. XV 6 Like a filthy infectious head of hair MS. 1st rdg. del. A crooked stick and a lousy head of hair MS. 2nd rdg. del. [back]