Come, thou best of painters, prithee listen to my sprightly lyre,
Paint upon the speaking canvas such fair things as I desire:
First depict me smiling cities, strong with ramparts, towers and walls,
And the wild flute-mellowed revels of the sportive Bacchanals.
Limn me, then, the joys of lovers, paint me Paphian delights,
Bridal torches, merry dancers, secret hymeneal rites.