rwards in consequence by the
sense of sight; this seems to have been observed by
Aristotle, who calls man, "the imitative animal;" see
Zoonomia, Vol. I. Sect. XXII.]

"Hence when the inquiring hands with contact fine
Trace on hard forms the circumscribing line; 280
Which then the language of the rolling eyes
From distant scenes of earth and heaven supplies;
Those clear ideas of the touch and sight
Rouse the quick sense to anguish or delight;
Whence the fine power of IMITATION springs,
And apes the outlines of external things;
With ceaseless action to the world imparts
All moral virtues, languages, and arts.
First the charm'd Mind mechanic powers collects,
Means for some end, and causes of effects; 290
Then learns from other Minds their joys and fears,
Contagious smiles and sympathetic tears.

[Footnote: _All moral virtues_, l. 288. See the sequel of
this canto l. 453 on sympathy; and l. 331 on language; and
the subsequent lines on the arts of painting and
architecture.]

"What one fine stimulated Sense discerns,
Another Sense by IMITATION learns.--
So in the graceful dance the step sublime
Learns from the ear the concordance of Time.
So, when the pen of some young artist prints
Recumbent Nymphs in TITIAN'S living tints;
The glowing limb, fair cheek, and flowing hair,
Respiring bosom, and seductive air, 300
He justly copies with enamour'd sigh
From Beauty's image pictured on his eye.

[Footnote: _Another sense_, l. 294. As the part of the organs
of touch or of sight, which is stimulated into action by a
tangible or visible object, must resemble in figure at least
the figure of that object, as it thus constitutes an idea; it
may be said to imitate the figure of that object; and thus
imitation may be esteemed coeval with the existence both of
man and other animals: but this would confound perception
with imitation; which latter is better defined from the
actions of one sense copying those of another.]

"Thus when great ANGELO in wondering Rome
Fix'd the vast pillars of Saint Peter's dome,
Rear'd rocks on rocks sublime, and hung on high
A new Pantheon in the affrighted sky.
Each massy pier, now join'd and now aloof,
The figured archit