The BORDER of the SHIELD. Er d'irides wolapoio, &c.] Then lastly, he reprefented the rapid courfe of the great ocean, which be made to roll its waves round the extremity of the whole circumference. This (as has been said before) was only the frame to the whole Thield, and is therefore but flightly touch'd upon, without any mention of particular objects. I I ought not to end this effay, without vindicating my felf from the vanity of treating of an art, which I love fo much better than I understand: But I have been very careful to confult both the best performers and judges in painting, can't neglect this occafion of faying, how happy I think my felf in the favour of the moft diftinguifh'd mafters of that art. Sir Godfrey Kneller in particular allows me to tell the world, that he entirely agrees with my fentiments on this fubje&t: And I can't help wifhing, that he who gives this teftimony to Homer, would ennoble fo great a defign by his own execution of it. Vulcan never wrought for Thetis with more readiness and affection, than Sir Godfrey has done for me: And fo admirable a picture of the whole univerfe could not be a more agreeable prefent, than he has oblig'd me with, in the Portraits of fome of those perfons, who are to me the dearest objects in it. The ARGUMENT. The reconciliation of Achilles and Aga memnon. THETIS brings to her for the armour made by Vulcan. She preferves the body of his friend from corruption, and commands him to affemble the army, to declare his refentment at an end. Agamemnon and Achilles are folemnly reconcil'd: The speeches, prefents, and ceremonies on that occafion. Achilles is with great difficulty perfuaded to refrain from the battel, till the troops have refresh'd themselves, by the ad vice of Ulyffes. The prefents are convey'd to the tent of Achilles: where Brifeïs laments over the body of Patroclus. The hero obftinately refufes all repaft, and gives himself up to lamentations for his friend. Minerva defcends to ftrengthen him, by the order of Jupiter. He arms for the fight; his appearance defcribed. He addreffes himself to his borfes, and reproaches them with the death of Patroclus. One of them is miraculously endued with voice, and inspir'd to prophesy his fate; but the hero, not astonish'd by that prodigy, rushes with fury to the combate. ce The thirteenth day. The fcene is on the fea-shore. THE |