New-York, Dec. 6, 1796.
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_To a Gentleman who attempted drawing the Picture
of a beautiful Young Lady:_
Vain the attempt of Phœbus’ darling boy,
To guide the flaming chariot of the sky;
Vain the attempt of Dædalus’ favourite care,
With artificial wing to cleave the air;
But vainer still thy fond attempt to trace,
The matchless beauties of that heavenly face:
Where every grace, and every charm combin’d,
Confess an angel’s form, an angel’s mind;
How couldst thou then a likeness hope to strike?
The task requires a Reubens or Vandyke!
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