“To point a moral.”— JOHNSON.
Fairest Lady and Noble, for once on a time,
Condescend1 to accept, in the humblest of rhyme,
And a style more of Gay than of Milton,
A few opportune2 verses design’d to impart
Some didactical hints in a Needlework Art,
Not described by the Countess of Wilton.
An Art not unknown to the delicate hand
Of the fairest and first in this insular3 land,
But in Patronage4 Royal delighting;
And which now your own feminine fantasy wins,
Tho’ it scarce seems a lady-like work, that begins
In a scratching and ends in a biting!
Yet oh! that the dames5 of the Scandalous School
Would but use the same acid, and sharp-pointed tool,
That are plied6 in the said operations —
Oh! would that our Candours on copper7 would sketch8!
For the first of all things in begining to etch
Are — good grounds for our representations.
Those protective and delicate coatings of wax,
Which are meant to resist the corrosive9 attacks
That would ruin the copper completely;
Thin cerements which whoso remembers the Bee
So applauded by Watts10, the divine LL.D.,
Will be careful to spread very neatly11.
For why? like some intricate deed of the law,
Should the ground in the process be left with a flaw,
Aqua-fortis is far from a joker;
And attacking the part that no coating protects,
Will turn out as distressing12 to all your effects
As a landlord who puts in a broker13.
Then carefully spread the conservative stuff,
Until all the bright metal is cover’d enough,
To repel14 a destructive so active;
For in Etching, as well as in Morals, pray note
That a little raw spot, or a hole in a coat,
Your ascetics15 find vastly attractive.
Thus the ground being laid, very even and flat,
And then smoked with a taper16, till black as a hat,
Still from future disasters to screen it,
Just allow me, by way of precaution, to state,
You must hinder the footman from changing your plate,
Nor yet suffer the butler to clean it.
Nay17, the housemaid, perchance, in her passion to scrub,
May suppose the dull metal in want of a rub,
Like the Shield which Swift’s readers remember —
Not to mention the chance of some other mishaps18,
Such as having your copper made up into caps
To be worn on the First of September.
But aloof19 from all damage by Betty or John,
You secure the veil’d surface, and trace thereupon
The design you conceive the most proper:
Yet gently, and not with a needle too keen,
Lest it pierce to the wax through the paper between,
And of course play Old Scratch with the copper.
So in worldly affairs, the sharp-practising man
Is not always the one who succeeds in his plan,
Witness Shylock’s judicial20 exposure;
Who, as keen as his knife, yet with agony found,
That while urging his point he was losing his ground,
And incurring21 a fatal disclosure.
But, perhaps, without tracing at all, you may choose
To indulge in some little extempore views,
Like the older artistical people;
For example, a Corydon playing his pipe,
In a Low Country marsh22, with a Cow, after Cuyp,
And a Goat skipping over a steeple.
A wild Deer at a rivulet23 taking a sup,
With a couple of Pillars put in to fill up,
Like the columns of certain diurnals;
Or a very brisk sea, in a very stiff gale24,
And a very Dutch boat, with a very big sail —
Or a bevy25 of Retzsch Infernals.
Architectural study — or rich Arabesque26 —
Allegorical dream — or a view picturesque27,
Near to Naples, or Venice, or Florence;
Or “as harmless as lambs and as gentle as doves,”
A sweet family cluster of plump little Loves,
Like the Children by Reynolds or Lawrence.
But whatever the subject, your exquisite28 taste
Will ensure a design very charming and chaste29,
Like yourself, full of nature and beauty —
Yet besides the good points you already reveal,
You will need a few others — of well-temper’d steel,
And especially form’d for the duty.
For suppose that the tool be imperfectly set,
Over many weak lengths in your line you will fret30,
Like a pupil of Walton and Cotton,
Who remains31 by the brink32 of the water, agape,
While the jack33, trout34, or barbel effects its escape
Thro’ the gut35 or silk line being rotten.
Therefore, let the steel point be set truly and round,
That the finest of strokes may be even and sound,
Flowing glibly36 where fancy would lead ’em.
But alas37! for the needle that fetters38 the hand,
And forbids even sketches39 of Liberty’s land
To be drawn40 with the requisite41 freedom!
Oh! the botches I’ve seen by a tool of the sort,
Rather hitching42 than etching, and making, in short,
Such stiff, crabbed43, and angular scratches,
That the figures seem’d statues or mummies from tombs,
While the trees were as rigid44 as bundles of brooms,
And the herbage like bunches of matches!
The stiff clouds as if carefully iron’d and starch’d,
While a cast-iron bridge, meant for wooden, o’er-arch’d
Something more like a road than a river.
Prythee, who in such characteristics could see
Any trace of the beautiful land of the free —
The Free-Mason — Free-Trader — Free-Liver!
But prepared by a hand that is skilful45 and nice,
The fine point glides46 along like a skate on the ice,
At the will of the Gentle Designer,
Who impelling47 the needle just presses so much,
That each line of her labor48 the copper may touch,
As if done by a penny-a-liner.
And behold49! how the fast-growing images gleam!
Like the sparkles of gold in a sunshiny stream,
Till perplex’d by the glittering issue,
You repine for a light of a tenderer kind —
And in choosing a substance for making a blind,
Do not sneeze at the paper call’d tissue.
For, subdued50 by the sheet so transparent51 and white,
Your design will appear in a soberer light,
And reveal its defects on inspection52,
Just as Glory achieved, or political scheme,
And some more of our dazzling performances seem,
Not so bright on a cooler reflection.
So the juvenile53 Poet with ecstasy54 views
His first verses, and dreams that the songs of his Muse55
Are as brilliant as Moore’s and as tender —
Till some critical sheet scans the faulty design,
And alas! takes the shine out of every line
That had form’d such a vision of splendor56;
Certain objects, however, may come in your sketch,
Which, design’d by a hand unaccustom’d to etch,
With a luckless result may be branded;
Wherefore add this particular rule to your code,
Let all vehicles take the wrong side of the road,
And man, woman, and child, be left-handed.
Yet regard not the awkward appearance with doubt,
But remember how often mere57 blessings58 fall out,
That at first seem’d no better than curses;
So, till things take a turn, live in hope, and depend
That whatever is wrong will come right in the end,
And console you for all your reverses.
But of errors why speak, when for beauty and truth
Your free, spirited Etching is worthy59, in sooth,
Of that Club (may all honor betide it!)
Which, tho’ dealing60 in copper, by genius and taste,
Has accomplish’d a service of plate not disgraced
By the work of a Goldsmith beside it.?
So your sketch superficially drawn on the plate,
It becomes you to fix in a permanent state,
Which involves a precise operation,
With a keen biting fluid, which eating its way—
As in other professions is common they say —
Has attain’d an artistical station.
And it’s, oh! that some splenetic folks I could name
If they must deal in acids would use but the same,
In such innocent graphical labors61!
In the place of the virulent62 spirit wherewith —
Like the polecat, the weasel, and things of that kith —
They keep biting the backs of their neighbors!
But beforehand, with wax or the shoemaker’s pitch,
You must build a neat dyke63 round the margin64, in which
You may pour the dilute65 aqua-fortis.
For if raw like a dram, it will shock you to trace
Your design with a horrible froth on its face,
Like a wretch66 in articulo mortis.
Like a wretch in the pangs67 that too many endure
From the use of strong waters, without any pure,
A vile68 practice, most sad and improper69!
For, from painful examples, this warning is found,
That the raw burning spirit will take up the ground,
In the churchyard, as well as on copper!
But the Acid has duly been lower’d, and bites
Only just where the visible metal invites,
Like a nature inclined to meet troubles;
And behold! as each slender and glittering line
Effervesces70, you trace the completed design
In an elegant bead-work of bubbles!
And yet constantly secretly eating its way,
The shrewd acid is making the substance its prey71,
Like some sorrow beyond inquisition,
Which is gnawing72 the heart and the brain all the while
That the face is illumed by its cheerfullest smile,
And the wit is in bright ebullition.
But still stealthily feeding, the treacherous73 stuff
Has corroded74 and deepen’d some portions enough —
The pure sky, and the waters so placid75 —
And these tenderer tints76 to defend from attack,
With some turpentine varnish77 and sooty lamp-black
You must stop out the ferreting acid.
But before with the varnishing78 brush you proceed,
Let the plate with cold water be thoroughly79 freed
From the other less innocent liquor —
After which, on whatever you want to protect,
Put a coat that will act to that very effect,
Like the black one which hangs on the Vicar.
Then — the varnish well dried — urge the biting again,
But how long at its meal the eau forte80 may remain,
Time and practice alone can determine:
But of course not so long that the Mountain, and Mill,
The rude Bridge, and the Figures, whatever you will,
Are as black as the spots on your ermine.
It is true, none the less, that a dark-looking scrap81,
With a sort of Blackheath, and Black Forest, mayhap,
Is consider’d as rather Rembrandty;
And that very black cattle and very black sheep,
A black dog, and a shepherd as black as a sweep,
Are the pets of some great Dilettante82.
So with certain designers, one needs not to name,
All this life is a dark scene of sorrow and shame,
From our birth to our final adjourning83 —
Yea, this excellent earth and its glories, alack!
What with ravens84, palls85, cottons, and devils, as black
As a Warehouse86 for Family Mourning!
But before your own picture arrives at that pitch,
While the lights are still light, and the shadows, though rich,
More transparent than ebony shutters87,
Never minding what Black-Arted critics may say,
Stop the biting, and pour the green fluid away,
As you please, into bottles or gutters88.
Then removing the ground and the wax at a heat,
Cleanse89 the surface with oil, spermaceti or sweet,
For your hand a performance scarce proper —
So some careful professional person secure —
For the Laundress will not be a safe amateur —
To assist you in cleaning the copper.
And, in truth, ’tis a rather unpleasantish job,
To be done on a hot German stove, or a hob —
Though as sure of an instant forgetting,
When — as after the dark clearing-off of a storm —
The fair Landscape shines out in a lustre90 as warm
As the glow of the sun, in its setting!
Thus your Etching complete, it remains but to hint,
That with certain assistance from paper and print,
Which the proper Mechanic will settle,
You may charm all your Friends — without any sad tale
Of such perils91 and ills as beset92 Lady Sale —
With a fine India Proof of your Metal.
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收听单词发音
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1
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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insular
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| adj.岛屿的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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corrosive
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| adj.腐蚀性的；有害的；恶毒的 | |
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watts
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| （电力计量单位）瓦，瓦特( watt的名词复数 ) | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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12
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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broker
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| n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排 | |
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14
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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ascetics
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| n.苦行者，禁欲者，禁欲主义者( ascetic的名词复数 ) | |
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16
taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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17
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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18
mishaps
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| n.轻微的事故，小的意外( mishap的名词复数 ) | |
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19
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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20
judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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21
incurring
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| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
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22
marsh
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| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
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23
rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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24
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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25
bevy
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| n.一群 | |
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arabesque
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| n.阿拉伯式花饰；adj.阿拉伯式图案的 | |
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27
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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28
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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29
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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30
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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31
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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32
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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33
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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34
trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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35
gut
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| n.[pl.]胆量；内脏；adj.本能的；vt.取出内脏 | |
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36
glibly
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| adv.流利地，流畅地；满口 | |
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37
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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38
fetters
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| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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39
sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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41
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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42
hitching
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| 搭乘； （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的现在分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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43
crabbed
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| adj.脾气坏的；易怒的；（指字迹）难辨认的；（字迹等）难辨认的v.捕蟹( crab的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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45
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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46
glides
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| n.滑行( glide的名词复数 )；滑音；音渡；过渡音v.滑动( glide的第三人称单数 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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impelling
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| adj.迫使性的，强有力的v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的现在分词 ) | |
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48
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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49
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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52
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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53
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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56
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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59
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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61
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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62
virulent
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| adj.有毒的，有恶意的，充满敌意的 | |
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dyke
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| n.堤，水坝，排水沟 | |
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margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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65
dilute
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| vt.稀释，冲淡；adj.稀释的，冲淡的 | |
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66
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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67
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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69
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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70
effervesces
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| v.冒气泡，起泡沫( effervesce的第三人称单数 ) | |
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71
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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72
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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73
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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74
corroded
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| 已被腐蚀的 | |
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75
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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76
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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77
varnish
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| n.清漆；v.上清漆；粉饰 | |
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78
varnishing
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| 在（某物）上涂清漆( varnish的现在分词 ) | |
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79
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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80
forte
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| n.长处，擅长；adj.(音乐)强音的 | |
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81
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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82
dilettante
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| n.半瓶醋，业余爱好者 | |
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83
adjourning
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的现在分词 ) | |
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84
ravens
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| n.低质煤；渡鸦( raven的名词复数 ) | |
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85
palls
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| n.柩衣( pall的名词复数 )；墓衣；棺罩；深色或厚重的覆盖物v.（因过多或过久而）生厌，感到乏味，厌烦( pall的第三人称单数 ) | |
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86
warehouse
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| n.仓库；vt.存入仓库 | |
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87
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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88
gutters
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| （路边）排水沟( gutter的名词复数 )； 阴沟； （屋顶的）天沟； 贫贱的境地 | |
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89
cleanse
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| vt.使清洁，使纯洁，清洗 | |
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90
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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91
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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92
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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